The Côte d'Azur housed some of the wealthiest families in the world. Politicians, oil barons, tech moguls—all manner of elite gathered along the Mediterranean coastline, their fortunes allowing them to live in splendid isolation from the chaos consuming the rest of humanity.

And as Clementine explained, they live in a completely different world. Even among these titans of wealth and influence, Her and Sylvie's family, the Rousseau family, occupied a tier entirely their own.

No, she told Adam Rousseau was not even their family name, no. In the inner circle, whatever that was, they were known as House Montrevane.

Clementine didn't really explain their history, but she said that their wealth wasn't just substantial—it was boundless, rivaling the gross domestic product of entire nations. While other families counted their riches in billions, the Rousseaus measured theirs in influence, in the ability to shape governments and topple economies with a single phone call.

Yet despite their immense power, the general public remained blissfully unaware of their existence. They preferred it that way. True power, after all, operated best from the shadows, she said.

It didn't matter for Adam either way if they were famous or not; he had no idea of the intricacies of the real world—he had just been busy surviving all these years. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what his life might have been like if he'd been born into a family like this. Or any normal family, for that matter.

A normal life.

But then again, who had a normal life in these times? Everyone was suffering as much as he was—it just depended on what kind of suffering. Some people starved. Others watched their children get dragged into the Game. Others lost everything.

At least… he didn't have something to lose. Well, not until Grace and Samantha.

Everyone suffered in their own ways.

Even Clementine and Sylvie… well, at least he thought so.

Adam looked ahead as their car passed through an automatic gate that appeared dilapidated, but clearly wasn't. Beyond it stretched a long driveway lined with ancient olive trees, leading to what could only be described as...

"...That's a castle."

Adam had expected a large house filled with windows and glass—something modern and ostentatious. Instead, what rose before them was all marble and weathered stone, seeming as old as the land it stood upon.

It was a castle, no matter what angle Adam looked at it, a complete contrast with the sleek modern cars parked in front of it.

"What the..." Clementine noticed the cars too, her relaxed demeanor instantly shifting. She knocked sharply on the partition separating them from the driver.

"Alfred! Isn't that Louis's car? You didn't tell me he was here! And did he fucking bring friends over?!"

The partition window opened, and Adam could hear Aflred's sigh.

"My sincerest apologies, Mademoiselle Clementine. I was unaware that Master Louis had arrived. He appears to have brought several guests as well."

Clementine clicked her tongue, groaning as she shook her head and muttered curses that Adam couldn't understand. She stopped when she noticed he was looking at her.

"We're not close with our cousins," she said with a roll of her eyes.

Adam only nodded in response. He reached for the door handle as they came to a stop, but before he could even grab it, Alfred was already there, having somehow moved from the driver's seat to Adam's door in the blink of an eye.

"...Thank you," Adam said, wondering how fast Alfred was.

He stepped out, making sure to bring his bag with him as he looked up at the castle. The first thing he noticed was the ornate lamps mounted along the walls—he thought they were only decorative, but they were lit even in the morning.

You should just marry one of them, Adam. Half of your problems would be solved. Shut up. Shut up? I'm you.

As he was taking in the magnificent structure and talking to himself, the large doors opened with a thunderous creak, and an even louder voice shouted from within.

"Cousin! Welcome, welcome!"

A man with blonde hair emerged, clapping and stretching his arms wide in an exaggerated gesture of greeting.

"Huh…" Adam quickly stepped aside to make way for Clementine, but she hadn't yet emerged from the car. Adam slightly leaned down to look, only to hear her groaning and sighing inside.

But after a few seconds, she finally stepped out, her face making no effort to hide her disdain for her cousin.

"Cousin." Still, the two hugged—or rather, Louis hugged her while Clementine stood stiffly, not reciprocating the gesture.

While the cousins went through their awkward greeting, Alfred suddenly appeared behind Adam again.

"What the…" Adam startled slightly, but Alfred seemed unconcerned by his reaction. The man simply smiled warmly.

"Shall I take your bag, Monsieur Adam?"

"Thank you, but I can carry it myself, Sir."

Alfred blinked for a moment, but bowed respectfully. "Very well. Your room is prepared. Simply use the key when you're ready."

"Key? What–"

Adam felt something solid in his hand before he could finish his words. He looked, and it was a brass key with intricate engravings.

"When did you–" He looked up, but Alfred had already vanished, now standing by the door.

…Is he a Hero?

"Oh…?"

He was about to follow Alfred when he heard Louis's voice behind him.

"And who's the American? He is an American, yes? He doesn't look like one."

Adam glanced back to see Louis eyeing him from head to toe.

Clementine scoffed, quickly moving to stand beside Adam to cover him from her cousin's eyes. "He's Sylvie's guest. Don't get any weird thoughts or harass him. Tell your friends to stay away from him, too."

She motioned to Adam. "Follow Alfred to your room. I'll knock later."

Adam didn't need to be told twice. He had no desire to get involved in whatever family drama was brewing here. Also, as soon as Sylvie returned, he would thank her and leave—he couldn't risk involving these people with his business, too.

He was going to deal with the Hospital alone.

Alfred led him through corridors that belonged in a museum. Adam expected to see staff maintaining the place, but there was no one at all. Even as they reached his room, there was no sign of other people—though he could hear voices echoing from various corners. The staff were simply making their presence unknown.

What… sort of wealth is this?

He was about to thank Alfred again as he stepped inside the room, but Alfred had already disappeared.

"He's… gone again." Adam could only blink before finally taking in his temporary abode.

It was enormous. Larger than his old apartment, larger than any single space he'd ever inhabited.

"...Okay," he blurted out.

Like the rest of the castle, the walls and ceiling looked aged, bearing the patina of centuries. The bed frame appeared antique, though the carpet and sheets were clearly new. And if he wasn't mistaken...

Adam looked up. There was a vent there—the entire castle had air conditioning.

And that was when he finally realized just how truly wealthy they were. This was wealth beyond his imagination.

The entire castle is air-conditioned? Once I become a Hero and explore Leaks myself, would I also get this kind of life?

Adam sighed at the thought. He looked at himself in an ornate mirror mounted on the wall—and he looked dirty. Road dust, sweat, and blood… and whatever else.

He dropped his bag on the floor and immediately sought out the bathroom, which turned out to have a bathtub larger than his entire bathroom back home. The water was already warm, steam rising from the marble basin.

Adam stripped and looked at himself in the large mirror. This one had no fractures at all—the only fractures… were the scars covering his body.

"Hm…" And for the first time in his life, he found himself wondering where the scars actually came from.

They weren't from the Hospital, he was certain of that.

Was it from before?

The memories he'd had before the Hospital found him?

Just how old am I? And why can't I remember? Are they… really even memories? Or am I just losing my mind?

Adam stared at his reflection for a long moment, then finally noticed the changes in his body. Back when he was a scavenger, he'd been almost skin and bones, with little hints of muscle.

But now… he could see the sharp definition of muscles. Unfortunately… he was still short.

He shook his head and stepped into the shower before sinking into the bath.

He didn't soak for too long, afraid of getting used to this level of comfort. He wore the bathrobe provided for him and stepped outside—but there, on the bed, he saw a set of clothes that wasn't there before.

His eyes narrowed. While he was grateful for the clothes, he didn't appreciate that someone had access to his room. And if he was right, this was definitely Alfred's doing, again.

Adam examined the outfit—a white jacket that reminded him uncomfortably of the Hospital, though this one had many buttons on the front-left and a flat collar that sat around his neck.

…The pants were also white, along with matching white shoes.

Are they… planning on experimenting on me, too?

"I hope you're dressed!" Before Adam could even think of an escape plan, the door slammed open.

He quickly put up his guard, but it was only Clementine who barged carelessly inside… and wearing the exact same outfit as him.

Clementine stared at him for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Now you actually look human. And I have to say, not bad. Not bad at all."

She turned around just like that and headed for the door.

"Follow me."

"...Why?"

"What do you mean why?" Clementine glanced back with a smirk on her face.

"Sylvie asked me to train you how to hold a sword. We're going to train you until the next Game."

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