MLBO 02

At the beginning of the novel, the male protagonist had no name.

Because his parents abandoned him without even giving him one.

But later, after becoming a Transcendent, he gave himself a name.

“Emilian… that was it.”

With trembling eyes, I looked at the boy, Emilian.

“A mere test subject… can’t you move aside?”

The researcher spoke arrogantly to Emilian, who was blocking his way.

Even though most children would have been frightened standing before an adult larger than themselves, Emilian did not step back even a single pace.

Knowing that researcher’s temper well, I grew restless.

He looked ready to strike at any moment.

Most researchers regarded the children used as test subjects as less than insects.

“Useless orphans.”

“They should be grateful they can devote themselves to Him in this way.”

“That person” referred to the mastermind who founded this laboratory.

I hadn’t finished reading the novel, so I didn’t know who the mastermind actually was… but the researchers were people loyal to “Him.” If the experiments succeeded, He had promised them immense wealth and honor.

And so, the researchers continued their inhumane experiments for the sake of that goal.

The hearts of the test subject children were branded with obedience magic. If they disobeyed an order, they would suffer pain as if their hearts were being crushed.

Because they had a way to control the children, the researchers treated the test subjects however they pleased.

Which meant it was only natural to avoid provoking them as much as possible…

But Emilian supported the collapsed child and said to the researcher,

“Call a physician.”

“What?”

“You said we’re valuable test subjects. Then shouldn’t you make sure we don’t get hurt?”

His tone and attitude were bold.

And that behavior was more than enough to irritate the researcher.

Enraged, the researcher raised his voice.

“You insolent little—how dare you talk back without knowing your place!”

The researcher raised his hand as though about to slap Emilian across the face.

The boy’s eyes trembled slightly, but only for a moment.

Then—

“What is all this commotion?”

At the sudden voice cutting in, the researcher flinched.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and a monocle strode over.

It was the director of the laboratory.

“These test subjects were causing trouble, so I was disciplining them.”

At the researcher’s explanation, the director’s dry gaze swept over the children.

Seeing Emilian supporting the collapsed child, the director clicked his tongue.

“You shouldn’t handle a test subject we worked so hard to obtain like that.”

The director ordered that the injured child be taken to a physician.

It sounded humane.

But I knew very well that he wasn’t doing it because he truly cared about the child.

To him, the children were nothing more than disposable tools to be discarded once broken.

But the male protagonist was special.

He had been born with an extraordinary amount of mana. The more mana a person possessed, the higher the success rate of the experiment.

Naturally, children with large amounts of mana were rare.

The director, who would normally have been indifferent to something like this, reprimanded the researcher.

“Handle him carefully. Finding suitable test subjects is no easy task.”

Humiliated in front of everyone, the researcher’s face twisted for an instant.

But he soon bowed obediently.

“My apologies. I will correct my behavior.”

The director gave no reply.

As though annoyed at wasting time on such a matter, he turned and walked away.

Once the situation settled down, the researcher led the children away into the distance.

“…”

I watched Emilian’s retreating figure.

For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Because I knew all too well how cruel the things he would experience in the future were going to be.

The director’s goal, using even ethically forbidden experiments, was singular:

To create a Transcendent beyond human capability.

And according to the novel’s plot, Emilian would succeed in the experiments and become a Transcendent.

But before obtaining that power, he would endure all kinds of inhumane experiments within this laboratory.

And when he finally became a Transcendent, he would destroy the laboratory.

The problem was that, during his awakening, he would fail to control his power and unintentionally cause a massive explosion.

And I would get caught in it and die as well…

I let out a quiet sigh and tore my gaze away from Emilian.

“This isn’t the time to worry about someone else.”

Still, one fortunate thing was that I remembered reading about where the laboratory’s security was weakest.

After falling into the world of the novel, I had looked for chances to escape several times.

But avoiding the eyes of the guards stationed everywhere wasn’t easy.

“Last time, I almost got caught.”

I had been so terrified and shocked back then that I hadn’t dared attempt another escape for quite a while.

And while I hesitated in fear like that, the male protagonist finally appeared.

And if the story followed the original plot…

“Anise! The researcher is looking for you.”

A messenger child called out to me.

Just as expected, it finally happened.

“Starting today, I’m supposed to take care of that child…?”

A strict-looking researcher looked over a chart before sharply lifting her head.

Pushing up the glasses that had slipped halfway down her nose, she spoke.

“That’s right. Do you have a problem with it?”

Startled, I quickly shook my head.

“N-No! Of course not.”

“Then why are you so surprised?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Instead of trying to explain myself, I apologized first.

I lowered my eyes and clasped my hands together in front of me as though I had committed some grave mistake.

It was a survival method I had learned while living in this laboratory.

Fortunately, the researcher seemed satisfied with my attitude.

She let my strange behavior pass without making an issue of it and continued reviewing the paperwork in a businesslike manner.

“Test Subject 137 was disposed of, so naturally you’d be assigned another test subject.”

“…”

Her tone made it sound like a broken object had been thrown away.

At those casual words, my body stiffened.

That was the test number of Andy—the child I had brought meals to every day.

“I didn’t expect him to last long anyway. But he turned out even more useless than I thought.”

The researcher tossed out the words carelessly.

My hands trembled at her indifferent tone.

I clenched my shaking fists tightly.

“Since it’s the first day, there probably won’t be any experiments. He should be in his room by now. Test Subject 175’s room is on the third floor of Building B, so bring him dinner starting tonight.”

After finishing her explanation, she looked up.

“Did you understand?”

Urged to respond, I barely managed to open my mouth.

“Yes.”

“The director specifically instructed us to take good care of 175. So if anything unusual happens, make sure to report it.”

“…Yes.”

As always, I answered politely.

Then I bowed deeply and left her private office.

But that didn’t mean I felt fine.

I had already lost count of how many children I’d been assigned to who failed to survive the experiments.

My nose stung, and heat gathered behind my eyes.

This place is hell.

There wasn’t even time to drown in sorrow.

Before bringing Emilian his dinner, I had to clean out Andy’s room.

I quickly wiped away my tears with my sleeve in case someone saw.

Repeating to myself that this place was hell made it easier to swallow my tears.

Because the blazing fires of hell would dry even tears away.

So…

Wiping away the tears that kept falling, I forced myself to keep walking.

I organized Andy’s belongings and thoroughly cleaned the room.

Though calling it a “room” was generous—it was more like a prison cell.

Before the emotions I had barely suppressed could collapse again, I hurried out.

After preparing Emilian’s dinner in the cafeteria, I arrived at the third floor of Building B.

“Here it is.”

Among the rows of rooms lining the gray corridor, I found the one marked <175>.

Through the bars, I saw a boy sitting on the hard bed.

Sensing my presence, he turned his head.

His red eyes were filled with caution.

But after confirming I wasn’t a researcher, he relaxed slightly.

A brief silence passed between us.

Awkwardly, I asked,

“Um… can I come in?”

With iron bars attached to it, the room was practically a prison.

More importantly, the door was locked from the outside.

So the question probably sounded ridiculous, but Emilian neither mocked me nor got angry.

In a slightly exhausted voice, he simply answered,

“…Come in.”

Thank goodness.

Some test subject children were hostile even toward messenger kids.

I fumbled for the key and unlocked the door.

Emilian had already changed out of his ragged old clothes into the uniform issued by the laboratory.

The number 175 was stitched onto his chest, making it look exactly like a prison uniform…

“But he’s still handsome.”

The thought slipped into my mind unconsciously, and I immediately shook my head as though I’d startled myself.

Then, carefully setting the tray down on the table, I said,

“This is your dinner for tonight.”

The tomato stew, packed with chicken and vegetables, gave off a delicious smell.

But Emilian didn’t touch the food, as though he had no appetite.

“I’ll eat later… just leave it there.”

It’d be better if he ate before it got cold…

But at least he wasn’t refusing to eat altogether.

I nodded and said I understood.

As I placed my hand on the cart handle, I glanced at the boy.

“…The experiments will start tomorrow.”

Maybe because I had read about the dark future awaiting him in the novel, I felt strangely uncomfortable escaping alone.

But escaping together would be far more dangerous than escaping by myself.

And shackles were fastened around Emilian’s ankles.

Running while wearing those would be impossible.

I used and returned the room keys regularly, but the researchers kept the keys to the shackles.

Even if I somehow managed to steal them, if we were discovered while escaping, Emilian would be in danger too.

I couldn’t drag him into something that could get him killed if even one thing went wrong.

“…So let’s not get closer than necessary.”

It might sound cold, but if I wanted to survive, I had no choice.

Since my work was done, it seemed best to leave.

Gripping the cart handle, I spoke.

“Well then, I should get going now.”

With a somewhat pale face, Emilian nodded.

His complexion worried me, but I forced myself not to hesitate and turned away.

But after only taking a few steps—

“Ugh…”

It was such a faint groan that I almost might not have heard it.

But because the surroundings were so quiet, it reached my ears clearly.

My steps stopped abruptly.

When I turned back, Emilian had his head resting against the wall, his eyes tightly shut.

Without thinking, the question escaped me.

“Are you… okay?”

“…”

“Aren’t you sick?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Avoiding my gaze, Emilian answered stubbornly.

Nothing?

His voice sounded strained, like he was enduring pain.

Sensing that something was wrong, I walked toward him.

“Wait, let me see.”

I sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand against his forehead.

And immediately froze in shock.

His forehead was burning hot.

“You—why is your fever so…!”

You need to see a physician right now.

Just as I tried to stand—

Emilian’s body suddenly slumped sideways.

And then—

“Hah…”

Resting his head against my shoulder, he let out a pained groan.