Strange, that it would change this much.

[Viktor doesn't have an answer either. Maybe it's the Singularity itself, altering Claude's intention to alert him to this new power. That's more interesting to him than the crystal, at this point, though he hasn't forgotten about their task.]

I've...heard of powers manifesting in relation to various experiences. It could be this is a direct result of your escape from imprisonment, and the environment in which it happened.