Just like that, 30 years had passed.
Throughout the experiment, countless “subjects” perished, only to be replaced by new ones.
Yet, despite the efforts of Castana’s brightest minds, truly remarkable results remained elusive.
After countless failures, when the researchers began to doubt whether they were on the right path, their persistence finally bore fruit. They succeeded in creating the most extraordinary test subject they had ever envisioned.
From the moment of its birth, it possessed not only a flawless physique but also the “blessing of mana,” enabling it to learn magic effortlessly. Even more astonishing, it could accumulate magical power within its body merely by breathing.
At long last, their experiment had achieved success.
The subject was designated as Number 541.
For the next millennium, this masterpiece would become the cornerstone of Castana’s renown.
***
When Number 541 came into existence, the researchers of the Marquisate of Castana were awestruck.
The level of magical talent imbued within 541 far surpassed that of contemporary humans, even rivaling the abilities of the first Marquis of Castana.
However, 541 was not the calculated result of their research. It was a mutant, a product of coincidence rather than intention.
Despite their best efforts, the researchers were unable to replicate 541.
Realizing this, they eventually ceased all experiments and decided to recognize 541 formally.
After much deliberation, they granted the subject the Castana surname and a proper name: Bianca.
She was named after the sole daughter of the first Marquis of Castana.
“No. 541. From this moment, your name is Bianca. Bianca del Castana of the Marquis of Castana. That is your name, and you shall be known to the world as the only daughter of Zion del Castana, head of the Marquisate.”
“You bear the Castana name; do not disgrace it. Remember, your life belongs to us. And never forget, your sole purpose is to serve as a weapon.”
These were the first words Bianca heard from the man who declared himself her “father.” His tone was devoid of affection, cold and mechanical.
Thus began a cruel masquerade.
A man who saw his “daughter” as nothing more than an experimental weapon played the role of father.
And a being crafted in a laboratory pretended to be his child.
It was a grim farce, devoid of warmth, and Bianca loathed every moment of it.
***
Bianca del Castana—once known only as Number 541—hated everything.
She despised the Marquisate of Castana, which had brought her into existence without a father or mother. She loathed the man who demanded she call him “Father” despite knowing the truth of her creation. She abhorred herself for being born this way.
Above all, she resented the world for allowing her to exist.
Her hatred was all-encompassing. She detested so much that she forgot what she originally despised.
Bianca had no agency in her birth, no choice in her existence, and no control over her death. Even thoughts of su!cide brought no solace; if she ended her life, the Marquis of Castana might use her corpse for further grotesque experiments. She couldn’t allow another creation like herself to endure such torment.
So, she endured, lamenting her existence.
Why had she been born?
What purpose did her life serve?
Was her monstrous, artificial existence worth as much as a natural life?
Why did the world hate her so?
No one stood by Bianca. To the Marquis of Castana, she was merely a tool. To those who knew her origins, she was a joke.
The world saw her as a machine, and she could see herself as nothing more.
Bianca believed the world to be devoid of color. While affection and love flourished for others, such sentiments slipped through her fingers like grains of sand. Her life felt meaningless, devoid of hope.
In her despair, she grew weary of searching for someone to understand, care for, or love her.
Then, unexpectedly, a miracle occurred.
In the desolation of her existence, someone appeared—someone who showed her what happiness was, rekindled her hope, and awakened her desire to live.
His name was Cain von Estel.
He became her savior, bringing vibrant color and beauty to the achromatic world she had always known.
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Check out my other projects: Rehabilitating the Villainess, Pushover Extra Trains the Villainesses, My Wife is the Devil, Transmigrated as the Butler of a Defeated Heroine, My Summons Are Special