Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Experiment Arc (11)
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He's out of his mind.
The words crazy bitch nearly burst from my thoughts.
"Of course, we'll need to sow some seeds to check the results. But the problem is that Long Ears grow at a different rate from other races."
Does she know that Long Ears hit puberty late?
"Long Ears, with their extended lifespans, also experience pronounced secondary sexual characteristics much later. Puberty begins between ages 25 and 28, and the physical changes are extreme. Aging halts once puberty concludes. From then on, they age gradually, only reaching the equivalent of a Short Ear's 30 years old by around age 500."
Mere recited facts about Long Ear puberty flawlessly from her lips. Her memory was astonishing, like reading straight from a book.
"But you're also part Short Ear. So your puberty might start a bit sooner."
Her words brought back childhood conversations with Grandmother.
The days when I'd been thrilled to hear her age, thinking I'd stay young-looking like her forever.
Back then, I had no idea I was a half-breed.
After learning I was mixed-blood, I'd worried a little, but by age 20 with no signs of puberty, I'd relaxed.
I was definitely following the Long Ear growth curve.
But if Mere was right and mine started sooner...
Just the thought sent chills down my spine.
According to her plans I'd heard today, I'd be treated as nothing more than a tool from now on.
A slave with no choices, livestock for breeding.
"You've got just over a month until you turn 22. Starting then, we'll check monthly for signs of puberty."
"..."
"Now answer me. Did that satisfy your question?"
A smile crept across Mere's face again, and I slowly lowered my raised head before replying.
"Yes... you explained it in detail, so it was more than enough..."
"Time's up for today anyway. I was planning to wrap up experiments today. Starting next month, the 1st will be checkup day, so come at the usual time. Oh, and don't forget to drop by every week to sharpen Privé like always."
"Yes, understood."
"And take this with you."
With that, Mere picked up Privé and focused.
It takes a while... is she casting some high-grade spell?
Nearly a minute passed before the magic activated.
"Prompt to Magic Cast—Regeneration."
⟨ Regeneration ⟩
Swoosh—
A pale blue-green mana gathered on Privé, and white light from its four circles enveloped my right thumb.
"Thank you, Mere."
"Consider it a bonus since I only gave lip service rewards. Now go."
The same person who'd cut my finger was regenerating it... and I had to thank her? Pointless to dwell on it now.
I simply gave thanks and hurried out of the lab.
The Shadow Merchant Guild's Magic Trading Post had no concept of weekends.
To talk to other servants, I had to catch them during meals or after work, post-8 PM.
"Rat... Pup, could we chat briefly this evening?"
I'd followed him out after he'd grabbed his lunch rice ball and asked.
"This is a first."
He glanced back indifferently, showing no displeasure.
"It's something I can't ask anyone else."
I figured a fellow half-breed like Rat Pup could share his puberty experiences.
I was curious when his had started.
"Fine. I'll head to the laundry room by 9."
"I could come to you... thank you."
Rat Pup's servants' quarters were one big room partitioned into small cubicles.
It doubled as a tea-brewing spot, so not just servants but various people came and went even evenings.
That's why he'd offered to come to the laundry.
After parting with Rat Pup, I returned to the laundry, ate my rice ball, then stood by the entrance shelves with a sigh.
A recently placed box sat on the shelf, labeled on the front.
'This box is for Mere only. Non-assigned personnel are forbidden from touching it.'
Assigned were me, Bark, and Dregs when Bark was away.
Every morning at 9, Bark took the box out and brought it back.
I had to wait in the laundry at 9 AM for that.
Taking it out: Mere's clothes I'd cleaned with Dirt Clear.
Bringing it back: Mere's dirty clothes for washing.
The hellish part? 'Mere's clothes' weren't just outerwear.
From pajamas and socks to underwear top and bottom—things I had no desire to see.
Mere was a 'woman'.
Hard to think of her as human, yet these clothes forced the realization.
Her build wasn't very feminine, hair short, voice husky for a woman, speech masculine.
But she was a 'woman,' alright.
Her underwear had faint bloodstains once. Stuff I wished I didn't know.
Next week I'd turn 22, and five days later it'd be June 1st.
Monthly checks starting then—who knew what kind of exams or how.
And Mere being a 'woman' made it worse.
As an adult man, I had zero interest in a woman inspecting my puberty.
Imagining her whipping me, yelling 'Grow your beard and pubes now!'—that machine-like woman might actually do it.
Dignity men might afford each other? No chance with Mere.
Gloomy thoughts piling up, I did my usual mind control to refocus.
Best cure: stare at magic circuits to clear my head.
Maybe I can pick up one of the remaining intermediate spells every three months?
Such thoughts carried me through the workday.
Creeeak—
Around 9 PM, the laundry door opened.
"You're here."
I stood and greeted Rat Pup as he entered. He nodded with a "Mm."
No cushion for guests, no tea to offer.
Rat Pup walked to the vent window and plopped on the floor.
"So, what'd you want to ask?"
Straight to business. I sat on the floor too.
"Actually, recently..."
I summarized my lab ordeals with Mere and the truths I'd learned lately.
His first reaction was, predictably, about himself.
"Hah, so in the end, you couldn't save this Long Ear half-breed either. Just guinea pig material."
"How'd you end up here?"
Curious anyway, I asked the bitter-smiling man. He stared into space, reminiscing.
"Back in the mercenary company. Took a job from some Empire noble to explore a labyrinth."
His tale began flatly.
"Decent payout, found several artifacts. One was... that dagger Mere carries, 'Privé'."
Privé? The weapon I sharpen weekly.
"King-grade magic tool made by an ancient Purple Magic master, presumed grand mage. It catalyzed mana on its own. Everyone cheered at the jackpot when we found it..."
His voice trailed slightly.
"But exiting the labyrinth, it appeared. 'Magniscal', a rank-1 monster."
I held my breath, waiting.
"Easily 20 meters long, giant snake with dozens of legs. Chaos in seconds... when I came to, I was the sole survivor. Others shredded or swallowed."
He spoke dryly, like recounting someone else's story.
"The dead noble had Privé at his waist, undrawn. Snatched it sheath and all, fled."
Rat Pup paused, eyeing me.
"Obvious, right? Mission failed, client dead, company wiped—me showing up with a king-grade relic? Instant suspect, relic confiscated, head on a pike."
His logic was sound. Handing it over nicely? They might not let it go, and rewards were iffy.
"So I came to Vera. Figured Shadow Merchant Guild could fence it safely. But..."
He let out a hollow chuckle.
"Sent me to Magic Trading Post, met Mere. She already knew everything. Said witnesses spotted me, Empire issued a warrant. Checked—it was true."
Shadow Merchant Guild's intel network? Or Mere's doing.
"She offered: 10 years protection here, work as servant and be her lab rat for 1 year. Or leave and take chances."
"Sounds like blackmail."
"It was. Step out, you're no customer—they'd tip off the Empire or drag me in themselves. Signed the deal, came here. And..."
He held up both hands.
"'Servants can't carry weapons' rule—she took Privé. Daylight robbery."
He'd lost everything; the relic he'd brought chained him to Mere.
"Thus began my 10-year slave contract. One year experimented on, four more passed—halfway done. Wonder if she'll return Privé at end... or if I'll even survive."
His story ended there.
Complicated feelings, but I just nodded.
"Got long-winded. So, what were you really after?"
Now the point.
"Mere's waiting for my puberty. Unlikely, but if it starts sooner like she said, I'm scared. You're different half-blood, but I wanted to know how yours went."
He pondered with a "Hm."
"Too long ago to recall perfectly, but like other Short Statures my age. They're slower than Short Ears anyway."