The holographic projection of TR-SX Bond enlarged multiple times, allowing Zed and pretty much everyone to observe its complex structure.
Like how DNA seemed to be two chains coiling around each other, the bond looked similar but more detailed.
Zed started studying it with all seriousness.
"What's this bond?"
Katherine's voice echoed in his mind, startling him. He has heard the same question from Sophia for Katherine. So her asking him surprised him.
Still, he was a good guy, and Lady Katherine was the type of woman he respected the most.
So he didn't spoil her reputation by exposing her.
Katherine's lips twitched.
Since she has formed a telepathic bond with him, she could read his thoughts. And since she already knew just how he "respected" a woman, she felt more "exposed" than she could possibly be in front of Sophia.
"TR-SX bond is what connects our genetic information with the remnants of the matter that give us supernatural abilities – Divine Particles."
Zed explained telepathically.
DNA mainly was a heritage of instructions that allowed one to develop, function, grow, and reproduce. The Divine Particles was a newer addition to this genetic instruction, a sign of evolution that was natural but also not natural.
So, in a way, it could be said TR-SX bond was what connected the primitive human selves with this evolution process.
"Naturally, that means this bond is not only the most important but also the most fragile structure in DNA. A slight mutation and the entire genetic setup would collapse, if not ruin completely."
Katherine was stunned.
This bond was so special and dangerous?!
"Mom, did you not hear me?" Sophia enquired.
"Ah yes, sorry," Katherine apologized before repeating what Zed told her.
Sophia was both frightened and awestruck. Frightened obviously for Kirstie and awestruck naturally by the vast knowledge her mother possessed.
"Mom is truly wise!" Sophia repeated for the unknown time.
Rebecca's eyebrows creased. She has known about this bond ever since she started searching for a cure for her daughter. So the information didn't surprise her, but Zed's concentration on this bond did.
She was having a bad premonition.
"Claudia," Zed zoomed in on the bond and focused on a link he found suspicious. "Extract this link from her Blood Source."
[[Understood, sir.]]
Claudia activated a medicinal droid.
The droid stepped behind the table and morphed its right hand into a ten-inch-long needle that was so thin that it wasn't visible. It penetrated the needle into Kirstie's heart and s.u.c.k.e.d what seemed to be a crystalline strand.
This strand might not be crimson, but it was extracted from her blood and made of her truest essence. It could be said to be her real genetical structure.
"Examine it."
Zed ordered.
The droid transferred the strand to a black tube and placed it into the center of what appeared to be a cube. On Zed's command, the cube started spinning, and in turn, the strand swirled.
A strange force surged from the cube and swept into the swirling strand.
Simultaneously, the projection changed into that of the strand. It was pure white, but as minutes passed, a stain appeared, like ink was splashed on a paper.
[[The bond had been tampered with, and the sign of a Foreign Mutation has been detected.]]
Claudia informed Zed.
[[It has 85% match with Genetic Degradation Cells.]]
"!!!!!"
Rebecca's c.h.e.s.t tightened.
Kirstie has rarely left the House of Hestia, and when she did, she was with her. The only times she was alone was in the House of Hestia… including the time of her "birth."
That would mean….
Rebecca felt a brutal blow into her guts, knocking her wind out. She became weak, and if not for her strength, she would have collapsed.
It was like in one split second, everything she valued was destroyed by this blow of revelations.
As for what was destroyed, it was hard to say from her expression.
But Claudia, who was observing everything through the sensors, could guess.
[[Trust, familial bonds, ties of blood… everything she held dear has been ruined by my words. Is this what master wanted?]]
Claudia wondered to herself. She was aware her master already knew about Kirstie's condition thanks to his adventures as Kiba.
[[So is this a part of his revenge?]]
She knew him the best in the world but now, even she wasn't sure. But she knew, given his personality, there was no way he would care if Rebecca's heart broke.
Even with the people he supposedly loved… he didn't value their feelings as much as he believed he did.
There was a reason why he was the devil.
So, why would he care for Rebecca's feelings when he was at best indifferent to her?
Perhaps she would serve some role in the revenge he had planned for House of Hestia? Or maybe she would be just another casualty in his d.e.s.i.r.e to seek what he wanted?
Claudia didn't know, and this time she didn't dare ask her master.
Besides Claudia, the one who noticed a change in Rebecca's condition was Katherine. She felt emotions on the extreme sides, from volcanic rage to abyss of despair.
"Genetic Degradation Cells… Given Kirstie's origin, no wonder she's in despair!"
Katherine channeled her powers and wrapped herself with glowing streams of light. She was ready to defend Sophia and Zed in case Rebecca's powers turned berserk.
Rebecca took a deep breath and composed herself. She then turned to Katherine and said, "Thanks, but there's no need."
On the table, Kirstie's cute face sank. The light wrapping her didn't hinder her senses, so she heard everything.
She didn't understand the complexity of the revelations and what they signified, but she realized they were devastating enough to make her mother sad.
"Mom! Don't worry!"
Kirstie leaned up and tried to stand but naturally failed. She started falling from the table.
Swish~!
Zed's body flashed forward with fire, and he caught Kirstie. Rebecca also appeared at the same moment, and her hands too slid underneath Kirstie.
They moved her back to the table and looked at each other.
"I'm sorry for what happened with your daughter."
Rebecca responded with a nod. She gently c.a.r.e.s.sed her daughter's face.
"I'm fine."
Rebecca said to her with a warm smile.
"And I won't worry, for you are in safe hands."
Kirstie smiled and turned to her brother.
She indeed felt safe in his presence, just like she did in Kiba's. She was sure she would be able to walk as long as she remained with him.
"It will be a bit difficult, but I think we will succeed."
Zed told her with a reassuring smile and rubbed her head.
"We will make sure not only you can walk but also run!"
Since she understood Kiba as someone great, she naturally earned all his affections, even if not for his personality as Zed.
Behind, Sophia beamed at her mother.
"Mom! The world has changed, but his kindness remains the same!"
"……."
Katherine forced a smile and agreed.
"Yes, he is the kindest being in existence."
Zed turned to her.
"There's no kindness in doing what one is capable of."
Sophia's eyes sparkled. She already expected him to say something like that! After all, he would never seek compliments, unlike that villain who wanted people to praise his unholy acts!
Last she heard, there was even a cult celebrating his deeds!
How stupid!
If a cult deserved to exist, it was only for Zed!
Zed, in the meantime, moved to another area of the lab. Sophia followed behind.
"I don't know what those Genetic Degradation Cells are, but they sound ominous for sure."
Sophia said as Zed started preparing for the next step, a crimson serum.
"And I guess no one detected them before you. That makes you a prodigy just like Castor Damon!"
Zed was halfway through the serum, but hearing her words, he flinched.
"Castor Damon…."
Despite his best efforts and the passing of time, he couldn't help but clench the serum tube tightly. Heat blasted through the tube, and the serum exploded.
Sophia was dumbstruck.
The always calm Zed was angry?!
