The Great Genetic Era Chapter 4 - It’s Not X-Ray Vision

“Student J61221912140711, Cheng Mo. Please proceed to Room 4.”

“Student J61222007210017, Xu Tui. Please proceed to Room 5.”

Xu Tui, Cheng Mo, and Yu Zeping rose from their chairs at once.

Xu Tui found it quite surprising that Yu Zeping appeared significantly more anxious than the students themselves.

Yu Zeping rattled off a series of instructions:

“Obey the teacher once you are inside.”

“The entire process will last only a few minutes.”

“Do not let your imagination run wild.”

“Keep your nerves in check.”

“Stay relaxed!”

“The risk of death is not going to fall on you.”

While the initial words provided a sense of comfort to Xu Tui and Cheng Mo, the final remark made them both curse under their breath.

Did the teacher truly understand how to offer encouragement?

They hadn't been particularly nervous just moments ago.

However, the mention of a “death rate” instantly caused their anxiety to spike.

Following the electronic prompt, they stepped into their assigned rooms.

Before disappearing into his room, Cheng Mo managed to look back and offer a clenched fist toward Xu Tui.

“Good luck!”

“Good luck!”

As Xu Tui entered Room 5, the door clicked shut and locked behind him.

Two figures were present in the small room.

One was a security officer clad in full military gear, stationed in the corner.

The other was a female researcher draped in a long white lab coat and a face mask. She possessed a graceful build and wore her hair in a ponytail.

Security cameras were positioned on both the floor and ceiling, ensuring the entire procedure was captured without any blind spots.

“Commencing identity verification.”

A device pinged after three seconds had passed.

“Fingerprint match 99.7%, retina match 99.5%. Verification successful.”

“I will ask, you will answer,” the researcher stated.

Xu Tui gave a slight nod.

“Name.”

“Xu Tui.”

“Gender.”

Expecting a more serious tone, Xu Tui hesitated, but recalled Yu Zeping’s advice and answered honestly.

“Male.”

“Have you previously received a dose of the Genetic Compound Chain Allele Elixir?”

“No.”

“Have you previously received a dose of the Genetic Activation Stabilization Elixir?”

“No.”

Even though this data had been recorded previously, it was mandatory to confirm it again. Such was the protocol.

“Get onto the table and remove your pants.”

Xu Tui blinked, taken aback.

His seniors had mentioned having to lie down for the procedure.

Why, though, was he required to remove his pants?

He had never been warned about this specific requirement.

“The Genetic Activation Stabilization Elixir is most effective and takes hold fastest when delivered via the artery in your buttock,” the researcher explained calmly.

Xu Tui nodded in understanding.

He removed his sweatpants and scrambled onto the medical table.

Cool fingers touched the base of his buttock, and before he could process the sensation, he felt a sharp prick.

Creak!

Xu Tui winced as every muscle in his body suddenly stiffened.

The injection had been administered directly.

“Stay relaxed.”

“If the needle breaks off while still inside, you will require surgery to remove it.”

“Hng…”

Xu Tui breathed out, consciously forcing his body to loosen.

The Genetic Activation Stabilization Elixir flowed steadily into his bloodstream.

Another needle pierced the vein in his arm.

“I am collecting a 30-milliliter blood sample before the next phase.”

The researcher’s voice remained monotone, yet her guidance provided a sense of clarity that eased his nerves.

“Genetic Activation Stabilization Elixir administration complete. I will inject the Level C Genetic Compound Chain Allele Elixir in exactly two minutes.”

“Take a deep breath.”

“Relax.”

“Level C Genetic Compound Chain Allele Elixir administration complete.”

“Observation phase has commenced.”

“The timer starts now.”

“Xu Tui, if you feel anything unusual, report it immediately.”

“Understood, Teacher. No unusual sensations yet.”

“None at all?”

The researcher’s brow lifted. A lack of reaction following the administration of the Genetic Liberation Elixir was rarely a positive indicator.

A physical reaction signified that Genetic Base Points were being unlocked.

The intensity of the reaction often correlated with the number of Genetic Base Points released and the subject's future potential.

Of course, should the reaction become too violent, it could lead to the total collapse of one’s genetic sequence, resulting in death.

In most cases, however, the risk of such a collapse after receiving the Stabilization Elixir was negligible.

This was exactly why students who exceeded the Double Excellence Score were rewarded with this elixir—it was a privilege granted to high-achieving students.

“Xu Tui, are you sure there are no abnormal reactions?” the researcher pressed.

“N…no.”

Xu Tui was well aware of the typical physical responses to the Genetic Liberation Elixir.

No reaction meant no activation. No… he couldn't be failing, could he?

He had desperate hopes of exploring life outside of Earth.

In that moment, he prayed for any sign that his body was responding.

“Xu Tui, anything change?” the researcher inquired again five minutes later.

“N…no.”

Ten minutes passed.

“Xu Tui, any reactions?”

“N…no.”

Xu Tui was trembling with anxiety now.

“Keep calm. Just relax. It is still early,” the researcher reassured him gently.

Twenty minutes elapsed.

“Xu Tui, anything at all?”

“No!”

Xu Tui felt frantic. He had studied countless testimonials from students who had undergone the injection. Some suffered cramps, others felt itching in their hands, or pain in their ears, swollen eyes, or even strange cravings. All he felt was a growing sense of panic.

To have no reaction felt like a complete failure of the process—as if he possessed the rare, dreaded “Super Stable Genetic Constitution,” often mocked as the “Worthless Constitution.”

He sat in a daze while the researcher asked again at the thirty-minute mark. The answer remained the same: no reaction.

The guard in the corner cast a pitiful glance toward him. It was unfortunate; a student with such high exam scores deserved better than a Worthless Constitution.

Even the researcher sighed softly. It was 90% certain he had that undesirable genetic makeup.

“The maximum time for the observation phase has elapsed.”

“No abnormal physiological reactions have been observed.”

“The status of his Genetic Base Points remains unknown.”

“We will conduct another blood test to compare against the sample taken prior to the activation.”

The researcher articulated her steps for the digital archives. “Step down from the bed,” she commanded.

Xu Tui tried to rise but found his limbs heavy and limp. The researcher reached out and helped him up with ease, as if his weight was nothing at all.

As he gained a sitting position, his vision suddenly turned dark, and a sharp, explosive pain erupted inside his skull.

“Ah!”

Xu Tui clutched his head and shouted.

The researcher immediately laid him back down, arming a Life Examination Device.

“Vitals stable. Brain activity normal.”

The researcher frowned. She refused to accept that a student with his potential could be a total failure.

“Xu Tui, speak if you can. What is the reaction?”

“Teacher… my head… it felt like it was exploding.”

“Does it persist?”

“No, it was just that one moment.”

“Any other sensations?”

“My eyes feel a bit swollen. My ears… they ache.”

Xu Tui breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a response! Perhaps these pointed to hearing or vision-based genetic traits.

He began to hypothesize his new potential: enhanced sight? Ultrasonics? Maybe, just maybe, X-ray vision… how wonderful that would be!

His pain fading, he instinctively cast a glance toward the researcher.

What a shame. He could see nothing through the lab coat.

“What are you thinking about at such an age?” The researcher, having clearly sensed his thoughts, gave him a sharp tap on the forehead.

“Even if you did trigger vision-based traits, they require time to manifest properly.”

“So, you mean there’s still a chance that I—” He cast one more quick look at the coat.

The researcher’s eyebrows tightened, and Xu Tui prudently covered his head with his hands. Enough of that for one day.

“Clean yourself up in the washroom. You have one minute.”

She then focused on her terminal, documenting his symptoms: the brief headache, the faint blood from his ears, and the possibility of visual or auditory Genetic Base Points. Her summary suggested priority testing in those specialized halls.

Within the washroom, Xu Tui wiped blood from his mouth and ears, his face reflecting a mix of frustration and desperate hope as he stared at the bump on his forehead.

Upon exiting, he caught the medical form tossed by the researcher.

“Go to the testing halls immediately. Discover exactly where your talents lie,” she instructed before dismissing him, the door sliding shut behind him.