The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 255: Test Subject

A massive concrete (or at least looking like concrete) block with no windows stood in the middle of the city, standing out like a sore thumb, squeezed between otherwise normal office and residential buildings. That was where the Forbidden Zone No. 74 laboratories were, a top-secret facility conducting (in large part illegal) Awakened research. With the highest-level security, hardly anyone could get inside, aside from the scientists and the test subjects, and all of them had to pass through strict security procedures each time they wanted to leave or enter the building.

So did Blanc, who came to the lab with Lane. Vulcan left as they arrived at the entrance, as he wasn’t too familiar with the place, having hardly any interest in science. Not that Lane was much different - despite being Ava’s bestie for years, he was still academically incompetent. He was, however, interested in the practical results of scientific research, or, as was in this case, unique abilities... And he valued science, as ignorant as he was of the subject.

He passed through the security first - as the Boss, who practically funded the whole lab by himself, at least initially, he was the only person exempt from the security procedures - and waited for Blanc inside. Then, they went to the research lab where Zeke was currently undergoing some tests.

"Boss, Leader," the researcher in charge bowed his head as he saw Lane and Blanc walk in, approaching them immediately. Lane didn’t recognize him. Which wasn’t particularly surprising, as he was hardly ever in the Zone, even more rarely in the lab, so he only knew the top three leading researchers personally. But, if the guy could land a job here, his abilities could be trusted.

Lane nodded back at him in acknowledgment, before turning his eyes to Zeke. Or rather, to the water tank in which Zeke was completely submerged. With no tubes or anything connected, just floating in the liquid with his eyes closed, but still conscious.

"Huh. Can he breathe underwater or something?" Lane asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the man with curiosity.

"Yes. He has been submerged for close to twenty-four hours now without resurfacing," the scientist confirmed. "He had received three guiding sessions, where the Guide held his hand underwater, and had received a meal he consumed while submerged, but he hasn’t had any need to use the oxygen tank yet."

"Hmm," Lane only hummed in response.

No wonder he was asked to be a test subject. This alone made his ability unique. And 24 hours already... Of course, that was with guiding, so it could be argued that it didn’t count. And he was mostly motionless, just floating in a small tank. There was no saying he would be able to last long if he was forced to swim or fight...

"And what else can he do?" Lane asked. "How is his fighting ability?"

"He appears to have superior underwater movements, as well as the ability to transform his body into water, which allows him to blend in with the underwater environment. As for his capabilities on land, they are more limited. His transformation ability primarily allows him to lessen the damage he receives. We have yet to conduct comprehensive tests," the scientist explained briefly. "Would you like to see a presentation?"

Lane glanced at the water tank again. They were still in the middle of a test... If they were to take Zeke out now, they would have to start all over again. It was only 24 hours, yes, but from his experience, Lane knew that scientists hated when their experiments got interrupted for no good reason... Of course, the Zone’s researcher would still do it without a word of protest if Lane asked - only CT, the leader of the lab, would ever dare talk back to him - but he would most likely curse him to no end inwardly...

Not that Lane really cared about being cursed at, whether silently or out loud. But because his friend was also a scientist, he was mindful enough to ask, "Do you have any videos of his ability recorded?"

If he could see Zeke’s ability without interrupting the test, then there was no reason to cause the researcher any setbacks. Although the videos couldn’t compare to seeing the ability in real life, perhaps that would suffice.

The researcher visibly relaxed at his question. "Yes, of course! All the experiments have been recorded as part of the research documentation! Would you like to see it now?"

"Yes," Lane confirmed with a nod, and the scientist immediately rushed to turn on the computer’s screen, opening the folder with all the video files.

"This is the first test, water transformation on land," he explained, as the recording started playing on the screen. It showed Zeke, dressed only in shorts, being attacked first with a blade, and then by projectiles. He didn’t dodge any of them, but instead, he transformed parts of his body into water, allowing the weapons to pass through him, before changing his body back to flesh...

It was pretty good, although he wasn’t invincible. Each time the blade or the projectiles passed through him, they removed some of the ’water’, which was actually Zeke’s transformed flesh. It wasn’t obvious at first, but after receiving multiple hits, injuries started slowly appearing on his body. They weren’t typical cut wounds or bruises or anything, but more like his skin was sunken in places, as if parts of his flesh were missing underneath...

Well, that was to be expected. There wasn’t such a thing as an invincible ability. They all had their weaknesses. Zeke’s ability was still pretty great.

And that was only his ability on land. Next, the researcher opened the files showing his mobility underwater, and how he had turned pretty much invisible after transforming...

Watching the videos, Lane rubbed his chin, the corners of his lips lifting in satisfaction. He helped the two men out only because of Damien at first, since he didn’t want to leave his boyfriend feeling bad about the fact that they let them into the Forbidden Zone... Who would have thought that one of them would turn out to be such a useful recruit?