"Ms. Milani, I have something to tell you."
Milani made a joke that wasn't exactly humorous.
As she spoke, she fitted the last Magic Stone into the groove on the stone slab.
With a violent tremble, the carved Magic Matrix on the stone slab slowly lit up, and all nodes were connected in an instant.
The Eye of the Soul, carved right in the center of the Magic Matrix, started to appear even more lifelike and terrifying.
It was as if some powerful and bizarre being was peering through the stone slab into his mind.
Seeing this, Lynn switched to an anxious tone and immediately said, "Oxygen is poisonous. If we don't leave here soon, we'll die!"
"Let's save the jokes for later."
Milani chuckled, seemingly amused.
As expected, it didn't work.
Lynn realized this inside.
Oxygen couldn't possibly be poisonous.
On the contrary, without oxygen, people would definitely die.
For humans, this was an iron-clad common sense and law, impossible to change easily.
Currently, the Lie Swallowing was only at First Rank, not powerful enough to twist common sense.
So the lie was instantly seen through as soon as it was spoken.
But Lynn wasn't discouraged. After a moment of thought, he continued, "It's too hot in this room."
In reality, since this was an underground chamber of the manor, it was damp and without sunlight year-round.
Even if not cold, it certainly wouldn't be too hot.
Thus, this was a lie.
Hearing Lynn's words, Milani stopped what she was doing, seemingly deep in thought.
Moments later, she hesitantly nodded, tugging at the collar of her lab coat to let in some air, "It does seem a bit... no, actually, it's not too hot. Besides, you're not wearing a single piece of clothing, so stop making excuses."
The lie had been uncovered again.
But unlike the last time.
Lynn clearly noticed that this lie had briefly gained Milani's trust.
Because the sensation of heat is different from iron-clad common sense and law; it is a highly subjective notion that can change at any moment.
Some people might feel cold to the touch even on the hottest days of summer, while others could romp around in a T-shirt in the depths of winter.
After this attempt, Lynn had a vague sense that he was starting to understand how to use the Lie Swallowing.
Simultaneously, a spark of inspiration flickered in his mind.
He decided to retract his previous assessment of this ability.
On the contrary, if used properly, it could definitely allow him to safely escape this experiment.
However, another attempt was needed.
"This experiment is bound to fail."
"Don't speak such demoralizing words; it will certainly be successful."
"Ms. Milani, you've fallen in love with me."
"I deeply love every test subject — provided they survive."
"Ms. Milani, I'm actually very ugly."
"Hey, hey, don't believe that one!"
Several minutes later, Milani finished all the preparations before the experiment.
"You seemed to talk a lot just now," she said thoughtfully, glancing at Lynn, "Are you trying something?"
"However, it's a pity, this place is a 'cellar' a hundred meters underground, with over ten layers above, even if you find a chance to escape from here, you'd still be caught by the patrolling guards."
"It might be better to give up these unnecessary thoughts... Although, having a resistant mentality in a test subject could affect the results."
Milani sighed, "I'll tell you the truth, Princess Ivyst's command is to experiment without harming your life, and even if it fails in the end, you won't die."
Lynn's eyes brightened, "Oh?"
"At most, you'll fall into a vegetative state and never wake up again."
It's even more terrifying now, hey!
Lynn thought to himself bitterly.
However, he did not show this on the surface; instead, he put on a resigned expression.
"Since you've come to that conclusion, I guess I have no choice but to cooperate... But speaking of which, before the experiment begins, could you agree to my last request?"
"In principle, that's not allowed." Milani scratched her messy short hair. "The Princess said that once you woke up, it would be best to not exchange even a single word with you."
"But you were quite eager just now, weren't you?"
"After all, I'm not someone with many principles."
Hearing this, Milani shrugged her shoulders.
But because the clothing was too big, it caused the fabric on her shoulder to slip down a bit, revealing a snowy white patch of skin.
As if she didn't see it, she casually pulled her clothes back up, and then asked, "So, what's your last condition?"
"Please give me a mirror."
Milani pondered for a moment, turned, and sifted through the pile of miscellaneous items on the table, eventually procuring a palm-sized vanity mirror and presenting it before Lynn.
"Here you go," Milani remembered his earlier words and couldn't help but touch her forehead, "You really are narcissistic."
"Can't help it, it's the ancestors' blessing."
Lynn said offhandedly.
Then he lifted his head and looked at the mirror Milani was holding in front of him.
The boy in the mirror was handsome and noble, with bright blue eyes that were vivid and spirited.
However, Lynn didn't ask for the mirror just to appreciate his own stunning good looks one last time before the experiment.
His purpose was actually very simple.
Staring at the other self in the mirror, Lynn took a deep breath and activated the Lie Swallowing ability again.
At the same time, he murmured to himself.
I want... to lie to myself!
Milani was already prepared to sound the alarm.
Because in this situation, his behavior of calmly requesting a mirror from her was simply too bizarre.
Taking into account his earlier strange questions, Milani could not help but suspect something.
Although the other party was only a commoner, he was still someone the Princess had specifically cautioned against.
But out of professional curiosity, she wanted to see just what Lynn intended to do.
In the end, all he did was glance briefly at the mirror as if reminiscing about his appearance, and then with a sigh of resignation, he said, "Please begin."
Upon hearing this, Milani, though confused, still nodded.
Never mind, the experiment is more important.
Thinking that, she, as a mad scientist, quickly pushed her doubts to the back of her mind.
Milani walked to the side of the stone slab and did a final check on the integrity of the Magic Matrix and the connected helmet.
Then she met Lynn's gaze, took a handful of silver-white powder from a jar beside her, and with a light flick, scattered it over the Magic Matrix and the carving of the Eye of the Soul in the center.
Accompanied by a flash of silver flames, a light far more dazzling than before, like a miniature sun, filled the entire underground laboratory!
Milani squinted her eyes and shielded her face with her palm, intently staring at the figure in the center of the light.
Powerful energy physically poured into the helmet, turning into murmurs and suggestions, continuously reverberating in the ears.
This force, like a baptism upon the soul, through repeated tidal-like washes, was enough to imprint the hypnosis switch into the depths of his personality!
After a very long time, the light on the slab gradually dimmed.
Milani's heartbeat slightly quickened.
Every time the results of an experiment were unveiled, she felt this kind of heart-pounding sensation.
When the Magic Matrix on the slab finally settled down and all the instruments ceased their humming, she quickly approached the boy on the chair.
The other's somewhat delayed speech came.
Milani lifted his head to look.
She saw that the boy's previously bright blue eyes had become dull and lifeless, filled with a vacant stare.
It was as if he had become a robot that only knew how to follow orders.
Could it be... the experiment was a success?!