A brief silence cut through the moment.
Something more?
Then Victor spoke again, slower this time.
"...Awakened?"
Ceres didn't answer immediately.
But that silence was enough.
"Is that possible, though? Creating Awakened, not training them." Victor muttered slowly.
"That's the thing," Ceres cut it. "Awakening is a natural process. It shouldn't be possible to create."
Ceres shrugged — tried to, but winced from her bruised shoulder. "At best, you imitate it."
Victor mumured thoughtfully. "So they're trying to force it."
"Yes."
That single word was quiet.
But firm.
"They're trying to create what shouldn't be created."
Victor let out a low breath, running a hand through his hair.
"...That's... And I'm supposed to believe this?"
"Yes."
Ceres didn't disagree.
"They fail most of the time," she added. "Many don't survive."
Victor's lips pursed tightly as he stared at her. She could feel his scepticism a little, but could tell he also wasn't entirely dismissing her words.
