NORTH CALUM, RANACE
VEILBREAKERS NEST
Dr. Johnson was momentarily disoriented but quickly regained her composure. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in her surroundings. “Oh, an unfamiliar place with familiar faces!” she exclaimed with a slight jump, then warmly embraced Grovan upon seeing him. “I missed you, darling. I must admit, I underestimated your ability to find me.”
The Veilbreakers exchanged knowing nods, and Rinporter pulled Dr. Johnson away from Grovan, firmly holding onto her arms from behind. Without resistance, she allowed Cresson to approach her and gently place both hands on her head.
Cresson closed his eyes, activating his ability to manipulate memories. He had developed this power just last year, allowing him to influence the memories of one person per day. However, the effects would only last for twenty-four hours. Their plan was for Grovan to play the role of Dr. Johnson’s lover, and for her to pose as a member of the Veilbreakers, secretly working undercover for the mastermind behind the Arcane Laboratories. After implanting the necessary information into her mind, they positioned her across from Grovan, while the rest of the team stood behind her.
“Hey, darling, what’s the deal with Unbotherod? Why are you distributing it to people? What’s your end goal?” Grovan asked, beginning the interrogation.
“Ah, that? I’m in the process of formulating a medication for the masses,” Dr. Johnson replied. “It’s the optimal anti-inflammatory and analgesic solution.”
“But there’s been a spike in crime because of it. Is that part of your plan?”
“Absolutely not. The individuals involved were merely test subjects. They voluntarily participated in the Unbotherod trials without any form of remuneration. Once it successfully completes the testing phase, it will be distributed to pharmacies, making it accessible to anyone in need.”
Grovan looked over at the other three, but they all shook their heads, expressing their skepticism. Cresson, having reviewed Dr. Johnson’s memories, believed that escalating crime worldwide was the primary objective. However, the identity of the individual who issued the order and the motive behind it remained shrouded in mystery.
Grovan returned his attention to Dr. Johnson. “Okay, fine. What about the children? What were you instructed to do with them?”
“They didn’t give me any orders, darling. I’m doing this of my own accord. It’s an experiment, you see. I want to mold them into being just like you,” she replied with mischievous grin on her face and a twinkle in her eyes.
“But they’re just kids, darling.”
She chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not causing them any harm.”
Grovan glanced at the rest of the group, who simply shrugged. He continued his questioning, intrigued. “Why do you want them to be like me? And what exactly am I?”
Her grin widened as she reached for his hands. “You’re extraordinary, darling. You’re a trihybrid!”
Chuckling, Grovan furrowed his brows playfully. “A trihybrid? What does that mean?”
“It means you possess the DNA of three different species! You are a unique combination of a human, a conjurer, and an Arcanian!”
The rest of the group exchanged puzzled glances; their foreheads creased with confusion. Meanwhile, Grovan chuckled and responded, “No, darling, you must be mistaken. I am simply human. Well, all right, perhaps a touch of Arcanian due to the Helthier.”
Thanks to Vanarah’s successful repair and stabilization of his DNA, Grovan had regained his human form. However, as a result, he had also acquired one of the Arcanian abilities, specifically a heightened pain tolerance.
“No, you are mistaken, darling,” Dr. Johnson said confidently, folding her arms. “I have thoroughly studied your DNA, and even before the Helthier injection, you possessed a combination of three genetic backgrounds. Your abilities as a conjurer and an Arcanian were dormant, likely due to being raised as a human. If my theory is correct, it means that you had ancestors who were both conjurers and Arcanians.”
“Are you suggesting that you have uncovered the secrets of my genes simply through your studies? Are you truly that skilled?” he retorted sarcastically, glancing at Cresson, who avoided eye contact and slumped into the nearest chair.
Dr. Johnson maintained her confidence and replied, “Yes, I consider myself as the best scientist in the world. I have the potential to invent cures for diseases like cancer or any other ailments deemed incurable. However, those in positions of power prevent me from doing so.” She sighed. “Trust me, darling. You possess the traits of a trihybrid. The abilities you currently have or experienced, I am certain they wouldn’t have manifested if it weren’t for the Helthier.”
“You even know the effects of the Helthier on me?”
She nonchalantly shrugged and replied, “That’s just how brilliant I am!”
Sighing heavily, Grovan accepted her words, realizing that everything she said made perfect sense, even though his conjurer abilities had not yet returned. “All right, enough about me. Keiro has a mission for you.”
He exchanged nods with him and gestured for Keiro to take a seat across from Dr. Johnson. As he settled into his seat, he began, “Before I disclose the details of your mission, we need to know how many Arcane Laboratories still exist.”
She responded casually, “Ten laboratories.”
“Can you provide us with their locations?”
She shook her head. “I can only give you the names of the countries. I don’t know the exact locations since they always put me to sleep during transportation.”
“That sounds familiar. Just like how the kidnapped children were put to sleep during their transportation.”
“Exactly. Plus, they always use Skyswift for a seamless travel experience to ensure they go undetected while crossing borders. It has the ability to camouflage itself.”
Rinporter and Keiro exchanged glances, realization dawning upon them. Now they understood why they hadn’t noticed the jet in San Pedro City. The aircraft possessed the power to render itself invisible.
Grovan interjected with a curious question, “Wait, does that mean even the security cameras in the facility are camouflaged?”
“Yes, darling. You catch on quickly. The Arcane Laboratories utilize a special technology that can only be found in Arcanum.”
“I see . . .” he replied, but his train of thought was interrupted by his ringing phone. He retrieved it from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID. “It’s the Headmaster.”
“Take the call outside,” Keiro instructed, and Grovan complied, stepping out of the basement. “Now, let’s continue.” Focusing his attention back on Dr. Johnson, he took out his phone and prepared to record her response. “Can you tell us the locations of the other laboratories?”
She nodded. “The remaining laboratories are located in Papua New Guinea, the United States, Russia, Italy, the Philippines—”
“But we didn’t find one when we searched in the Philippines,” Rinporter interjected.
“You simply didn’t search thoroughly enough. Now, let me continue. The other locations are Syria, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, and finally, Ranace.”
All of them were taken aback and filled with a mix of surprise and confusion when she mentioned their country.
“Ranace? But the laboratory there was already destroyed,” Cresson exclaimed.
She calmly responded, “There is another one, however.”
“This only confirms that the mastermind is in Ranace,” Keiro muttered under his breath. “Now, how about you tell us who you’re working for? You never revealed that information. Bernard Dale is already dead, so who has replaced him?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She seemed to enter a trance-like state, and then the only sounds that escaped her lips were a series of nonsensical, “La-la-la, La-la-la.”
“What the—” Keiro’s words were abruptly halted as Grovan burst into the room, causing the door to slam shut behind him. He swiftly descended the stairs and came to a stop on the last step, catching everyone’s attention.
“The Noble Citadel is under attack by the Black Marzec!” he announced with urgency.
Upon hearing the information, Cresson rose from his seat, while Rinporter grunted in disbelief as he approached Grovan, trying to process the shocking news.
Keiro took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then spoke, “Go ahead to the Noble Citadel with Cresson. I will join you after I inform Dr. Johnson of her mission.”
Once they had left, Keiro let out a sigh and refocused his attention on Dr. Johnson. His voice carried a strong sense of determination as he continued, “Your mission is to return to the laboratory and liberate the captive children. Today, your objective is to completely destroy the lab. Can you accomplish this task?”
She nodded confidently. “Yes, I understand. Consider it done.”
He sighed in relief and added, “Rinporter will be there to assist you. Now, go and fulfill your mission.”