Just before nautical dawn, Leon and Alice met Albert outside the main castle, near the garden’s familiar benches.

  “Alright,” Albert said, tossing a cloth sack to each of them. “Before we begin, I want you to put these on.”

  “What are they?” Alice asked, frowning.

  “Just put them on,” Albert repeated, his tone brooking no argument. “It’s for your own safety.”

  Alice eyed the sack with suspicion. Why would he…? She thought, dismissing the idea as quickly as it came. Whatever.

  She gnced at Leon. He had already opened his sack and slipped the cloth over his head, effectively blindfolding himself.

  The hell? Alice thought, finally giving in and opening her own sack. She slipped the cloth over her head, covering her head completely.

  Instantly, her senses were plunged into darkness. It was disorienting, as if she’d lost all sense of direction. She felt a hand gently touch her shoulder, guiding her forward.

  “Go inside,” a man’s voice instructed.

  Alice extended her hand, and her fingers brushed against a rough, wooden surface. She realized it was the handle of a carriage door. A moment ter, Leon joined her inside. They heard the crack of a whip, the snorting of a horse, and then the carriage lurched forward, beginning their journey.

  Deep within an unknown forest, the carriage halted. The door swung open, and Alice stepped out, her hand immediately taken by another. Once clear of the carriage, Albert’s voice reached them. “You can remove it now.”

  Alice and Leon, still disoriented, pulled the rough sacks from their heads. They gasped. The trees surrounding them were impossibly vast and wide, unlike any they had ever seen. Even the bushes formed an impenetrable wall of green.

  “Come,” Albert urged, leading the way. He plunged into the dense undergrowth, followed by Leon, then Alice, and finally, their two silent escorts. After a short but arduous trek through the tangled vegetation, they arrived at a massive metal door. It was partially concealed by vines, roots, and algae, yet strangely untouched by the encroaching wilderness.

  Albert exchanged a significant look with the two men. They stepped forward, positioned themselves before the door, and, in perfect synchronization, began to weave their magic. A low, grinding groan echoed as the heavy metal door creaked open.

  The entrance echoed with a hollow resonance as they stepped into a vast, circur passage. The two escorts moved ahead, their torches illuminating the way. After a few steps, the door behind them smmed shut, causing Alice to gnce back.

  “Don’t stop,” Albert said curtly.

  They continued forward, reaching what appeared to be a dead end. At Albert’s direction, they turned left and walked a short distance before stopping. Leon and Alice exchanged confused gnces, but obeyed. Albert took a torch from one of his escorts, who then unfurled a Scroll of Revetion. A shimmering door materialized before them.

  “Come,” Albert called to Leon and Alice.

  They entered, and the sight before them was unsettling. Monsters of all sizes, from small, grotesque creatures to hulking behemoths, were suspended in rge containers filled with viscous liquid. Smaller receptacles nearby held what appeared to be preserved organs, presumably from other such beings. A short distance away, a metal door emitted a faint sound.

  As they approached, the sound grew louder.

  “I hear a male voice,” Leon said.

  “He sounds like he’s shouting,” Alice added. “Maybe he’s fighting with someone.”

  Leon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  “Pay it no mind,” Albert said, dismissing their concerns. “Let’s go.”

  Inside, the room bristled with metal. Doors lined the walls, three on the left spaced widely apart, and four on the right with narrower gaps between them. Metal pilrs rose like skeletal trees, supporting the high ceiling. A few metal crates stood against the walls. Straight ahead, another door hung slightly ajar. As the group approached, a loud cry erupted from within.

  “I told you, this is only for experiment!” a man’s voice shouted. “Why can’t you understand?”

  “Mr. Altrocious!” Albert called through the gap.

  “Oh, they’re here,” the voice replied, now ced with forced politeness. “Please behave. Don’t cause a ruckus. Coming!”

  A man peered through the crack in the door. “Master, you’re here.” He slipped out, closing the door quickly behind him.

  “This is Mr. Altrocious,” Albert introduced. “He’s in charge here.”

  “Hi, I’m Leon Ryler,” Leon said, extending his hand.

  “I—I am,” the man stammered, his hand trembling slightly as he shook Leon’s. “Just call me… Doctor. Yes. Just call me that.”

  “And you must be the other one,” Mr. Altrocious said to Alice, his earlier enthusiasm noticeably absent. “I thought there would be three.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Alice said, also extending her hand.

  Mr. Altrocious gave a curt nod, ignoring her outstretched hand. “Yeah, I know. Please follow me. I’ll show you to your cell.”

  Alice lowered her hand, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. “Was I just ignored?” she muttered under her breath.

  After navigating several turns and intersections, they arrived at a rge, empty room. Thin metal walls divided the space, and the front was enclosed by transparent gss. A thick, cylindrical pilr stood in the center.

  “What is this pce?” Alice asked.

  “This is your training area,” Albert replied.

  “Now, umm, follow me,” the Doctor said, nervously rubbing his hands together.

  “To where?” Alice asked.

  “To your room,” the Doctor replied. “Yes, to your room.”

  “Ha? I thought we could go home.”

  “No, Alice. You and Leon will be staying here for your training.”

  Alice fell silent, a frown creasing her brow.

  They soon arrived at a metal door. A small, horizontal window at eye level could be flipped open from the outside. A slightly rger opening, also horizontal, was located near the bottom of the door, operable from both inside and out.

  “Master Leon, this is your room,” the Doctor announced, opening the door. “Yes, only your room.”

  The room was small, barely three meters square, and contained only a bed, a small table, and a chair.

  “Do you have a vatory somewhere?” Leon asked.

  “Yes, we do, Master Leon. Follow me inside.” The Doctor gestured to a small hole in the corner of the room, barely two meters from the bed. “It took me quite some time to perfect this, hehe. Yes, I made sure the… uh… waste disposal… slides smoothly.”

  “And water?”

  “Water? Yes! Water. Your drinking water will be delivered with your meals.”

  “Dad?” Leon asked, a question etched on his face as he looked at Albert.

  “I know, son,” Albert replied. “I’ve made preparations for both of you. They’re here.”

  A rge, green container was delivered by a heavy-lifting device.

  “Master Albert, the water container has arrived,” one of the escorts announced.

  “Alright,” Albert said. “See to the rest.”

  “Yes, Master,” the two escorts replied in unison.

  They opened a small access panel in the metal wall and inserted a hose. The hose was connected to the top of the rge container, reaching all the way to the bottom. Inside the room, the other end of the hose terminated in a faucet-like opening, which drained into a smaller, green container.

  “This water should be sufficient for your stay here,” Albert said.

  “Is it potable?” Leon asked.

  “Yes,” Albert confirmed. “And those wooden crates outside contain your food supplies. You can cook it or eat it raw, it doesn’t matter. It’s all safe and has a long shelf life.”

  “Alright,” the Doctor said. “Can I show Alice to her room? I… I have some things to take care of. Yes, some very important things,” he added with a nervous chuckle.

  “No,” Alice said. “I’ll stay here with Leon.”

  “But… I—I already prepared it,” the Doctor stammered. “I even unclogged the vatory. Yes, the vatory.”

  “No,” Alice repeated. “I’m fine here.”

  “Master Albert?” the Doctor asked, seeking confirmation.

  “It’s fine,” Albert reassured him. “The water will be enough for both of them.”

  “Alright,” the Doctor said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “I’ll go see to the other supplies.”

  “Go on,” Albert said.

  “Have a rest,” the Doctor said to Leon. “Your training will begin ter.”

  Leon and Alice struggled to adapt to their stark new surroundings. Soon after, the Doctor arrived to begin their conditioning exercises. He led them to separate, rge, metallic rooms—bare chambers of cold steel. “Be ready,” he giggled, his voice echoing through the empty space. “Your weapons await. Training begins in sixty seconds.”

  A section of the wall slid open, revealing an array of weapons: spears, bows, swords, daggers, staves, and more. After they’d made their selections, the weapons rack receded into the wall. Sixty seconds ticked by, and then a door hissed open. A small, green creature with elongated ears, sharp teeth, frog-like eyes, and a distinctly foul odor emerged.

  “What is that?” Alice muttered, her weapon at the ready. “Is this the conditioning?”

  The Doctor’s voice echoed again, ced with unsettling glee. “There will be several rounds,” he chuckled. “Yes, several rounds. Be sure to survive.”

  The green creature, drawn by Alice’s scent and the faint tremor of fear she couldn’t entirely suppress, smirked. It darted forward, leaping and swinging a crude club. Alice, regretting her choice of a staff, barely managed to block the blow. Why did I pick this staff? She thought, frustration rising. She was forced onto the defensive, parrying the creature’s wild swings and erratic leaps. It’s not strong, she thought, just clumsy. Why am I only defending? I need to attack.

  The creature, grinning maniacally, charged again, unching anotherr clumsy, telegraphed swing. This time, however, Alice was ready. She dodged the attack with a newfound confidence, her counter-attack swift and brutal. A strange thrill coursed through her. She gnced at her staff, now stained with the creature’s blood. Each step she took toward its motionless body was filled with a growing sense of power. Standing over it, she raised her staff. The creature’s eyes, wide with fear, met hers. Then, with a savage cry, she brought the staff down, crushing the creature’s skull.

  The door hissed open again. Staff at the ready, Alice braced herself as another small, green creature emerged. What are these things? She wondered. A fleeting memory surfaced—a description from a book she’d once read, eerily simir to these creatures. Her thoughts were cut short as four more of the creatures spilled through the doorway. “Oh, hell,” she muttered.

  As the door smmed shut, the five green creatures surged forward, their eyes gleaming with manic glee. Alice braced for the onsught. She blocked and countered, but the creatures attacked relentlessly, their movements a flurry of cws, teeth, and crude clubs. Blow after blow nded. Her arms throbbed with bruises, her back screamed in protest, and her legs ached from gncing hits. But for every strike she endured, a creature met a brutal end. Her counterattacks were swift and merciless, each swing of her staff a death sentence. And even after a creature fell, she would deliver one final, savage blow, ensuring it wouldn’t rise again.

  A spray of blood spttered across her face—the final, brutal strike to the skull of the st creature. Alice sighed, relief washing over her. The pain was intense, but strangely… exhirating. A faint smile touched her lips. But it vanished as quickly as it came. The door was opening again. “No,” she breathed, her voice ced with dread.

  She raised her staff once more, preparing for whatever fresh horror awaited her. Just… why? She thought, a wave of weariness washing over her.

  It was a wolf, but unlike any she had ever seen. It stood on two legs, its hands each gripping a weapon. Silver armor covered its chest, and its fierce eyes burned with an unnerving intensity, seeming to pierce her very soul. Saliva dripped from its serrated teeth. The creature snarled, its rage a palpable force. It lunged, one of its deadly swords fshing. But something primal stirred within Alice, a raw hunger awakening within her. This wasn’t a csh of techniques; it was a brutal, visceral struggle. The wolf was a whirlwind of steel, each strike a venomous sh. But Alice was a tempest, even more violent, more relentless. She drove it back, inch by agonizing inch. Her staff connected, a sickening crack echoing as it severed one of the wolf’s swords. A flicker of shock crossed the monster’s face—a momentary pse before the storm of its fury renewed. It roared, a desperate beast cwing at the cage of its impending death. Alice met its rage with brutal efficiency, a relentless tide eroding its defenses. She maneuvered it towards the wall, trapping it like a cornered animal.

  “You’re finished,” Alice said, her voice eerily calm amidst the chaos.

  The wolf lunged, a final, desperate gamble. Alice sidestepped the attack, her counter a swift, brutal execution.

  She colpsed to her knees, head bowed. Blood dripped from her wounds, mana energy radiated from her body, distorting the air around her.

  Leon, in contrast, faced his own wave of creatures with a dispy of speed and dexterity. His attacks were precise, calcuted, calm, and deadly. He dispatched the green creatures with ruthless efficiency. As the door hissed open yet again, he readied himself. This time, a silver monster emerged.

  Silver Monsters are humanoid creatures known for their unsettling appearance—a featureless, silver surface where a face should be. But their bnk visage belies a ferocious adaptability. The more they fight, the more they learn. Leon’s opponent was an E-rank Silver Monster. They range from E-rank to SS-rank in strength.

  Leon’s battle with the faceless humanoid began.

  His sword fshed, a serpent’s strike. The monster evaded, snatching up a club dropped by one of the fallen green creatures. It retaliated, raising the club in defense, but the improvised weapon was too slow. Leon saw the opening, a sliver of vulnerability, and exploited it with deadly precision. The monster staggered, but it wouldn’t fall. The fight continued, an exhausting cycle of Leon’s attacks and the monster’s increasingly adept defenses. Sweat slicked Leon’s brow, his energy waning with each passing moment. “Is this how powerful these creatures are?” he gasped, his voice raw. “Unbelievable.”

  Despite his fatigue and mounting wounds, Leon remained resolute. He attacked with renewed intensity, pushing his weapon and abilities to their limits. Hour after grueling hour, the battle raged, but the monster refused to yield. I’m almost at my limit, he thought, how am I going to defeat this thing? It’s already anticipating my moves. He needed a swift, decisive attack. He needed to be even more precise. Then, a spark ignited in his mind. I think I know what to do. A faint smirk pyed on his lips.

  Leon lowered his sword, his gaze fixed on the monster. “Your end is nigh,” he said, his voice low and steady.

  The monster shuffled back, its faceless visage betraying no emotion. “Where are you going?” Leon taunted, each step he took driving the creature further into the corner. “You have nowhere to go.”

  A surge of fury rippled through the monster’s form. Leon met its rage with cold, calcuted precision. He danced around its desperate attack, his counter a swift, merciless strike. His sword fshed, biting deep, severing the creature’s connection to this world. In that final moment, as the monster fell, Leon met its gaze—or rather, the empty silver surface where its face should have been. It crumpled to the ground, its head severed.

  Leon let out a long, shaky breath, relief washing over him. The mana energy radiating from his body continued to distort the air around him.

  A door hissed open, startling Leon. He instinctively raised his sword, his mind racing. With his mana reserves depleted, he knew he was vulnerable. It’s do or die, he thought grimly.

  “Leon!” Alice cried, dashing towards him. She enveloped him in a tight hug. “You did it!” she excimed, beaming.

  Relief washed over Leon, his tension melting away. “I did,” he said, returning the hug. “You too.”

  “Yeah,” Alice agreed, “that was one hell of a fight.”

  “You did great, Master Leon!” the Doctor said, approaching them with a nervous giggle. “You and Miss Alice are now eligible for body reconstruction.”

  Albert entered the room. “Excellent, my son,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

  “So, this was the… conditioning,” Leon said, wincing slightly.

  “But you and Alice performed admirably. How do you feel?”

  “I feel… different,” Leon replied. “A strange energy seems to be flowing through me. But my body aches all over.”

  “That’s the result of pushing yourselves beyond your limits,” Albert expined. “Your bodies are adapting. Your mana control has also improved. Efficient mana control means efficient energy use. Mana also helps regute toxins in your body, expelling them through your pores. And it’s responsible for repairing torn muscle fibers, making them denser and stronger.”

  “It was… an experience,” Leon said, a wry smile touching his lips.

  “Quite,” Albert agreed. “This concludes today’s exercise. You and Alice need to rest now. A thorough rest. You don’t want to mess with the blood revitalization.”

  Arriving in their cell, Alice immediately compined, “Ah, I reek of blood! That damn little green monster!”

  “I think those were goblins,” Leon said.

  “Yeah, I think so too. I read about them in a monster guide book. But I wonder what kind of monster you fought. I’ve never read about anything like it, nor heard anyone mention it.”

  “Me neither, but it seemed like an intelligent creature.”

  “I noticed that too. When we were watching from above, it wouldn’t attack right away, as if it was waiting for the right moment.”

  “Exactly. It was studying my moves. If the fight had gone on longer, I might have been the one lying on the ground.”

  “Anyway,” he continued, “let’s hurry and get some rest.” He retrieved his clothes and towel from his bag. Opening the faucet, water poured into the container. He undressed, took the hose, and let the water run over his head.

  Alice observed him thoughtfully. “Master, you seem to have gained some muscle. You look more solid, and taller too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, master. And oh—” She reached for his manhood. “You’ve grown here too.”

  “Have I? How would you know?”

  “Of course I know. It’s my favorite,” she said pyfully. “Hurry, master, I want to try it now!”

  “Take a bath first.”

  “Alright.” She grabbed fresh clothes from her bag and rushed to bathe.

  Blood Revitalization.

  They met the Doctor outside their training chambers. “Now,” he said, his voice ced with anticipation, “Miss Alice, you will enter the chamber on the right, and Master Leon, you will take the left. You will meditate atop the ptforms within. Once you are ready, we will begin the process. I trust Master Albert has expined the necessary procedures. I have high hopes for the success of this training,” he finished with a nervous giggle.

  Alice and Leon entered their respective chambers, separated by a wall of bck metal. They climbed onto the elevated ptforms and settled into a meditative pose. Their familiar mana energy began to radiate, this time with an almost feverish intensity. They’re ready, the Doctor thought, his eyes gleaming. He approached Alice’s chamber, a syringe filled with a shimmering blue fluid flecked with white crystals in his hand. He took Alice’s arm, a thrill of excitement running through him, and injected the fluid into her vein.

  Immediately, Alice’s body began to convulse, her muscles contracting violently. The dragon’s blood is taking effect, the Doctor thought, his gaze fixed on Alice. But she must harness its power, or it will consume her. Failure will only intensify the contractions and convulsions. She’ll fall from the ptform, her meditation will be broken, and… she’ll die. He watched her closely, his excitement mixed with a palpable tension.

  The Doctor waited, his breath catching In his throat. Two minutes passed, and then a torrent of blood erupted from Alice’s mouth, spttering onto the floor. But she didn’t fall. Her mana energy, though flickering, remained. She’s fighting it, he thought, a thrill coursing through him. He waited, his anticipation growing. Another two minutes, and another gout of blood followed, coating the already crimson floor. A flicker of worry crossed his brow. With that much blood loss, how is she still holding on? He wondered. Then, a manic giggle escaped his lips. This is… exciting. Two more minutes, and yet another surge of blood. How is she still alive? He thought, his brow furrowing. This is worse than I anticipated. Where did I go wrong? He paced back and forth, stroking his chin, his initial excitement giving way to frustration. He was certain—with that much blood on the floor, she couldn’t possibly survive. He gnced back at Alice, a flicker of disappointment—not for her fate, but for his failed experiment—crossing his face. But then… the convulsions stopped. Her mana energy, instead of fading, surged back, now denser, more vibrant than before. A surge of triumph washed over him. He rushed towards her, only to slip on the ever-growing pool of blood, his triumphant cry turning into a startled yelp. It took him a moment to regain his footing. “Finally!” he shrieked, his ughter bordering on hysterical. “My research… it’s a success!” His gaze, now fixed on Alice, was filled with a feverish, almost manic glee.

  Leaving Alice’s chamber, the Doctor practically skipped to Leon’s. Clutching the syringe, he closed his eyes and muttered a quick, fervent prayer. “Oh, creator of this System, whoever you are, please grant me this success.” Then, he seized Leon’s right arm and injected the dragon’s blood into his vein. Almost immediately, Leon’s body began to convulse, his muscles contracting. But to the Doctor’s surprise, the convulsions were far milder, less violent than Alice’s. Two minutes ter, a torrent of blood gushed from Leon’s mouth. The Doctor stepped back, observing. He has stronger mana control, he mused, stroking his chin. How is that possible? Two more minutes passed, and Leon expelled another surge of blood. But his mana energy, instead of weakening, remained steady, even growing stronger. Another two minutes ticked by. This is it, the Doctor thought, his excitement reaching a fever pitch. Suddenly, another gout of blood erupted from Leon’s mouth. The Doctor, his eyes fixed on Leon, nervously monitored the convulsions—now subsiding—and the radiating energy. “My research… it’s a success!” he shrieked, a manic grin spreading across his face. He began pacing back and forth, muttering incoherently to himself.

  Thirteen hours ter, the Doctor decided their training was complete. He approached Alice’s chamber first. “Can you hear me?” he asked tentatively. When she didn’t respond immediately, he hesitated. How should I approach her? He wondered, wary of the dense energy radiating from her, distorting the air around her like a visible heat haze.

  Then, Albert arrived. He pced a hand on Alice’s shoulder and said simply, “It’s done.” Alice slowly opened her eyes.

  The Doctor watched Albert with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Even Albert’s mana was intense, almost suffocating. He’s a monster, the Doctor thought, shrinking back. “Master, please,” he stammered, “please, stop!”

  “Oh, my apologies,” Albert said, instantly retracting his energy.

  “Is it over?” Alice asked, blinking.

  “Yes,” Albert confirmed. “You can rex now. The Doctor isn’t accustomed to such strong energy. Prolonged exposure could be… uncomfortable for him.”

  “Right,” she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

  “Let’s go to Leon’s chamber,” Albert said.

  They arrived at Leon’s chamber. Alice peered through the transparent gss, noting the sharp, intense energy surrounding him, the air shimmering and distorting around his form.

  Albert touched Leon’s arm, and his eyes fluttered open. “Well done, my son,” Albert said, a hint of pride in his voice.

  Leon slowly opened his eyes, seeing his father before him, Alice standing beside Albert, a look of excitement on her face. The Doctor lingered in the background, muttering to himself.

  “I’ve prepared a celebratory dinner, my son,” Albert said. “Meet us in boratory 202 whenever you’re ready.”

  “Alright, Father,” Leon replied.

  Later, in boratory 202.

  “Take a seat,” Albert said.

  Leon and Alice chose chairs that looked rather… unconventional. Leon gnced around the room, which was starkly decorated with sterile white rock. Even the table was adorned with these unusual white stones. The food, however, provided a vibrant contrast to the sterile environment.

  “This looks delicious, Dad. Did you make it?” Leon asked.

  “No,” Albert replied.

  “Then who?”

  A woman emerged from a door that blended seamlessly with the sterile white walls. She had long, flowing golden hair that cascaded down her back, a tall, slender figure, and striking blue eyes. She wore a predominantly white dress with blue accents. The dress featured a high neckline and long sleeves, giving it an air of modest elegance. A high slit in the long, flowing skirt offered a glimpse of her leg.

  “I did,” she said.

  Upon seeing the almost ethereal woman, Leon rose quickly to his feet. He bowed, pcing his right hand over his heart. “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Lady…”

  “Monica. My name is Monica.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Madame Monica,” Leon said, bowing again, hand still over his heart. “And thank you for cooking all this delicious food for us.”

  “The pleasure is mine, young man,” Monica replied. “Enough with the formalities. Please, enjoy the food while it’s hot.”

  “What about you, Madame?” Alice asked.

  “Don’t worry about me,” Monica said. “All the food I’ve prepared is for you two.”

  After dinner.

  “By the way, Monica,” Alice asked, “who exactly are you?”

  “I’m Monica Helshire, of the Holy Church,” she replied. “And a former member of Albert’s Team.”

  “Really?” Leon excimed. “Dad, you had such a… beautiful person on your team.”

  Monica smiled.

  “Don’t talk like that, son,” Albert said. “She’s married.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Monica,” Leon said. “Please forgive my… enthusiasm.”

  “It’s fine,” Monica said. “I also have a child about your age. Her name is Lalinia.”

  “What a beautiful name,” Leon commented.

  “Thank you,” Monica replied. “I named her Lalinia because I used to sing her lulbies, and she loved them. Anyway, I came here because I was curious about you both and the… process. I also heard about your recent success from your father. So, how do you feel?”

  “I feel… good,” Leon said. “Though I did lose a considerable amount of blood. But other than that, I feel… invigorated.”

  “Your training has clearly been effective,” Monica observed. “I heard you were seven years old just yesterday. But looking at you now, you look seem… physically mature.”

  “Indeed,” Alice chimed in. “He even acts and thinks like an adult.”

  “Oh, really?” Monica said. “I wish my daughter could develop as quickly as Leon have.”

  “Don’t worry, Monica,” Leon said. “She will in time.”

  “Speaking of development,” Monica continued, “once your training is complete, I’m pnning to enroll my daughter in a simir program.”

  “Are you sure, Monica?” Alice asked, a note of concern in her voice. “This training is… intense. I mean, I nearly lost consciousness during the blood revitalization process.”

  “If you and Leon can do it, why not my daughter?” Monica replied. “I’m sure she’ll be able to handle it.”

  “If you say so,” Alice said.

  “And one more thing,” Monica added. “I’ll be monitoring your progress from now on.”

  “We’d be honored, Monica,” Alice said.

  “Thank you,” Monica replied.

  The next day: Bone Strengthening.

  Leon and Alice took their positions in their respective chambers, preparing for the next phase of their training.

  In the observatory above the containment chambers, Monica watched with a growing sense of unease. “What’s the success rate for this procedure?” she asked.

  “Now that you mention it,” the Doctor replied, a nervous tic appearing in his eye, “I’m having some… difficulties with the calcutions.” He then began muttering to himself, his words becoming increasingly incoherent.

  Armed by his uncertainty, Monica grabbed his shoulders, her expression a mixture of fear and frustration. “Tell me!” she demanded. “Where did you go wrong?”

  “Actually,” he stammered, “after reviewing the data… my initial calcutions were… inaccurate.”

  “By the Holy Church!” she excimed. “We have to inform them!”

  “No—no—no!” he protested. “It’s not a bad result. In fact, it’s quite good. My initial estimates were an 80% success rate for non-human subjects and 60% for humans. But Master Leon… he’s exceeded all expectations. My assessment indicates his success rate is 85%… possibly higher.”

  “Really?” Monica asked, her anxiety slightly lessened.

  “Yes, master Monica,” he confirmed, then immediately psed back into his muttering. “Where did I go wrong? No… it can’t be…” He began pacing back and forth, lost in his own calcutions.

  “Alright,” Monica said, regaining her composure. “If the success rate is so high, then let’s see it in action.”

  The Doctor, startled from his reverie, blinked. “Oh! Right. Yes. Let’s begin the… demonstration.”

  “After the injection, I’ll need to observe from outside the containment area,” the Doctor said, preparing to enter the chamber.

  “Why?” Monica asked.

  “Can’t you see her?” he replied, gesturing towards Alice. “The energy she’s emitting is incredibly dense—even more so than before. I’ve set up a monitoring station just outside. You and Master Albert can observe from inside.”

  “Alright,” Monica said.

  They entered the chamber. Monica noticed something in the Doctor’s hand. “What’s that you’re holding? Where’s your usual injector?”

  The Doctor giggled nervously. “I won’t be needing it this time.” He pressed a button on a remote control. An apparatus rose from beneath the ptform where Alice was meditating. The device extended several articuted arms, each tipped with a long needle. The arms positioned themselves precisely, then the needles pierced Alice’s skin, penetrating deep until they reached bone. Simultaneously, the needles injected the fluid. One into each temple, one into each jaw, two into her spinal column (one at the base of her neck, the other at the tailbone), one into each thigh, one into each knee, and one into each foot.

  Immediately after the injections, Alice’s energy output intensified dramatically. The containment chamber became unbearably hot and stifling, forcing the Doctor to retreat outside. He sat at the monitoring station, scribbling notes and giggling excitedly. His observations: Post-injection of pure bone nutrients derived from an S-rank Cyclops, Patient 101 is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. Body temperature is rising exponentially. Muscle contractions are intensifying. Patient is dispying signs of extreme agitation.

  Two minutes ter, the Doctor’s notes read: Patient 101’s condition is stabilizing. Muscle contractions are minimal. Respiration is normal. Energy output is within acceptable parameters. Patient remains unresponsive.

  Two more minutes passed, and the Doctor finished his report: Patient 101 is fully stable and in control.

  “My research… it’s a success!” he shrieked, a manic gleam in his eyes. He grabbed at his already disheveled hair and muttered, “It was a success! Yes, it was. My love, I have such wonderful news for you. I hope you’ll forgive me. No, I know you’ll be thrilled with your one and only’s triumph.” His eyes were wide and bloodshot.

  Albert and Monica emerged from Alice’s chamber and approached the Doctor, who was still muttering to himself.

  “Doctor, it was a success!” Monica said, extending her hand. “Congratutions!”

  The Doctor seized her hand with both of his, his grip surprisingly strong. “Indeed! Indeed! A resounding success! Thank you!”

  “Alright,” Monica said, gently pulling her hand free. “Let’s move on to Leon.”

  “Yes,” the Doctor replied, giggling and then psing back into his incoherent muttering.

  Inside Leon’s chamber.

  The Doctor, barely containing his excitement, grinned and giggled to himself as he fumbled with the remote. An apparatus rose from beneath the ptform, mirroring the procedure performed on Alice. After injecting Leon with the fluid, the Doctor hastily retreated from the chamber—the energy radiating from him was becoming unbearable, except for Albert and Monica, who remained in a corner of the chamber, observing.

  Outside the chamber, the Doctor began taking notes. Patient 100 is exhibiting muscle contractions and signs of extreme pain. Body temperature is dangerously elevated. This time, however, the energy emanating from Leon was so intense that it severely distorted the Doctor’s view of the chamber’s interior. He scribbled: Patient 100’s energy levels have increased exponentially. Visual observation is no longer possible.

  The next two minutes stretched Into an eternity for the Doctor. His excitement mounted with each passing second. He readied his quill and paper, pacing nervously in front of the chamber. But the distorted view prevented him from seeing anything clearly.

  Two more minutes passed, and the Doctor’s patience finally snapped. He grumbled to himself and decided to go inside. Just as he reached the door, Monica and Albert emerged. “What happened?” he asked, trying to sound nonchant.

  “What do you mean, what happened?” Monica replied, confused.

  “I mean… the patient. How is he?”

  “Why? Weren’t you observing?”

  “Yes, I was,” the Doctor admitted, “but the energy he was emitting became so intense that it completely distorted my view from outside. I couldn’t see anything clearly.”

  “Oh,” Monica said. “Well, you can go in now. His energy levels have stabilized. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  A look of disbelief crossed the Doctor’s face. He cautiously entered the chamber and stared at Leon. He then added to his notes: Patient 100’s temperature: stable. Muscles: rexed. Patient: at ease. Energy emission: high but stable and tolerable.

  “My darling! My love! It was a success!” he excimed, his voice a mix of relief and manic triumph. “You won’t be disappointed in me any longer, my love. No, you won’t be,” he giggled, then psed into his usual incoherent muttering. “You remember my promise, my love?” he murmured, his eyes gleaming.

  The next day: Skin Hardening.