Extraordinary Minds: Road to Hell

Chapter 60: Our Final Trial

As everyone reached the first floor, they were forced to gather in one circle of 8 people. Everyone remaining, and the Mastermind themselves. The Copycat then chuckled, as he spoke.

"Now then. Considering this is your final trial, and things are gonna be a little different! Let me explain the circumstances! If you can figure out the secrets behind our little organization, then you win! If not...You die! You have only 1 hour to compile your information together, or it's lights out for everyone!"

"Ok, but may I start this with a potential theory I've just realized, putting everything together so far?" Yumico spoke directly. "Regarding the Humanity Preservation Program and the Academy themselves that Maeko mentioned."

"Oh god, spare us the details!" The Copycat rolled their eyes. "Then again, waste time! I beg of you! All the more exciting for me to finish you all off one by one!"

"I think I may know what you're speaking of, Yumico." Akira spoke up. "You're talking about the funds from the organization the Academy themselves accepted that got them shut down, yes?"

"Wasn't that just a newspaper clipping we found?" Riku asked. "Easily could've been forged to make the Academy look scummy but.."

"That is a good observation Riku, but not the case." Yumico spoke. "It was very real."

"I can back that statement up, given the articles I found before Seiichis murder." Akira spoke.

"The articles before?" Mitsuko asked.

"Shortly after, I covered up the cameras as a means to do research and figure out what the big deal was behind the Academy. There I found out that yeah, they were accepting funds."

Kentaro thought for a minute. "So...What if the Humanity Preservation Program was a cover up?"

"But, why would they call it that?" Kioka asked. "Some of us...don't have much impact on technology, right?"

"Well, actually you would. Influencers?" Lily asked. "Kentaro easily is one, as is Akira. You as well, Kioka."

"And it's very clear why people like myself or Lily would be chosen. Especially Lily for something like Preservation of Humanity. Since her talent relates to Plants? I myself I assume was chosen purely for my knowledge of the Oceans wonders themselves." Yumico spoke. "As for people like Aratani, given she was willing to give up her Ultimate to pursue Nursing..She I presume was a special case."

"So the real question is...Why people like Ayaka, or Yutaka, or Barisuta...Even Riku?" Mitsuko asked. "It is true though in their fields. They in someways have ties to technology."

"I agree with that!" Akira said. "In Yutakas case, he could be considered an influencer to entertain the world. Ayaka as well, given her animation skills and how quick she can draw compared to the average human?"

"Possibly she was chosen for remembering people's faces quite well." Kentaro spoke. "I'd know, as she explained it to me some during our cooking sessions."

"And...That helps how?" Riku asked annoyed.

"Wait, Riku. I think I see what he's talking about." Akira spoke. "Facial Recognition. Given she may have been useful for getting ID of missing individuals or things similar?"

"Ohhh, I think I see what you mean now." Riku said reassured. "So, we know that, then...HEY! You trying to say I aint got purpose here for my talent?!"

"No, not exactly Riku." Yumico spoke. "We were going to get to that, and I believe I have a theory as to why they chose you. Given you're an expert with Cars, as a Racer. You'd serve as a mechanic of sorts and potentially branch out to Enginnering."