[Host is correct. This man's thoughts are dominated with trying to get the truth out of you.]
A shocked look involuntarily crossed Alesha's face, if only for a moment. What? The System could read other people's minds now?
[Only while in a CT-VR space, where the barriers between minds are blurred. Whoever invented the "technology" knew how to access the mind but not protect it.]
Wait, did that mean CT-VR wasn't so much technology as a kind of magic? Or was the System more technology than magic?
[The first. CT-VR was created using power granted by a god, just like I was. Though you should probably at least pretend to pay attention to what this guy is saying, host.]
Mind reeling, Alesha could hardly focus. The man's voice had a smile in it even though his face remained neutral. "Didn't expect that? You sadden us, Alesha, you should know how deeply the Alliance cares about every one of its citizens."
More bull. Everyone knew how the Alliance treated normal citizens like cattle. Alesha knew she might be a bit naive, but she wasn't completely stupid. She tuned out the man as he pulled up another video, some sort of list, and continued his "presentation" of the Alliance's "tender care."
Anyway, this was all CT-VR, was it? And that same CT-VR was created using the power of a god?! Implications of that particular revelation aside, the fact that she was in CT-VR instead of a normal interrogation room was probably important.
They must have dialed up the Realism settings (the ones in control of physical senses, distinct from Emotive Immersion) so she wouldn't be able to tell the room was fake. What did it mean that she was being interrogated virtually instead of in the real world? What advantage would a CT-VR interrogation hold?
Wait… did they intend to use Emotive Immersion to hypnotize her?! She had heard speculative rumors that the Alliance would abuse CT-VR's Emotive Immersion in interrogations, in rehabilitating criminals, in special loyalty training, and more. She'd written off such theories as conspiracies at the time, but now? Recalling those made her begin to freak out. Was she about to be "tamed" by the government? What secrets would they strip from her while she was powerless to resist? She could try to use her abilities to attack this man, maybe even take him out, but that wouldn't help her escape the CT-VR session. Could she even get out of the chair?? Further, there was no HUD for her to use to log out. And if she resisted now, it would only make her look guilty, while also exposing her powers. The same went for if she tried to hide anything -- and if the rumors were true, they could just hypnotize her into revealing it all anyway.
[Do not worry,] the System told her with an audible smirk. [They do not have access to your Emotive Immersion settings. It was child's play for me to take control from them.]
Alesha sighed with relief, unfortunately catching the man's attention once again. "Oh? Is something that I said that much of a relief to you?"
She looked up in a mild panic. What had he been talking about? The display's current image was no help at all, just a picture of a citizen happily shaking the hand of an Alliance government official, while a bunch of other citizens clapped and whooped all around.
Caught by surprise, she accidentally blurted out the truth. "I, uh, sorry… I wasn't listening…"
She bit her lip and kicked herself mentally. Sure, she was a terrible liar and more than a bit of a doormat at times, but how could she just blurt that out so frankly??
The military officer was not amused. "I see," he said curtly.
Looking up and to one side, hand reaching for an earpiece, he muttered a few things Alesha couldn't hear.
That's odd, she thought. My hearing is stronger than it used to be, so why can't I hear him even though he's not even 3 meters away?
[Probably because they've adjusted the CT-VR settings of this room or his gear to accommodate for a private channel.]
Can you help me listen in on that? You said earlier you can hear his thoughts since this is a virtual space, right?
[Mmmm… nah! I'll just listen in myself,] the System said smugly.
What?! Seriously? Can't you--
[Looks like their conversation is done! Better pay attention now~]
Frustrated, Alesha calmed herself and focused on the military officer. Instead of interacting with her again, though, he walked directly out the door he came from and left her in silence.
Huh? Alesha thought, feeling confused. What was that about? Did they change strategies or something?
When the System didn't pipe in with helpful information, Alesha concluded that Rogork was in one of those moods again. Seriously, that System was just too unpredictable. One moment it would be filling her in with helpful details, informing her on crucial developments she would have missed otherwise, and the next it would be mocking her, telling her to figure it out herself, or even refusing to communicate at all. And that was excluding the ways that it could interfere with her life in a more literal sense. She didn't even want to recall all the things she'd been through because of the 'Seed of Chaos' System's direct interference. Ridiculous quests, forced evolution, that random demon summoning… actually, the demon summoning probably had nothing to do with the System. But killing the professor had likely been Rogork's doing.
[That is correct,] Rogork said, butting in on her thought process. Its androgynous voice was annoyingly cheerful. [Your automatic mental defense system, aka me, kicked in and caused his magic to backfire, which unfortunately for him, turned out to be fatal. Whoopsie!]
Don't play innocent and pretend killing him was an accident, Alesha scolded. And even if it was accidental, don't pretend you regret it. I know you enjoyed the fact that I evolved again.
[True that,] Rogork replied. [Your anger at me back then was so adorable!! And ah! I just can't wait to see how this develops. Ooh, look, another visitor!]
Half believing that Rogork was lying about the new visitor just to change the subject, Alesha looked at the door. True to the System's word, however, it opened.
In came a person Alesha desperately wanted to see, but not necessarily here, and definitely not now:
Layla, her sister.