The Shepherd Boy

After last time, Black Cell seemed to have straightened out a bit.

But I was summoned to the director's office as expected.

'This is how a happy time ends.'

I sighed inwardly, and Min Chaerin, my secretary, appeared beside me.

Just in case I could learn the director's condition, I asked.

'She's the same as always.'

'That's something we can't call fortunate.'

'Then, Secretary, shall I start overtime again…'

'Recently, I think I understand why the company is called another home.'

Min Chaerin, the secretary, suddenly looked dazed after facing reality head-on.

Right now, she clearly couldn't leave the office and must be staying in the female dormitory.

Now that the conversation had started, I thought it was time.

While chatting with Secretary Chaerin, we quickly reached the door of the director's office.

Knock knock knock!

'Director Blackrock, I've brought Maxwell Gray.'

'Come right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in.'

The voice from inside sounded like the usual director.

But this time, I knew Secretary Chaerin would act as my lie detector.

I tightened the tension again and stepped inside.

As I looked around the stark office, the director's figure came into view.

Unlike before, she was standing instead of sitting.

She was gazing out the window.

Curious what thoughts were occupying her mind at this moment.

'Exactly when did you start researching the root of superpowers?'

The director asked without looking at me.

Even though she had turned around now.

Last time, Secretary Chaerin's truth signal had changed multiple times.

If I got it wrong, I might have to use another method to tell truth from lies.

I chose my words carefully.

'I've known that for quite some time.'

'Really? Hmm…'

The director turned her body in a circle the moment she heard my answer, then gave me a small smile.

'Back then, you kept rejecting me so persistently. The reason you joined Black Cell was because of the experiments there, right? And that's why you've been so proactive lately.'

'Feel free to think whatever you want.'

Honestly, I had no idea what had happened in the past.

But luckily, the director seemed to be piecing things together on her own.

Still, she wanted to confirm one thing.

'Maxwell, what goal are you actually aiming for?'

The moment the question landed, Secretary Chaerin touched her glasses frame.

Even though the signals kept changing like military passwords, the way she was touching her glasses felt unnatural here.

It was clearly the signal for truth.

Even though I had to tell only the truth, I spoke boldly.

'I'm just dreaming of a better future.'

The future I imagined and the one the director imagined were very different.

But in the end, the director had received the signal of truth from Secretary Chaerin.

The ability to see through lies ironically turned the shepherd boy into an honest boy.

*************

Whether my answer satisfied the director enough, she nodded.

She no longer paced around the room.

She sat back in her chair and continued speaking.

'I did something really interesting this time, right?'

'With so much ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠already done now, I can't say I know.'

'I'm talking about the paper.'

The current director already knew I was the one who found the Awakening Factor.

But I was not even the first co-author—I was the third.

'The paper lists authors in order of contribution, but do you know how the academy treats the third author?'

'I helped, but… it's the same position.'

'Hmm? You really know it well?'

Curiosity sparked, and the director asked why she had to hand the paper to Dr. Cain.

'Maxwell, you were already recognized by all the researchers working in the underground lab, and this was the perfect chance to gain great fame. Why did you do that…'

'I just thought if I was going to do it, I should do it properly.'

This was a slightly off answer.

But the director understood the meaning and laughed lightly.

'So, it was more important to have a position in Black Cell than to define how superpowers work… is that right?'

'Excessive fame is just poison.'

'The luxury of a genius of the century.'

'But the chief researcher is really greedy. I didn't think you'd swallow it whole.'

'But you already know it's my shield.'

'History's hero, a great scientist. What could be bigger than that? Anyway, Maxwell, how long do you think it'll take for a non-powered person to control superpowers?'

Wait… the moment I heard that question, a flash passed through my mind.

'Did she really ask that after all this time?!'

The euphemism was so long I thought there was something else.

But she was asking it so casually.

I thought my guess was correct.

I gave a rough explanation about the director who managed images thoroughly.

'First, making superpowers permanent would take an extremely long time.'

'What? Then this research is—'

'Stop.'

Normally, one doesn't interrupt a superior.

Especially the top one.

But the director didn't look displeased at all.

'Superpower awakening drugs with lasting effects should be possible within three years at most.'

'Really…? Then what about the other?'

'Amplifiers to further enhance abilities might also be developed.'

Was reaching her true goal really that good?

She propped her chin this time, trying to hide her expression.

Unlike before, she looked very restless.

But that witch had turned one of Black Group's subsidiaries into a giant corporation.

In the end, she had succeeded in suppressing her desires.

The director placed the cleaver down in front of the golden goose.

And barely continued.

'…You really worked hard this time. It seems the progress of the age has accelerated because of you, Maxwell.'

'It's fortunate I could help with Black Cell's goal.'

'No, I'm the one who should be grateful.'

After that, the director sent me off with the promise of more expectations.

But right before I left, she gave me one piece of information.

'The CEO of Black Group is keeping an eye on you.'

'I guess you were unhappy that I challenged you to your face.'

'It's not for that reason.'

The director gave advice not to get lost at the crossroads that would come later.

I finally escaped the director's office with my strength drained.

***************

Finally, the meeting with the director was over.

Now it seemed the CEO of Black Group wanted to transfer me to the parent company.

But thinking about the director's words…

'Is the CEO trying to give me a choice now?'

Instead, her subordinate would definitely approach me soon.

This gave me one more way to escape Black Cell.

But that place was no less dirty.

It was like catching a ticket to hell just to get out of the maze.

My power was falling apart, and I couldn't abandon the kids now.

Ping—!!!

'Maxwelliiiiim!'

'Victory, did you wait a long time?'

'No no!! Victory is fine!!'

If I left, the hurt kids would get hurt again.

Of course, refusing the transfer would never work with just any excuse.

But I could prepare for that later.

Right now, I spread out the bedding I brought from the dormitory while greeting the happy Victory.

But the moment I set the bedding on the floor, Victory immediately complained.

'W-want to sleep with you on the bed like last time!!'

'But the bed is too narrow, it won't be comfortable.'

'Victory is really fine!!'

'If I don't sleep with you on the bed, I'll sleep on the floor.'

Seeing her insist like that, she really showed the stubbornness of her age.

Anyway, I decided to sleep on the bed with her.

By then, it was already late.

I lay down with Victory.

This time, Victory's hands and feet were free.

Cooook!!!

'Uhehehe… Maxwelliiiiim.'

Victory clung completely to my body and gave the happiest smile in the world.

But the bed was sized for her height, so the two of us lying down was quite narrow.

The position was also very uncomfortable, so I just gave her a hug.

'Victory, how is it?'

'V-very good!! I really like it!!'

Seeing such a girl happy with even this small consideration was rather sad.

'The other kids are probably the same… I need to think of gifts for Liberty too.'

Thinking of the other kids, I slowly stroked Victory's back.

She soon fell asleep.

I didn't know how the future would go, but I was starting to look forward to living with the kids.

***************

After sleeping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in Victory's room, the next day came.

Now it was time to go to Gloria, so I woke up from the bed and Victory woke up with me.

'Hiee… M-Maxwelliiiiim…'

'Victory, you can sleep more. Stay in bed.'

'Then I'll go and come back…'

Fortunately, Victory didn't throw a tantrum to stay.

Instead, I stayed beside her until she fell asleep again.

I bathed her in time for Gloria's breakfast time.

I thought that was enough and entered the room, but…

For some reason, I met an extremely angry Gloria.

Could it be that Victory's scent hadn't faded at all?

Just as I tried to check why she was angry.

'Yesterday… yesterday's event… erase it from my memory.'

'Ah…'

Gloria, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who had become a little honest after taking the medicine, made me kneel.

Was that black history to her?

Gloria, who acted like a stubborn kid her age.