Chapter 16 – Injection (Part 2)
Zane stood frozen for a moment, his eyes scanning the surreal sight before him. Rows upon rows of Dimensional Knights surrounded the school from every direction—some on rooftops, others forming a perimeter along the gates and courtyard. It was as though the entire building had turned into a military fortress.
He exhaled quietly, rubbing his neck. "I did hear about the level of security they put in place during injections… but this feels a bit much."
He could understand the importance of what was happening here. The awakening of potential talent was no trivial matter, and the injection was a critical event. Still, to deploy what looked like hundreds of knights for one school in an unremarkable city on Lower Earth? That was beyond excessive—it was a show of force.
"I guess tight security's better than being careless," he muttered.
Making his way toward the gate, Zane spotted a line of students—about twenty or so—already waiting. Most of them wore stiff expressions, their eyes filled with nerves. At the front, two knights in gleaming blue armor meticulously scanned each student before permitting them entry.
Zane took his place at the end of the line and studied the process. One of the knights held a strange device—gun-shaped with a wide barrel and a glowing red orb perched on top. As each student stepped forward, the knight would slowly wave the device over their body, scanning from head to toe. After a pause and a nod, the student would be waved through the gate.
Zane narrowed his eyes in curiosity. 'I've never seen that device before… definitely not from Earth.'
Artifacts—that's what they were called in the higher realms. Tools infused with Core Energy, capable of feats impossible by Earth's technology. Some healed, others destroyed, and many performed specialized functions. He'd read about them for years, but this was the first time seeing one up close.
As the line crept forward, Zane felt the pressure steadily mount. His eyes darted occasionally to the knights on the rooftops, their cold gazes sweeping over the crowd like hawks surveying prey. Their presence sent involuntary shivers down his spine.
This was, without a doubt, the most intimidating queue he had ever stood in.
Eventually, his turn arrived.
"Step forward," the knight barked.
Zane obeyed, planting his feet firmly on a white circle drawn on the ground. His back straightened instinctively under the knight's harsh gaze.
"Show me your ticket and student ID," the knight demanded.
Zane handed both over without a word. Another guard took the items and stepped aside to verify them.
"Hold still. I'm going to scan your body for any concealed devices or prohibited artifacts," the first knight explained. He raised the artifact scanner, aiming the barrel squarely at Zane.
The red orb glowed, and a thin sheet of red light emerged from the barrel, sliding across Zane's chest. The beam glided down his torso, over his legs, then slowly back up again.
Zane felt nothing—not a hint of warmth or resistance. It was like being washed by invisible fog. 'So this is how it works...'
The light dimmed and disappeared. The knight gave a short nod and turned back toward the gate. "He's clean. You can proceed. Good luck."
The heavy metal gates creaked open just enough to let Zane pass through. As he stepped inside, the doors shut firmly behind him, cutting off the noise of the crowd outside. Suddenly, everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
The school grounds looked untouched by the chaos outside. Not a single student loitered in the courtyard. The silence was deafening, and each step Zane took echoed on the pavement like a whisper in a cavern.
'Why does this feel like a graveyard?'
He headed toward the main building. Inside, the eerie quiet persisted—hallways deserted, lights dimmed. Only in the distance could he hear the low murmur of voices.
Following the sound, he arrived at another hallway, where a group of students huddled near an office door. More guards stood stationed here, watching every move with the intensity of wolves guarding a den.
These students, unlike those at the gate, stood further from the office door, as if keeping their distance from some ominous force within.
Zane took his place behind them and listened as they whispered among themselves.
"Gulp… I wonder what's going on in there…"
"Don't ask me. I'd rather not know…"
"So far… any successful injections?"
"…None."
"None?" one of them whispered, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Keep it down," another hissed. "Yeah, none. I've seen people walk out crying like their world ended. Doesn't take a genius to guess what that means."
The atmosphere turned dense with unease. Everyone could feel it—this wasn't just a test. This was judgment. And so far, judgment had not been kind.
Zane listened quietly, his expression unreadable. 'None, huh? Not surprising. The number of people who actually awaken through the injection is minuscule… and it's not like they hand out passes for free.'
Suddenly, the door to the office creaked open, silencing every whisper.
A girl emerged. She walked slowly, one trembling step at a time. Her eyes were vacant, her cheeks stained with tears, though she made no sound. Her silence was heavier than a scream.
She walked past them, her feet dragging slightly across the floor, and then disappeared down the corridor without looking back.
Zane watched her leave, his face still expressionless. Another unlucky one.
The whispers began again, this time tinged with dread.
"We don't stand a chance…"
"This is bad—real bad."
"I don't want to go in there. My chest feels like it's about to explode."
"Next!" a guard called sharply.
The next student staggered forward, his legs barely holding him upright. Minutes passed. He, too, came out with a look of utter defeat.
Then another. And another. No screams, no tantrums—just silent despair.
Twenty minutes slipped by. Fifteen students processed. Zero passed.
The line behind Zane grew heavier with tension. It felt more like a death row than an evaluation.
But Zane, for reasons even he couldn't quite explain, remained calm.
The anxiety from earlier had vanished completely. In its place was a stillness, a strange clarity.
It was almost time.
Only one person stood between him and the injection room. He adjusted his collar slightly and exhaled quietly.
And then—
Footsteps.
A new presence approached from behind, disrupting the silence like a crack of thunder.
Zane turned his head.
A smirking face met his gaze. Familiar. Annoying.
"Oh, if it isn't the ugly bastard," Emilio said with a mocking grin. "What a nice little coincidence, huh? We share the same injection slot. Hahahaha!"
Zane's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Great. Just what I needed.'