Program starts

Finally, the day arrived for the start of the six-month intensive program.

Ayan went to the designated laboratory with great excitement. It had a strange name 'Chuckle & Chill Genetic Lab'.

He opened the door to find a room painted pure white with only a lady standing in welcome. He looked around to find no instruments or other participants. The room felt eerily quiet.

"Welcome, participant Ayan," the lady spoke in an animated voice. She pushed a point on the wall, causing a door to slide open in the wall in front of him. Inside the door, he saw about 15 young participants standing, some of them were already looking at him. He joined them inside a massive hall, much larger than the room outside. It had several closed doors on its three sides, all with no signs, adding a sense of mystery.

While waiting for the others to arrive, he looked around the room. He felt a tug in his heart when he noticed a girl about his age standing far from him. Noticing his gaze, she turned to look at him with a fierce, cold gaze. He felt a strange familiarity with her as if he had met her before but he couldn't remember having any interaction with her.

She had unique emerald green eyes, flecked with gold while her skin was smooth and fair with a healthy glow. Her straight nose, high cheekbones, and rosy lips depicted a delicate and symmetrical face—giving her a captivating beauty that caused everyone to have another look at her. Despite her serene features, she was exuding an aloof and intimidating demeanor that kept everyone at a distance.

His thoughts were interrupted when Dr.Frostwind arrived, addressing the group. "Now that all the 21 participants have arrived—we welcome everyone to this six-month-long intensive program. You might have heard about the seven-year training that Indigo children go through. This training is an attempt to emulate the benefits of the seven-year training compacted into six months. It is designed to squeeze out every potential that you have."

His tone grew serious. "Since this training will put you to the limits, there are always chances for some mishaps—injuries or even death. We'll make sure there are no errors from our side but we cannot guarantee your safety. You should've realized it if you had gone through the agreement before signing it."

He paused, then continued. "Once the program starts, you must follow every instruction as provided whether you like it or not. If you misbehave or disrupt the program, you'll be locked in the white room like you saw outside—for the rest of the program. Trust me, you don't want to experience that."

Dr. Frostwind's eyes swept over the group. "We don't entertain any complaints. You'll be given a chance to ask questions if you have any. This is the last chance if you want to back off. After the training starts, you'll have to go through it by hook or crook."

No one spoke or backed down, their determination clear. "Alright, since you've made up your mind, let's start the training."

Dr.Frostwind took out a sheet of paper and said, "A door will open and close several times, and each of you will enter one at a time. I will announce the names in order. Remember your order and enter accordingly. Everybody clear?"

The participants nodded. With no questions raised, Dr. Frostwind recited the list of names.

Ayan, Camilo, Ember,... Sara.

After Dr. Frostwind finished announcing the names, a door opened and he started walking towards it.

Ayan, being the first one on the list followed him inside. The door slowly closed behind him.

Inside the room, two ladies were standing beside a huge machine with various visible wires and sensors. They gestured for Ayan to stand on the machine. They attached several electrodes with wires to his body. There were several red bulges made of rubber-like substance in front of him. They instructed him to hit the bulges with his strongest fists and kicks.

Ayan swung his hand backward and threw a strong punch at one bulge. The red bulge bent a little backward and wobbled before returning to its original position.

The lady looking at the parameters frowned. "Can you hit it with your full strength, sir? The machine's showing you're using only 20% of your fist strength."

Ayan became puzzled—he threw the punch at full strength. He tried again with another punch mustering all of his strength.

"Sir, the machine still shows you used only 21.5% of your fist strength," she reported in an annoyed tone.

"But, how can that be? I'm using my full strength. Is there something wrong with the machine or something?" Ayan asked in confusion. The lady looked at Dr. Frostwind for guidance.

Dr. Frostwind frowned as he examined the machine and checked all the wires and electrodes in Ayan's body before asking, "Try kicking with full strength."

Ayan nodded and swung his leg with a strong kick hitting another bulge, but the machine showed only 15% of his leg's strength was used.

Dr. Frostwind pondered for a minute and said, "The machine accurately measures a person's bodily strength. The discrepancy may happen when a person's body strength suddenly improves but the person hasn't fully adapted to it yet."

He reviewed Ayan's records. He smiled and said, "You've said that you had healed from several fractures and internal injuries a few months ago. It seems that you've not healed completely from those severe injuries and rushed into the program prematurely."

Ayan was stunned by his words. He hurriedly clarified, "But, I have recovered from those injuries. I feel better than ever. See, I can jump, run, and do all things normally."

He started demonstrating by jumping and moving around energetically to show that he was healthy. Amused by his actions, Dr. Frostwind said, "Alright, I'll check you myself." Strangely, he grabbed Ayan's arm and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and nodded. "There's really no internal injuries or fractures."

Ayan couldn't help but wonder how Dr. Frostwind could verify his condition so easily. But he was relieved nonetheless. His attention returned to the test as Dr. Frostwind asked, "Have you experienced anything this past year that caused drastic changes in your body?"

Ayan thought about the change in his body when the bloodlines flared up but recalled how it made him weak, not strong. He shook his head. "I don't remember having any such sudden change in my body."

"Alright," Dr. Frostwind said as he signaled the ladies. "Continue with the next test."