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The first weeks were grueling: constant exercise and terrible food. They were all fed flavorless vitamin shakes that offered nothing to enjoy.
Every day they were forced to move objects with their minds. Among them, X0-9 struggled the most at the beginning.
Not because they couldn't, but because they lacked the will. Unlike their peers, X0-9 was never fully obedient and always felt something essential was missing.
Their more complex mind made it difficult to channel psychic power. Constant emotions, memories, and stray thoughts clouded their abilities.
Because of this, X0-9 was punished again and again: less food, no recreation time, and various forms of abuse from the scientists in that underground laboratory. The punishments lasted weeks, then months, then years.
Until the age of three, after four failed escape attempts, X0-9 finally gave up. Security was flawless, and the other Espers—their own siblings—were used against them to prevent any breakout.
