Lv520 withdrew from direct contact after the attempt's forty-fifth minute, its manifestation integrity showing initial signs of genuine strain that the automated safeguards flagged as approaching, though not yet exceeding, the established withdrawal threshold. Nakamura recognized the wisdom in stopping before that threshold's confirmed activation, understanding that voluntary withdrawal at the first appropriate signal served the entity's continued safety better than pressing further merely because the discovery's significance tempted continued investigation.
"You did remarkable work," Nakamura said, once Lv520's manifestation had stabilized fully following the withdrawal. "I want you to know that clearly, regardless of whatever we still need to understand about what you found."
