Returning from the mission, Rin's heart was in turmoil. Ye Xue's arrow, her tears, and that blurred yet incredibly real memory, made it impossible for him to see her as a mere enemy any longer. He had to know the truth—about her, about him, about their deliberately erased past.
Back in his academy dorm, Rin didn't rest for a moment. He walked straight to his desk and opened his personal terminal. He knew the academy's internal access system was extremely tight, but as the former "Blade of Demise," he possessed countless covert methods and hacking skills inherited from his past life. His fingers danced swiftly across the keyboard, complex streams of code shimmering and leaping across the screen.
His target was the academy's highest-level cadet archives, especially the encrypted records concerning "special individuals."
Time ticked by, second by second, and fine beads of sweat formed on Rin's forehead. The academy's firewall was more formidable than he had imagined, but his determination was stronger than ever. He bypassed one security protocol after another, breached layer after layer of encryption, and finally, after the last string of code was typed, a triumph notification popped up on the screen.
He had succeeded.
Rin's heart pounded. He quickly typed "Ye Xue" into the search bar.
A flood of information immediately appeared, including her admission records, training reports, mission performance evaluations… Rin's gaze quickly scanned them. These public details were no different from what he already knew about Ye Xue: cold, efficient, exceptionally gifted.
However, as he scrolled down, a specially marked entry made his pupils sharply constrict.
It was an encrypted "black record," the file name consisting of just a few characters: "[TOP SECRET] 'Cold Moon' Individual Report (Partially Deleted)."
Rin's heart sank instantly. These few words immediately connected to Ye Xue's codename from his past life—"Cold Moon."
He tried to open it, only to find that this record was protected by an even higher level of encryption. Rin took a deep breath, once again summoning his residual hacker instincts to forcibly crack the record. Each collision of data streams sent sharp pangs through his brain, but he didn't stop.
Finally, the encryption was forcibly removed, and the content of the black record slowly appeared on the screen.
The record was short, but every word was like a cold knife blade, plunging fiercely into Rin's heart.
"...'Cold Moon' (ID A-017) individual found within the stronghold. Prior to enrollment, she briefly deviated from control and attempted to interfere with the [Blade of Demise] execution plan."
"...Given that her mind has been compromised and contains unstable factors. To ensure mission execution efficiency, an advanced thought re-molding program has been activated, and a 'loyalty core' module has been implanted."
"...Currently, 'Cold Moon' individual's status is stable. Past memories have been completely erased, and emotional connection modules have been downgraded."
"...Assessment: Re-molding successful. Fully meets academy 'weapon' requirements. Suitable for cultivation as a 'special individual'."
Rin's body stiffened abruptly. He stared intently at the words on the screen, each one hammering his soul like a sledgehammer.
"Thought re-molding"! "Memory erasure"! "Emotional connection modules downgraded"!
This… what did this mean?!
His mind exploded. All his doubts, all his pain, all his struggles, found a terrifying explanation at this moment.
Ye Xue, she didn't choose to betray him. She was controlled! Her memories were forcibly erased, and her past struggles and attempts to save him were ruthlessly obliterated by the academy, or perhaps by some even more powerful organization!
Rin's face turned ashen white. His hands clenched tightly, his fingernails almost piercing his palms.
"She was 'programmed'! Her memories were artificially sealed!"
This realization plunged Rin into an unprecedented state of panic. He had once hated Ye Xue, hated her betrayal, hated her for personally ending his life. But now he knew she was a victim too! She couldn't even control her own thoughts and memories!
So, when she plunged the dagger into his chest, what caused those tear-filled eyes, that trembling? Was it because the "re-molding program" wasn't thorough enough, leaving a trace of instinctive emotion? Or was it because, even under control, the bond she felt for him deep down couldn't be completely erased?
Rin's breathing became rapid and heavy, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He felt a chilling rage surge from the depths of his heart, rushing straight to his head. This rage was no longer directed at Ye Xue, but at the mastermind manipulating everything, erasing memories, and playing with human minds!
Her betrayal was not because of her; it was because someone else controlled her!
This conclusion instantly lifted Rin's mood from endless anguish, transforming it into extreme anger and resolve. All his past hatred had found its true target at this moment.
He would find the controller, he would utterly destroy this so-called "academy," he would make those bastards who played with memories and destinies pay! He would make Ye Xue reclaim everything that belonged to her, no matter how painful or bloody the process!
Rin's eyes gleamed with an unprecedented cold light, no longer the detached indifference of an assassin, but an absolute determination fueled by the fires of revenge. He closed his personal terminal, stood up, and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and the academy's lights flickered in the distance, like cold eyes, watching everything.
Rin's gaze swept over these lights. Only one thought occupied his mind: from now on, the rules of this game had completely changed. He would be the chess master, no longer a pawn.