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As the sound that accompanied Gina’s burning corpse completely faded away, the laboratory fell into silence once more.

And then, a chill gaze landed on me.

I recognized it without needing to see.

It was Jeber’s gaze directed at me, laced with fear.

It seemed he had no intention of seeking the truth.

Rather than feeling curiosity about an unknown entity, he chose rejection and exclusion.

Honestly, wasn’t that scene not as horrific as it seemed? Even a wizard like Jeber wouldn’t feel guilty, and he probably called me ‘Dad’ out of necessity.

No, to begin with, did anyone think someone would burn saying they’re cold after I performed a psychic link?

But to think he would be scared of me… How ridiculous.

Hmm. I turned my gaze to survey the surrounding Chimeras.

The screams that Gina had let out were plastered across their faces.

She had shouted that she was cold.

I felt cold too, certainly. A chill that I would never get used to.

Since it was a resonance, if they were thinking and feeling like I did… it wouldn’t be strange for them to feel the same way I did.

Wow, but truly, I’m envious.

It might not just be one-sided; perhaps we shared our thoughts, and that’s why I felt this envy. They were both like me, yet I was the only one who escaped.

“Assistant. Gather all the observational data from today’s experiment. And clean that up.”

“Yes, understood.”

While I envied dead Gina, the composed Jeber spoke in a voice that sounded like metal grinding, as if he had aged several years in an instant, and left the laboratory without even looking around.

The assistant ordered the Chimeras to organize the data, clearing away the last traces of Gina that Jeber referred to.

The hands that gathered Gina’s ashes looked rather careful. I saw it thanks to the Chimera harvesting machine that brought the cleaning tools.

It was clear the assistant had emotions.

Speaking of emotions, there was that man named Jeber.

For someone whose actions are just like an evil wizard or a mad scientist, his mental state is surprisingly weak, isn’t it? He gives up immediately and leaves the laboratory when things don’t go as planned, doesn’t he?

Does he react as if he’s seeing something for the first time when he could have encountered gods or demons already?

Or is he the type that gets stressed when things don’t go the way he envisioned?

Hmm.

It’s strange that he’s stressed over a horrific scene. I suspect it’s more about his plans falling apart.

It’s obvious.

Given that the mansion is filled with Chimeras, he can’t stand having another personality. He lacks the capability to embrace.

He’s the type who can only feel safe when there’s an absolute disparity between parents and children. It’s quite common, actually. That’s probably why he made the hybrids call him ‘Dad.’

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to feel safe.

Though he’s at the bottom of society, those who typically inflict violence on their own family or children often belong to this category.

This type can be subdued with violence. If you must, ensure it’s a complete submission. If you do it halfway, they’ll try to regain control by bringing up human rights or parental rights.

If that doesn’t happen, they desperately retaliate to keep their minds intact. So, anything half-hearted will lead to even greater retaliation.

They won’t resist if you thoroughly crush their spirits with violence.

In short, they’re like a wild dog. If you establish a hierarchy, they’ll submit.

Of course, there’s still some rebellion left if you don’t inflict permanent damage. So when dealing with them, even after you break them once, you must treat them like slaves, not family.

You can treat them like slaves. The amusing point about such creatures is that they won’t seek outside help to escape that slavery.

Why? Because direct violence has surpassed societal authority. Even a beast knows when its life is at stake.

I speculate Jeber is at this level.

So, unless he’s subjected to violence and subjugated, he’ll come looking for me again to reaffirm his pride.

He’ll want to ignore the fact that he was scared of me.

Thus, my interactions with Jeber pose no issues. He’ll be keen on interacting with me.

That’s why I’m interested in the more challenging side.

The special Chimera named Assistant.

The best-performing one.

The only entity among the Chimeras possessing light and warmth, akin to a human’s size.

As far as I know, warmth signifies potential.

If it’s substantial, perhaps rebellion could be possible too?

When I become their harvester, I could see myself doing a lot.

I reaffirmed the points I needed to keep an eye on while waiting as usual.

I really am good at waiting.

*

The Third World.

It’s been quite a while since I moved out of my small house to live alone.

On a day a few days before returning to my second year at the Royal Academy.

Suddenly, I received a summons from the royal family.

A carriage arrived in front of my house, and I was handed a letter sealed with some insignia, instructing me to come to the royal family.

No, they could have just called, but they made it so bothersome.

Had they ever called me this way before?

Or maybe they dealt with such bothersome matters through the accommodation?

Anyway, after going through this sudden procedure, I headed to the royal castle.

It wasn’t very far compared to where I used to live, so the time to the royal castle was almost the same. However, upon entering the royal castle, instead of getting off where I usually would, I went further inside.

It wasn’t the area where the king’s office was located; I was taken to the place I had visited during an international conference.

As soon as I got off there, I was dragged into a space filled with maids, where I was scrubbed clean from head to toe and had my clothes completely changed.

At that time, one of the maids muttered, wondering if this was human skin, which was quite sharp of her.

Because I’m not human.

Originally, my body was created as a vessel for Daegon’s descent. So, I really have no idea about my actual lifespan and such. Given that it was artificially fixed like in the First World, there’s a possibility I might be completely different from a human.

Over time, differences would likely emerge.

Considering such thoughts, after spending time getting ready, I followed the guide to a certain location.

Inside, there was a banquet happening.

This time, the atmosphere wasn’t as serious as before. Most of the older individuals appeared relieved and at ease, while the younger ones mostly exhibited a mix of tension and interest.

Just like during the last international conference, over half of the attendees were foreigners.

No, there are countries so indistinguishable from locals by appearance that actual foreigners could be even more numerous.

Among those foreigners, I spotted a familiar face from the last conference.

There was a man who had introduced himself as a king and another who had claimed to be the king’s brother.

When I first heard them, I briefly thought about how strange it was that they weren’t dead yet. No matter how benign a royal family might be, it’s typical for them to tidy up surrounding nuisances after a power struggle.

Especially, they would never assign a diplomat to risk potentially creating issues abroad.

Even if one claimed to be the rightful king and brought in foreign troops to oust the current king and sit on the throne, it wouldn’t pose any problems.

No, in reality, vast problems would arise, but considering the feasibility and impossibility, it seems possible.

That alone left quite an impression on me.

As I was surveying the area, someone called out to me.

Turning my head towards that direction, I saw Highpion.

I was about to greet him but then realized it was too late for that excuse; instead, I bowed in the manner befitting this country.

To which the king gave a faintly satisfied smile.

People in the upper echelons instinctively feel hostility when faced with behavior that deviates from etiquette.

Even knowing it’s not an attack, it’s truly an annoying trait of theirs.

As I pondered whether to just stand still like a doll today, the king led me to a girl.

With purple hair and blue skin. The youngest princess of this kingdom, Aurora.

He introduced me to Aurora.

“Long time no see!”

Aurora approached me with a bright smile and took both my hands. She looked different from when I last saw her. Perhaps it’s due to being in a crowded place, and she’s being cautious with her actions?

“You’re in the same grade as me! If you enter the Royal Academy this year, we’ll definitely see each other!”

“Yes, I know. I hope we end up in the same class!”

As Highpion pointed at me while saying that, Aurora nodded eagerly.

Then she lightly squeezed my hand and, with pure joy on her face, expressed her feelings genuinely. She looked absolutely happy.

I knew the reason behind it.

She had studied really hard for half a year after awakening, ensuring she could score high at the Royal Academy.

That was the condition set by Solindiges, the next king of this country, so Aurora had worked really hard for it.

She couldn’t do anything about it.

Although she pretended not to know to others, she was sadly aware of the fact that she would die without getting into the Royal Academy.

The curse from Maleficent didn’t strike her in early last year or late the year before but on the day she was born. Anyone present back then couldn’t have been oblivious.

No matter how much they tried to keep it under wraps, it would have been tough to not be aware.

Thus, she worked diligently to achieve her dream and finally obtained its fruit.

So, that’s why she was so delighted.

Wasn’t she quite sharp when I met her last time?

Hmm.

She’s someone who puts on various masks. She brings out a mask that fits the situation, but neither is fake; all are genuine.

I remember thinking that if she could switch her masks depending on the time and place, she’d make a formidable politician.

The appearance of that day and her current demeanor—both are real. In a place crowded with so many people, she simply believes that this demeanor is appropriate.

Afterward, the conversation became longer.

No, it almost stretched, but Highpion intervened.

“This person has tasks to attend to. You’ll be able to meet again at the Royal Academy soon, so why don’t you ask them then?”

“Oh, yes! Sorry for holding you up when you’re busy!”

I gave a courteous farewell to her before departing with Highpion. In that moment, I caught a glimpse of Solindiges heading our way.

I looked up at Highpion as he stopped walking.

“This gathering is one for those who are entering the Royal Academy this year and their parents.”

I heard it was because their country was in danger, and they were sending them abroad to safer educational institutions.

“And they are also those whom you may need to support someday.”

Hehe. This is exactly what I had hoped for.

But instead of expressing that desire, I replied as if I were oblivious.

“I’ll do as instructed.”

In response, Highpion sounded genuinely apologetic for imposing such pressure and added that I should contact him anytime if I needed anything.

That ‘anything’ is to turn a ruler seated in a higher position into a harvesting machine. However, if I spoke such out loud, it would get weird, right?

So, I simply nodded in agreement.

Then, Highpion told me to enjoy the banquet before turning towards Aurora.

Oh, alone?

He’s leaving me here all by myself, even more than I expected.

He must think I’m a useful tool but not a crucial one. I should make a note to adjust my approach next time I request something from him.