Roselle began to stammer. The woman with the white hair gently took her hand and inquired, "She's...?" She urged Roselle to continue.

With a deep breath, Roselle managed to speak slowly, "I'm Roselle."

“Roselle” Ayana repeated, as if savoring the name. "A beautiful name for a remarkable young woman."

Risebelle nodded firmly, saying, "I'm Risebelle," while Runebelle, in her gloom, softly added, "And I'm Runebelle."

Finally, Kintovar introduced herself as well, saying, "I am Dr.Kintovar."

Upon hearing Kintovar's name, Ayana's eyes widened slightly. She exclaimed, "Oh my."

Ayana nodded with a warm smile. "Kintovar has returned.”

"Kintovar has returned?" Kintovar repeated with confusion.

Ayana extended her hand towards the entrance and said, "Please, come in. We have made many changes since your arrest. I'm sure you'll find it quite intriguing." With that, she led Kintovar into Shadowcroft, where a world of knowledge and secrets awaited them.

Ayana led them through the grand entrance, revealing a vast and ornate foyer with towering marble columns.

"As you can see, this is the heart of Shadowcroft," Ayana spoke while carrying the reverence of a historian. "This is where knowledge is preserved and disseminated. The walls are adorned with intricately detailed mosaics that depict scenes from the history of South Jancito, showcasing its technological advancements and industrial innovations."

The group moved deeper into Shadowcroft, they entered a grand library. Shelves upon shelves of books, manuscripts, and scrolls lined the walls.

"Here in our grand library," Ayana explained, "you'll find shelves upon shelves of books, manuscripts, and scrolls, containing the collective wisdom of generations. Many of these texts hold the secrets of ancient technologies, blueprints, and innovations that were pivotal in shaping our city's progress."

Next, Ayana guided them to a series of laboratories. "As we move into our laboratories, you'll see that each one is dedicated to a different field of study. Our scientists work diligently, experimenting with various devices and contraptions, trying to unlock the mysteries of the past and propel our city into the future."

The tour continued through a series of exhibit halls. "In our exhibit halls, you'll find displays of innovative machinery and technological marvels from our city's history. These exhibits showcase everything from early steam-powered engines to cutting-edge electronics, demonstrating the evolution of our industrial prowess."

"And as we continue through our corridors, you'll understand that this place was created as a tribute to the great minds that have shaped our technological heritage. Shadowcroft is a sanctuary for scientists, inventors, and engineers to come together, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what's possible."

Anya smiled warmly at the group and spoke, "There's much more I could show you, but some of it is classified information meant only for the approved members. Right now, I need to take Kintovar to meet with our Head Scientist. You wouldn’t believe who it is."

Kintovar couldn't contain her excitement, feeling like she was in a treasure trove of technological wonders. However, she was perplexed by Ayana's belief that she had been here before. Kintovar asked, "Who is the Head Scientist, then?"

With a playful glint in her eye, Ayana responded, "Take a guess."

Ayana's words had stirred her curiosity about the identity of the Head Scientist in this remarkable place. Kintovar raised a hand up towards her chin.

They stepped into the spacious elevator, and Ayana initiated the ascent. Ten floors awaited them, and during the ride, Ayana turned to Kintovar with a playful smile. "So, Kintovar, do you give up or do you have a guess in mind?"

Kintovar furrowed her brow, racking her brain to come up with a name, but nothing immediately came to mind. She finally admitted, "I can't think of anyone. This place is so unique, and I haven't been here before, as far as I know."

Ayana turned to Kintovar with a face of genuine confusion. "How could you not have been here? It wouldn't make sense."

Kintovar eyed her seriously for several seconds. After a while, Ayana's face lit up with sudden understanding. "Oh, I get it. Oh, Kintovar, you jokester you." She laughed lightly with a smile coming to her face.

Kintovar, meanwhile, was silently thinking to herself, ‘I don't know what's going on here.’

Ayana's smile widened. "No worries. You'll meet her soon enough."

The group continued their journey through the labyrinthine corridors of Shadowcroft. They encountered several artificial humans, prototype creations that were in various stages of development. These humanoid figures went about their tasks, running calculations, tending to equipment, and carrying out experiments.

Upon spotting the newcomers, the artificial humans abruptly halted their activities, their heads turning in unison to face the group. Their movements were almost mechanical, synchronized in an eerie fashion. Their faces were neutral, and their synthetic eyes assessed the visitors with a curious gleam.

In unison, the prototype artificial humans extended their hands towards the group, an attempt at greeting. They spoke in an almost robotic unison, "Greetings. Welcome to Shadowcroft. How may we assist you?"

Kintovar and her companions exchanged glances, taken by surprise due to the precision and synchronization of these artificial creations. Ayana explained, "These are our prototypes. They're still in development, but they're eager to be of service."

The group continued onward, leaving the artificial humans to resume their activities.

Ayana led Kintovar and the others to the door of Dr. Winter's office, which bore a brass nameplate that read "Dr. Victoria Winter, Head Scientist." She knocked softly, and after a moment, the door swung open with a whoosh of air, revealing the enigmatic scientist within.

Dr. Winter, with her vibrant teal hair and gamer-girl flair, stood there in a corporate world that could hardly contain her personality. Her customized business attire, complete with pixelated badges and a tie resembling a retro game controller, showcased her love for gaming. While greeting her visitors, a lollipop dangled from her lips.

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Ayana announced, "Dr. Winter, I've brought Kintovar."

Dr. Winter’s lollipop in her mouth dropped to the ground. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Ayana, you must be mistaken. Kintovar is in jail. I don't appreciate pranks."

Ayana shook her head and replied, "Dr. Winter, it's really her. Kintovar has returned."

Dr. Winter's eyes widened in disbelief. Her teal hair seemed to glow in the soft light of the office while inspecting the group. After a moment, she let out an amazed laugh and said, "Well, I'll be. Kintovar, you've certainly pulled off quite the vanishing act.”

Kintovar, who had never met Dr. Winter before, decided to play along with the situation to learn more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding her presence in South Jancito. She offered a warm smile and said, "It's been a while, Dr. Winter. You certainly seem to be thriving in this remarkable place."

Dr. Winter chuckled, her demeanor playful, and gestured for the group to enter her office. "Please, come in. I'm intrigued to hear how you ended up here."

The group followed Dr. Winter into her office, which was a fascinating blend of corporate professionalism and gamer-girl charm. It was a room adorned with shelves of scientific journals and high-tech equipment, yet it also featured posters of classic video games and a collection of gaming figurines.

When they settled into her office, Kintovar, Roselle, Risebelle, Runebelle, and Ayana took seats, and the conversation began. Dr. Winter, still in awe of Kintovar's sudden reappearance, couldn't contain her curiosity. She leaned forward and asked, "Kintovar, it's been years. I want to know, How did you manage to escape the prison?"

Kintovar, who had no idea what was going on, decided it was time to make a bold move to see just how much this 'Dr. Winter' knew about this other Kintovar. She took a deep breath and began, "Well, it wasn't easy. I had to create Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle to aid in my escape. They were hidden prototypes I developed using whatever scraps I could find in the prison. It took a lot of ingenuity and stealth, but eventually, I discovered something called a domain underneath the prison. It allowed me to manipulate the environment and create a passageway out."

Kintovar thought to herself, ‘There's no way they'll buy that…’

However, Dr. Winter leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with interest. "A domain beneath the prison? Fascinating. Tell me more about how you managed to create these prototypes without the proper tools. And what exactly did you find in this domain?"

Kintovar continued her story with a confident facade. "I found a hidden lab within the domain, stocked with materials I could use. It was like a treasure trove of resources, waiting for someone to discover its secrets."

Dr. Winter's eyes lit up with curiosity. "I see. And these prototypes... they have such life-like qualities."

She moved closer to inspect Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. Starting with Roselle, Dr. Winter gently poked her side. Roselle giggled lightly.

"Remarkable," Dr. Winter muttered. She then turned to Risebelle and reached out to touch her. Risebelle's eyes narrowed into a fierce glare, causing Dr. Winter to recoil.

"Noted," Dr. Winter said with a chuckle, rubbing her hand. Finally, she approached Runebelle, who looked away sadly each time Dr. Winter attempted to touch her, evading her hand.

Dr. Winter straightened up."They're extraordinary, Kintovar. Their reactions are so human-like. …”

Dr. Winter’s face shifted. A realization dawned on her. "Aha. Now I understand. These are the lost projects: Project Zab, Project Mage, and Project Rune."

Haras, who had been silently observing, suddenly stepped forward, placing her hands on her sides. "How do you know about them?"

Dr. Winter finally noticed Haras's presence among the group and raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe we've been introduced."

Kintovar stepped in smoothly. "This is Haras, my partner. I found her while in jail. Haras has been invaluable to my work."

Dr. Winter's eyes narrowed, but before she could question further, Kintovar whispered to Haras, "Play along."

Haras gave a subtle nod and offered her hand to Dr. Winter. "Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Winter."

Dr. Winter hesitated for a moment before shaking Haras's hand. "Well, Kintovar, it seems you've assembled quite the team."

Kintovar smiled. "Indeed. Haras has been instrumental in helping with my research."

Dr. Winter's gaze lingered on Haras for a moment longer before she turned back to Kintovar. "I'd love to hear more about your escape and the projects. This domain you mentioned... Your work with these projects is nothing short of remarkable. Yes, this is just what we were hoping for!”

Dr. Winter leaned forward, “Kintovar, our main goal now is to take over the entire world, using technology as our tool. We've seen the dangers of magic wielders like 'Dark Whirlwind,' and it has only reinforced our belief that those with magic can't be trusted with power."

Kintovar raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the mention of 'Dark Whirlwind. Dr. Winter continued rage coming to her face. "Dark Whirlwind is a prime example of the chaos that magic users can cause. They're a rogue mage who seeks to disrupt the balance of power and sow chaos. We believe that technology can provide a safer, more controlled path to progress and advancement."

Dr. Winter's face darkened. "When people started to gain powers many years ago, we believed that we could harness the power of magic with technology and bring the world to order. But the people in charge of running the world made no changes to the state of affairs. They allowed the power outbreak to spread with no control, leading to chaos and destruction."

"This gave rise to the being known as Dark Whirlwind. They thrive on chaos, using their powers to disrupt the balance of power and sow discord wherever they go. They have become a symbol of everything that has gone wrong with our world."

Dr. Winter took a deep breath. "Now, we have people in charge who are nothing but incompetent buffoons. They make the laws, but Dark Whirlwind gets a pass on any law made. How can anyone take that seriously?"

Kintovar nodded. "It sounds like the current system is failing to address the real threats."

"Exactly. That's why we believe that technology is the key to restoring order. By using advanced technology, we can create a society where power is controlled and regulated, where magic users like Dark Whirlwind cannot wreak havoc unchecked."

Haras stepped forward. "And how do you plan to achieve this?"

Dr. Winter face softened. "We have been developing advanced technologies to counteract and control magic. By combining our scientific knowledge with the principles of magic, we can create devices and systems that neutralize rogue magic users and prevent them from causing harm."

Kintovar leaned in and said, "You know, this oddly aligns with my goals…”

Dr. Winter let out a chuckle and replied, "It always does, Kintovar, doesn't it? You've always been one to see the potential of technology in shaping the world."

Kintovar gave a smile and replied, "Indeed. Progress and advancement through technology have always been my focus."

Dr. Winter chuckled and said, "You never change, Kintovar. Your dedication to this cause has always been astounding. Perhaps it's time for you to catch up on our recent advancements in the field. There's much we can learn from each other."

Dr. Winter extended her hand, and Kintovar reciprocated, shaking it firmly. "There is a lot to learn from each other indeed.”

Whith hand’s still locked momentarily, Kintovar said, “Remember, Dr. Winter, sometimes what we see on the surface isn't the whole picture. Secrets can be found where you least expect them."

With that, Kintovar stepped back and released Dr.Winter’s hand.

Dr. Winter looked at Kintovar with a glare. Kintovar responded in the same way while raising her sunglasses. Ayana glanced between the two of them having sensed some level on tension.

After a significant pause, Dr. Winter broke the silence with her eyes still locked on Kintovar. "Prepare a room and lab for Kintovar immediately."

Ayana nodded and moved to follow the order and left the room.

Kintovar and Dr. Winter continued facing each other unti She lowered her sunglasses and she shifted to a mischevious smile on her face.

"Dr. Winter, I believe there's a great opportunity here for both of us. I propose we make a deal."