Law of Preserved Hope in Confinement

This is...

A Chaos Manifestation, a simulation.

...

A simulation...? Chaos...?

As I take in my surroundings, a sweeping field comes into view. A view so vast it's incomparable to the lab interior I'd seen from within the capsule.

I instinctively reacted in disgust toward the viscous sludge that was stuck to the ground and the buildings. I shivered as the winds bristled by and put my hair on edge.

Though this pales in comparison to what the Empire is capable of, this should be more than enough to test your potential.

Let's see if you're synced in. Try moving your hands and feet.

Uhm...

I didn't realize what for, but I squiggled my fingers and toes.

Tell me about your movements. Are you feeling anything strange? Experiencing delays, as if you were moving slower than you'd expect?

I can't tell.

Good, no issues then. All right, commencing the test immediately then.

Protos is the name we call those who can navigate the Chaos while bringing out the utmost potential of those they've infiltrated the Chaos with.

These Protos have only ever been produced by the Empire, but we've decided to create our own without their assistance.

You are a product of that decision. You are a 'Replica'.

Protos, Empire, Replica...

I... don't understand. I'm... a Replica?

Yes, that's all you need to know for now.

I am Yuma, Institute Director of Laboratory 1, and the creator of Replica.

Can you call me by my name?

Yu...ma... Yuma.

Uhm, everyone before called you "Director." Can I call you that, too?

Huh...?

Haha, of course! Call me whatever you'd like.

I could see the wrinkles in the Director's face intensify as he smiled from ear to ear. Was he happy with my response?

The aim of this session is to examine the effects, costs, and inter-entity integration involved in separating the Protos's role into an independent entity.

Try moving that large, white lifeform to your right.

Large, white... This...?

I glanced at the lifeform next to me. Since when was it... No, it was there with me from the beginning.

The single big and blue eye that the creature had moved left and right just as I had willed it, and even blinked on cue.

Confirming the operation of the Protos's functional unit corresponding to the main body's activity. Things are moving along optimally.

NA-02, we've already gone over this before, but you have within you a Protos Functional Unit that will bring out boundless capabilities.

Show us what kind of entity you are.

...

How...?

First, let's proceed forward.

When you run into a Chaos monster, attack it first. If you don't, you'll be the one being attacked.

A... Chaos monster? What's—

The Director's holographic figure disappeared. All that remained was nothing more than incomprehensible data regarding the simulation, and the vast horizon of Chaos before me.

Abiding by my instructions, I stepped forward. This Protos Functional Unit called Elysion floated along beside me.

I hear the researchers' voices on the other side of the glass.

One is talking about their family, another is talking about the vacation they had on some famous ark? I wonder what that is.

These words, "family" or "vacation", never really caught my attention. But when I began to pick up on their delight about freedom and their grand depictions of scenery, I couldn't help but want to hear more.

If I "cared" for another like they do, would they become my family? After I'm done with these experiments, would I be able to take a "vacation"?

NA-02. Let's go over the results of your Protos Functional Unit.

Maybe you've already noticed, but...

The unit that you are connected to cannot perfectly recreate the capabilities of a Protos.

We are conducting this research so that we can create a Protos that far surpasses those that the Empire has. Therefore, I must express that the results of this study is disappointing.

This capsule is so tight that I can barely find room to move my feet. There's also not a speck of dust, but this abnormal cleanliness is oddly unsettling.

Everything, from my progress to my fate, will be decided for me in here. I'm trying, I really am. But no matter how much I do, I have no power.

However, you've no need to worry. Unlike the others, you have a unique unlimited power within you.

Let's just say that the fate of the other Replicas now lies on your growth.

When it comes to finding your faults, we'll use GA-01 for that, so don't be bothered with it.

...Check NA-02's status once more.

Cognition normal. Appetite center clear. It's in good condition, Director.

...Open the capsule.

That's it for today, NA-02. You may go and rest.

The lid to the capsule opens up.

The borders of my freedom went from the enclosed space where I could barely move my feet to the vast expanse of the room where many others, researchers and Replica alike, moved to and fro.

I... have a question.

Hm?

Are you... my family, Director?

Hmm, curious. Not the type of question I expected from a Replica.

What do you think?

I...

I'm not sure about the exact meaning of the word... but you're important to me, as family.

Haha, is that so?

Family... If I had any family leftover, that'd be...

Director! Reporting a response between the recently acquired monster organism with the Chimeranite!

...Ah, okay. I'll be with you soon.

You should head back as well. GA-01 is probably waiting for you.

The only time in the day where I got to experience as much freedom as a human would was when I was with Gaya, after our routinely checkups.

You back, Narja?

...Gaya.

Huh? What's with that look?

Nothing. There's still so much I don't understand yet...

But I'm still amazed how you were able to think up of the name "Narja" for me.

I told you before. I came up with your name with whatever sounds stuck to me at the time.

I've got no idea whether it's a name that humans would even use... Just make sure you don't bring it up in front of the researchers.

Is that so...?

I knew that Gaya gave me my name to prove that I was different from those other monsters, but she had always been embarrassed to use our names in front of the humans.

Maybe they'll be amazed by how amazing the name sounds.

Those people just plaster "FAILURE" to every single thing I do!

I know that they're going to react the same way when they hear of our names. ...So don't tell anyone else.

Gaya...

It's okay. I'm happy that you gave me a name.

I found out later on that many of the other Replicas also gave each other nicknames.

The researchers only thought of it as a natural phase of us copying them. Names like Gaya or Narja to them probably didn't hold much value.

...Hmpf.

If you hadn't saved me that day, I wouldn't be caring for you this much.

Are you saying you regret me saving you...?

...You know that's not what I meant!

Agartha, go give Narja a good old chomp.

The ice wyrm Agartha may be Gaya's companion, but it simply let out a frosty snort and calmly shook its head.

Agartha!

You already know that Agartha and Elysion are good friends. It wouldn't do such a thing.

Grr, so annoying.

Gaya stomped her foot and turned to face the corner. Our room wasn't that big, so there probably wasn't much meaning to the direction she was facing.

What are you doing?

Going to sleep. You do you.

Gaya slips into her sleep pod.

It doesn't seem like you're actually going to sleep though...

There's no reason for me to stay awake if Gaya's going to sleep. I follow suit and place myself into my own pod.

...

Replica research was really no different from getting lost in the Chaos.

Everything took a long time, and more often than not, we'd end up right where we started. After having repeating those dangerous missions so many times, it gradually became monotonous.

I walked day after day toward the unreachable tower.

We're adjusting the energy administration method to avoid stimulating the appetite-regulating center.

It'll feel alien to you, but we've no other choice if you want to retain your strength. Are you ready?

It feels weird... but it doesn't hurt.

That's good to hear.

Because of you, we've been able to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to create other Replicas.

You are an outstanding specimen. Never forget that.

Now, today we'll be conducting a concentrated analysis on your Protos Functional Unit. You'll feel the anesthesia soon, so just relax for now.

Understood.

...

...Let us begin. Scalpel.

Sir!

There was no way that the Director didn't know that Elysion and I were connected down to our nerves.

For the next week, Elysion's eye was bloodshot, and I couldn't refrain from blinking more often.

Half a week later, Gaya received her surgery. Since then, Gaya would often poke at her own teeth. It seems that Agartha had a portion of its teeth modified.

NA-02. We've two pieces of good news for you.

...Is the research finally over?

Haha, so you can even joke with me now, is it?

As a result of our latest research, we can now safely utilize highly concentrated Chimeranite.

By using the equipment we have at Laboratory 0, we can multiply your strength severalfold.

...

I'm sure you can guess what the second good news is, then. What else do you think we can do with this high-concentrate Chimeranite?

Don't be too surprised now.

We'll be able to create the perfect Replica! We can finally close this chapter of our grueling study into Replica research!

The perfect Replica...

Over the many cycles of research I'd gone through, I'd learned what exactly happens to the Replica's that failed, as well as the word they used to refer to those who would not make it.

There'd be no more disposing of, then.

And a high chance that they'll become a part of your family, NA-02.

Family...

"Becoming family" meant that they would live on. Replica that were disposed of early in their lifecycle—to put it in the researchers' words—would be treated as "strangers without a face"

And just as the Director said, HA-87 became a new member of my family.

HA-87 was given a name by Gaya, and though she complained that they didn't understand why they needed a name, she never rejected it outright. Haku became our youngest sibling.

Haku completed the research procedure that took me seven months, only two. What took me two weeks, Haku was able to do it in three days.

At last, it felt as though light was breaking through on the path I had long been stuck on.

And yet, Haku could never escape her own anxiety.

If I could have continued another 10 more minutes, I could have achieved results exceeding the projected goal.

My limits are evident. If this is an experiment that even I'm failing... there's no longer a point to continuing this Replica research...

There's not a single researcher who thinks you failed.

You're the only one of us who even made it as far as you did.

That's obvious! That's because I was born as the one who was forbidden from failing!

I'm not afraid of being disposed of... It's just...

When the day comes when I'm no longer of use and disposed of... will this lab be able to remain the way it is?

The fate of everyone here hangs on my success. But I never even wanted any of this...

...Ha. What a spoiled thing to say.

Yet, Haku wasn't wrong. If Haku was also deemed a failure, there's no telling when the humans would pull the plug on their Replica research.

If that day were to come, all of us Replica would be disposed of, and the humans would leave this planet.

That's... how it was. Humans would not be disposed of. They'd simply go on a vacation, or go back to their families.

Unlike us, humans were given the privilege to choose at the pivotal moments of their lives.

Haku's anxiety only grew worse even when she recorded breakthroughs, while Gaya gave it her all even when she failed over and over, just to survive another day.

And in between these two, I learned what it was like to think like a human. I began to ponder on what I could do to secure our happiness.

Yet, no matter how many times I walked that road and how many turns I took, I always reached the same ending.

Guys, how about we leave this place one day...?

If we leave, we won't have to worry about all this anymore.

The moment those words left my mouth, it felt as if I had stepped beyond an invisible barrier and opened onto an endless horizon.

Words weren't exchanged that day, but I knew — that Gaya and Haku felt the same way I did. All three of us began to plan our escape together.

One day, Haku came back with a flower she received from the Director.

She said it was a flower that grew somewhere in the rural regions of Delta. Haku had on a peculiar expression.

Again, I asked Haku if she wanted to be free, but she gave me no response.

Her eyes were glazed over and void, as if something that devoured her consciousness.

That night, I was unable to sleep well. I was oddly insecure and strangely afraid of what tomorrow would bring.

Maybe I should... have a look around.

A flower bed... I've seen this before, through the screen. And here I am, lying atop of it.

The Director is picking the flowers, taking the time to smell each of them.

Flowers that I wanted to feel, freedom that I wanted to breathe...

...Hmm?

Director...?

Direct—?

Oh my, Narja. You seemed to have had a bad dream.

Didn't we agree that you no longer needed to call me that?

Now, how about we take a deep breath? The aroma of these flowers will help you relax.

With my head turned to the side, I follow the Director's instruction and slowly breathe in through my nose.

Nothing.

I did not know what a flower could smell like.

Heh...heheh...

Ahahaha! You absolute buffoon! Did you really believe that you'd ever get to know?!

Stop trying to deceive yourself. You can never be like us humans.

You will never get to know how warm and pleasant it smells outside of this decrepit laboratory.

That is your fate, Narja.

The flowers and dirt that I had been lying upon turned cold and hard, just like how the experiment capsule is. Had it always been this way?

What felt like the wind quickly devolved into the busy cacophany of the researchers.

Wait, did the Director ever once call me by my name?

Even if it's just one day... I would just like to take one day to myself...

NA-02, reading abnormal biosignal fluctuations!

Administering sedative!

GASP...!

My eyes jerked open as if by response. I found myself confined to the suffocating and cold interior of the experiment capsule.

NA-02, consciousness restored!

Pulse, respiration, and cognitive responses, all normal!

The researchers who usually had their eyes glued to their data pads were now running around frantically. While they were doing so, the pod's lid began to open.

Are you okay, NA-02?

...

Shivering with cold sweat, I look over at Elysion.

Letting out a cooing noise, Elysion spits something out. A small golden tag...

...An older-generation nametag with the letters 'GA-17'.

Without another thought, I reactively toss the tag back at Elysion.

Elysion quickly swallows it. This time, my stomach doesn't hurt.

NA-02, let's move you to the examination room.

It seems the researchers didn't notice and turn around as they head toward the examination room.

GA-17... I think I saw that in my dream...

Kgh, my head...

The line between dream and reality begin to blur.

The nightmare I just had hangs vividly in my mind as I followed the researchers.

At the time, I had no idea what future awaited the research facility.

Elysion swallowed... this.

This is...

GA-17. That was the disposed Replica we used during the Chaos simulation.

It seems this little one ate it by accident.

Something may have agitated its digestive system. Let's have a quick look over at the examination room.

I try to shake the image of the Replica's face that I saw in my dream as I followed the researchers.

At the time, I had no idea what future awaited the research facility.

What's this...

Is this what the outside looked like?

No flowers, no rivers. Just pollution and dirt. It even smells worse than the lab...

Both of us were acutely aware of the difference between what was dirty and what was clean. The lab had certain areas that had to be kept pristine, while there were other areas used for waste.

Even outside the central area, any area that was frequented by the researchers had always been clean.

...

Could this be... one of the reasons why the monsters attacked?

...Let's keep going.

As long as we keep walking, we should eventually find something else.

This is...

This building looks similar to the lab, but the area is as corrupted as everywhere else.

Hmm, was the lab even bigger than I thought...?

Huh? Hey, Narja, doesn't it seem cleaner over there, past those buildings?

...!

Thanks for keeping an eye out, Gaya. Let's head over there.

Yeah...!

I opened my eyes to the suffocating confinement of my capsule. I could hear dulled voices from beyond the transparent pane.

Its behavioral pattern was within our estimates, but these numbers associated with them are far outside what we accounted for.

Even if it was just a virtualized test environment, if we choose to ignore it for too long, it may end up causing damage.

...

Director Yuma, you must make your decision.

We've seen this before with a few of our previous samples, have we not?

And every time, you chose to dispose of them.

...I know.

However... what if we increase our control over the environment? That way, the numbers will—

Director Yuma!

Dispose of...

What is this "dispose" they're talking of?

Subject number GA-01's consciousness has not yet returned even after we closed the simulation.

It seems it experienced too much mental strain within the virtual environment.

Director. NA-02 will inevitably break free of our control.

Kgh...

Damn it... Did the experiment fail this time, too?

...Fine. Don't leave a single trace behind and dispose of it entirely. Pay no heed to it when it wails and thrashes about.

Fail... experiement...

I understood the words, but was unable to find the meaning behind them.

Regardless, whatever they were planning to do to me...

No longer matters.

I simply... hunger.

...?! Did the capsule explo—

UWAHH—

I grasp onto the closest meal and chomped down on it.

Hmm. Tastes different from Replica or monster.

Wh-what...! How could this...

Director, you must evacuate!

NA-02 is beyond our contr—EYAAHHHH!!

I pluck my meals in quick succession, enjoying the crunching texture, one after another.

With each meal, I seem to be growing bigger and bigger. That, or the room is getting smaller and smaller.

...!

Initiate lockdown procedures immediately! Everyone, get your asses to the nearest evac tunnels! NOW!!

The entire lab explodes into a frantic panic.

I grab onto more of the critters as they scurry across the room.

These security guards with their shields and guns... Bleh, they don't taste that good.

...

...

Did I zone out? When I came to, I noticed I was just about big enough to swallow my meals whole.

But, I was still hungry. I wriggled along.

I won't particularly run into any issues, for I have swallowed anything and everything they used to research or dispose of me with.

No, maybe that's not it... Research? Dispose of? What did those words mean again?

Hmm, what was I even thinking about just now...

...Why was I born again?

...

I'm just... going to eat a little bit more.

I hope this planet has something left over for me.

Huh...?

Where... am I...?

A crisp breeze caresses me.

And along with it, the scent of something... unfamiliar.

Is this...

Flowers?

The unfamiliar fragrance was rather cold and more foreign than I had thought.

Dirt, stone, water... I do recall hearing that nature wasn't as warm as I imagined it to be.

But still... so this is freedom...

I'm no longer hungry...

You feel the same way, don't you, Elysion?

Elysion...?

All that came in contact with my outstretched hand was a pulpy, gelatinous ooze sloughing downward. The once sharp razors and that single eye had all congealed into a sludge in the palm of my hand.

...

Is that... how it is, then...

...

I could no longer feel my limbs. Maybe that's why my mind has become more aware of my consciousness fading away.

It's just like Haku said. Everything is gradually...

...to the void.

Ahh... So this is what you tasted like, Narja.

Thanks for the meal, hehe...

...

...Ugh...

This is...

As my eyes open, the familiar sight of the laboratory interior greets me. The cold, rigid shell of the capsule presses against my back.

We're back where it all started.

It felt as if I had just come back from the biggest Chaos simulation yet. I could no longer tell if it was a dream or if my mind had shattered, unable to discern reality from simulation.

I pick up on noises on the other side of the glass. The researchers are rushing around frantically, shouting at the top of their voice.

NA-02, GA-01, returned to capsule! The Director must have used their Life Cores!

What?! Then that means the Director...!

We cannot confirm what is or has happened since the defense tunnel's CCTVs are down. However, knowing that HA-87 was making its way there...

At that time, I had no idea what it meant to have returned to Laboratory 1's capsule, or what a Life Core was.

I had no time to dwell on it, and the fatigue that had been building since I resolved to escape came crashing over me all at once.

I simply prayed with all by heart that this was all but a dream.

For a long time... For a very, very long time, I closed my eyes.

I heard that in the split second before death, a human's life flashes before their eyes. Mine replayed my past as though that fleeting flash had been stretched out to a tedious length.

When I first awoke in the lab and was given the name, NA-02.

The first time I met Gaya in that Chaos and had to wander aimlessly.

When the Director gave me my first ever compliment, the moment I got to watch Haku being born.

My emotions, the atmosphere around me, the choices I had made of my own will...

I pondered on where I made mistakes, or which of those I could consider failures.

I decided not to regret saving the Director. THAT was my choice, a choice I made from my own life's experiences. It was now a choice that had become a part of me.

...

...

The researchers poured the remainder of their time to transforming me. I was no longer studied to become the Peltion's Protos, but rather a soldier to combat Chaos.

It seemed they were doing everything they could to prepare for any monster attacks that reached the lab.

But, the Chaos that sprouted from Laboratory 0 eventually proliferated, and no one could stop Haku's rampage.

Laboratory 1 fell victim to the corruption... We were forced into a life of hiding, to avoid Haku or any other lifeform.

They said Kaguya Pharmaceutical's Protos experiments couldn't be found out by anyone else.

There were times then I wondered, was my existence in this world such a bad thing...?

...In the end, we survived giving it everything we had, which continued on until we met you.

...

Thank you for saving me, Captain.

...What do you mean?

Oh...

...Such a bad joke to make. I'm a Replica, not a Protos. I'm no different from a failed experiment.

There's no way that I could share something in common with a Protos from the Empire...

...

Were you... being sincere?

Captain...

A sudden, hot softness swelled within my chest.

I couldn't tell why I was crying. I had felt happiness and sadness before, but this was the first time both of them came at once and I didn't know what to do.

I instinctively grabbed a hold of the Captain and plunged my face into his coat. I couldn't stop myself from not letting go.

Thank you...

Thank youuuu... Captainnnn... Hnnnngg....

Maybe I had long believed myself to be nothing more than a life stained with failure and taboo.

Even if those words were true, if only I was just different and not a mistake...

Maybe then, I do have a reason to continue living.

I can see the horizon.

It was as they said. Where solid land should have been, it was filled with water, drawn into a single, endless line beyond my gaze.

As though something slumbers beyond the horizon, waves of varying heights roll in and out, gently soaking the beach.

...

Is this really... what they call the ocean?

So this... really is a sea.

But why did you bring me here...?

Captain, Captain, come on! Take your boots off, dip your toes in, and feel how refreshing the water feels!

Y-you never know what might happen... so I'll just safely walk along the beach. What about you, Captain?

The Captain simply shook their head without saying anything else. Rei bolted across the sand and went ankle deep into the waters.

Miss Tressa, here comes my Super Duper Water Splash!

Eeek, th-th-th-that's c-cold!

Uhm, hehe... I might make a mistake and end up wayyy out there in the ocean, so... You never know about my bad luck... Haha...

...It's just our feet, you know. I don't think anything that bad can happen.

Heh, fine then, I'll just have to pull out my real secret weapon...

Presentinnnggg...! The Super Mika Hydro Splash Attack!!

...I'm sorry?

The ocean is practically Miss Mika's homeground!

I'm sure that if I can tickle Miss Mika well enough, the area will explode with water!

J-just a moment... Uhm, Rei... Don't tell me you're actually going to...

Ehehehe...

I'm gonna catch youu!

Eyaaaa! N-no! G-get away from meeee!

In that instant, a massive column of water erupted, hurling the three people who had been playing along the shore high into the air.

Amidst the cheers and the screams, the geyser of water ended up coming down where the Captain and I were standing.

Wah, that's so cold...!

Y-yeah, I'm okay. But...

...

Mweh... The ocean's waters are really salty.

Wh- Wh- Whait a mhinute... I think I used up too much energy at the sea. *cough, cough* Help.

You feel the same way too, don't you, Miss Tressa...?

Owie... I fell...

So soon?!

...

So this is... the mountains...

Oh...

No, it's just...

In my dreams, the dirt was always cold and hard, so I was just curious what it'd be like in person.

Hmm...?

The Captain told me about how the Ark City's mountain came to be.

Some of the City's mountains came as close to 90% of it's ancestral counterpart on Earth, even going as far as getting down the correct rocks and trees—all which differed depending on region.

Even the flowers that they had planted all those years back have pollinated and spread so that their smell could be picked up wherever you went.

Even though I never brought up the fact that I wanted to see a flower bed, the Captain brought me there first.

It's like you know exactly what I'm thinking.

...

To show everything that I can possibly show to those who are observing. That was my purpose since birth, so I'm quite used to this.

So you can look into and analyze me for whatever you want, Captain.

I suddenly recalled the words I said to the Captain before my treatment.

Why am I remembering this now? Why did I say the thing I said?

My face suddenly heats up as the sound of my heartbeat gradually gets louder in my head.

I-I'm... such an idiot...!

...Wah!

I was so lost in thought that I slipped on my own and fell onto the ground.

That certainly didn't help, as my face heated up even further. I quickly buried my face into my hands.

...

The moment I close my eyes, a fresh floral scent comes rushing in.

Huh...?

This is...

The dirt beneath me was both cold and warm, both hard and soft.

The sunlight was bright, but the leaves up in the trees provided a comfortable, dark shade.

The mountain that humans had artificially created aboard this ark had birthed its own vitality.

And I was gifted with a freedom that I had never experienced before.

...

So even something artificial... can have its own freedom.

It can carry such fragrant flowers across great distances.

It can become beautiful nature, embracing all those around it...

Captain...

I sprawled out on the ground and stretched, then burst into laughter, as if I'd never laughed like this in my entire life.

I finally found my freedom, atop this artificially made bed of flowers.

NA-02, we have incredibly high hopes for you.

We know that you can make it. We'll make sure of that.

Now, time to blow out the candle. Let's celebrate your birth.

Just bring your lips close to the candle on that cake and blow out.

Just like this, okay? Just do what I do. *The individual simulates how it's done*

We'll blow the lights out on the count of three. One, two, three.

One... two... three...

Hmm... the numbers keep spiking. And it doesn't seem to be an issue with the Trauma Code simulation.

I can't pinpoint whether it's because we're looking at a traumatic event that continued until recently, or if it's because we're trying to run this on a Replica...

But I can't get you to manifest inside the simulation, Captain.

Seems you'll play a spectator for this one.

Oh? Someone's confident.

Heh, I'm almost starting to get jealous.

But alas, since it's not like I can take the patient's place, I'll leave you to it.

The memory delving device is working as intended, so you don't have to worry about that.

I stood by silently as Elaine got up and left the room. From outside, I could hear a muffled conversation that Elaine was having with someone else.

A few moments later, the owner of the other voice peeked inside. Pale skin. Blue eyes. It almost seemed as if they were camouflaged for the simulation room.

...

Uhm... I'm sorry, I'm not really used to everything yet. Everything outside of the lab is new to me.

I mean, I have seen things from virtual simulations and videos...

But this 'Trauma Code' is completely new to me. It's an experiment that I never experienced in the lab.

Mmm, I think someone mentioned that this actually wasn't an experiment or for research. If so, then I don't know why you'd be interested in looking into a Replica's past.

But! "To demonstrate the latent potential I hold as a unilateral subject of observation." That is the reason I exist, so I guess I'm quite used to processes like this.

So you can look into and analyze me for whatever you want, Captain.

Huh? For me...?

Narja blinked her eyes at me in innocent confusion. The silence that followed her words was proof that she was unable to comprehend the situation.

...What do you mean?

...

If you're looking into my memories, I don't think that's possible.

You'll find out once you see it, Captain.

Just how suffocatingly tight the space confining my memories is.

It seems Narja really was accustomed to being treated as a unilateral subject of observation. I watched as she snugly embraced Elysion, her white flying wyrm that was always with her, as she closed her eyes.

And so, we descend into the sea of her memories.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear NA-02! Happy birthday to you!

When I opened my eyes for the first time, I was inside a small, tight pod.

Beyond the transparent pane that encased my body, I could make out the figures of a few others, all who surrounded me as they clapped and cheered, and a small cake placed between us.

I didn't know who these individuals were, nor the significance of this 'cake,' as I stared at what was happening before me.

NA-02, we have incredibly high hopes for you.

We know that you can make it. We'll make sure of that.

Now, time to blow out the candle. Let's celebrate your birth.

...

One of the researchers opposite of me moved with unusually slow but gentle gestures, their features noticeably pale.

The younger researchers around me soon start moving about in a flurry. One of them calls on the older researcher.

Director Yuma, don't forget about teaching it how to blow out the candle.

Ah, yes, yes. That's right, haha.

Just bring your lips close to the candle on that cake and blow out.

Just like this, okay? Just do what I do. *Yuma simulates how it's done*

Was it because I was blankly staring? This "Director" person simulated how I should eject wind to "blow out" the red light in front of me.

I instinctively moved my head up and down, and the transparent cover opened up. A rush of the lab's chemical scent stung my nose, while the flame of the candle atop the cake wavered vividly.

It was only then that I noticed how oppressively heavy and musty the air inside the capsule felt.

We'll blow the lights out on the count of three. One, two, three.

Looking back on things now, I was already somewhat aware of language and numbers from the moment I was born.

This "cake" was something unfamiliar to me, but I followed the instructions I were given and blew out the candle.

That's it. Good job.

The director's eyes were still weary but the way the edges of his lips creased upward caught my attention.

Since you seem to understand my words, I see we won't be having any communication problems. We can speed up our research.

We shall immediately commence the comprehensive replica adaptability assessment. Close the capsule and prepare at once.

We must be successful this time! If we fail here, all of the Replicas of this batch, including GA-01, will be disposed of!

Do you all understand?!

Sir!

The researchers started to scurry even faster. Their desks were cluttered with data pads and charts.

I didn't get much time to breathe the air on the other side of the capsule. Instead, I did what I could and let my eyes trace its evanescence.