Chapter 33
Chapter 33 Readings and Canteen Chatter
The hyena stood rigid in the center of the cell, wounded yet unyielding like a steadfast sentinel, its gaze locked fiercely on the doorway.
Sentinels possessed powerful physiques, their natural healing speed several times greater than that of ordinary humans.
As long as their mental state remained stable, bodily injuries mended quickly.
Hadrien could only hope those sedative injections would slow Rook’s deterioration.
“Mr. Vale p>
The head guard held out a detector, pulling Hadrien from his thoughts.
The display read 92.26 p>
This was the reading taken to assess Rook’s psychic condition moments earlier.
Once the figure hit 95%, a Sentinel lost all rationality and slipped into full feral transformation.
At 100 p>
No feral Sentinel had ever survived that threshold.
Most perished at 98 or 99 percent, overwhelmed by unbearable agony as their psychic core crumbled.
Hadrien waved a hand. “Log the data, and schedule regular check–ins p>
“Yes, sir p>
He asked again, “Is the cell swap downstairs finalized p>
“It’s all sorted out!” the guard replied.
Rhys‘ cheerful voice echoed out. “Great, thanks a ton, Hadrien! Stop by sometime, I’ll buy you a few drinks p>
Hadrien replied formally, “Staff are prohibited from entering Sentinel cells without authorization p>
Rhys brushed it off. “C’mon, you’re the one in charge. Do you really stick to every tiny rule p>
Hadrien saw no point in continuing the conversation.
“Pull out p>
“Yes, sir p>
Several guards snapped to attention, saluting, then filed out in order.
Hadrien glanced toward the cells holding Draven and Cedric.
He descended the staircase while checking his Star Brain on his wrist.
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Chapter 33 Readings and Canteen Chatter
The device displayed their latest contamination levels transmitted from monitoring bands during morning Younds.
Draven: 87.95 p>
Cedric: 85.42%
Draven’s decrease was negligible.
Cedric’s, however…
Just one week prior, his reading stood at 87.86%. Such a noticeable drop was almost unheard of within the Black Spire, where no Guides were present.
Could it be the constant companionship of all his pets?
The staff canteen hummed with noise. Colleagues who had finished their morning shifts chatted while eating.
Lyra carried her tray and searched for an empty seat when a voice called out to her.
“Lyra!
“Over here, Lyra p>
She turned and spotted Jessa waving her over.
“Grab a seat with us p>
Lyra smiled and walked toward the long dining table occupied by men and women.
She took the last vacant spot. Jessa spoke. “Finished your rounds p>
The others barely knew her, watching her with quiet curiosity.
Lyra nodded.
“Nice work,” Jessa praised. “You’re handling the job with ease already, and it’s only your second day p>
With so many eyes on her, she lowered her gaze and smiled/shyly.
Yesterday had been her first independent shift; she’d rushed around clumsily, flustered the whole time.
Today was hardly effortless, but she’d grown a little more familiar with the work, less consumed by nerves and fear.
Most importantly, Kyren and Rook had not harassed her again.
A staff member spoke up, drawn to her gentle features and quiet demeanor.
“You’re so young. Why choose a posting here? Wouldn’t lighter work outside suit you better p>
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Chapter 33 Readings and Canteen Chatter
Lyra looked toward the speaker, lips parting. Her hand instinctively set down her fork to reach for paper
pen in her pocket.
Jessa stepped in to answer for her p>
“We’re all just working to earn a living. Suitability hardly enters into it p>
She glanced at Lyra and gave an almost imperceptible wink.
Jessa knew Lyra’s condition. She worried being surrounded by so many people would make Lyra uncomfortable if everyone learned she could not speak, so she smoothly covered for her.
Lyra understood the kindness and grinned gratefully.
The man who’d asked shrugged. “I just figured young people like her usually prefer finding work on the lively Core Prime.
“There are more people their age there too. Easier to make friends p>
“Core Prime’s prosperous with loads of opportunities,” Jessa said, “but the cost of living is sky–high. I’d be overwhelmed instantly if I had to face that pressure right off the bat p>
Her exaggerated tone made everyone laugh, Lyra included.
Though Jessa oversaw ordinary staff, she never abused her authority to throw her weight around.
On the contrary, her warm, straightforward personality made her extremely well–liked inside the Black Spire.
“Hey, anyone hear housing prices on Core Prime jumped again p>
“Twelve thousand Credits a unit! Good grief, I couldn’t afford even a tiny spot with my monthly wage p>
“I heard the same thing. It’s not just housing–everything’s gone up. A friend of mine complains nonstop, says he can barely survive there and keeps planning to move away.
“You grind dawn till dusk, and all your Credits vanish on rent p>
“Only Sentinel academy cadets get stipends; otherwise no one could support their families p>
“No way around it. Core Prime’s the safest place, so everyone/piles in. More people drive every price upward p>
“Wonder what the Interstellar Government’s doing. Not a single regulation to fix this mess p>
“Watch your mouth. You dare say that p>
Jessa skillfully steered the conversation toward widely shared concerns, and the group quickly dove deeper into gossip.
Lyra breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She listened while eating, quietly gathering information about this world like an outsider observing the crowd.
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Chapter 33 Readings and Canteen Chatter
Once everyone finished eating, groups of staff rose and left.
ke walked over to Jessa and handed her a written note of thanks.
Jessa smiled. “No need. I have a brother around your age.
“He hates answering endless, tedious questions, and I figured you might too p>
Lyra smiled and wrote another note, “Is your brother living on Core Prime p>
Jessa blinked. “How did you guess p>
Lyra scribbled again, “You’ve talked so much about Core Prime with everyone. I figured someone close to you must be there p>
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.