Although the Morton Observatory was entirely under Aiden’s control and there were no other scientists or buildings for them there, the Morton Observatory was a massive structure, most of which was hidden underground, essentially forming part of the Citadel’s western wall.
Still, out of the many floors of the Morton Observatory, Aiden decided to et with Adam right here, in an ordinary-looking circular room that looked more like a eting space.
Moreover, everything except his desk, a single lamp, and the coffee machine was turned off, creating the impression of an abandoned laboratory.
But that was no longer the case.
Step.
Adam stepped aside, looking around.
Before him and the others, hundreds of faces appeared, one on each screen.
"What is this...?" Adam was confused, especially when he saw himself and Lana on the list.
They had t only twice, here at the Morton Observatory and at the Citadel. They had never worked on the sa team, but for so reason they were on the sa list.
"This, Adam, is all my attempts to create the next Second Rank Phantom in this World Wipe. However, what you’re seeing right now doesn’t fully reflect how things actually are."
"Agh?"
Tap.
Aiden tapped the console as red crosses began to appear on the screens over the photos of people. At first, it was just a few screens, but gradually, more and more appeared.
"However, that’s not all." Aiden tapped the console again.
This ti, a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark appeared. It spread across the photos at the sa speed as the red cross.
Adam and Silvana watched the scene with bated breath, while Gladius, Xyrea, Sano, and Natta waited quietly on the sidelines. Unlike Adam and Silvana, they knew exactly what this ant.
Tap!
When the last red cross appeared on the photo of so young man, the changes finally took shape.
Out of hundreds of faces, no more than a dozen remained without either a cross or a triangle.
Silvana narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Aiden.
"What do these symbols an? What are you trying to show us?"
Aiden looked lazily at Silvana.
"Operator, or rather... I should address you by na, right?" A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "Silvana, I acknowledge your important role as Adam’s Operator. But, for now, you’re not worthy of speaking to as an equal. You’re not worth my attention. Stand aside and listen."
Silvana had long since ceased to be the obedient civil servant ready to carry out any order, but for so reason she couldn’t even open her mouth.
’Agh... What’s happening?’ She shuddered as she looked at Aiden.
She wanted to object and stand her ground. However, her whole body froze as if bound by invisible chains while a chill ran down her spine.
This wouldn’t have been unexpected for Silvana if it had happened after Aiden released his aura. As an Operator, she wouldn’t have been able to withstand the aura of a powerful K4-Phantom, let alone a Second Rank One.
But... Aiden wasn’t a Phantom, and he hadn’t even released his aura. Sothing in his gaze and words silenced her, like an order that couldn’t be disobeyed.
Aiden rely nodded before looking at Adam.
"Anyway, despite her inappropriate interference, I’ll explain what this is to you."
Aiden slowly gestured toward the screens.
"These are all the successes I’ve observed over the past few years. Each of them beca a Phantom in one way or another because of my involvent. They’re connected to the Morton Observatory. In most cases, it’s limited to a simple test, help in killing their first monster by my people, and so on.
"But there are also rarer cases. For example, Lana Tiates, you know her. She beca a Phantom right here because she developed a Spark. And there’s also soone else noteworthy."
Tap.
Aiden pointed his cup toward one of the photos.
In it was a girl with thick chestnut hair and green eyes.
"She beca a Phantom here too, just like many others, but unlike Lana, who showed a Spark on the test, and others who already had a Spark and ca here to kill a monster, she went through my experint."
Despite the general confusion, Adam listened closely to Aiden, and only later did he realize he knew who this girl was.
"Wait... Is that Glara?"
Aiden nodded.
"Yes. Gladius, do you have anything to add?"
Everyone turned toward him at once. Gladius waved his hand with a slight smile on his face.
"There’s nothing to tell here. Adam, after your battle against the Plague Reaper, Aiden decided to conduct an experint, and for that I had to contact Glara. This happened right after you gave Nexus her deceased brother."
Gladius spread his arms wide.
"I suppose the most accurate way to put it is that I kidnapped her, and here she underwent a deadly experint."
Adam frowned.
"What did you say? You kidnapped a girl whose brother had just died?"
However, instead of making excuses, Gladius lifted his head, looking at her photo.
"Look closely, Adam. She’s one of the few whose photo hasn’t been altered in any way."
Adam needed answers, but Gladius wasn’t going to explain anything further. That was what Aiden was here for.
"Speak." Adam clenched his fists. "What does all this an? Why am I on this list, and why do only so of us have neither a triangle nor a cross?"
Aiden folded his hands, looking calmly at Adam.
"It’s simple. A red cross ans that person is already dead. Being a Phantom is a dangerous job. Almost all of them t the sa fate. They went to the Dead Lands on another mission or to beco stronger, but ended up dying in a clash with a dangerous monster.
"A yellow triangle ans that this person has most likely failed. I give this rating personally. The chances that a person with a yellow triangle will be able to beco stronger are practically zero. They’ve reached their limits."
Then, Aiden looked at several blank photos.
"Ironically, you turned out to be one of the best pretenders, even though I didn’t even plan for that."
Aiden’s eyes grew darker.
"Perhaps you are the one who can reach the required height. Then you will truly beco the best failure."
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