Crimson Phoenix Guardian- Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage 4

Episode 60: Escape Plan

*Gavin*

"S-stop!" I screamed as electricity coursed through my body. 

"Hmm, it seems that he still hasn't grown numb to pain," a woman said as she stepped forward. She placed a hand on the glass and sighed. "If only I had a stronger kid." 

I would've cried if I had any tears left in me. 

 *** 

I opened my eyes and found myself in a dark cell not too different from the lab.

My arms wrapped around my pillow. They trembled. Flashes of scenes from my childhood went by. My screams of agony still echoed in my mind's ear.

I placed a hand on my head and took several deep breaths. It took a while for me to stop shaking like a frightened little kid.

Why had I dreamt about that? Was it due to the similar lighting of this place? Or maybe it was due to being locked up in a small, damp room.

I shook my head and sat up in the bed. I couldn't let it bother me. That was in the past. All those 'exercises' were over. I was a different person now. One that my mother could be proud of.

 My gaze drifted toward the cell bars. Or perhaps, I hadn't changed at all. I did get myself captured.

I stared at my handcuffed hands. The black-metal cuffs tampered with energy flow, preventing one from using their powers. In the case of abysmals, it messed with even their biology, preventing them from turning into goo and reshaping their bodies. Even their famed regeneration was slowed.

Escaping from here would be difficult. If I had access to my magic, I would have innumerable escape methods. But, I did have one way; using the thick cuffs as a hammer to bend the rails wide open. Although, I'd yet to try it due to the time required. Usually, Isabel would come to talk to me or send someone to do so. She had tried to get info from me by playing good cop, but that wasn't going to work on me. Neither would torture. No amount of pain could compare with what I'd gone through as a child.

Mom prepared me for a moment like this and the war.

"You're finally up," a voice rang. I turned and saw Isabel.

"So, you didn't quit after all," I said, smiling slightly.

"I actually came to bring you some food." She reached into the sleeve of her robe and pulled out something wrapped in aluminum. "Here, eat up."

My hands shook. Why did she come all this way just to feed me? It had to be a ploy.

"I rather not," I said, pulling my hands back.

"It's safe to eat. No poison. Not that we would resort to that. You're still too valuable for Uncle to kill."

I turned away. "I know, and that's exactly why I haven't spoken."

"That said, I did manage to convince him not to either way."

I gasped and looked back at her. "Why?"

"Because it's immoral. You're already captured. Killing you serves no purpose. Now, if we were on the battlefield..."

I laughed. "You seem nice, but there's a sting to your words. Frankly, it's kind of creepy."

She smiled. "Sometimes, I can be too blunt." The princess knelt down and put the aluminum-covered food on the floor. "I'll leave this here for you should you want to eat it later." She waved and turned around.

What a strange woman... Why would she aid me? Wait, could it be that she liked me? Perhaps, I could try to seduce her to escape from here...

My cheeks flushed at the thought. I could flirt, but even doing that felt like too much. Especially given how lively and kind she seemed.