The room was cold.

  Not just in temperature, but in atmosphere.

  Dim lighting. Concrete walls. A single table and two chairs.

  Batman sat on one side, hands cuffed to the table.

  On the other side sat a man he had never seen before.

  A high-ranking official, judging by his uniform and sharp gaze.

  > Interrogation room. Cssic.

  Batman leaned back in his chair, unfazed.

  > "So. What’s this about?"

  The official didn’t answer immediately. He simply pced a bck crystal device on the table.

  It hummed.

  > [Truth Resonator: Active]

  Batman sighed.

  > They really don’t trust me, huh?

  ---

  "State your name and designation."

  The official’s voice was ft.

  > "Batman. First-year cadet."

  The device remained silent. No reaction. He was telling the truth.

  > No surprise there. I’m not stupid enough to lie to a damn lie detector.

  ---

  "What happened during the trial?"

  Batman exhaled.

  > "I passed."

  > [Resonator: No reaction.]

  The official’s eyes narrowed.

  > "How?"

  Batman smirked.

  > "Skill."

  > [Resonator: No reaction.]

  The official’s fingers twitched slightly. He was clearly getting frustrated.

  > What? You expected me to spill my secrets?

  ---

  The Real Questions Begin.

  The official leaned forward.

  > "What did you see?"

  Batman’s smirk faded slightly.

  For a moment, he hesitated.

  Because he knew—some things shouldn’t be said aloud.

  ---

  The Abyss.

  That endless void of shadows.

  The whispers. The knowledge.

  The power.

  > They wouldn’t understand.

  If he told them everything, the Academy would lock him up forever.

  So, he kept it simple.

  > "Darkness."

  > [Resonator: No reaction.]

  The official’s frown deepened.

  He knew Batman was hiding something—but the Resonator said he wasn’t lying.

  > "Is that all?"

  Batman shrugged.

  > "Pretty much."

  > [Resonator: No reaction.]

  The official exhaled. He had no choice but to accept the answer.

  ---

  The Warning.

  Finally, the official stood up.

  > "From now on, the Academy will be watching you closely, Cadet Batman."

  Batman grinned.

  > "Aw. I feel so special."

  The official didn’t react. He simply turned and left the room.

  A moment ter, the cuffs clicked open.

  Batman rubbed his wrists, standing up.

  > So that’s it, huh?

  He was free to go.

  But he knew—this wasn’t over.

  The Academy wouldn’t just let him walk away after what happened.

  Something bigger was coming.

  And he had to be ready. ---