ENTRY 39

Yesterday, I was a little hesitant about my plan. Now that I have the luxury of hindsight, I am very glad to have done what I did.

All of the subjects are now adept at creating and teleporting bones, so I had each of them perform these actions in front of a spectergraph. Once I analyze the results, I will likely make some revolutionary discoveries about the magical systems of skeletons. However, that is not what I'm here to talk about.

After these tests, I took S1, A1, and N2 aside to give them more self-defense training and another reading lesson. I brought in an "empty" training dummy for them to practice on. I'm not here to talk about that, either.

When I was finished with the lessons, it was almost time for common hours. I allowed N2 and A1 to leave for the rec room. However, I asked S1 if he would be alright missing the first half of this rec period, as I had something very important to show him.

He told me that he was up for anything so long as he got an interesting story out of it. Here, I had to inform him that I would be showing him classified information. He couldn't relay a single word about it to any of his fellow subjects. There would be no stories. This made him hesitate, but he still told me he wanted to see whatever I had to show him.

I took him through the back hallways. He looked curious, but he didn't make a sound until I led him into the security room. His eyes went wide at the sight of all the monitors. Right in the center of the army of screens was a live feed of the rec room. At that moment, it showed all of the subjects trickling in at the start of the common hours.

I explained to him the purpose of this monitoring equipment – for security purposes, and also to observe the behavior of the subjects in a non-judgmental environment. At first, he seemed a little uncomfortable with the idea, but he soon became accustomed to it. I reminded him of his promise not to let anyone know about this, and he seemed perfectly fine with keeping it a secret.

We soon began to observe the happenings of the common room together. A1 and N2 started a reading lesson with the other subjects, and I couldn't help but notice that N2 spent quite a bit of time working with E1. I pointed this out to S1, and he told me that the two of them had become partners a few days prior. I had suspected as much.

I asked him why the two of them had chosen to pair up like this. He gave me a strange look, as if I was asking him why monsters used magic. I redefined the question – why had N2 chosen to partner with E1 out of all the subjects here? For that matter, why had E1 chosen N2?

He struggled to find the right words. He told me that E1 was a very witty skeleton, and she respected intelligence and confidence. Since becoming an instructor, N2 has been given a chance to display both of these qualities. N2 and E1 also both possess personalities that are "mellow" for their respective types. They can both relax around each other.

The explanation he used was far more nuanced and detailed than what I have just now said. I do not have the time to get into specifics at the moment. Regardless, it seemed important that each member of a partnership should make the other feel "safer".

I then asked S1 why he himself had chosen P2 as a partner. B2, with all his power and bulk, would have done a much better job at keeping him safe. Z2 is most skilled 2 from a magical standpoint. P2, aside from his partnership with S1, is completely average.

As expected, this infuriated S1. He went on an incredibly long-winded rant. He even devolved into his bone-rattling language a few times, which was interesting to behold. He clearly possesses a strong sense of familial attachment to that particular skeleton. To him, it does not matter that P2 is average physically, magically, and mentally. P2 is courageous and kind, compassionate to everyone he sees. How dare I judge him on something like physical or magical strength?

I response to that question, I asked S1 another in turn – if I was wrong to judge P2 on such superficial aspects, then what made it alright for S1 to judge himself in that way?

That question struck S1 silent. It seemed that my theory of his faltering self-confidence proved depressingly true. He spent a few moments desperately trying to collect himself, and then he weakly asked me to take him back to the common room.

Today's plan went without a single hitch. I feel like some real progress was made, though I have yet to see if it will stick.

Yesterday, I wasn't sure if revealing the cameras to S1 would have been worth the risk. However, now that it is all said and done, I'm strangely…comforted? Having a sort of "confidant" for this operation is bit of a relief. It's as if I have someone else to share my burdens with.

It's unfortunate that I can't share many of my other burdens with S1. Not unless he suddenly gains the equivalent of a college education, becomes my protégé, and begins assisting me in my research work.

Although…