The West Wind's Destination - Chapter 21
Over half of Bea’s life had been spent with her master.
After being separated from her family and living as a slave, meeting her master marked the beginning of her life as his devoted servant – the only path she believed she could live.
—Protect me from all threats.
That was the final command that her master had given.
In the final battleground, Bea failed this mission. To atone for this failure, she began her research.
Surprisingly, once she moved from her original lab to a new hideout, her research progressed rapidly, as if the past had been a mere distraction.
Some argue that human life should not be toyed with, which is why alchemists conducting human experiments are condemned.
What Bea was about to attempt was the ultimate play with human life – an endeavor in human body modification.
Despite a brief waste of time, relocating allowed her to refocus on her research, reducing sleep to a minimum and maintaining just enough energy to function.
Her sole dedication was to this project. There was nothing else to live for, and this was all that’s left for her.
Seasons passed without notice as she delved deeper into her research.
The theory she finally completed was flawless.
The artificial human, or homunculus, she planned to create would be indistinguishable in composition and function from a naturally born human.
Memories, emotions, and knowledge, all physically stored in the brain, could be replicated through electrical stimuli.
If she could accurately replicate the brain’s composition and place it in an identical body, she could essentially clone a person.
However, this was only possible in theory.
She had analyzed her master’s corpse and remains, and even through Aseph, she had comprehensively understood the anatomy of an adult male.
‘Aseph.’
Ah.
Again, unnecessary thoughts invaded her mind.
Bea shook her head to dispel them.
It had been years. She didn’t understand why he still affected her.
Nonetheless, she was about to achieve the impossible: resurrection.
Her theory was impeccable.
‘Soon…’
Spark— CRACKLE!
Sparks of magical transmutation filled the room, fizzling out gradually.
That her master had occupied over half her life meant his shadow loomed large over her. Even though she could now rely on him again, there was no sign of joy on Bea’s face.
As always, with an expressionless face, Bea approached the center of the transmutation circle, only to frown at an unexpected result.
“…What.”
The product of Bea’s transmutation, which materialized in the center of the circle, was far from what she had anticipated.
It was neither the adult male form she had envisioned, nor the appearance of her master, identifiable by his fiery red hair and cold, serpentine amber eyes.
Instead, the creature that blinked back at her was something else entirely.
“Master.”
“……!”
Bea, rarely taken aback, flinched in surprise. This homunculus had silver hair, not golden eyes but mismatched ones – one gold, one purple.
Moreover, most importantly,
“…Master. I am too small.”
Instead of the adult male form she intended, an infant appeared before her.
Bea frowned at the homunculus. Its plump arms and tiny hands suitable for a mere infant, not an adult, were perplexing.
“I am unable to fulfill your commands in this form. Please forgive me.”
Besides, the homunculus’ personality was peculiar.
Bea’s master was not like this. He was arrogant, unilateral, and violent, a figure who looked down upon the world with disdain. Such respectful speech was unlike him.
The incongruence was stark – the homunculus’ immature appearance, its stern expression, and its quiet apology for failing its mission.
“A failure.”
The conclusion was clear. The supposed resurrection of her master had instead resulted in a creature unfit even for alchemical assistance.
“…It must be discarded.”
Bea Westwind had been a merciless killer on the battlefield, following her master’s lead. Disposing of an infantile being would have been effortless for her.
But…
Her hand, meant to swiftly break its neck, hesitated. It was as if her body had malfunctioned.
The mismatched eyes of the homunculus bothered her, as did its snow-white silver hair, reminiscent of someone she had separated from long ago.
Sensing the ominous atmosphere, the homunculus, newly born yet facing disposal, remained silent, awaiting its fate.
“……”
Bea fell into a prolonged silence under its unwavering gaze.
Bea was a being of efficiency, nothing more. Whether as a weapon on the battlefield or as an alchemist.
Her only concern was:
How could this be utilized?
Despite its adult-level intellect and personality, the homunculus was trapped in an infant’s body. It wasn’t as high-maintenance as a normal human infant, but it couldn’t perform tasks like an adult either.
The obvious conclusion was swift and ruthless.
It was useless.
