Zain's pulse spike

Clara was dressed in her customary cyber suit, but she wore a thick coat on top as she moved with hurried steps down the hallway of the Scavengers' Headquarters.

In her hand was a file with a large word written on it: "Classified." Clara abruptly opened the door and walked into a spacious room that contained only one wooden table, placed directly across from the door.

"Excuse me, General Garry, but there has been a new development."

General Garry sat at the table, his figure as imposing as always. However, he was not wearing his usual black suit; instead, he wore a cyber suit with a furry black coat on top.

The general stared at his assistant, who had just unceremoniously rushed in, and sighed.

"What is the issue?" he asked.

Clara smiled, her expression seeming like a ray of sunshine in the cold winter weather they were experiencing. She said, "General, it's Zain—his pulse spiked."

General Garry narrowed his eyebrows.

"You mean similar to when a person experiences an adrenaline rush?"

"Yes, exactly, sir. Exactly like that." Clara handed the general the file she was holding, adding, "You see, sir, these are yesterday's records. It happened in the evening at 8 p.m."

"Show me the camera feed," General Garry said.

Clara promptly activated her comms and brought up the Ascension Department's cameras installed in the room where Zain was being kept.

The cameras showed the room where Zain was being held, now lit up.

"Is this the real-time feed?" the general asked.

Clara nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Who is she?" The general pointed at the girl cleaning the room where Zain was.

"We did a background check on her and found that she is Ria of Clan Bing."

"The heiress?" the general said in a surprised tone.

"This will be interesting. For now, just monitor his vitals; don't pry into the reasons why she is there," he added.

"But, sir!" Clara protested.

"Remember what the third section of the Scavenger's Code says about privacy."

Clara was quiet. The general sighed and continued.

"It states that all rankers are to be given the freedom of privacy as long as they are not criminals."

Clara nodded. "Understood, sir."

---

At the Academy

A scientist had just walked into the principal's office. It took him a moment to catch his breath.

"Principal Benedict! It's... Zain. He transmitted a strong pulse. We checked the cameras, and here is what we found."

Principal Benedict looked at the video clip the scientist was showing him. His face softened—a strange reaction, given his usual demeanor.

This unexpected reaction made the scientist ask, "Sir, are you alright?"

Principal Benedict was known for his sour expression, one borne from having no reason to smile. However, what he was seeing made his mouth curve upwards into a smile, and he chuckled.

"My good man, are you familiar with Section 3 of the Scavenger's Code that talks about privacy?"

The scientist nodded. "Yes, I am."

"That's good. Then all we need to do is just observe his vitals."

The principal dismissed the scientist and watched as he left the room. He sighed and mumbled to himself, "Hopefully, she will do the impossible."