Still reeling from the Adjudicators' punishment, Kashi turns his attention to the promised appointment at a certain mountaintop. What awaits him atop the mountain? And will he finally find the answers to the questions he seeks?
Meanwhile, spurred on by their show of solidarity, the Hopeful Maggots up their tempo in order to firmly establish and promote their position in all of Rosendun.
The blossoming of romance, the union of Marriage, the explosion of Spring-Time Youth! Eh... What is this Shadow that looms over these joyous events?
Meanwhile, Suzuki focuses on his upcoming tournament, as well as coming to terms with all the new emotions flooding his heart.
...Yes, even those he would rather have never learned.
Subject 23 has lived and trained in the facility for all her life. It's all she's ever known.
So every Subject developing their own special ability-a Gift-is normal. Avoiding the attention of the staff without Gifts, fearing them, hating them, is second-nature.
It doesn't help that she herself is the only Ungifted Subject left at the facility.
But what isn't normal is that weekly for the past six months, a Subject has been taken from the facility and killed. No one-not the doctors nor the soldiers-can find a clue as to the murderer. When Subject 23's closest friend is taken, she swears vengeance, consumed by rage.
But what if she's no match?
What if she's taken next?
As secrets unfold and 23 is thrust into unimaginable places, she's forced to question all she's believed about Ungifteds-about herself. For the first time, 23 must decide on her own what future she wants, but could it possibly be with other Ungifteds?