Chapter 60

*The Price*
Imperial Royal Academy—Mech B07 training room.
Future top soldiers—geniuses from cosmos—survived brutal tests.
Student saw shadow outside wall—hands in pockets—head on wall—light look—
Eyes met—face on screens often—plain features—
Civilian clothes—no title—ordinary—backlit deep—sheathed sword warm edge—
Student about shout—finger on lip—smile—
Shh.
Not disturb class—curious what Zhu Zhao was.
Original failed major—knew path to her lab—watched from far—
Transfer access kept old post—sat theory—first practical watch—best gear teacher future—
One thought—envy.
Late arrival—scattered Chaos knowledge—white horse bits—gaps between tech—
Zhu Zhao linked all—clear deep answers—
Brief listen—something learned—rolled away—
Liked calm—seeking answers—life not same as research—
Student joy of solved problem—
Once Zhu Yu’s pursuit—life love too—one flash enough—
Process itself happy.
Losing that ability.
Before asking Bai Shuzhou last night—had answer—cold reply—unexpected calm.
Not equal.
Happy time made her forget.
Blamed Zhu Zhao burst—shattered peace—
Muddled life seemed fine.
Bai Shuzhou wrong how? Contract said no love—bed partners not wives—
Pleasure talk not love—
Accepted—
First time no gland squeeze after—scent gone with gray mood—
Else shame crying wanting her.
Mech students saw Zhu Yu wait Zhu Zhao—guess motives—
Without forcing stand here—would flee until explosion—
Came earlier.
Not trust Zhu Zhao—want live—need info—judge next—
Instinct—strip emotion—best move—
Eat first.
Love less than food!
Nothing more important!
Skipped academy breakfast and royal kitchen—drove twenty kilometers—alley between towers—handmade shop—two plates dumplings—strong house wine—
Good—chest filled—stopped thinking Bai Shuzhou—no takeaway—
Since Academy probe knew Bai Shuzhou had gift—fire after deep contact with bird—
Facts lined up—theory insufficient—tell no one—
Including Zhu Zhao.
If not Bai Shuzhou—trust whom?
Yu Yan said young Zhu Zhao and Feng friends—split on ideals—no contact—
Feud maybe Genesis—Feng restart—Zhu Zhao refuse—
Even Zhu Zhao—unsolved problems?
Fast arrival surprised Zhu Zhao—expected weigh or storm—nothing—next day knocked.
So much for deep love for Bai Shuzhou.
Office door closed—Zhu Yu sat bold—“How long you watched me?”
No accident—only necessity—
Not coincidence at fire moment—watched long—danger—
Chin on hand—legs crossed—kill aura—probe her—
Played arrogant new blood—won’t answer yesterday—
Zhu Zhao silent—step—knee pain—curl shrimp—
“Answer my questions first.”
Chip on temple—
“What is it?”
“Lie detector—shock if lie.”
Advanced!!! Trapped!!!
Heart race—first question: “Gift innate or acquired?”
“Acquired.”
Green light—pass—
Sweat—believe true can fool machine—
“Wait—I confess all!”
Brow up.
Rush: “I’m Zhu Yu—found fire that day—acquired—don’t know why—Bai Shuzhou and I amnesia—Director Feng gave Academy access—investigate old experiment.”
“Amnesia?”
“Yes—lost memory.”
No alarm.
Careful watch—“Why say gift kills me?”
Core question—want live—
Act curious chick—seize question power—
Standing above—face like memory—fist tight—
Coincidences anger her—almost let go—Zhu Yu eyes like that child—mistakes—
Blame Bai Shuzhou—design—children could be free!
Years later royalty still want her devour others?
Sneer: “All things conserve—what does gift consume?”
“I know—spirit force.”
Gray eyes—“Bai Shuzhou told you that?”
“Gift consumes life force—spirit only part—constant supply hides deeper drain.”
“Person is lamp—burn out—ash—lucky die—unlucky Alpha dissociates into cosmos.”
“Life force…?”
Last night thought two gifts—lie flat—
Price bigger—
Only life she won’t give up.
Bai Shuzhou know…?
Bird uses fire—no stop—if not care Zhu Yu—care bird—why beg heal?
Flash—Bai Shuzhou stopped extra heal—too much drain—
Because of that?
Tiny mercy?