I’m not sure how much time has passed, but the guards changed three times already. I haven’t closed my eyes since my dream with that girl. I’m more bored than sleepy, though.

No matter how much I tried to forget about that girl, she keeps appearing in my mind. And I’ve been ignoring this, but she called me Mom. Is it my desire to have kids that provoked it? But then why did the other kids die? I have an idea about it. Still, it’s best not to think about it.

“Open.”

Oh, someone’s coming.

A man with a plate and a glass of water enters the room, followed by a man dressed in black clothes. One guard approaches the cage. I go to the corner and wait.

When I hear the door closing again, I turn around.

“Uzziye Bakker.”

Woah! He must be the Overseer. He has his black hair combed to the back so perfectly, his nose stands a lot with his glasses; it’s like a block of wood, so sharp and square.

Wake up, Uzziye.

“Yeah?”

I hope he isn’t angry. I stared at his nose for quite a while.

He’s just staring at me. This means we’re even?

“I can’t wait to see what secrets you’re hiding.”

“Excuse me?”

“I feel it. You know how monsters are born.”

I stay rooted to the ground. Many questions roam my mind, but the worst comes out.

“Are you crazy?”

“Eat. We’ll begin the tests in a few hours.”

I pick the plate from the ground. It’s beans and vegetables, which makes me glad. I don’t feel like eating meat.

Four members return with a collar attached to chains and metal sticks. Two guards open the cage and drag me out to the center of the room and put on the collar.

I see, so this is how it works. They place themselves at the front and the back, forming a square. The metal tube has a chain inside, so they can push me and pull me, but I can’t do the same. The chain gives them enough room to react and use my strength to throw me to the ground. I also have my arms tied behind my back and chains on my feet, so I can’t surprise them with a large movement to escape.

It’s not like I wanted to try it. I know very well the consequences of a failed escape.

Enough of that! These shitty memories, argh!

What should I think about? Mm? Food? It was great. The beans lacked a bit of flavor, but I can’t cook them better than that, so it’s fine by me. Vegetables are so simple you need to be terrible at cooking to mess them.

Speaking of cooking, I want candy. Do you love sweets? Who doesn’t love sweets? My favorite is seeds and peanuts caramelized in a circle. Have you tried it?

“Stop daydreaming.”

The Overseer pulls me back to the present. I’m mad. Better focus on my situation.

Let’s see. I can’t move. I’m stuck on the wall by shackles on my feet and arms.

Where are my manners?!

“Hello.”

“Hello. Is it uncomfortable?”

“No.”

“There’s a difference in being used to it and it being comfortable.”

Well, I do prefer to sit, but this is nothing.

“I’m fine.”

“How many times do you tell that to yourself?”

What’s with him being so cocky? I’m at his mercy, so I can’t be careless. Let’s stop thinking about him like that.

This may be a strange thought to have, but he looks like a training doll. His posture is so straight and stiff, I feel like cracking my neck and shoulders.

“The report says you forget traumatic experiences. That’s normal, but I wonder if it’s true.”

“I don’t want to be here.”

“Uzziye Bakker, remember your position.”

I need to escape. It’s only the two of us. If I break the shackles, I can run after knocking him.

Urgh! Come on, come on, come on. Ha!

Uff~. This is too difficult.

“Are you done?”

“…”

“I’ll make this easier for us. My power is to know when someone tells the truth. Don’t make me waste time hearing your lies.”

This bastard…! Ahhhh!

“After this, can I leave?”

“I’ll be honest with you if you promise to be honest.”

That’s a no, isn’t it? But maybe I won’t have another chance.

“Okay, I promise.”

“Did you notice the magic that brought you here?”

“Eh? I did?”

“You have an idea what type of magic is, isn’t it?”

“Teleportation?”

“That’s right. Have you seen it before?”

I don’t remember seeing it.

“No.”

“That’s a lie.”

What?!

“It’s the truth!”

He opens his eyes and raises his eyebrows. He takes out a notebook and starts taking notes.

“I see. How interesting.”

Wait. Don’t tell me his power is real and I… No, no, no. It makes no sense.

“So you noticed? You’re lying and telling the truth.”

“Your power doesn’t work!”

“This power reveals things that even the person isn’t aware of. To make sure. Have you seen teleportation magic before being brought to this prison?”

“No!”

“It’s a lie.”

“It’s not!”

“This is fascinating. If you already knew about magic, that is a top-secret in the kingdom, I can’t wait to see what else you know.”

“You’re crazy; let me go.”

“As promised, I’ll be honest. You’ll never be free. You know too much already, and I won’t rest until I know everything you know. If after thirty years you’re innocent and you have nothing else to tell, then you’ll be under house arrest.”

Eh? No. No! NO!

“I know nothing. You’re crazy! Let me go!”