“Get back here!” Mia yelled in shock and frustration.
Felix ran to the window, leaping after Trout in an attempt to grab him, but Trout twisted, evading Felix’s grasp. Losing his balance with only his feet still at the window’s edge, he almost plummeted down to the ground. Fortunately, Felix was quickly caught by Mathias as Trout got away.
Mia ran over to the window, searching for Trout while Mathias pulled Felix back into the classroom. Trout was somehow swimming through the air, fleeing the academy grounds.
Mia leaned against the window frame, her thoughts whirling, her mind a mess. She felt like she was about to go crazy.
Trout’s words to her had sunk in like a stain.
“Could it be that you’re actually grateful to that man?” Bralle murmured softly. Mia twitched.
Yes…I wanted these rabbits. I can’t deny it.
She wanted to cure her mom’s disease. But purposefully infecting rabbits had seemed impossibly cruel. Trout was right, though—someone had to do it. Otherwise, there would be no progress. So, now Mia was free from her turmoil.
By coincidence, she had come across a lab full of rabbits, already infected. The part of her that was pleased by this coincidence made her want to puke. This didn’t change the fact that innocent little lives were being interfered with.
As Mia stood there stricken, Bralle walked over to the glass case.
“I’m not grateful to that man. Not at all. But he sure prodded a sore spot. It’s true that if we want a new treatment for Angel Tears, then infected test subjects are an absolute necessity.”
At the same time, a cure for Demon Claw would need Demon Claw infected test subjects.
Bralle gazed down at the rabbit in the glass case. It was sleeping, clearly incredibly weak. Just looking at it made Mia’s heart ache with pity for the poor little thing.
“The only thing we can do now is focus on getting results and making sure their sacrifice hasn’t been in vain.”
Bralle turned to look at Mia. She nodded mutely, nauseous with turmoil. This time, though, she wouldn’t run away. She’d face up to the value of a life and take responsibility.
She looked over at Henrik, who nodded.
“We won’t let any lives go to waste.”
Bralle smiled softly. As Mia gazed at him, she remembered what Rueger had said. He was easy to misunderstand.
Then Bralle turned to Henrik.
“Vigant, I recall you went home for Winter Break? Any results there? Your father is a remarkable man. I felt sure he’d be able to point you in the right direction.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Henrik looked suddenly very uncomfortable but managed to nod. Then he narrowed his eyes at Bralle in a challenging way.
“Could you release these rabbits to our care? We promise that we won’t let a single life go to waste.”
Bralle raised one eyebrow. He looked at Mia, then at Felix, then at Mathias.
As the four of them gazed back at him, Bralle finally gave them a small, satisfied nod.