"So it's because of this brat that I have to sign such a high-level confidentiality agreement?"
Inside the instrument-filled room, a child with dark green spiky hair and a baby-like figure—big head, tiny body—let out a disdainful voice. Opposite him, on a huge transparent screen, Luo Shu lounged casually toward a massive diagnostic machine, dressed in a blue and white patient outfit.
"Tch, there's nothing special I can see about this kid," the green-haired infant muttered.
Hearing this, Kirika, who had just entered the room, let out a teasing laugh, "Hey, it's none other than our genius little prodigy, Dr. Verde here, personally conducting the examination!" She smirked, "If I'd known, I'd have brought a can of baby formula for you~"
Dr. Verde, standing only 40 centimeters tall and looking every bit the infant, was a mad scientist and the head of SDS's Research Department. Prized on the dark web at ten billion US dollars with a bounty only on live capture, he was a talent no one had managed to seize. To Kirika, the dark web listing was little more than an empty cage—just a name with no real clue of his true appearance.
At Kirika's mocking words, Dr. Verde just calmly pushed up his glasses and said, "Rude little brat, still rude no matter how mature she looks on the outside—rotten rubble inside, unworthy of study."
Having retorted to Kirika, Dr. Verde then turned to Lacus, who had just entered the room, and said annoyedly, "Though I don't know your reasons, Chairwoman, interrupting my research on the neutron interference device and specially ordering me and my team here in Japan to examine a new member is a waste of resources." "This simple genetic testing work could easily be handled by a research team number two digits removed from mine."
"Starting level 3 Abyss Artifact procedures to guarantee memory clearing post-test, then mobilizing me, head of the number 0 laboratory, all at this cost—if it's just to research an ordinary person…"
"Though I did confirm from the report that the Abyss Artifact we possess can safely erase human memory, that conclusion is under current equipment limits and only harmlessness can be judged, nothing more."
"So this mission is clearly using number 0 lab's members as leverage."
"Hmph, such resource expenditure," Dr. Verde pushed up his glasses again, his tone carrying a hint of threat, "Even you, Chairwoman, can't stop me from reporting this later to Mr. Siegel."
Siegel Clyne, Lacus Klein's biological father, was the real major sponsor behind SDS.
Knowing this, Kirika couldn't hold back a snicker. Dr. Verde's words sounded like: "I'm going to tattle on your daddy."
At that moment, hearing Dr. Verde's objection, Lacus simply chuckled lightly and said, "Doctor, I don't believe this mission is a waste of resources."
"Oh? What's your reason?" Dr. Verde raised a brow, his pudgy baby hands crossed on his chest in an 'I'm listening' manner.
Beside them, Kirika, seemingly unwilling to see Lacus cornered, blurted out, "The reason is this kid is a Verde awakened ability user—mentally tough, capable of wind manipulation magic, and also boasting extremely strong healing methods."
"Such a composite ability, Doctor, one studying Abyss Artifacts should understand its significance?"
Transference-type blessings granting ordinary humans abilities usually require at least a level 3 Abyss Artifact or higher. That's because lower than level 3, artifacts automatically collapse after granting powers and lack diffusion ability.
Hence, every level 3 inheritance-type Abyss Artifact is an incredibly valuable treasure for various organizations.
"...A powerful inheritance blessing? Granting an individual apparently unrelated composite abilities? Level 3 or higher hazardous material? At least level 4, right?"
Dr. Verde pushed his glasses up, comprehending Kirika's clear statement as well as the reason for Lacus's tough stance.
"That indeed warrants mobilizing the number 0 laboratory."
Reluctantly, Dr. Verde admitted that if this involved possession of a level 4 Abyss Artifact, such measures were necessary. With his methods, if he detected capability fluctuations in Luo Shu, taking time and effort, he could track down the special wavelength of that level 4 artifact. Then SDS would gain a new level 4 Abyss Artifact.
As for who owned that level 4 artifact, Lacus could give it to whomever she pleased—as far as Dr. Verde was concerned, all he wanted was the research opportunity; ownership never concerned him.
"Good that the Doctor understands." Seeing this, Lacus relaxed somewhat.
She knew she wasn't good at forcing others, so if Dr. Verde really resisted the examination, she'd be helpless.
Instinctively, she felt Luo Shu had capital worthy of trust, so many arrangements were based on his character. But others might not be so willing, hence her worry about Dr. Verde throwing a fit.
"Fortunately, the testing instrument this time is the latest stabilized research product. Letting this special kid try it probably isn't bad—at least we'll get some valuable special data."
To Dr. Verde, whose real age was over 40, Luo Shu's appearance clearly belonged to a generation young enough to be called 'kid,' hence the dismissive tone.
Dr. Verde grunted, reached out with a tiny stubby hand, and pressed a button on the remote control in front of him, then said:
"Lie down on the center of the machine, flat on your back. Don't worry about any consequences—if this were my creation and it had any dangerous side effects, I'd be the first to die."
Behind the one-way transparent glass, Dr. Verde distinctly saw Luo Shu glance at him through it before obediently lying down inside the CT-like gigantic diagnostic machine's core.
Dr. Verde frowned—he knew that window was specially engineered with mental-blocking features; how could Luo Shu see him directly?
Coincidence? Or is there really something unusual about him?
With suspicion in his heart, Dr. Verde glanced at Lacus. After she nodded, he pressed the instrument's start button.
Watching Luo Shu get scanned, Dr. Verde narrowed his eyes and lowered his head to scrutinize the screens on the console.
Kirika, observing this, glanced over at the unfamiliar complex instrument displays and sighed, "Feels like this is way more advanced than last time I was here. Seriously, you scientists never hit a bottleneck?"
Lacus, teased along with the others, just smiled.
Suddenly, a shout rang out:
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! These aren't data that a human should have!!"