...and that's how I came to be here, at the Academy, I finished, my Mind Speech falling silent in the room.

The quiet stretched, broken only by the soft whisper of wind through the tower windows. My companions sat still, processing everything I'd shared.

Copelan cleared his throat. "That's quite a story."

You don't believe me.

"I didn't say that." He shifted against the windowsill. "It's unbelievable, yes-"

"Don't be rude!" Annes snapped, half-rising from her perch.

"Let me finish," Copelan held up a hand. "It's unbelievable, but it explains so much. How you know human customs so well. How you create those mechanical marvels. This 'Assembly' ability of yours; I've never heard of anything like it. Anywhere. And your claim of being human..." He shook his head. "There are no records of humans becoming monsters, or the reverse."

The priest in Weath, Ludwig, had theories, I sent. Either my memories are delusions, or the gods punished me to be as I am now.

"Your memories can't all be delusions." Copelan's voice was firm. "The battlefield techniques you taught us, this Isparan Battlefield Fencing; they're too effective to be made up. They had to exist. At some point."

What do you mean?

"I looked in the library." He straightened. "There's nothing about Isparan Battlefield Fencing in any military records. Nothing at all. But I did find some copies of ancient maps, over a thousand years old. They showed a region in the eastern kingdoms called 'Ispara.' There's nothing there now. Even at the time of the map, it was called a desert." His eyes met my covered face. "If you were human once, it was a very, very long time ago."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I knew the world had changed since my fractured memories, but a thousand years? More? The thought made my mechanical frame feel suddenly heavy.

That's... impossible, I sent, but uncertainty colored my thoughts.

Eyarna's soft voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "Is it true then? What they say about Kolin Redflight? That you..." She trailed off, unable to finish.

My mechanical fingers tightened against my leg. The memory of that night in Weath rose unbidden. I remembered Kolin's screams as I methodically dismantled him, the wet sound of his tearing flesh, the cold satisfaction I'd felt watching him suffer for what he'd done to Mallie.

He deserved death, I sent, my mental voice wavering. But not like that. Not... My thoughts fractured as the memories surfaced. I was consumed by grief over Mallie. She was so young, so innocent. When I saw her body, something broke inside me.

I turned away from Eyarna's questioning gaze, shame burning through me. I didn't just kill Kolin. I took him apart, piece by piece. Made him suffer. Made him scream. My mental voice cut out completely for a moment. I wanted him to feel every bit of pain Mallie must have felt.

"Good," Annes spat. "That bastard deserved everything he got."

Loland nodded in agreement.

Annes continued. "He murdered a child. If you hadn't done it, someone else would have."

No, I sent. Not like that. Mallie wouldn't have wanted... I trailed off, remembering her bright smile, her endless optimism even in the darkest moments. She was better than that. Better than what I became that night.

I felt Eyarna's warm fingers wrap around my remaining flesh hand. "Listen to me," she said softly. "The fact that you feel this way, that you're torn up with guilt over what happened; it proves you're not a monster. Not where it counts." She squeezed my hand. "A true monster wouldn't care. Wouldn't feel remorse."

I still hear his screams sometimes, I admitted. Still see the look in his eyes when he realized what I was going to do to him.

"Good," Annes repeated, but quieter this time. "Let it remind you. Let it keep you human." She blinked, then flushed as she looked around the room at Genta, Eyarna, and Loland. "Um, well, you know what I mean!"

Genta laughed at her red face.

Thank you, I sent to them all. For listening. For understanding.

The words felt inadequate compared to the profound relief washing through me. For months I'd carried the weight of Weath's tragedy alone, letting others believe their worst assumptions. That I'd murdered Mallie. That I'd slaughtered innocent villagers. The truth had festered inside me like a wound, poisoning my thoughts.

But now, sharing everything with these people who'd become my friends; it was like finally being able to breathe again. The burden hadn't disappeared completely, but it felt lighter, more manageable.

I looked at each of them in turn. Annes with her fierce protective anger. Copelan and his careful analysis. Eyarna's gentle understanding. Genta's unwavering acceptance. Loland's quiet support. Yulios, a kind and gentle giant. Even Sven and Patter, who'd stood by me despite their initial fear.

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They'd listened without judgment. Accepted my darkest confessions. Offered comfort instead of condemnation.

In that moment, I made another decision. They deserved more than just my words. They deserved to see the real me. All of me.

I rose from my seat, my mechanical joints whirring softly in the quiet room.

There's something else I need to show you, I sent. Something important.

"What is it?" Genta asked, leaning forward.

A secret. One that could put you all in danger if you know it. But after everything you've shared with me, everything you've accepted about me... you deserve to know the whole truth.

I looked at each of them again, my remaining organic flesh tingling with nervous energy.

Will you come with me? To the basement storage rooms?

I led our group down the winding stone steps into the basement levels, my mechanical footsteps echoing off the walls. The others followed close behind, trying to stay quiet despite their excitement.

Watch your step, I sent telepathically as we reached the bottom. The floor's uneven down here.

The storage room door creaked as I opened it, revealing the vast space beyond. Rows of wooden crates stretched into the shadows, filled with forgotten Academy supplies.

"By the gods," Annes whispered, running her hand along a rack of rusted training swords. "Look at all this stuff."

"These uniforms must be ancient," Genta said, pulling a moth-eaten jacket from a nearby crate.

I guided them deeper into the room, past shelves of moldering books and broken practice dummies. At the far wall, I stopped before the iron barrier I'd constructed.

Using Assembly, I broke down the metal sheet piece by piece, revealing the dark fissure beyond. Cool air wafted up from the depths, carrying the mineral scent of the underground.

"Is that what I think it is?" Sven breathed.

"It's a hole!" Yulios exclaimed.

It leads to the Academy Hellzone, I sent. Deep into the tunnels below.

Annes punched my arm. "You sneaky bastard! This is how you've been leveling up so fast!"

I nodded, allowing myself a small smile.

With this, you can all grow stronger too.

Excitement lit up their faces, all except Copelan, who frowned deeply.

"If we're caught, we'll be expelled immediately," he said. "Unauthorized Hellzone access is one of the Academy's gravest offenses."

Annes shrugged. "We're stuck as C-ranks anyway. May as well take the risk and actually get something out of our time."

"Hear hear!" Loland shouted.

"I'm in," Genta agreed.

I turned to Eyarna, who hadn't spoken. I know you're not a combat student, but you're my friend. I wanted you to know about this too. We can gather materials from below, components for your enchanting work.

"That's actually quite clever," Copelan mused. "Hellzones often contain rare resources."

"Thank you for trusting me," Eyarna said softly, though worry still creased her brow.

I usually come down here at night, I sent to the group. While everyone else sleeps, I merge with my combat chassis and hunt monsters in the tunnels. It's how I've managed to gain so many levels.

"And we could do the same?" Annes asked, her eyes bright with possibility.

Yes, though you'll need proper rest unlike me.

Copelan stroked his chin, studying the dark passage. "We should organize this carefully. Split into smaller groups."

"Why?" Genta's yellow eyes narrowed. "Wouldn't we be safer together?"

"Think about it," Copelan said. "Eight students sneaking out every night? Someone would notice eventually. The patrols would catch us, or another student might spot us. But three or four? Much easier to stay hidden."

Sven nodded. "He's right. Smaller groups draw less attention."

"It would help with fatigue too," Copelan continued. "Fighting in a Hellzone takes a lot out of you. If we went down every single night, we'd be exhausted during classes. Taking turns gives everyone time to recover between expeditions."

I've seen how draining it can be, I agreed. Even experienced adventurers need rest after Hellzone diving.

"Plus we can cover each other's absences better," Sven added. "If someone asks where Annes is, the rest of us can say we just saw her in the library or something."

Patter bounced on her heels. "So how do we decide who goes when?"

"We should pair the more experienced fighters with newer ones," Copelan said. "Widow's obviously our highest level. Annes has real combat experience too."

We'll need to coordinate our schedules, I sent. Work out a rotation that gives everyone equal opportunities while maintaining safety.

I watched as Copelan pulled out a small notebook and began sketching out rotation schedules. His tactical mind proved invaluable as he divided us into balanced teams.

"Widow and I can lead each group," Annes said, peering over his shoulder. "We've both fought in Hellzones before."

"Good idea." Copelan made a note. "Sven should join the first group with Widow. His stealth abilities could prove useful for scouting."

"What about me?" Yulios shifted from foot to foot, eager to begin.

"You'll come with my group," Annes said. "Along with Genta. Between your strength and her magic, we should manage well enough."

Loland puffed up his chest. "I insist on joining the first expedition. As nobility, I-"

"Fine, fine. You're with the first group," Copelan cut in before the kobold could go on a tirade. "So is Patter. Since I'm the weakest one here, I'll stay behind with the second group. It should be safer after we've mapped more of the tunnels out."

I pulled out the rough sketches I'd made of the underground passages. Here's what I've discovered so far. The first level contains mostly Vile Roaches and Cave Stalkers. Nothing above level fifteen.

"Perfect for training," Annes nodded. "We can practice formations there before tackling anything tougher."

"What's deeper down?" Genta asked.

Scorn Spiders on the second level. Larger caverns too. I haven't explored beyond that yet.

"We should establish a base camp," Copelan said. "Somewhere to rest and tend wounds if needed. Perhaps in one of these wider chambers here."

I indicated a relatively safe alcove on my map. This spot has fresh water and only one entrance to defend.

"Good thinking," Sven said. "We can store spare weapons and supplies there too."

We spent the next hour working out the details - guard rotations, emergency signals, retreat protocols. Copelan thought of contingencies I hadn't considered in my solo expeditions.

"Remember," he said finally, closing his notebook. "We stick to the schedule. No one goes down alone except Widow. And if you're too tired for class the next day, you skip that night's expedition."

Everyone nodded. The excitement of earlier had transformed into focused determination.

"When do we start?" Annes asked.

Tonight, I sent. First group meets here at midnight.

"This sounds so exciting! I wish I could come with you!" Eyarna said. She then frowned, thinking about her words some more. "On second thought, you guys are going down into a Hellzone. So maybe not."

Everyone laughed.

As we filed out of the storage room, I rebuilt the metal barrier over the entrance. Soon we would return, ready to grow stronger together. What started as my private training ground would become our path to advancement. We C-rank students would now be seeking power on our own terms.

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