Chapter 39 …..
“I already have an owner. So please, don’t duel.”
At Ascelia’s words, Alexis felt his heart melt. Perhaps because of that, he found himself wanting to grant whatever she wished. He spoke almost instinctively:
“Alright. I won’t.”
“Why? Are you scared?”
“No, Selina said not to.”
After saying that, Alexis looked at Calisten.
“Go now, Z-999.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I’d like it if you went. Z-999.”
Hearing her request, Calisten’s eyes drooped slightly. He had expected her to ask for his help, but instead, she had directly told him to leave, which made him hesitate and glance at Ascelia for confirmation.
“Are you sure you want me to go?”
“Yes.”
“You want to live like this?”
“Yes.”
Her immediate reply made Alexis so happy that he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Her hair, half wavy and half straight, seemed almost like it was shaped by his hands—he felt a strange joy thinking that, just as he influenced her hair, she might be influenced by him in return.
“Why are you trying to save me?”
Calisten was momentarily speechless at Ascelia’s question. He knew exactly why he wanted to rescue her from Alexis’ possession.
It was because the woman before him, Selina, was his close friend who haunted his dreams and troubled him, and she bore an astonishing resemblance to Ascelia.
Pretending not to recognize her felt like pretending not to recognize Ascelia, which made him feel both strange and guilty.
“Because you resemble someone.”
“Who?”
“My…”
Hearing him, Ascelia felt a spark of hope—if it was because he valued her that he made such a suggestion…
“A person that irritates my eyes.”
But Calisten said this carefully, fearing that revealing his weakness in front of Alexis Reynier would put Ascelia in danger.
Ascelia didn’t notice this subtlety; she just looked down, slightly disappointed.
“Will you leave?”
“….”
“This is Alec’s room. I’m a guest here, and you’re not. So go.”
Alex enjoyed watching her send him away, laughing quietly at the scene.
“Do you really want me to leave?”
“Yes. Go.”
Ascelia’s sulky tone made him slump his shoulders and glance at her, almost seeking reassurance.
She truly…
Was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
Like Ascelia.
And perhaps that’s why, even though it hurt him that she rejected him, he had no choice but to leave.
“Farewell, Z-999.”
Ascelia waved and sent him off, then stared blankly at the closed door after he left.
Eventually, she realized Alexis sitting nearby was touching her hair, and she quietly stayed still.
It took less than ten more minutes for her hair to become completely wavy.
“You look beautiful.”
That was the first thing Alexis said after finishing her hair. He truly thought Ascelia was incredibly beautiful. The wavy hair matched her dress perfectly.
“Since my hair is done, can I go back now?”
“No. I can stay here for three more hours.”
Ascelia thought it fortunate that he had a time limit. She sensed that what he wanted was a compliant toy.
“That’s… unfortunate.”
“Me too.”
When she awkwardly paused mid-sentence after swallowing incorrectly, he thought she had stopped out of embarrassment and happily embraced her.
“Shall we sleep a little? You must be tired.”
“Huh? Ah… I…”
“I won’t do anything.”
He remembered the deputy director’s instructions to make her submit at night, but he decided against it. By the time they left this place, she would likely give him permission anyway.
Besides, no matter how close Calisten was, she hadn’t chosen him.
Perhaps because of that satisfaction, he wasn’t impatient. Still, Ascelia’s body before his eyes was tantalizing—curved and beautiful—but he restrained himself.
After all, he was a test subject trained for long endurance.
It felt like the thrill of eating a first meal after a week of fasting—heart pounding, yet certain it would eventually be his.
“Come here.”
“Yes.”
So she lay on Alexis’ bed, resting her head on his arm.
“Ascelia.”
“Yes?”
“Sleep.”
“…Yes.”
She was physically exhausted, and lying down with him made her feel a little drowsy. Yet being with him made her tense and wary, almost too alert to fall asleep—as if fatigue alone couldn’t overcome her anxiety.
So she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep for nearly three hours.
When it was time for him to leave, she gently touched his cheek, pretending to wake up.
He looked at her with a forgiving expression and said:
“I’ll take you back now.”
“Yes.”
Ascelia was startled by how close Alexis’ face was the moment she opened her eyes. Her heart raced—if she startled again like this a few more times, she might have a heart attack—but she obediently looked down.
“I’ll help you change clothes.”
“No, I’ll… put them on myself.”
“Why?”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“You were embarrassed last time. Still not ready?”
“…Yes.”
Hearing her heart pounding, he smiled and gently stroked her hair.
“Alright then. I’ll wait.”
He said this, turned away, and added:
“You can change now.”
“Yes.”
She quickly put on the necklace and undressed. Being back in a male body, she no longer felt shame, and began putting on the lab clothes he had provided.
“These aren’t mine.”
“Yes, they’re mine. Too big?”
“Yes…”
The clothes were loose on her, just like the ones she had worn after showering before. Both the pants and top left plenty of room.
“You’re really small even as a man.”
“Isn’t Alec just too big?”
“Z-999 is big too.”
“They seem similar.”
Ascelia thought Calisten’s body was slightly bigger than Alexis’. Still, she found it strange that despite Alexis’ physical enhancement ability, Calisten’s body appeared larger. She finished dressing, feeling the Z-898 mark on her chest awkward.
“What about my clothes?”
“I threw them away—they’re too worn and torn to wear.”
“Oh…”
She nodded, accepting his explanation.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Holding Ascelia’s hand after she was fully dressed, he slowly headed toward Building A.
Even after leaving Building Z, they hadn’t walked far when…
“Z-898.”
“What is it?”
“This is an order for your immediate return.”
A guard, seemingly following the deputy director’s orders, blocked their path.
He held Ascelia’s hand tightly.
“I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
“You must leave now.”
Seeing the guards’ tense expressions, Ascelia said to Alexis:
“I can return on my own, Z-898.”
“…Alright.”
He allowed her to slowly release his hand.
“Help me with my training next time too.”
“Yes.”
He left the matter at that, and went toward the gate with the guards.
Alone, Ascelia headed to Building A.
The distance between Buildings Z and A was considerable. Moreover, the necklace Alexis had given her made the clothes feel heavy. Collecting all the jewels he had given her could almost be enough to open a jewelry store. Even if she didn’t often spend money, they looked extremely valuable.
She felt both burdened and cherished. Still, no matter how much he cared, a toy was a toy.
A strange feeling lingered—not unpleasant, but not entirely good either. Hard to describe.
She walked slowly, glancing around. The Z-898 mark on her chest often caused researchers to flee upon seeing her.
Having experienced this before, she initially feared being discovered, but now found it slightly amusing.
So Ascelia walked lightly toward Building A.
The deputy manager of Building A looked at her, hesitated, and finally let her pass. Ascelia wondered if she should explain, but since no researcher spoke first and approaching them might cause trouble, she stayed silent.
Ivan was absent, and his subordinates seemed to be preparing some experiment. There were many subjects in the lab being experimented on to awaken abilities.
Ascelia slowly walked toward her room. Feeling free to walk again after a long time, she dragged Alexis’ oversized shoes along—like slippers due to being crumpled at the heel.
Just as she returned to her room, someone was standing outside.
Black hair. Red eyes.
It was Calisten, looking back at her.
“You… why are you wearing those clothes?”
