章節 3: September 30
'I don't know what she's talking about… but this might be the chance I was looking for… a chance to finally leave this prison.'
Meanwhile, Doctor Rose continued, "But… it's better this way. Who would want to be you — chained to a bed and being sucked of your blood twenty-four-seven? It's better that you're the battery so that others like me can prosper."
He sighed and stared at the masked woman.
"Do you have to mock me?"
Unexpectedly, she shook her head.
"No. But I like it this way. Now, listen carefully, Test Subject. You asked why you were sleeping more often and for longer periods. It's simple. You're about to undergo a Trial created by The System."
Behind her mask, a wide smile curled her lips.
"But don't get any ideas. The Trials are no playgrounds. They can give power, but not just anyone can obtain it. The Trials are meant to break you, to filter out the weak from the strong, the worthy from the expendable trash."
He furrowed his brows as he used all of his willpower to stop himself from smiling.
"Why are you telling me all of this? It can't be as simple as you're in a good mood, right?"
Doctor Rose nodded, lifted her right wrist, and checked the time on her watch.
"You're as smart as ever. And I'm sure you must have guessed it. After all, your smiling expression gives you away… A minute from now, you will be transmigrated into the Trial."
He swallowed.
"H-how do you know?"
"September 30th… seventeen years ago, you were found in a basket outside an adoption center. Other than the basket and the newborn baby, there was a piece of paper in the baby's tiny hand. There were only two words, written in beautiful calligraphy: your exact birthday."
'So, I was abandoned…' He sighed, but for some reason, instead of feeling disappointment or anger, he felt relieved. He was unsure why he would feel that way.
'It might be because I never met them.'
'No… Wait! Why am I thinking about that!? September 30! That date… it's the date that voice said! I wasn't dreaming or hoping for a better future.'
However, before he could continue his train of thought, Doctor Rose's voice interrupted him, "Anyway, make sure you don't die. A dead man is useless to us. Good luck. "
Following her words, a familiar wave of exhaustion came over him. His vision blurred. He blinked, struggling to keep his focus on Doctor Rose. But it was useless… sleep could not be avoided.
'Will it be different this time or will I spend days in darkness? The Trial? What is it? And will I pass?'
With those questions lingering in his mind, his head tilted as he fell into a deep slumber.
Doctor Rose, on the other hand, observed his sleeping figure for a few moments, and after checking the IV bag connected to the nutrient container, she left the room.
***
In a conference room on the opposite side of the underground facility, Doctor Rose sat with a dozen others. Hidden behind masks and voice changers, their identities remained known only to them. Only from the clothes they wore could the others tell what their occupation was.
"Test Subject's blood resonance levels are increasing." One of the researchers mumbled, adjusting his glasses as he pointed to the large screen. "It's a barely noticeable increase… Hmm."
The orange-masked man beside him rubbed his chin and asked, "What does that mean?"
The researcher did not reply. Instead, he looked toward Doctor Rose. Understanding what he meant, she cleared her throat.
"It means our theory that Test Subject's blood will transform upon entering the Trial is accurate."
The orange-masked man looked at her and furrowed his brows behind his mask.
"Are you sure about this, Doctor Rose? It hasn't even been a minute since the brat fell asleep. According to all of the data collected, it took all the Chosens an hour before their Trial began."
Suddenly, a worried male voice interrupted their conversation.
"Who cares about whether he's in the Trial or not?"
He cast his gaze at each masked figure sitting at the rectangular table and continued, "Is none of you worried about what will happen if that brat becomes stronger than us?"
The orange-masked man snorted.
"Isn't that why we're all wearing a mask? To save our asses if that day ever comes about."
"Cowardly hypocrite."
However, before they could continue their argument, Doctor Rose sighed and interrupted, "Sir, we've already had this conversation many times in the past."
"Sixty-seven times, to be precise." One of the government officials said tiredly.
After nodding at her, Doctor Rose continued, "We knew it would happen eventually."
Unbeknownst to the others listening to her, her eyes narrowed, "His Awakening was inevitable — the only variable was time. And from the data we've collected over the years, we already knew only when the people from our world reached eighteen years of age would they be transported into the Trial."
One of the researchers nodded.
"Doctor Rose is correct. There was no way to stop him from entering the Trial. We don't have the ability to go against The System."
"But it's not all doom and gloom."
Doctor Rose turned in the direction of the female government official, who sounded excited.
"From all documented cases, the Chosen are transported into different Trials, each uniquely tailored to them — ranging from combat and survival to endurance. I've even heard that some chefs underwent a Trial related to cooking. But after passing the Trial, their Cultivation… if they Cultivated in the Trial resets. Once again, they become ordinary humans, having to Cultivate from the start."
"What about his Class? It doesn't reset but evolves after completing the Trial. Are you not worried it could overpower us?"
"Damn, spineless coward. If you're so scared that you can't even deal with an ordinary brat with your Cultivation, then scram like the rest." The orange-masked man snorted and dismissively waved his hand as if he were shooing away a dog.
Even though the others did not voice out their thoughts, their collective nods spoke volumes.
Realizing he was outnumbered, the cowardly government official sighed, "Whatever. Don't say I didn't warn you all."
With one last sigh and a shake of his head, he left the conference room. His voice came through the tightly shut door.
"Keep me informed if anything happens."
After he left, silence resumed in the conference room.
With a small, smirk hidden behind her white mask, Doctor Rose broke the silence.
"Now that the nuisance is gone, let's address the real issue." Then, she gestured to the large screen displaying the sleeping Test Subject. "Whether or not he poses a threat depends on how we handle the situation. Until now, he's always been too weak to escape, fight back, or even break his restraints."
After a moment, Doctor Rose continued, "But I agree with one part said by that cowardly government official. Once he completes his Trial, he might return with a Class that has the potential to overpower us one day."
The orange-masked man laughed disdainfully,
"You're saying he'll surpass us? Even if one day he somehow manages to do just that, I still have the older generation to back me up. You all do too. Stop worrying. The solution is simple: prevent the brat from Cultivating. It doesn't take a genius to come up with something so simple."
It was not the first time someone brought up that solution. But they felt it would not be enough. It was unknown why they felt that way. Was it because he was different? ...Unique to the rest?
Even so, Doctor Rose and the others stared at him for a few moments.
"Very well. We'll do as you say."
***
Darkness… the very same cold and endless darkness he had grown accustomed to.
He sighed, disappointed.
'I'm back here again… Does that mean I'm not a Chosen? Is my destiny to remain chained and drained of my blood — helping others with the… gift I was born with?'
He slumped, sitting in the darkness. Only here… wherever this was, did he have free rein to move. There was nothing to see or do. But it was comforting… more so, than his usual routine of staring at the white room of his prison.
At least, here he could move his limbs. It was comforting… but now… even that could not fill the void in his heart.
'The Trial, The System, being Chosen… So, it was all a lie?' He wondered.
Once again, he could not understand why Doctor Rose lifted his hope.
'Was it just humiliation she was after? If so, she did well. She achieved her goal.' He chuckled darkly.
Unfortunately, in the real world, his arms were tied. He could not clap. He would have to make do with a simple congratulations. Hopefully, she would be satisfied with that.
'Congratulating my imprisoners… Have I finally lost it?'
But just as despair threatened to consume him, a voice suddenly rang in his mind. It was mechanical, cold, and genderless.
<{Nyx, you have been Chosen! Congratulations!}>
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