Chapter 65: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 65
"Manifesting the ability to control flames like the Witch of Fury is an incredible breakthrough. It seems that giving it emotions was the right decision after all," Sator exclaimed in delight as he watched Experimental Subject No. 10 writhe in pain, emitting flames from her body.
After confirming that her power grew stronger with pain, No. 10 underwent rigorous experiments daily, constantly bearing wounds.
Although she looked similar to No. 9, perhaps because she had emotions, it was clear that No. 10 hated experiencing pain during the experiments.
Every time he treated her, Luke tried hard not to think about her. But on the day he saw her intentionally showing her gratitude by emitting flames in his presence, Luke realized something he had been trying to ignore.
They had not just created an artificial life form with emotions for combat. No, what they had created was a being with emotions, capable of communication, and able to think of ways to please someone else. What else could he call such a being but a person?
From that moment, Luke began to see No. 10 as an innocent child, newly born into the world.
Was it right to subject such a being to horrific acts in the name of saving people?
The guilt from this contradiction constantly lingered in his mind.
No. 10 was very curious. After hearing a few stories about the outside world, she started knocking on the wall, asking for more stories whenever Sator was away.
Despite the difficulty of moving due to the intense experiments, No. 10 would crawl to the wall and knock, asking for stories, just like a curious child.
When Luke told her stories about heroes and Aegis Academy, No. 10 showed interest. Luke then told her that he hoped she could become someone who could protect people.
In response, No. 10 blinked slowly as if to show she understood.
Though trained to obey orders, Luke could sense sincerity in her blinking, and all he could say was that he was sorry.
*
As the high-intensity experiments continued, No. 10's body, though much tougher than an average person's, had significantly reduced healing capabilities due to repeated healing magic.
When Luke pointed this out, Sator responded as if it was no big deal, saying they would give up on No. 10 and prepare for the next one.
This brought a flood of thoughts to Luke's mind.
No. 10 would end her life like the other subjects, cold and burnt in the incinerator.
And he would continue creating beings like her until a perfect one was made.
But Luke couldn't voice his objections. He was also a culprit who had crossed the line into forbidden territory.
It felt too late to stop now, as they had come too far.
However, an opportunity to stop came just a few days later.
Wanting to spend a bit more time with No. 10 as a form of atonement, Luke visited the lab at dawn after everyone had left, only to find the lab engulfed in flames.
Rushing towards the lab in shock, he saw someone wrapped in flames, slowly walking at the entrance.
Through the blazing fire, Luke could clearly see the red eyes he had become so familiar with.
He knew that it was No. 10 who had set the lab on fire.
Just like the Witch of Fury in the stories, No. 10 was surrounded by flames, burning everything around her.
Luke recalled what they had done to No. 10.
With flames strong enough to escape a room made of fire-resistant materials, it wouldn’t be surprising if she sought revenge and harmed people.
Thinking he had to stop her somehow, Luke approached No. 10 and noticed the emotion in her eyes.
Engulfed in flames, the child, burdened with overwhelming power, was pleading for help.
Luke made up his mind.
It was his fault that this child had come into existence and suffered.
Thus, it was his responsibility to put an end to it.
Luke whispered softly to No. 10,
"I won't make you do anything that hurts anymore."
Hearing this, the flames around No. 10 gradually subsided.
Luke caught her as she slowly collapsed, feeling the weight of responsibility in his arms.
Determined, Luke vowed to ensure that this child, who had known nothing but pain because of him, could live the rest of her life as a human.
The first thing Luke did was to give the child a new name.
Her hair, dyed the same color as her eyes from using her powers, was as red as her wounds.
Having endured much pain, Luke hoped she could become someone kind to others.
With that in mind, he named her Scarlet.
*
Having never used his family’s influence before, Luke used the Aegis name for Scarlet's sake.
The first thing he did was create an identity for her.
To remind himself of what he had done, he shortened Evangeline Decimus to Evande, and as Scarlet Evande’s legal guardian, Luke pondered how she could live the most human-like life.
When he asked if she wanted to do anything, Scarlet, who had become less responsive since leaving the lab, showed little reaction even to his question.
Remembering her previous interest in Aegis Academy stories, Luke thought that learning to control her abilities there might be safe.
So, for the second time in his life, he asked his brother for a favor.
The first was asking him to become the principal of the academy when they were children.
The second was allowing Scarlet to take the entrance exam for the academy, even though the application period had ended.
Though Luke received a scolding for making a request to someone who should be impartial, he pleaded earnestly, stating that he wasn't asking for admission but merely for the opportunity to take the exam. With a sigh, his brother relented.
Scarlet shattered the scarecrow meant for measurement.
It was only natural. Her body, having been subjected to various enhancements that are usually avoided due to side effects, exhibited strength beyond that of typical physical enhancement ability users.
Even without demonstrating her ability to control flames, her strength alone earned her a passing score, making her a prospective student at the academy.
After ignoring Sator's calls and declaring he was quitting to return to his original work, he heard that Sator was looking for him. To avoid suspicion, Luke found a new place for Scarlet to live.
It was a shabby building in District 15, scheduled for demolition, with only one other person living there. Despite its cramped appearance, it was the only place where Scarlet had shown any reaction, so Luke purchased the entire building.
He thought that a place like this might be perfect as a hideout since Sator, who had a phobia of germs, would never come near it.
Though small, with just a bed, a wardrobe, and a small refrigerator filling the space, Scarlet almost always lay motionless on the bed whenever Luke visited.
Even though Luke stocked the refrigerator with food, Scarlet never touched it, and he had to throw away all the spoiled food.
Worried about whether she could live alone, Luke realized he wouldn't have much time to check on her often while avoiding Sator, who was persistently searching for him.
Scarlet began to change after she started attending the academy.
She had lost her memory from the experiments, but she could now converse and seemed to be adjusting well to the academy.
Thinking that she appeared more human was perhaps better, Luke received a call from his brother.
Scarlet had lost her left arm and was hospitalized. Many lives were saved because of her actions, and Luke wept upon hearing the news.
His tears were for her lost arm, his guilt, and his overwhelming gratitude.
Despite losing her memory, she had fulfilled the request he made long ago and become the kind person he hoped she would be when he named her Scarlet.
For Luke, this was the greatest salvation.
*
Luke ran frantically after crossing the gate closest to the address Sator had sent. The location was quite far from the nearest gate.
Though running was no longer easy at his age, Luke sprinted until he was out of breath, worried about what Sator might do to Scarlet.
Eventually, he saw a building in a remote location.
The heavy door of the building was slightly ajar, as if waiting for him.
As Luke entered through the open door, he heard a metallic click as it shut behind him.
The inside of the building was dark and unlit.
Catching his breath and wondering if he had entered the wrong place, Luke called out loudly.
"Sator!"
A familiar voice echoed within the building.
"It seems you rushed here without even eating lunch. Didn't I tell you to eat first? Running on an empty stomach at your age can harm you, my friend."
"Where is Scarlet? You said you were with her!"
When Luke demanded, a deep laugh echoed in the darkness.
Along with the laugh, Luke felt dizzy.
His vision blurred as the building's lights turned on.
Smoke filled the building.
Sleep gas.
Luke recognized it immediately but had already inhaled too much.
Through his fading vision, he saw Sator wearing a gas mask.
Sator laughed and said,
"It seems this thing has a name. Don't worry. You'll see her soon."
*
Sator was an exceptional researcher.
He had never experienced failure in his life.
Although his family ordered the subject's disposal, the experimental subject still existed.
Therefore, he only needed to produce results with the remaining subject.
He had learned that the flames grew stronger with the emotion of anger.
Luke cherished her so dearly, so she must hold some affection for him as well.
If she saw someone she cared about being destroyed before her eyes, surely it would draw out her emotions.
The experiments had to continue.
He would restore the glory of the great Astra with a perfect being wielding the witch's power.
He would do whatever it took, whatever it took, whatever it took, whatever it took.
Sator laughed, scratching his throat.
In a day only 1 time? Click on ads
ReplyDeleteyes, it will help us a lot
Deletethis is kind of messed up
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of logic is sator have? We have a clone of witch we could use to save people (the foundation of the research) then we make them suffer to produce results, what? Didn't that would backfire? Rather than using the witch to destroy monsters the witch would instead destroy the humans
ReplyDeleteI think Sator doesn’t see her as a person but just a failed weapon with no real capabilities just yet, he just wants to see what she can do for research and for better future experiments at this point.
DeleteIt seem that itching also clouded his mind significantly. Though he isn't sane person from the start
DeleteThx for the chapter
ReplyDeleteI like how the add is just one at the bottom and one at the top.
ReplyDeleteQuite small but also noticeable so it doesn't make the reading experience worsen
Maybe that’s true on PC. On mobile the ads are ridiculously egregious. If i’m not using an adblocker, i literally can’t read the story, i get instantly redirected to shady scams repeatedly just being on the website.
DeleteNo it is true on mobile too seeing as I am using a mobile device to read.
DeleteIt might also just because I have not gotten as much ads type here but currently the ads is not distracting at all
Also when reading you won't just get directed to the ad site by clicking random things like the next chapter button and the like.
DeleteOn my experience reading in this site you will be directed to the ad site only if you click the ads directly.
I won't deny tho some ads on some reading site is really bad some even blocked the writings by how big it is.
Sryy Guys For Your inconvenience, I Removed The Ads
DeleteWhile I do appreciate the TL for doing amazing work, the ADs are very shady and of course predatory. Sorry for not clicking on them.
ReplyDeleteWell, the guy was crazy and unethical from the start, the bug bite just made it worse.
ReplyDeleteI expected this develpment for that same reason.
Luke, as a person, clearly is not bad, otherwise he wouldn't feel guilt for what he has done.
People like that are the easiest to manipulate for beings like that crazy donut hole.
I hope the two kids get there in time before he gets seriously hurt or worse.