If it was said that Ifrit was just in good spirits before, then after the experiment began, everyone present noticed something was wrong.
Because during "treatment" and injection, there is always severe pain, so Ifrit is usually in great agony during these procedures. Recently, with the increased dosage, she has been in even more pain and more restless.
But today's treatment was quite abnormal.
As the treatment began and the active agent was injected, Ifrit's face, usually distorted by pain, remained calm, as if she didn't feel any pain at all.
This abnormal behavior instantly attracted the attention of all the researchers present, including Saria.
"...Ifrit, don't you feel any pain?"
Saria was very close to Ifrit, so she noticed the abnormality right away. She initially thought Silence and the others had injected enough sedatives.
However, when she saw that several others were just as surprised as she was, she realized something was wrong. She frowned and asked seriously.
"..."
Hearing this, Ifrit didn't speak but gently shook her head to indicate her current state.
"..."
This isn't good, Saria thought, frowning even deeper. A fierce momentum rose around her as she called out to the people outside the room.
"Stop this treatment! Check Ifrit's body first!"
"This won't work. The treatment can't be stopped halfway. We can still check her body after the treatment is complete."
"Besides, this is a treatment project of our Structural Section. Section Chief Saria doesn't have the right to forcefully intervene." Before the other researchers could make a move, the section chief of the Structural Section, Ahrens Parvis, gently adjusted his reflective glasses and spoke slowly.
"But—"
"The injection is over!"
Hearing this, Saria's expression grew even darker, and she was about to say something when the end of the drug injection interrupted her, successfully shifting her focus back to Ifrit.
At this time, Ahrens Parvis, the head of the Structural Section who was unwilling to stop the treatment, also instructed the researchers around him to check Ifrit's body.
Although Ahrens Parvis didn't want to affect the treatment... no, the experiment, he was actually intrigued by the changes in Ifrit.
So now, without Saria needing to remind him again, he gave the order.
"..."
However, even as the researchers around her began to conduct a thorough examination of Ifrit, Saria's displeased expression did not ease at all.
What she was concerned about wasn't Ahrens Parvis's attitude toward her... but their attitude toward Ifrit.
Is this tough stance, which doesn't prioritize the patient's safety, really a treatment?
"I'm fine, Saria..."
Noticing Saria's bad mood, Ifrit, who was lying on the bed, stretched out her small hand, gently pulled on Saria's sleeve, and tried to comfort her.
"Huh... Ifrit, if you feel uncomfortable, remember to tell me."
Hearing Ifrit's words and noticing her little movements, the furious Saria slowly restrained her emotions. She leaned down, touched Ifrit's little head, and said seriously.
"Yes, I will!"
Ifrit enjoyed Saria's touch, her eyes lighting up slightly with happiness. But soon, she seemed to remember something and hurriedly asked:
"Then can Saria stay with me for a while today?"
"...Okay." Hearing this, Saria thought about today's schedule and nodded gently. "Don't move around and cooperate with them to complete the examination."
"Great!"
Hearing Saria's words, Ifrit softly cheered and lay down contentedly, not moving around.
"..."
Watching Ifrit like this, Saria felt a little better. However, in her mind, this matter was far from over...
She slowly turned her scrutinizing gaze toward Ahrens Parvis, who was standing outside and examining the data.
...
Finally, after a round of inspection, the team found no abnormalities in the results.
"This is impossible. The pain can't just disappear suddenly... Check it again, and be more careful this time." Looking at the inspection results that showed no abnormalities, Ahrens Parvis's eyes flashed slightly. After adjusting his glasses, he spoke again.
Following his instructions, all the researchers in the laboratory, including Silence, busied themselves with a new round of more detailed examinations of Ifrit.
Throughout the entire process, Saria didn't leave. She stayed quietly by Ifrit's side, comforting her while also waiting for any abnormal results this time.
However, after this super-detailed second inspection, everyone finally found a clue to this "abnormality."
"What is this substance?"
Silence stared at the clues she had found, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
Not only her, but almost all the researchers present had similar expressions, and even their section chief, Ahrens Parvis, muttered to himself: "I don't know the composition... except for suppressing pain, I don't know its effect... how did this... come from? Is it self-generated... or?"
Muttering to himself, Ahrens Parvis subconsciously raised his head and glanced thoughtfully at the people around him.
"Ifrit, have any strange people come to see you recently?"
After reviewing the results of the second examination, Saria didn't concern herself with the reactions of others. Instead, she leaned down and asked Ifrit in a slightly softer tone.
The substance that had just been detected in Ifrit's body was unknown to the researchers present and even to Saria.
However, no matter what it was, there were only two possible sources: self-generated or artificially injected.
If it was the former, it would be fine. But if it was the latter...
From Saria's perspective, it was a significant failure of her responsibility.
After all, as the head of Rhine Lab's Defense Section, allowing someone to inject this inexplicable substance into a patient under her watch... wasn't that a failure of responsibility?
"No."
Hearing this, Ifrit quickly shook her little head and replied.