"Pink..."
Half-asleep, a pink silhouette drifted into view.
"Miss Pink Elf" nearly slipped out of her mouth, but the shift of personas stopped Vill-V from exposing herself.
"Pink..."
Even so, there was an emotion in her chest she could not quite hide. Another familiar Flame-Chaser—Elysia—was standing right in front of her, alive and breathing, carrying a cute warmth.
The earlier grim interrogation, the icy bed, the unfamiliar little black room—those days only made that feeling grow thicker, until it threatened to spill out of her on its own. The rational Conductor forced herself to swallow it down with a deep, stifled breath.
Before Vill-V could ask Elysia her name, Elysia introduced herself first.
"My name is Elysia..."
"Just like you, I'm a girl who's just joined MOTH—cute, beautiful, and powerful."
Her eyes glittered with curiosity.
"I never thought I'd get the chance to run into you. I'm so happy~ Your magic show on Dusk Street was amazing. I couldn't help clapping and gasping... Who knew this world could have a performance so dazzling and romantic? Can you teach me?"
Faced with Elysia's enthusiasm, Conductor remained calm—almost cold.
"Hello, Elysia. My name is Vill-V. And to correct one thing, I'm not a recruit. I'm a prisoner." As she spoke, she pointed at her prison uniform.
It was not that Conductor disliked Elysia. Only by acting like this could she keep herself restrained and rational.
Keeping a certain distance from Elysia was also to ensure that when she caused a scene later, she would not drag Elysia down with her.
"Ah, those officer uncles really are something—making such a delicate girl wear such tasteless prison clothes. A charming girl should be paired with bright, pretty outfits. Like this."
As she spoke, Elysia took something out of a box beside her—a fresh, understated dress, the kind that came with a vest. In the box there was also a set of underwear and what looked like straps, even a pair of violet thigh-high stockings, along with a leg ring in the same style as Elysia's.
"I prepared this especially for beautiful you... I'm sure it'll set off that enchanting face of yours even more. Of course, if it's not to your liking, I prepared other options too.
"Soldier uniforms and menswear, I have those as well... Or maybe you'd like... a sweater woven from my love?"
"This one is fine."
A little embarrassed, Vill-V took the silk from Elysia's hands. She was genuinely afraid Elysia would start saying everything Vill-V secretly longed for.
It was obvious Elysia already knew a great deal about her—she even knew her bust measurement.
The eyesight of those girls from the Elysian Realm was not to be underestimated. Vill-V did not hate this overly intimate closeness. If anything, she wanted to say, Sis Elysia—let's cuddle!
But that would not do. Yes, it really would not. Hold it in, Vill-V.
Vill-V picked up the clothes, only to see that Elysia had no intention of stepping out to give her privacy. She simply smiled at Vill-V.
Just as Vill-V was beginning to think Elysia planned to watch her change, Elysia clasped her hands and spoke first.
"Before you change... I want to apologize."
"Apologize?" Vill-V did not remember Elysia doing anything wrong. They had only just met. Unless... while Vill-V was asleep, Elysia had done something to her body...
"Mm. When Sakura came to take you, things must have gotten a little unpleasant. I hope you won't take it too much to heart."
"Originally, Dr. Mobius told me to go find you. Who would've thought some people in MOTH would send Sakura instead—and they moved so fast. It's my fault... For the sake of a wonderful first encounter with you, I spent too much time doing my hair and makeup."
The sheer amount of information made Conductor freeze.
Why would Dr. Mobius want to see her—and through Elysia?
And why would MOTH want to see her—and through [Cocoon]?
The relationships tangled too deeply. Even Conductor, who excelled at laying plans, could not untangle it quickly.
"Eh? Ah... it's fine." Conductor answered Elysia, while her thoughts churned wildly.
Seeing Vill-V stunned, Elysia did not stop. She gently scraped Vill-V's nose.
"All your worries are written—stroke by stroke—on that cute little face. Anxiety is a girl's worst enemy."
"To make up for it, beautiful and reliable me will protect you from the shadows~" Elysia patted her chest in promise.
"Even though I still want to understand everything about you more deeply, there isn't much time. I'm going out first. If anything troubles you, you can call my name—Elysia. Don't get it wrong, okay?
"Otherwise I'll get a little moody."
Was calling the name of a fellow 'new recruit' like Elysia really that useful? Conductor was very skeptical...
Just as Elysia said, time truly was short. Vill-V had only just changed into the new clothes when a square-faced general barged in without knocking, accompanied by men in black.
Then Vill-V was taken to a room filled with technology. Directly ahead stood an enormous screen, but with Vill-V's knowledge she could easily conclude that behind the screen was one-way glass—there were surely many people watching her from the other side.
A staff member put a helmet on Vill-V's head, and her wrists were fixed onto a device connected to instruments.
A harsh light shone straight into her eyes.
Next would be a round of psychological interrogation.
"You may choose to remain silent, but please believe us—we have plenty of ways to make you speak."
An elderly man appeared on the screen. His refined, dignified manner made him look like a veteran psychologist.
"But if you answer honestly, I can guarantee you better treatment."
"Rest assured, I'll tell you everything truthfully. I won't lie at all!" Vill-V said with a face full of "sincerity," swearing on the reputation of a master swindler.
"Very good. Then first, answer me—your name."
"My name is Vill-V. I'm sixteen years old, and I live in the northeast villa district of Duwang Town—"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
The old scholar immediately cut off Vill-V's "self-introduction." His tone turned ugly.
"Don't think you can get through this by reciting some prepared biography. It won't work."
Many suspects always tried to evade a polygraph by doing exactly this.
"I ask, you answer. No extra words!"
"Fine."
"Good. First, your name."
"Vill-V."
This time, Vill-V did not pull any tricks.
"Mm."
The old scholar nodded, tapping the instrument's screen with a finger as he carefully examined the changes in Vill-V's physiological data.
When a person believes they are lying, the insular cortex in the brain becomes activated.
"Green light."
This meant there was no significant change in Vill-V's insular cortex.
When people lie, the temperature at the tip of the nose often drops—by as much as 1.2 degrees Celsius—while the temperature of the forehead rises—by up to 1.5 degrees.
That is because lying produces tension and shame. The nervous system is mobilized, neurotransmitters are released around the nose, and temperature changes follow.
This is also why people sometimes unconsciously touch their noses when lying. The small gesture is, in fact, an attempt to mask inner embarrassment or guilt.
Facial thermal imaging showed everything was normal.
But as a leading authority in psychology, the old scholar trusted his own judgment more.
After checking the instruments, Vill-V's other physical indicators were also completely normal.
This was the most advanced equipment available, with an error rate no higher than 1.5%.
He nodded and looked toward the professional Interpol officer beside him—James.
This man had crossed five continents in pursuit of the world's most dangerous criminals. He possessed extensive criminal investigation experience, along with a steady temperament and firm confidence.
His powers of observation could always seize upon clues others overlooked.
At this moment, his attention was fixed on Vill-V's small nose, as if intently studying something.
In the end, his conclusion was the same—the girl was not lying or concealing anything.
Thus, after comprehensive assessment, the old psychologist determined that Vill-V was not lying.
Her name was indeed Vill-V.
"Mm. Next—gender."
It was obvious at a glance. In truth, the question was unnecessary, but procedures required it, so the old scholar asked it out of habit.
"Male."
The old scholar suspected he had misheard. He dug at his ear and asked again.
"Say that again?"
"I said my gender is grandpa!" Vill-V raised her voice, wondering if the old man was hard of hearing.
Two lifetimes as a man, one as a woman. If calculated by total time lived, calling herself male posed no problem at all. She could not very well say "male-female-male," could she?
The old scholar checked the instruments.
Green light. All physical data remained normal.
He glanced at the Interpol officer beside him. The man was sweating, yet he still nodded.
"Oh? You're trans?"
"No, no, my gender identity is the same as the general public's."
He checked again. The data was still normal. The officer still nodded.
Sweat forming on his forehead, the old scholar could only write in the gender column of the form: Gender Identity Disorder.
"Next—age?"
"One hundred and forty-five."
"Hmm?! How much?"
"By common understanding, I'm one hundred and forty-five this year!"
So that 145 wasn't her height after all!