Takumi's chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, his body wracked with pain and exhaustion. Dr. Setme's words cut through him like a knife, her twisted logic and sadistic kindness pushing him to his limits. He felt a mixture of anger, helplessness, and a growing sense of responsibility toward the other children in The School.

His mind raced, torn between his own survival, the welfare of his "siblings", and trying to keep the story on track. He couldn't in good faith allow more innocent children to be subjected to the horrors he had endured. But he also couldn't allow himself to be manipulated any further by Dr. Setme's twisted games.

Through gritted teeth, Takumi managed to muster a response, his voice laced with determination. "I understand I volunteer for any future experiments."

Dr. Setme's smile wavered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "You're quite the stubborn one, aren't you? I don’t know what going through that mind of yours but I can tell you’re lying. Remember this, Alpha, you belong here. This is your home and I am your mother for all intent and purpose. You were created to serve a purpose, and whether you like it or not, you will fulfill that purpose. You will go on to do many great things in service of the School and all that will be thanks to my work. Don’t you think you should thank me?"

Takumi's eyes burned with defiance as he locked gazes with Dr. Setme. "Thank... you."

Dr. Setme's laughter filled the room once more, the sound grating on Takumi's nerves. She then stop suddenly, pulled out the remote, and pressed the button causing Takumi more pain. "Oh dear, I must have misheard. It should have been ‘Thank you mother’ I wonder if you could repeat it for my sake."

Takumi's breaths came in ragged bursts as he tried to process the situation. Dr. Setme's manipulation was relentless, and he knew he had to navigate this dangerous game carefully. Summoning all the acting skills he could muster, Takumi looked up at Dr. Setme with a mixture of defeat and submission in his eyes. "I… I'm sorry, Mother. I... I understand now. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Dr. Setme's grin widened, her eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction. "Very good, my dear Alpha. See? Isn't it much better to show gratitude? Now, let's get you back to your cell and let you rest. We wouldn't want to push you too hard after your recent augmentation, would we?"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Takumi nodded weakly, his heart pounding in his chest. He had played his part well, for now. As Dr. Setme unstrapped him from the table and led him back to his cell, he couldn't help but feel a surge of loathing he had never felt in both iterations of his life.

With that, Dr. Setme turned and walked away, leaving Takumi alone in the dimly lit room. He was battered, broken, and trapped. Soldiers came and pick up Takumi who could barely move and roughly tossed him in his cell not even bothering to place him in the bed. The pain and sudden motion caused Takumi to vomit even though he hadn’t eaten anything that day.

As Takumi laid there in the filth he was overwhelmed and for the first time since waking up here he wept like a child. Takumi's body trembled as he lay in his cell, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The weight of his situation pressed down on him like a suffocating blanket, and the tears flowed freely down his cheeks. The pain, both physical and emotional, was nearly unbearable, and he felt a profound sense of helplessness and despair.

Hours passed, and Takumi's sobs gradually subsided, leaving him drained and hollow. He lay there in the darkness, his body aching and his heart heavy with a newfound resolve. He knew that he couldn't continue to lay there so he mustered whatever strength he had left and grabbed his body to the bed.

There he grabbed his interface to E.L.L.A and had her alter the video footage in his room. He would not allow that old crone to know that even if only for a little while she had managed to break him. With that done he hid it once again and layed on the floor until his exhaustion overtook him causing him to fall asleep there on the floor.

Takumi's fitful sleep offered him little respite from the torment he had endured. His dreams were plagued by haunting memories and fears of what Dr. Setme would do to him in the future. As the hours ticked by, the dim light in his cell remained constant, casting long shadows across the cold floor. The stench of vomit and filth hung in the air, a constant reminder of his degradation.

Eventually, Takumi stirred, his body aching and stiff from his uncomfortable slumber. He groggily pushed himself up from the floor, wincing as pain shot through his limbs. His mind felt heavy, his thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and determination. He knew he couldn't afford to stay in this pit of despair any longer.

With a surge of willpower, Takumi forced himself to his feet and stumbled towards the sink in the corner of his cell. He turned on the tap, allowing the cold water to flow over his hands and face, washing away the grime and tears. It was a small act of cleansing, a way to regain a semblance of control in a situation that felt utterly chaotic.

As he splashed water onto his face, Takumi's gaze fell upon his own reflection in the dirty mirror above the sink. The image that stared back at him was that of a young boy who had endured more than anyone should ever have to bear. His eyes, once bright with determination, now held a flicker of something new—resolve. He would kill Setme after her part in the story was over. If he didn’t he felt like he couldn’t live on.

Takumi knew he couldn't let Dr. Setme break his spirit completely. He had a purpose, a plan, and a hidden ally in E.L.L.A. With renewed determination, he turned away from the mirror and moved towards the bed, mustering the last of his strength to crawl onto it.

His body protested every movement, but he managed to pull himself onto the bed and lie there, staring up at the ceiling. He knew that he couldn't give up, not now. As sleep claimed him once more, Takumi held onto that glimmer of hope, the spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished. If he lost that then he would turn into that woman’s pu