"It all depends on a lot of various factors, but the most significant one that stands out from the rest of them all would have to be Charge," Samuel replied.
"Charge?" Xavier echoed.
"Master Xavier, I sincerely hope that you are not unaware of what the word Charge signifies," Samuel asked.
"Of course I do! It's basically like plugging your phone into a charger. The overall functionality and performance of the phone are all reliant on the condition of its battery. Without a charged battery, it's just an inert slab of metal and glass. Similarly, if an Android's battery—or energy core—doesn't have Charge, then it'll shut down." Xavier explained.
"I must say, I'm impressed. To be honest, I didn't really expect that you would be so knowledgeable about Androids," Samuel said.
"Hmph! Do not underestimate me. Although Xenon does not have any Androids—at least, this is what I have gathered from the information that I have access to—but this by no means stops me from actively pursuing knowledge and learning about them!" Xavier snorted, a smug expression on his face that indicated he was proud of his awareness.
"Though, I have to point out that you are mistaken on one specific aspect."
"Huh? What about?" Xavier questioned.
"One day, you will find out the truth for yourself," Samuel said.
"Indeed, since we are already here, I think it would be prudent for us to take our leave sooner, and more importantly, before your mother wakes up and realizes that something is amiss with the present set of circumstances—unless, that is, you came here with her express permission, which I highly doubt. For if she had given you permission, then you would not be so scared or anxious about the prospect of me meeting her." Samuel expounded.
Knowing Lady Anna, she'd never tell him about any of these things. She'd probably want him to stay out of this mess and live like a normal kid, Samuel thought. But more importantly, I need to get him out of this basement. Otherwise… something untoward might happen, he added, glancing toward the tightly shut black door.
"Ugh." Xavier couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed at that moment. It was as though he was being rebuked, when in reality he wasn't being rebuked at all.
"You're right. Let's go." he said, turning to leave. Samuel followed close behind.
But Xavier abruptly halted in his tracks and turned around to look over his shoulder.
"What is the update on that other black box we were talking about earlier? And some news on that other black door which we have been discussing?" he asked.
"..."
"What's inside the other black box? And what's behind that ominous black door?" Xavier pressed.
"..."
Samuel remained silent.
Xavier, observing the lack of words on his part, resolved to utter not another word. Instead, he simply waited quietly in silent contemplation.
It took a full minute of silence before Samuel finally decided to break the stillness and speak.
"Master Xavier, may I inquire if you truly wish to lose yourself completely?" he asked.
"What? Could you clarify what you're getting at?" Xavier said, seemingly with confusion.
"I mean to pose this question to you—whether you would indeed be ready to give up your capacity to retain control over yourself—your mind, body, and even your soul—in order to have unimaginable power?" Samuel spoke in a serious manner.
Xavier noticed the solemn look that was evidently written all over Samuel's face and realized that he was not joking in any manner. He knew that based on his reaction to this scenario, their friendship could possibly take a dramatic turn, resulting in an extreme change.
He closed his eyes gently, giving himself permission to sink into deep thought. Within a fleeting instant that seemed to last an eternity, he opened them again and set his eyes on Samuel, a stare of unshakeable resolve in his eyes.
"If the matter were to become so severe that it becomes a critical issue of life and death, then I would definitely do it. Further, if the conditions include the potential of rescuing my loved ones—without the slightest doubt, I will do it."
Samuel's ocean-blue eyes sparkled for a moment before they went back to normal.
'According to my scan, there's a 91 percent chance he's telling the truth.' Samuel thought.
He lowered himself slowly until he was bending down on one knee.
"Then, as your faithful servant and guardian, I shall bind myself to doing everything in my power to safeguard you and to serve you faithfully, so that you shall never be confronted with the need of making that hard decision."
"S-Samuel, what do you think you're doing? Stand up!" Xavier cried out, exasperated.
"And you're not my servant—you're a friend. You don't have to call me Master Xavier, either. So get on with it, already."
Samuel's lips curved upward softly into a gentle smile.
"Therefore, I kindly ask you to accept my unwavering loyalty."
He pulled out a small, dark-blue, rectangular object from his coat and offered it to Xavier.
"...!"
Xavier's eyes widened as he gazed at the object. It was covered with buttons, but one in particular caught his eye—a large red button that read SELF-DESTRUCTION.
"S-Samuel, what is this?" Xavier stammered.
"It is, in fact, a remote control that can control me." Samuel stated matter-of-factly, as if this revelation was completely normal and not a big deal at all.
"W-What!?" Xavier cried out in shock, his voice increasing in pitch as he spoke. "Why in the world are you giving me something like this?"
"You have definitely earned this accolade."
"But I didn't do anything at all."
Xavier knew very well that this matter held unfathomable importance to Samuel. It was as though Samuel had, in a deep sense, entrusted Xavier with the very foundation of his being, putting both his life and destiny squarely into Xavier's hands.
"It's not the number of actions that you perform—but the importance and value which is hidden behind every single action." Samuel said.