Kaiju Control Main Headquarters. Mira's office. Outside the panoramic window, the lights of New Year's Yokohama were burning out, but a sterile silence reigned inside. Mira stood by the window, arms crossed over her chest, when the automatic door slid open with a hiss.

  "Lady Mira," the assistant entered, holding a holographic tablet. "Monthly report on Subject 'Zenkhald'."

  Mira turned around instantly. All her calmness vanished like it was blown away by the wind. She snatched the tablet, and data flickered in the air with a blue light.

  "Health status?" she dropped shortly, quickly scrolling through the charts.

  "Stable. Biorhythms are within normal limits for the current cycle of oblivion. The 'False Past' tactic is working flawlessly. He completely believed the story about the car crash and the death of his parents. As you predicted, he stopped looking for his roots, focusing on adaptation."

  Mira nodded in satisfaction.

  "The bracelet and the chip?"

  "Functioning. Over the month, several attempts of unauthorized use of mana and teleportation were recorded. The bracelet neutralized them with a harsh discharge and an injection of neuroleptics. There were no strong surges capable of destroying the containment circuit..." the assistant hesitated. "Except for the incident on New Year's Eve. The loud sounds of fireworks caused a resonance, but he managed it himself by taking the medication."

  Mira scrolled further down the page and suddenly froze. A photo from outdoor surveillance cameras appeared on the screen: Arkgrim on the roof of a skyscraper, and next to him—Ari Nor.

  "The incident on the roof," the assistant cleared his throat. "Zenkhald ended up in the blast zone during the elimination of a Kaiju. He encountered the Commander of the Fourth Legion. Ari Nor..." he hesitated even more. "She started petting his head. Like a child."

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  Mira froze for a moment, and then her quiet, melodious laugh rang out in the silence of the office.

  "Petted him?" she chuckled, shaking her right hand. "Oh, Ari... you're the same as always. She kept the secret. Didn't ask the headquarters any unnecessary questions, just gave him a card."

  "What about the incident with the drug-dealing gang?" Mira asked, growing serious.

  "A group of three was eliminated. A direct hit from a firearm to the subject's temple caused him no harm; the bullets deformed. After which the subject destroyed the car along with the passengers. We deployed the disinformation department. Everything was written off as a fuel tank malfunction and a subsequent accident. No witnesses."

  Mira laughed again, this time more warmly.

  "Zenkhald, as always... Can't just walk past garbage," she gently touched her brother's image on the screen. "He likes it. He thinks he's just an angry teenager, but his nature takes its toll anyway."

  "Studies?" she asked.

  "Normal. Teachers note a genius in math, but catastrophic laziness. It seems he really did make a friend. Leon..." the assistant pulled up Leon's file. "An ordinary schoolboy. We are observing him. So far, he poses no threat to Zenkhald's stability."

  "And what about our agent?" Mira squinted. "The one living in the same room with him?"

  "Agent 'Old Man' reports that the role of a drifter roommate comes easily to him. Zenkhald dislikes him, steals his cutlery, and is rude, but this creates a perfect domestic smokescreen. The agent monitors his sleep schedule and ensures he takes the suppressants on time under the guise of 'amnesia pills'. It's working well; the subject has no suspicions."

  Mira walked over to the window, looking at the city.

  "On January 9th, they are going to the Third Legion's headquarters. Step up surveillance. If Zenkhald slips off the chain even for a second."

  "It will be done, Lady Mira."

  She remained silent, and the assistant quietly exited. Mira was left alone. She smiled warmly, remembering the report about how Arkgrim carried bags for some old elf woman.

  "You are changing, Zen," she whispered. "This time you have become much more human than in past cycles. Maybe this cycle is your only chance at happiness."