43 Suffering . . . (1/2)

I did not know how many days had pa.s.sed since I was caged inside that crystal room.

Occasionally, they did allow me to take showers and used the restroom, but with supervision.

In order to conduct a series of tests, they fed me with high protein meals.

It was so that I could produce my Aegis crystals at its peak. Also, I doubted I could survive without them.

But on that particular day, only Alicia, Miranda, and the little girl were present.

”Hmm, I still need to check if her body is really compatible with the new Aegis.” Alicia skimmed through a bunch of doc.u.ments.

Her lab coat covered the dark blue military uniform underneath. ”There could be an interference from the first Aegis inside her.”

Miranda was standing a few meters away from me, and so did the little girl.

”How long will this take, Alicia?” asked Miranda.

The little girl still wore her intricate golden design red dress. She brushed a few strands of her dark hair at the back of her ear while staring at me.

Until that day, I still had not heard her name being called. Despite everything that happened, she looked comfortable to be in the crystal room. I even wondered if she was sane anymore, given how okay she was with all that. Even so, she was one of Alicia's test subjects. That kind of change of personality was not unexpected, to say the least.

My straggly black hair shadowed the scowl on my face.

Ever since Alicia stepped into the room, I had always watched her. Thinking of when the time would come for me to choke the life out of her.

Either way, my mind would be at ease just from having a chance to strike at both of them. Like when I had hurt Alicia back at Grand Amina.

Alicia looked at Miranda. ”I just need to make sure if Ava can form two different kinds of Aegis crystals at once. As for her secondary specialty, that will have to wait. It's not like a User just knew how to draw out his or her Aegis's specialty right off the bat.”

”I agree. I accidentally used my Aegis specialty back then too. When fighting against the soldiers of Russia,” said Miranda. She looked up as if to reminiscence those times she had spoken of.

”Her blood needs to be examined thoroughly after this. We can't waste time figuring out her specialty. It could be something useful,” muttered Alicia as she read the doc.u.ments in her hand again. Her grin stirred up my hatred towards that woman.

”I heard her first Aegis can talk? Like, why? That's the most boring Aegis I've ever encountered,” said Miranda. She attempted a quick look at me but brushed off that idea.

I was wondering why I hated her too.

Perhaps it was just me. After all, I hated everything.

I watched as Alicia pulled out that metal cube from her lab coat's pocket. It was the object that could be used to control me by utilizing my second Aegis. ”You think so too, Miranda? I guess it serves her right. That's what she gets for not being unable to fully control her Aegis.”

The little girl stared at Alicia hopefully from her spot. Her turquoise eyes appeared to be glittering of some sort.

”Oh, but you're different, Aya. At your age, you already can utilize your Aegis easily.” Alicia rubbed Aya's head affectionately. ”You're the most talented test subject I've ever had.”

Aya giggled. ”Thank you, Mommy.”

Seeing Alicia being so nice to the kid made me want to vomit. I darted my eyes away from them. Just seeing those two acted like so triggered some of my unwanted memories.

The memories of the time I had spent with Alicia and Bart. Those were happy times indeed, but it was built out of a sheer sense of curiosity. They wanted to know my power better. And they lied just to obtain more knowledge about it.

Alicia held the metal cube controller in her palm.

”I command you, Ava, to form your Aegis crystals,” shouted Alicia.

The familiar jolt shot up from inside my body and specks of deep blue appeared from my arms. I was surprised.

Instead of the crimson crystals that I had accustomed to, my eyes were greeted with that dark blue crystals instead.

Alicia frowned. ”Wait, why isn't the crimson crystals popped up?” She shouted the same command as before but the result remained the same. The deep blue crystals piled up each time at my arms.

”Perhaps you gave the wrong command?” answered Miranda.

”No, it couldn't be.” Alicia gave it some thought and stared at me again. ”I command you, Ava, to form two different types of Aegis crystals.”

I did not feel that jolt when she said that. Supposedly, the commands issued would only work if it was something I could do on my own.

My Aegis still did not talk to me. And I doubt it was resting.

”Huh. This is strange.” Alicia turned her back towards me and looked into her doc.u.ments.

”Kid. I want to ask you something,” said Miranda as she approached me.

I kept silent.

”I'm sure you've met Hughes, right? The flame Aegis User? What happened to him?” asked Miranda. Her purple eyes glinted a bit, antic.i.p.ating for a good reply.

Of course, I would not give her that.