Grade 5

The Day of Transformation

The following day, Ted and his father made their way to the research facility where the Illuminum serum was being administered.

The building was nothing short of architectural brilliance—a seamless blend of simplicity and grandeur. Its sleek, minimalist design exuded an air of modern elegance, while the opulent materials used in its construction spoke volumes about the sheer wealth backing this enterprise. However, its magnificence wasn't merely superficial.

As Ted stepped inside, he felt as though he had been transported into an alien laboratory. Holographic projections hovered in the air, displaying intricate data streams and promotional visuals for the serum. The entire interior was bathed in pristine white, giving it an almost sterile, futuristic ambiance. Scientists clad in immaculate white coats moved with purpose, their eyes glued to tablets or engaged in hushed yet intense discussions.

As they proceeded through the facility, they unexpectedly encountered a familiar face.

"Uncle Harry! It's great to see you," a polite voice greeted them.

Ted's father turned, his face breaking into a warm smile. "Chris! My boy, how have you been? It's been a long time."

Ted gave a slight nod. "Hey, Chris."

"Good to see you, Ted," Chris replied with a friendly smile.

Harry, always one to engage in pleasant conversation, inquired, "So, Chris, is this one of your company's research labs?"

"Yes, sir. Our company is among the few granted the privilege of working on Illuminum. Are you two here for the procedure?" Chris asked, his curiosity piqued.

Though Ted and Chris weren't particularly close, Chris had a good rapport with Ted's parents, whom he often met during school meetings.

"Haha, yes—but not me, just Ted," Harry chuckled. "Why don't you two go along? I'll wait here. I'm sure Chris knows his way around."

"You speak too highly of me, sir," Chris responded modestly.

"Nonsense. Ted has told me more than once that you're among the best students in his class."

Chris looked momentarily surprised. "Really? I had no idea. But Ted is also quite brilliant himself."

Ted interjected, "No, I'm not."

Harry chuckled. "Don't be so self-deprecating, Chris. Take pride in your abilities."

Turning to the two young men, he gestured forward. "Now, go on already."

Chris smiled. "Come, Ted. I'll show you around."

---

The Secrets Within

As Chris guided Ted through the labyrinthine corridors of the facility, he explained the different research departments, each more fascinating than the last. Ted was enthralled, absorbing every detail like a sponge. But after a prolonged silence, he finally spoke.

"You know, Chris, you're actually a decent guy. I just don't understand why you act like a jerk sometimes. You're smart, strong, and even ridiculously good-looking. If you didn't behave like such a cactus around me, we could've been good friends already."

Chris smirked. "Well, thanks for the compliment."

Ted shot him a dry look. "It wasn't a compliment—just stating the facts."

Chris chuckled. "I reflected a lot during the holidays. You're right. I've always craved competition, and honestly, I think you're the best rival this world can offer me."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"That wasn't a compliment either."

Ted shook his head, suppressing a grin. "So, do you think we can actually be friends now?"

Chris shrugged. "Yeah, sure."

As they reached the procedure department, Chris glanced at Ted. "Hey, do you want an upgrade?"

"Is it free?" Ted asked.

Chris smirked. "Yes."

"Then sure."

Chris handed him a tablet, and within seconds, Ted's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Is this real?" Ted asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"100%," Chris affirmed.

The tablet displayed classified information about Illuminum, revealing the existence of a Grade 5 Serum.

Grade 5 Serum:

Bonds with 99% of the human body

Enhances all abilities tenfold

Grants unparalleled superhuman traits

Ted's mind reeled. "Nobody knows about this?"

Chris shook his head. "And nobody ever will. Only a handful of people have access to this information. Several companies work on the mysterious material known as Illuminum, but ours is the only one producing the serum. My father, a select few scientists, and I hold the complete picture. Everyone else? Just scraps of knowledge, compartmentalized beyond recognition.

"Oh, and there's one more secret." Chris raised his hand, summoning a holographic display. A glowing 100% synchronization rate was shown.

"To achieve this," Chris continued, "you have to undergo the procedure without anesthesia."

Ted hesitated. "But my dad—"

"Just tell him I hooked you up with the Grade 4 Serum."

"Will he believe it?"

Chris smirked. "Ted, I own this place. I own 30% of Mars. The greatest power in this world is money, and I have it in abundance."

Ted exhaled sharply. Sometimes, he forgot that Chris was the sole heir to GoldPharma, the largest pharmaceutical corporation in the world. It held an iron grip over the medical industry despite numerous government efforts to regulate its monopoly. Beyond pharmaceuticals, WonderWorld, GoldPharma's parent company, had investments in nearly every major field.

After a brief pause, Ted nodded. "Alright. I trust you."

---

The Procedure

A scientist arrived to explain the process.

Ted would be submerged in a specialized liquid inside a containment pod. Though liquid, it was engineered to allow unhindered respiration. The pod would then drop to subzero temperatures, effectively freezing his body to prevent excessive movement.

Chris monitored the holographic display as the pod slowly filled with a translucent blue liquid. The temperature plummeted, and soon, Ted was encased in solid ice—completely immobilized.

A robot delivered a cylindrical container filled with the Grade 5 Serum. The liquid inside radiated an intense golden glow, forcing some of the onlookers to don safety glasses. The container was attached to the pod, and a series of spinal injection cables emerged, piercing into Ted's vertebrae, all the way from his neck to his lower back.

Then, a metal helm clamped onto his skull, linking directly to his neural pathways.

The moment the serum injected into his spine, Ted's body reacted violently. His skin flushed crimson, his veins pulsing with unnatural heat. Though frozen solid, he could feel everything—the liquid fire searing through his veins, altering his very essence at an atomic level.

His bones shattered and reformed, crushed and reconstructed in an endless cycle. His arteries shifted and rewired themselves, as if someone were forcibly rearranging his circulatory system.

And the worst part? The serum kept him awake.

Chris narrowed his eyes at the display.

"Sir, there's an issue," a scientist whispered.

"What is it?" Chris asked.

"The container is empty, but his body hasn't reached full capacity."

"How many doses were administered?"

"Two."

"How many are needed?"

"Another two—three in total."

Chris smirked. "Do it."

Two additional containers of serum were injected, extending the procedure from 30 minutes to a full hour.

Finally, the pod ejected Ted.

Drenched in icy liquid, his body radiated power. His physique felt reforged, his senses heightened beyond human comprehension.

Chris smiled. "You're not just strong, Ted. You're something else entirely."