Lyle returned to Andrei Academy with a heart full of satisfaction after passing the test.
When Helena repossessed the stone sculpture, she found her sister covering her lips, silent.
"Is your experiment over, Anna?"
Upon hearing the call, Alianna turned to look back, and Helena saw something crystal-clear brewing in her eyes.
"Sister, Mr. Crimson was right. I... I can feel something beyond just the taste."
It turned out that inviting Lyle to become a research assistant was not Mr. Crimson's only move; he had already communicated with Alianna earlier, inviting her to verify the emotional reaction to hungering flesh.