1 Prologue: Monologue of Arisu

I still remember the sight I saw on the mirror that day as if it just happened yesterday. The exterior of the facility, which is located deep in the mountains, where my father led me to the pure white.

No, not just the exterior. The corridor, small compartment that we all passed, were only tainted with pure white colour, as far as I can remember.

I put my hands on the transparent glass, persistently trying to identify what was behind. On the other hand, this looking-glass is like a magic mirror, so they can't see us if we are here.

"What's the matter, Arisu? I rarely have seen you so interested."

"This is an experiment for creating artificial intelligence. There's no way I wouldn't be surprised.

"That's not a childish way of talking, as usual." My father said so while showing a surprised smile when then he hugged me.

According to my father, anyone who follows the curriculum of these facilities, without exception, will be trained to become an extraordinary person. Really no way I would not be interested about that.

"However, this experiment seems to contained a lot of elements that are very troublesome, eh?

"What do you mean?"

"Almost a whole object of these experiments were humans."

"Ha ha ha ..."

"That's what I said, and I even guess that they can't be definitely become a genius or anything."

When people are born in this world, is when they received life, their potential is already set in stone — a product of chance.

Then sometimes, someone will manifest expertise in various fields. That is the discovery of the human world.

They cannot do more than what's engraved into their DNA. They were awakened by derivational blood from their ancestors or by a sudden mutation. In other words, if you want to produce a genius, you must do so from the point of DNA

Humans who are born as ordinary will never escape from the realm of ordinary people. No matter how blessed they are from the environment, if students will not excel early on, they for sure will not become a genius. It's my conviction since I was a kid.

That's the conclusion of seeing my classmates who were given a high-quality education since they were toddlers.

That's why this experiment is in contrast with my own of thinking. In other words... It's not an easy thing if only DNA can solve it.

"Even if someone were to pass at this facility as the best, will it be fruit of success of the experiment?

"What makes you think so?"

"Children who are gifted usually have superior DNA from the start; that's what I'm thinking."

"I understand. The curriculum that these children are following is quite intense. There's a possibility that the winners will remain, exceptional from the start as what you had said. You are really wise same as your mother. Including your personality."

"That makes me happy. Compared to my mother, this is the highest words of praise that I've gotten.

I obediently and honestly remember what my father said, and again watched the children. Children with talent, children without talent, everyone equally take part in this study. And then on the system, in which people fall, disappearing one after another alternately.

"In the end, even though there were children who stayed until the end, they are just blessed by the talents of their parents."

Although I was interested in partaking in, it's not an experiment without a meaning. I feel that way.

"I don't know, maybe so, maybe not. I also don't know. But I can't discard the possibility that these children are destined to bear our future.

I don't understand what he's trying to achieve by making acquaintance of my father, isn't he the first child?

My eyes reflected back to what was behind the glass.

"—The child seems to have finished the task calmly without trouble this time."

As for completing the assignment given to themselves, all children, which reflected to our eyes, had taken care of it. However, everyone has to do it with despair and with all their concentration. It should've been obvious. Whether studying or sports, the competition here is beyond normal that children can do. Among them is a single existence that indicates abnormalities.

A boy continued to beat his opponent in a row in the game of chess, that's what they're doing right now. Among the children I could see through the glass; he was the only existence that grabbed my attention and my heart. Seeing this, my father looks rather happy, while somewhat sad, and spoke.

"Yes, he is Sensei's son. If I am not mistaken, his name is … Ayanokouji … Kiyotaka."

Sensei is the acquaintance of my father and the person who runs the facility. He was a person who never gives up on anyone and my father always show a humble attitude toward him.

"He is Sensei's son, so his DNA certainly must be amazing, right?"

"I don't know. At least, Sensei isn't a graduate of a top university or have an efferent nerve. His wife is also an ordinary woman. Their parents also never showed any talent. But, Sensei has stronger ambition than anyone and a fighting spirit that never gives up and is so persistent, that's all. That's why he became so great. To the extent that he too, at one time, could move the country."

"In that case- wouldn't the child be the perfect specimen of this experimentation?"

My father nodded with ambivalence regarding the question.

"Well … I guess he would consider that child as perfect. But … as I see it, I feel sorry for him."

"Why so?

"Since he was born, he has been living in this facility. For him, the first he saw was not his mother nor his father, but the white ceiling of this building. If he had to take early on, he might be able to live with his father. Or at least, the fact that he continues to live here might make him help his father. If so, it's very …"

Simply put, he didn't receive any love from his parents. How boring and lonely if his life was like that. Although there are many things that can be obtained and learned from touching other human beings, by putting aside his talent. I immediately embraced my father, who hugs me back.

"The ultimate goal of this facility is that every child must be educated to be a genius. But it is still in the experimental stage. This will continue for the next 50 or 100 years. This is not to make the children who gathered here to show a talent when they become adults later on, but for the sake of the children in the future. Both those who survived and who fail is no more than a collection of samples."

Life is trap in these buildings, and their data is taken and examined. That's the life that awaits them, that's what my father said. As he said those words, he seems like he was in pain.

"Don't you like this place?"

"Hmm … I don't know what to say? … Honestly, I might not be able to support it. If the children here are really superior than the others, this facility will be a natural thing, then this is definitely a bad start. That's what I'm thinking about."

"Believe me. I will personally destroy it for you father. I would prove that talent is not determined by education, but from the moment where people are born."

I will not lose from these children who grew up in this facility no matter what and, however much. I, who inherited superior DNA, must stop it.

"Yes, I expect a lot from you, Arisu."

"By the way, father. I think I want to play chess—"

I opened my eyes and sat half-asleep.

"So, it was just a dream …"

Maybe because my duel is getting closer. I never thought I would remember that day. But since I met him until now, then I definitely wouldn't forget it. I'm sure a day will come when I will meet him again in person.