The small room was filled with cold, sterile lighting.
The dark gray walls were completely sealed, with only a single rectangular one-way window embedded in them. Together with the low ceiling, they created an overwhelming sense of oppression.
I never would have imagined that, only a few days after the last time, I'd find myself in such a similar situation again.
Only this time, I seemed to be standing on the exact opposite side.
"Name."
The Genryumon student sitting across from me asked the question without the slightest hint of emotion.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You've already brought me to a place like this, and you're seriously starting with that?"
While I was talking with Saya, several Genryumon students had come looking for her to discuss something. After learning who I was, they politely, yet unmistakably forcefully, asked me to "step aside for a moment," despite Saya's attempts to stop them.
Although I had immediately sensed something was off, it also felt like this might turn out to be interesting. Saya had even told me to go along with them for now, saying she'd find a way to get me out as soon as possible.
So, just as I was trying to escape the fate of becoming a test subject, not only did I put up no resistance whatsoever, I actually cooperated with them the entire time with eager anticipation.
Maybe these girls were all my fans and wanted to bring me somewhere private so I could give them autographs.
Just like the enthusiastic bunny girls aboard the Odyssey.
Instead, to my complete surprise, I was brought into an interrogation room.
"Quiet!"
The Genryumon member even barked at me.
"Even if you're Schale's Sensei, now that you're in Shanhaijing, you'll follow Shanhaijing's rules. Don't think you can change the subject!"
"...Genryumon's way of treating guests is truly eye-opening."
I sighed from the bottom of my heart.
I'd long heard that Shanhaijing's student council upheld traditions and valued secrecy above all else. But this was the first time I'd learned that their attitude toward outsiders was just as uncompromising.
And in the most direct way possible, through firsthand experience.
My interest faded a little, and I began answering the interrogator's questions half-heartedly.
But after confirming my identity, the questions started becoming increasingly bizarre.
My hobbies, my height and weight, even my measurements...
At that point, I couldn't help asking,
"Hold on a second... are you sure this is an interrogation?"
"An interrogation? Whatever are you talking about?"
The Genryumon girl's expression looked even more confused than mine. Then she suddenly smiled proudly.
"This is the 'Rite of Genryumon,' a ceremony specially reserved for receiving distinguished guests! You won't find anything like it anywhere else in Kivotos! If President Saya of the Eastern Alchemy Society hadn't specifically stressed how important you are, we would never have casually employed a method that so perfectly embodies our traditions, values, and spirit!"
...What?
I fell into confusion.
It felt as though there was some fundamental misunderstanding between me and Genryumon.
After I had honestly provided even my contact information and home address, which the Genryumon student diligently wrote into the record, a knock suddenly came at the door.
Then, accompanied by a polite, "Excuse me," the interrogation room door opened.
A girl with pale blue hair and pink eyes strode inside.
Her tall figure was further accentuated by her high-heeled boots and high-waisted fitted trousers. Her beautiful face, partially concealed by her hair over one eye, wore a cold, stern expression. Judging by her attire, she was also a member of Genryumon.
"Hm?"
The girl conducting the interrogation immediately stood and bowed.
"Executive Director, what brings you to a place like this personally?"
The pale blue-haired girl, addressed as Executive Director, looked me up and down for a moment before letting out a low chuckle. In a slightly husky voice, she said,
"So, you must be Schale's Sensei. No wonder the magpies sounded especially pleasant today. It seems the time has come to set out on our journey. I am Genryumon's Executive Director, Konoe Mina. Leave anyone who dares stand in our way to me."
The strange way she spoke gave me the inexplicable feeling that, in the very next second, she'd open a briefcase and pull out a yellow trench coat to drape over my shoulders.
The Genryumon member handling the interrogation seemed to understand at least part of what she meant.
"Executive Director, what are you planning to do?"
The girl named Konoe Mina turned her head slightly.
"I'm taking him."
"That isn't in accordance with protocol..."
"This is an order personally issued to me by the Master."
Mina produced an official document from inside her jacket and held it up.
"You don't have any objections, do you?"
The interrogating girl's expression immediately changed.
After examining the document, she not only stopped objecting, but respectfully presented the completed interview record with both hands.
Meanwhile, I recalled my chance encounter with the mysterious Shanhaijing Student Council President and found myself growing mildly curious.
Had Saya asked her for help?
Or did Student Kisaki already have plans involving me?
Or perhaps... both?
After glancing through the report, which contained little more than basic information anyone could easily find online, Mina tucked it into the inside pocket of her suit.
She then led me out of the interrogation room and toward Shanhaijing's landmark building, Genryumon Headquarters, the Xuanlong Office.
On the road leading to the Xuanlong Office, heavily armed guards were stationed at regular intervals.
Even with Mina leading the way, someone who, as Executive Director, clearly held considerable authority within Genryumon, we were stopped and questioned no fewer than ten times before they finally allowed us to pass after verifying the official document.
Strangely enough, once we entered the Xuanlong Office itself, although security was visibly even tighter, our path became completely unobstructed.
I figured the Master had already been informed of my arrival.
A short while later, Mina and I stepped into an elevator.
Amid the steady, low hum as it ascended, inside the enclosed space occupied by only the two of us, Mina, whose tough, hard-boiled aura was exactly the kind Aru would admire, suddenly spoke.
"As expected of Sensei. To remain so composed when you're about to meet the Master herself."
I answered honestly,
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
"Heh, you're too modest."
A nostalgic look appeared on Mina's face.
"I still remember the first time I was granted the honor of meeting the Master. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep the entire night!"
"Really...?"
I began wondering whether this was her subtle way of warning me to mind my manners.
But Mina chuckled.
"That's right. When the Master's exquisitely beautiful figure, so delicate it looked as though it might shatter if embraced, yet concealing an incomparably hard-boiled spirit beneath, appeared before my eyes, and she entrusted me with the duties of Executive Director, my eyes filled with tears! This kind of gap moe is the greatest, isn't it!?"
...I take that back.
This girl seemed to possess an enormous gap between her appearance and her personality as well.
Just then, the elevator finally arrived at its destination.
My anticipation, thanks to everything Mina had said, had only grown stronger.
Together with her, I headed toward the reception room.