Misaki Shokuhou narrowed her eyes slightly.
Orcas were named for their ferocious predatory nature. Because they frequently attacked seals, sea lions, and even great white sharks, they had earned the fearsome name of killer whales.
At first glance, they seemed nothing like the lab mice or apes commonly used in experiments.
But in fact, recorded orca attacks on humans were extremely rare. They belonged to the dolphin family, had enormous brains, and possessed high intelligence and social abilities, so finding one at the Talent Workshop was hardly surprising.
But an ordinary orca could never have made Roland give it that peculiar look.
"So that's what happened? You really just won't go away..."
After Roland revealed the answer, Misaki Shokuhou, who had already grown suspicious of the human expression on the orca's face, felt her pupils contract and a chill rise within her.
She knew that the people behind Academy City were filthy scum, but such insidiousness still exceeded what she could imagine.
Looking at the unhappy orca, the disgust on Misaki Shokuhou's face deepened, and a mocking sneer curled her lips.
"You'd turn into this wretched thing just to stay alive? Are you that afraid of dying? Hell would suit someone like you perfectly."
Seeing that his trick had been exposed, Shundō Shunzō made no attempt to keep up the act.
"What a pity. I'm an atheist."
He slowly turned his head, and the loudspeaker on the wall beside him produced a middle-aged man's deep voice in time with the opening and closing of the orca's mouth.
"Besides, I don't believe an experimental specimen like you has any right to mock me. Without him, even if you survived Deadlock's attack, you could never have found my hiding place."
"That's right. Without Roland's help, you might indeed have succeeded."
To Shundō