The spoon, flung with impossible force, struck Norville squarely. He recoiled, clutching his forehead in disbelief as the utensil clattered to the floor.
"Ow, ow! Hey!"
"It's bent," Rem said, picking up the spoon. He examined the bent metal, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "That was one hell of a throw."
"He-hee." 072 giggled proudly.
Though 072 beamed with innocent pride, Rem had noticed the fleeting, almost imperceptible shift of power within the child's body--- a concentrated burst of energy that had fortified the tiny hand he had used to throw the spoon. He didn't know why, but for some reason, he couldn't sense the energy inside of the boy very clearly.
'...Huh. Interesting.'
Elisha chuckled. "I don't think he likes you very much."
Norville rubbed his forehead. "Definitely. He even had the audacity to infuse that throw with energy."
"Did he, now?" Rem turned his head to look at 072, who giggled at Norville's reaction.
'So he's noticed it as well. As expected of a Rank 8, even if he's a goofball.'
Norville approached 072, who immediately recoiled behind Elisha, now looking slightly wary. Given the impression Norville gave him, he was probably the type to want to get back at a small kid.
'He's creepy. I don't like him.'
"I'm not going to hit you," Norville assured him. His lighthearted demeanor was still there, but there was a sense of focus and seriousness in his eyes. "I promise I'll only do that when you're a little older."
'Is that supposed to comfort me?'
"Blek." He stuck out his tongue.
'When I'm older, I'll be strong enough to throw spoons even harder.'
072 reassured himself and stepped out, ready to face whatever came next.
Grab.
"Gah?"
Squish, stretch.
Norville's hands were suddenly on his face, stretching and squeezing his cheeks like they were made of putty. 072 blinked, caught by surprise, a silent question mark hanging over his head. He stood in a daze for a moment before realizing he was being petty about the spoon. Satisfied, Norville nodded, then lifted one of 072's arms and gently pressed at his hands.
Squeeze.
072, feeling a familiar sensation, had the sudden urge to yank his hand away, but he refrained.
"Wow.. is he a Deviant, Rem?"
"Not one that I know of," Rem smiled. "He may be a new type, which is why I haven't reported any of his abilities to the higher-ups. He's contracted for about a year in the Corps."
"Unbelievable. A Deviant at.. what, six?" Norville said, amazed. "The energy in his blood... it's terrestrial in origin. Atmospheric energy shouldn't be compatible with biological systems, but it's being absorbed and released through his skin. Who exactly did you mate with, Rem?"
"As I said, he's not my kid," Rem replied calmly.
Eli patted 072's head.
"What else can you sense, Norville?" He asked eagerly.
"His energy is reacting to force--- and pain. It's sort of gathering around the areas I touch, albeit lightly. And there's.. loads of it."
"You mean it functions as an automatic self-protection system?" Eli continued, surprised. 072's gaze drifted over to Norville, whose expression wasn't as excited. His carefree nature turned serious.
"No, you dummy. Assuming Pony can't control the energy inside him--"
"It's Peony."
"I'm pretty sure we agreed on Caleb."
"--- then that would mean if just enough force is applied, a significant amount of energy may gather in one place. And you know what happens when uncontrolled energy runs rampant."
"It explodes," Rem said, crossing his arms.
A brief silence.
"...."
'..It explodes?'
072 gulped. His thoughts returned to his dream, to the figures in white who had poked and sliced at his skin. He recalled the searing pain in his side, a memory so vivid it made his breath catch in his throat.
'I.. I don't want to die.'
"So.. it has dangerous setbacks," Elisha commented slowly.
"Unfortunately--- but cheats in this world always have to come with significant risks." Norville replied. "However, I believe if he manages to connect with the energy inside of him, he may utilize his unique composition to the fullest. He may even be able to sense atmospheric energy."
"Sick." Eli downed the remaining liquid in his bottle.
"We've discovered another prodigy. Are we planning to climb the team ranks?" he joked.
"Nah. I want to know more about Pony's condition, though, so I'll be sending him with Fossil so he can experience some life-or-death situation and improve his skills." Norville said matter-of-factly. He straightened up and stretched. "Can someone get something to strap him on Fossil's back?"
"Haha, very funny." Elisha rolled his eyes.
"No, no, I'm being serious. If we're really planning to take him in with the Drifters, the only way to make him adapt faster is to throw him into the fire. And Fossil's the best we've got for a controlled burn."
CLANG.
Fossil, who had been patching up his right eye and was just about to leave, dropped the gun he was holding and froze in place like a mouse caught in a trap.