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“The way you’re talking about it,” said Emiliana, becoming mildly hopeful, “you make it sound like you do not believe in that method yourself.”

“That is because I don’t,” said Gohvis.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“I am more of a believer in the second method,” the Monster said.

“And that is?”

“To change human nature.”

A doubtful expression crossed her face, and she tilted her head. “And how do you plan to accomplish that?”

“I make no claim that it would be easy,” said the Monster. “But there are many in Abolish who are pursuing this same goal, in their own way.”

“But what is your way?”

“Hmph.” He leaned back a little and allowed his gaze to drift away from her. “Take a guess.”

Guess? How would she know how he intended to...?

Her eyes widened a little as the thought struck her. “...Mutation?”

“Indeed.”

“You want to use mutation to change human nature itself?” Somehow, that notion made so much sense and yet none at all, like she’d connected all the dots correctly only to see them create an impossible image.

“Essentially, yes.”

“But... how?”

Rather than answering, Gohvis merely looked at her again. Was he waiting for her to connect the dots again? Or to ask a more specific question? Or was he just done with the conversation entirely?

She wracked her brain for something, anything. “That’s... I mean... you can’t.”

“Why not?” said Gohvis with even more of a knowing calmness than usual.

“Because--you--” It seemed so obvious that she was having trouble even putting it into words. “Because mutation only affects the user. And to change human nature, you would have to change everyone in the world. And everyone in the world can’t be a mutation user.”

“Are you sure about that?”