Serum

A month before the selection of the participants in the TMAC.

In an underground facility owned by Halevey Holdings.

There were a dozen of researchers garbed with a white suit as they busy themselves on their experiment that was about to start.

They have recently perfected a potion through a series of trial and error that took for about 8 months. The potion that they created is currently in a vial that is emitting purple light and was carefully protected in an apparatus. They had never achieved this stable result before as previous experiments would always be dimmed in color, would explode or solidify.

Then, of course, they are in the last part where they have to test it. This is the first time that this will be tried by human consumption, so they have to make sure that it will work like how they've planned it or would there be any deviation.

There was a healthy man constricted in a chair inside the testing room separated by a glass with the researchers. He was blindfolded and seemed to be drugged to calm down.

A machine arm suddenly took the vial in the apparatus where it was placed and was emptied as it was transferred in a syringe. The machine was being controlled by one of the researchers and after he confirmed the transfer, he controlled the machine to inject it on the arm of the test subject. He did not react at all on the abrupt injection on his body.

"How was TS1049?"

One of the researchers asked after a while, the blindfolded man is apparently a guinea pig for the researchers. They may not even aware of the name of the person and only called him on his code name as a test subject.

Everyone in the room has their body covered with a suit as if the surroundings were poisonous and afraid that a leak in the air would cause them harm. One of them was always monitoring a screen that is used to detect any changes in the person's body.

"No reaction. He's stable even after a minute mark. His cells and mana flow on the body were normal."

This does not mean that they have failed, they even felt delighted upon hearing it. They were expecting that there would be no reactions within a couple of minutes upon consumption since this is not a harmful potion, but after that, there should be some changes in their body.

They were indeed correct as after waiting 5 minutes and 30 seconds mark, TS1049's skin radiated a purple light. His body cells were starting to mutate and this time, he could not keep silent anymore and roared as if he wants to release the abundant mana that is surging within his body.

"Raaaaahhhh!!"

His roar doesn't contain a hint of pain. He was actually delighted to feel such an overwhelming mana that he could control for himself.

The researchers were even more delighted upon seeing this. They clearly felt the astonishing mana inside TS1049 and some mana particles visible to the human eye were also hovering close to him as if waiting to be ordered.

"How was it?"

"Did we succeed?"

"Are there any abnormalities?"

"It's still unstable. The mana within is still fluctuating there." Some of them were closely monitoring any changes within TS1049's body.

They then felt nervous as the unstable mana could still cause some deviation resulting in mana burst within the body. This will obviously kill the man.

After 20 minutes of fluctuation, the mana started to stabilize and the hovering mana particles started to be absorbed within TS1049's body.

Everyone in the room was excited to see the result of their experiment as they got close to the screen that projects the body statistics of TS1049.

"We succeeded?"

One of the young researcher who was reporting the changes within the test subject's body every few seconds asked in delight upon noticing that the mana completely stabilized.

"Hahaha! Indeed. So with this Cryptic Link formula, we can now manufacture powerful magicians!"

Everyone nodded at this because even though they are still at the early stages and still needed to observe this in a certain amount of time, the most dangerous part of the experiment has already passed.

***

Two weeks had passed since they reported the initial success they had in their experiment. They tried it to eight more test subjects and gained positive results. The only differences in the experiment is the amount of time that the serum would take effect and it's mana stabilization period.

They were then contacted by the higher-ups to try the serum to a certain person.

This person is an important individual and they were all aware of his identity. Due to this, they were even more surprised to hear it as they still have to complete at least 3 months of observation.

"But Director, we still have to wait and monitor them for at least 2 more months."

It was an old man in his fifties who answered. He was the head researcher who is managing the Cryptic Link project.

"That's fine. Since no abnormalities in the 8 test subjects and all of them are performing well in all the tests and practice you've given in the past 2 weeks, there shouldn't be problems. Unless... were you hiding something from us?"

The head researcher was currently in his office and speaking to someone that is projected on a monitor installed inside the room.

He smiled at the head researcher when he asked the latter part. The man wore an amiable expression that seems to bore no ill will to anyone. He had a mustache which is his discerning feature on his face and blond hair with a touch of red on its end.

"O-of course we're not hiding anything Director Hall. It's just that this needs to be further be observed since unlike the prepared materials that have constant variables or can be easily controlled, this is for humans. Results can be changed depending on their immunity level. Also even though there doesn't seem to have side effects right now, there are cases that there are hidden effects that would only show in a month or two.. or even more and besides--"

"Stop."

The man on the other screen was now wearing a stern expression as he felt that the researcher will never stop on his explanation. He continued on his words as he ordered again.

"Just do it. You will not bear the consequences if you failed. This isn't just my own decision, this was all agreed upon by the other directors."

The head researcher could only swallow his words and follow the higher up's instruction

Just a day had passed after the order was given. A young man came in their facility. He has a handsome face but with an arrogant demeanor. His blond hair, luxurious clothing, and accessories confirms his identity.

He is Mark Halevey, the important individual where they have to use the Cryptic Link serum.

"Old man Han, I heard from father that you have perfected a serum that enhances the magician's genes."

Mark greeted the Head Researcher Han as if they were close. The latter also warmly greeted back the young man and explained the serum they created.

Upon conversing with Mark, he noticed that Mark wasn't fully aware of the research and it seems that what he knows is that the serum was completely harmless and no side effects. He wasn't aware that they still lack more than 2 months of observation. Head Researcher Han did not bother to explain this to Mark although something was off.

He only wants to complete the instruction given by the higher-ups. As Director Hall told him that he wouldn't bear the consequences for this anyway.

He could only sigh as he gave up thinking about it and prepared the Cryptic Link Serum.

***

A few days have passed and the day to announce the selected participants for the TMAC came. Apparently, they noticed that a name they expected to appear was missing.