halo

On the lab table left cluttered because of the sudden evacuation, the abandoned experiment is reacting to the Originium leakage, with its indicator dial swinging rapidly.

As though it is outputting all the results that previously never appeared all at once. The terminal's display to the side is quickly displaying a number of the experiment's data points as the alarm's light flashes to no end.

I knew it...! *cough*. I knew I heard it!

I knew it! I knew it! *cough*... It moved! Finally, results!

Sparing no time to fetch the chair that she had kicked to the side, Elena kneels in front of her desk and quickly records each and every data point.

The readout's 1.97. I need to plug it into the formula and calculate the result...

Environmental concentration...

Save file...

Who's still in there?!

Elena leans down and keeps quiet. She picks up her recording's pace.

We've cleared this area already. Is there still somebody inside?

Rescue target's location confirmed. We missed someone earlier.

There's no time. Last row...!

It was my first project, and I really took it seriously.

When I found out that it finally started to react, my immediate guess was that the parameters and environment I was operating the experiment within were too idealistic, and it didn't reach the prerequisites for the reaction to occur.

I had to record the results I got in a high Originium concentration environment. Even if the data were just an anomaly, it will definitely help our experiments in the future.

And even if it wasn't going to yield any results, I had to make sure.

That's why... I went back.

You have four minutes left. Is that it?

This is hardly a special reason at all.

...Yeah.

And? What was the first thing you asked me after you got the report?

'Are the data valuable?'

They aren't. Are you going to snatch them back?

I will.

And your reason?

I don't want to give up on the results of my hours upon hours of work.

...Even if they have already been abandoned by the others.

But having put in so much effort for so long, I didn't think that much about it.

It reacted in that environment. It could very well be an all new data point or formula, and that would be my achievement.

If I could just reach that, I would be going another step further. I could continue my experiment or research something more fundamental... Besides, I might just succeed, and I think I will!

Stop. Stop wasting your time. You don't have to tell me all that.

Ferdinand points out the window.

Researchers like you are a dime a dozen here at this site. Each and every one of them have been praised by just as many for their traits, intelligence, determination, and leadership... How many tons of scrap paper do you think they produce every day?

When these qualities become commonplace, they are nothing special.

You made a decision to chase that data. Not bad, but it wasn't enough. I don't need someone who wastes her time and risks her life for mere scrap paper.

But we had a liquid Originium leakage at the time. I assessed the emergency at hand and—

No, what you need to assess is the value of the experiment's data.

Otherwise, all you did was make an impulsive decision.

When you're free, you should spend a little time outside the laboratory.

It should be greater foresight and knowledge that drive your decision. It should be those things that help you find results worth risking your life for, not 'didn't think that much about it.'

I understand... Thank you for your guidance, Director. From here on out, I will first determine whether the results are worth it before making my decision, instead of letting my impulse drive me.

But...

What if I determined that the data were very valuable in that kind of environment?

Ferdinand's gaze snaps back onto her.

He looks straight at Elena.

Elena is looking up and right into his eyes, like all the other students that sought his guidance.

He smiles.

If it were me, I would've pulled the alarm a little later.

...But—?

Ferdinand checks his watch and interrupts her.

Those people are also things that you have to assess beforehand.

Seven minutes. Here's your document. Take it.

I understand.

I've already put together all the remaining data from the last experiment and the relevant reports, and I'll finish the handover work as soon as possible.

I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused Energy, and I'll take care of this before I leave Rhine Lab...

...Hmph.

Elena looks around the laboratory one last time. In the end, her eyes land on the alarm system.

'If it were me, I would've pulled the alarm a little later...' huh...?

Elena shakes her head.

I'd still have pulled the alarm first.

The sound of Ferdinand's footsteps disappears down the hallway.

Phew—

Let's get back to it.

Hm... What's this?

There are two documents sitting on the desk that she had cleaned out.

Elena picks them up. The one on top is the report of the experiment's data that she fought so hard for.

Too bad, the experiment's materials were destroyed. If I ever get the chance, maybe I'll try to reproduce it. Not sure if my next company will have Rhine's resources, though...

What's this?

A confirmation of transfer to Energy Section Director Ferdinand's own projects...?

Ah!

Huh?

Ahhh! For real?

Really? Really?!

Elena lifts the confirmation up in the air, jumps up, and bumps her head into the corner of the cabinet.

Oww...!

She cheerfully falls on the backpack that she packed, and kicks her legs in the air as she repeatedly confirms the document's details.

When her breathing finally stabilizes once more, she carefully puts away the confirmation. She brushes the hair feathers that she messed up during her bout of excitement, sits back down, and opens her backpack.

If I'd known, I wouldn't have packed up my data report.

*cough*. Calm down...! Relax!

Let's see. Where exactly did the experiment go wrong, and why did it only start reacting in the end...?

Hmm...