The citadel

Doctor Lux was momentarily stunned by Grimmes' remark, but she couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Considering his special identity, she asked, "Do you want me to erase the information from the record?"

"There's no need," Grimmes replied without hesitation. "This isn't a shelter. We're raising conquerors. If he can't survive the stigma of being an anomaly, is he even one?"

With that, he issued his next order. "Move him to the next section."

Nioh was unhooked from the probes and ushered into another room—a cubic training chamber with reinforced walls, a high ceiling, and polished combat tiles. At the center of the space stood Grimmes, arms crossed, his presence exuding authority.

Nioh approached him and stopped, waiting. There was a brief, suffocating silence, during which he felt completely exposed, as if every secret he had was being laid bare under the man's piercing gaze.