Control (Part Two)

The dance-floor music was more than halfway through, and Megana stopped talking about trivial matters.

She lightly bit her red lip. "I have a younger sister. She passed her graduation assessment this year, though her results were only average. I was wondering if your laboratory had a suitable position for her. Nothing special—I'd just like her to work as a research assistant under a promising master."

Uh...

Reilo was briefly at a loss, then replied in a low voice, "My laboratory isn't as mysterious as you imagine, and there are no masters there. They're all just fellow students I invited after our graduation assessments. If your sister is willing to join us... how about I place her with Orn?"

Orn?

Megana stared at Reilo in disbelief. Of course she knew Orn.

Afraid she might misunderstand, Reilo hurriedly explained, "Besides me, Orn and Xiao Kang hold the most important positions in the laboratory. Orn used to manage personnel, but over time he shifted toward coordinating specialized academic work. Xiao Kang took over both personnel and finances."

"You mean... you and Orn developed that weapon yourselves?"

Megana could hardly believe it.

Reilo nodded.

"You could put it that way. Really, you shouldn't think of it as anything so mysterious. The same thing happened with Evolution's Profound Meaning and Natural Law. Aren't they both common educational texts now?"

Megana's eyes held not only deep shock but also an indescribable regret.

She wanted to burst into tears and let out all her pent-up frustration. She wanted to return to those youthful days and struggle alongside them, no longer caught up in her family's interests, but focused purely on academic research, cheering as she pursued her ideals.

But here on the dance floor, all she could manage was an awkward smile.

"Thank you."

Once, she