Erika felt something twist in her chest. Not fear. Recognition.

A screen lit up. Not with punishment—with a simulation. A future version of herself, age 30, working three jobs, exhausted, alone. The AI narrated: “This is the statistical outcome of current habits. No discipline. No follow-through. Every skipped task adds weight to this future.”

The screen shifted. Another future: same girl, same energy, but with small changes—submitting work on time, showing up, speaking once a day in class. That version smiled. She had options.

The other students didn’t laugh. They just stared. Some looked relieved it wasn’t them.

“You may leave now. Or you may stay and finish one thing. Your score updates in real time.”

The 22 blinked on the screen.

She turned around.

“Please state why you failed to submit three assignments this week,” said the calm voice.

Chamber 7 was a white room with a single chair, armrests lined with soft sensors. No restraints. No pain. Just truth .