SSS-Rank AI System: My Path from Failure to Supreme

Alaric exhaled slowly, then shook his head.

"I wasn't there myself, Sir. But I did ask a few neighbors nearby. They said the fire seemed to have started in the central room, near the electrical system. So they suspect it might've been caused by a short circuit. But… nothing's certain yet. It's still all unclear. We can't say for sure if it was an accident or if there was foul play involved."

The officer nodded thoughtfully and continued writing.

"Were there any valuable items in the house?"

"We don't know for sure yet, Sir. My mother said none of her belongings of value were kept there, but I haven't heard anything from my father's side."

The officer stopped writing and calmly closed his notebook.

"Alright. We'll process your report. We'll send a forensics team to examine the site. In the meantime, you may return home. We'll contact you once we have the results of the investigation."

Alaric nodded politely.

"Thank you, Sir."

He then walked out of the police station, heading toward his car. But before he could unlock the door, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure.

A student, around his age, was standing across the street from the station. Though the boy wasn't wearing a school uniform, Alaric recognized him immediately. His face still held the same serious expression it had the last time they met at the campus library.

Alaric froze.

"That's… him?"

The mysterious student noticed Alaric's gaze, then walked casually in his direction. Without much small talk, he stopped just a few steps in front of Alaric.

"You?" Alaric asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

The boy looked at him briefly, a faint smile on his lips.

"I've got a few things to take care of," he replied casually, as if standing in front of a police station was the most ordinary thing in the world.

"What kind of things?" Alaric asked, growing more curious.

But the student didn't offer any explanation. He simply patted Alaric's shoulder lightly and said,

"I'm going in."

Without waiting for a response, he walked past and disappeared into the building, leaving Alaric standing there, still frozen in place.

Alaric's mind was still occupied with the unexpected encounter he had with that mysterious student. He found himself pulled into a new circle of questions that had yet to be answered. Still, he tried to calm himself down. In the middle of a storm like this, overthinking wasn't going to help.

With everything that had happened lately, he realized his mind was too full. And when his thoughts were overcrowded. Even simple things started to feel like puzzles when in reality, they weren't always that complicated.

Instead of heading straight home, he took a deep breath and turned his steering wheel in a different direction. Something inside him pushed him to take a detour, just to pass by the old house that had recently turned into ashes and rubble.

He drove at a moderate speed. Along the way, his eyes occasionally drifted toward the window, catching glimpses of the trees, a few neighboring houses, and eventually the bend in the road that led to his old home.

He slowly eased off the gas, rolled down the window, and let the cool night air brush against his face. When he reached the front of the house, he stepped on the brake. His car came to a stop across the street. Alaric simply stared through the window at the building that no longer resembled a home.

The walls were charred black, coated in soot. The roof that once stood neat and firm now had gaping holes, like peeled, burned skin. The glass windows... where his mother used to place a small pot of roses, were now just shards. The iron fence still stood tall, oddly out of place, as if the house still wanted to hold itself together, even though its body was completely broken.

Alaric didn't get out of the car. He chose to remain seated, watching from a distance. In his eyes, flashes of memory began to play: himself as a child, running across that yard with his toys; his sister's laughter; the voice of his father calling out from the living room.

They passed quickly, but each one weighed heavily on his chest. A part of him wanted to step out, to walk across the ruins. But there was also a sense of dread holding him back.

He let out a long breath. And after several minutes of silence, the young man finally turned the wheel again. The tires rolled forward, gliding over the smooth pavement as he left the house and its dark shadow behind.

Back at the main house, Alaric parked in the driveway. The night had grown late. He walked in, greeted his mother briefly, and headed straight to his room.

Without turning on the lights too brightly, he collapsed onto his bed. His arms stretched out wide beside him. Another deep sigh escaped his lips, this one mixed with exhaustion and the storm of thoughts in his head.

"What a day," he muttered, as if those words were a closing remark to a long, chaotic day filled with unexpected turns. And forget about figuring out what had happened at school. Now, life had thrown him yet another problem to deal with.

---

Sunlight streamed through the clear windowpane, casting a warm glow across the sleeping figure and onto the floor. Alaric opened his eyes, adjusting to the brightness of the morning.

It felt like he had only just closed them. But the long night, filled with thoughts and strange events, had left a lingering heaviness in his head. He rubbed his face and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, then reached for his ringing phone nearby.

"Good morning. This is from the police department," a formal, firm voice greeted him on the other end.

"We've gathered some information regarding the fire at your second home yesterday. We'd like you to come in to provide a direct statement so we can finalize the clarification process."

Alaric swallowed and replied, "Alright, sir. I'll come as soon as I can."

After ending the call, Alaric pulled the blanket off his body, got up, and walked into the bathroom. After a shower, he dressed in something neat and comfortable.

Soon after, he made his way down to the dining area. The smell of freshly toasted bread welcomed him. His father who had just returned from an out-of-town assignment. Was seated at the table, still in his work shirt, reading the morning paper and sipping coffee.

Alaric prepared his breakfast, taking some scrambled eggs and toast.

In the middle of the quiet meal, Alaric looked at his father with a hint of curiosity. "Did you ever keep anything valuable or important documents in the second house? Things that weren't moved yet?" he asked suddenly, taking a sip of his coffee.

His father furrowed his brow for a moment, trying to recall. "As far as I remember, nothing truly important, son. What about you?"

Alaric shook his head slowly, eyes fixed on his plate. "Nothing for me either, Dad. Most of my things are here. Other than some work documents and prototypes I'm developing, there's really nothing else."

His father let out a relieved smile, set his spoon down, and patted Alaric lightly on the back. "That's good to hear, son. At least we didn't lose anything essential."

Alaric nodded, letting the sense of relief slowly settle in his chest. Even though the fire, the strange documents, and the rumors still loomed in his mind, he tried to stay present and enjoy breakfast with a more positive outlook.

He glanced at both of his parents in the dining room. "Dad, Mom, I'm heading out to the police station now. I just want to make sure everything about the second house is clear," he said while adjusting the strap on his bag.

His mother nodded with a warm smile. "Take care, dear. Don't take too long. If anything important comes up, let us know right away."

His father gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Alright, son. Hopefully it won't take long. Don't stress too much."

Alaric gave them both a small nod, then started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. The roads were relatively smooth, allowing him to reach the police station faster than expected.

After a few minutes, he arrived at the front of the station. The building looked official with its clean white walls and a flag gently waving in the wind. Alaric lowered his bag, took a moment to observe his surroundings, and stepped inside.

Inside, the atmosphere was calm. A few officers were busy with files, while others assisted citizens waiting for their turn. Alaric approached the reception desk and explained the reason for his visit. The officer at the desk directed him to a small waiting area.

Not long after, a neatly dressed officer called his name. "Please have a seat here, sir. We'll go over the fire incident at your second home," the officer said, pointing to the chair in front of him.

Without hesitation, Alaric spoke up. "Sir, has the department gathered a full report about the fire at my house yesterday? I just want to make sure everything is clear."