Chapter 63: 4.1 Third Blue Star – Childhood
Chapter 63: 4.1 Third Blue Star – Childhood
Once Hei Anjing opened his eyes, what welcomed him was a small pair of white hands and feet. Once he took complete control of his body, he noticed that he had shrunk to a 5-year-old body. Looking at his current body, this vessel is wearing a plain long white shirt and pants.
Like those in hospitals, a pure white gown. He then looks around his surroundings, the room is painted with pure color. Everything around him is white. The walls and floor were painted white, his bed and pillows were bleached in the same color.
He also noticed that the structure of the room is more like a cell, but more organized like a dormitory room. The room he is in has two double decker beds. Laying on the beds were children wearing the same white gown as he did.
The age of the children ranges from 5 to 10. He himself looks the youngest among the four children within the room. All three of them look a bit older than he does, at least 7 to 8 years old.
Seeing this situation, Hei Anjing knew that he was in some kind of medical facility or in an experimental facility. If it’s the former then there is not much danger, but if it’s the latter then he needs to look through things more.
In his mind, Anjing contacted his system who revealed his name as Yue. ‘Yue, the world plot and memories please…’
[Right away, Host.]
[(World Plot): Protagonist Gong Yi Zheng, he is an extremely righteous man who hates criminals. With his protagonist halo as this world’s first heavenly son, he lives his life for the justice he is chasing all his life. Within that bleak dark side of society, he met the only angel in his life, Li Guang.
Li Guang is a professional forensic doctor with a master’s degree in psychology. With his above average IQ he was able to work together with Yi Zheng in capturing Inferno, the largest syndicate for human experiment and trafficking.
Thanks to the interference of the Villain, Xie Ye, a serial killer, the feelings of love between them deepens. Xie Ye who was in love with Li Guang let himself be captured for his sake after helping the two of them eliminate the Inferno Syndicate. In the end he was sentenced to life imprisonment alone in a psychiatric prison.
Host’s vessel, the original is called Gui Lan. Gui Lan is a special officer that used to work together with Yi Zheng. He is an antisocial elite man with Genius IQ. His special skill is Telepathy but since he isn’t not willing to trust anyone no one knows about his ability. According to the memories, Gui Lan is in love with Yi Zheng.
He died while protecting Li Guang in one of the raids. Shoot through the heart and die instantly. The one who shot him is none other than this world Villain Xie Ye. He was killed when he learned his identity when saw the man save Li Guang once.
Gui Lan was intending to inform Yi Zheng about this man’s identity but was killed in the villain’s pretense of trying to kill the protagonist shou.]
Having a conversation with his system in his mind. ‘I see. So what does this man wish?’
[He wanted to help the protagonist gong in fulfilling his goal of capturing the Inferno Syndicate. He wishes that Li Guang won’t end up with Yi Zheng and he wants to fall in love with someone else other than Yi Zheng.]
‘This is an E rank star right? How come he has 3 wishes?’ asked Hei Anjing.
[Host’s soul is stronger than before which is why there are more tasks than before. Since this is an E rank Star host just needs to complete two tasks.]
‘I see. So where am I? Why did you transfer me in a timeline when the vessel is only a child?’
[This is the most important timeline of this world. Host needs to make sure to escape this place to live longer. This is a hidden experimental institute for special types of humans. The children with you are the young version of the protagonist gong, the villain and a cannon fodder named Li Xing.]
‘Are you sure this is just an D rank Star?’
[If Host is really worried I can check it to the higher ups if you wish to.]
‘After we got out of this institute you can go. For now get me this whole place blueprints, security code and access programs. Include every information about Inferno and this institute, Yue.’
[Right away, Host.]
Hei Anjing carefully moved his body and stood up looking for the bathroom to see his current appearance. His footsteps are light as he walks towards his destination, but he didn’t notice that someone had woken up as soon as he moved and left his bed. Now Hei Anjing shall be called Gui Lan.
In the bathroom, Gui Lan saw his young appearance. As usual his phoenix shaped eyes are present like all his bodies from the latter worlds. Looking at his delicate and a bit feminine face on the mirror once could see that this child has a bit darker shade of blue green eyes and hair color. His expressionless face gave his features of coldness and aloofness.
[Host someone had secretly followed you in the bathroom. It’s the villain, Xie Ye. This person had a special ability to read minds. Please be careful.]
Gui Lan’s thoughts, ‘A future Psychopath Serial Killer with Mind Reading ability no wonder he didn’t get caught at all.’
Gui Lan pretended that he didn’t notice the other’s presence and prepared to pee as he intended. He didn’t close the door to the bathroom as he was not really planning to pee and only to check on his appearance.
Now that he knew that he was being followed he knew that he needed to act like he left to pee. While doing so he made sure that he controlled his thoughts from revealing his real ones. There’s a slight smile in the corner of his lip which disappeared instantly. After a while he thoroughly washed his hands on the sink preparing to return to be and rest.
Of course still ignoring the future villain watching him in the shadows. He pretended that he couldn’t see him. To avoid getting caught pretending he intentionally thought of nothing but leaving some normal thoughts like ‘sleepy~/so tired’ this is if the latter will try to read his mind.
Gui Lan’s bed is the top bunker of the double decker bed. After climbing up to where his bed is, he laid down and closed his eyes intending to have a conversation with his system in his mind. Meanwhile after a few minutes, the young Xie Ye comes out from the shadowy part of the room where he hid his presence and watched Gui Lan in silence.
Walking back to his bed with soundless steps Xie Ye looked up and stared at Gui Lan’s sleeping figure with a frown on his face. For some reason he could feel uncomfortable especially when looking at Gui Lan’s figure. He wasn’t intending to follow him in the bathroom, but his body moved on its own when he saw the boy leave the vicinity where he could reach.
Now looking at the boy’s serene sleeping face, Xie Ye’s uneasiness disappears. Tucking Gui Lan’s body properly with the blanket, Xie Ye went back to his bed to sleep. Gui Lan and his system who witnessed everything from the system’s space were a bit confused.
Gui Lan asked, “Does the original have a close relationship with the villain?”
[According to the data the villain is a detached person who is not close to anyone. No one tried to speak to him, and his presence alone scares him. Only Li Xing showed his kindness to him once but shared his snacks when he got sick with fever.]
“But according to the plot the one who the villain and the protagonist gong fell in love with is Li Guang. What is the connection with Li Xing and Li Guang?”
[Li Xing is Li Guang’s identical twin brother. But because Li Guang’s physique is weaker than normal and the Li Family is a very poor family they’ve sold Li Xing to the institute for money. During the escape plan, Li Xing was originally killed and no one from the group knew. After all they’ve all lost each other to escape the facilities.]
“So Yi Zheng, Xie Ye and the original Gui Lan didn’t know they were all connected to this institute when they’ve become adults?”
[The world data says that the villain knew Yi Zheng’s identity and thought that Li Guang is Li Xing from the institute.]
“I see. No wonder. Li Guang got involved in the original circle of people from the institute. They’ve mistaken Li Guang’s identity for Li Xing. Which is why the world plot says that Li Guang is the protagonist shou because the destined one died here in this place. Fun~ let’s see if Li Guang will still have a place if I made sure that Li Xing would escape this place alive. Heh~” said Gui Lan with a sly smile.
[Ding! Host I’ve received a side task from the Heavenly Laws of this world. Same as the last world. Repair the world error: ‘Prevent the death of Li Xing the original Protagonist Shou of this star’. Special Reward: [Soul Artifact (Divine)] Lover’s Soul Imprint. This artifact allows the users to share life force. The partner of the user will be able to share his strongest attribute/talent/lifespan.]
Seeing the description of the soul artifact, both System Yue and his host, Gui Lan were startled. Though the latter just smile instead of showing a surprised expression. Just the reward itself is enough proof that this little blue star he chose is not a mere E rank star than the records says. There is no way a soul artifact at divine rank can be given away easily as a reward for world error. Which means this world is not easier than they thought it would be.
[Host would it be alright for me to leave your side to report about this error?]
“How long would it take you to return?”
[I’ll try to return as soon as possible. But if things were worse than we thought I might take more time. Host doesn’t need to worry as the System Mall and Inventory will remain open for your use.]
“Leave me the blueprints and all other things needed for escape. Then accept this side task. After all, I really like the reward this time. Yue can leave after that. Don’t worry about me. You not being here just means I need to make actions on my own. Yue I am just lazy not stupid. You can go now. Leave the Limit Off skill card. I will keep it for emergency situations.” Said Gui Lan.
[Okay. Please be careful Host.]
System Yue looked at his host, who is now studying the institute’s blueprints, once before taking his leave. After the system disappeared from the special space. Gui Lan’s face showed a mischievous smile. He only glanced at the materials before him before waving his hand and the things before him all turned to ashes. For him taking a glance at those materials is enough for his brain to register and process everything. His original intelligence has been beyond others ever since his birth. His bloodline has [Initiate] High Intelligence Quotient. His brain could process and register things at godly state. He doesn’t need to read, just a look is enough.
Gui Lan now has full control of his Qi which is supposed to be sealed. Currently after finishing 3 worlds he now has 20% of his original memories. There might be a huge part missing but the clear part already gave him ideas of whom he was. Though he still doesn’t remember who brought him here? Why was he here and what was his husband’s real identity? He could wait. If he knew everything at the beginning then there will no longer be any fun things for him to play with. Obviously, he wasn’t restricted by the Heavenly Laws. They were more amiable with his presence than the other outsiders like his husband’s soul. No he only needed to wait for that man to tell him everything he wanted to know. He has all the time he needs for it.
——
Morning.
There are no windows to allow those inside the room to indicate that it’s morning. But the children will know its morning as the lights in their room were programmed to turn on at the exact time of 6 a.m. Their breakfast is scheduled at 7 a.m. At 8:30 the children will be called according to schedule to complete certain tasks and tests. After all they were in an institute under inferno that studies the human brain. The tasks and tests they will undergo are things that scientists and observers need to complete their goals. The people of Inferno wanted to create special human beings who control special abilities controlled by the brain. Sample of this abilities is telekinesis, hypnotism, clairvoyance and more.
Children were tested for a half a year, those who failed were eliminated while those who passed were adopted by the syndicate as their people. As of now none of the children have shown any changes. Xie Ye and the rest were the latest batch. They were brought here to the institute a week ago. As for what happened in the batch before them, Gui Lan is currently looking through his memories to check. His brain had already registered and recorded those materials he saw. Now he is trying to look through his memories while eating breakfast.
Gui Lan’s thoughts while eating breakfast. Despite him thinking his actions of eating are undisturbed. Currently using his spoon to push the carrots and green beans to the corner of his plate. Intending to secretly throw it away when he returned his plates.
‘We are the third batch. The first batch has no successful result. The children of that batch all died. That’s to be expected. The second had three semi successful results. Though those three children are able to awaken special abilities it seems one of them has gone insane, one completely loses his mind while the last has a slow response problem.’
While thinking he saw Xie Ye push his own plate to his, seeing this Gui Lan could only look up to see the boy who did the deed. With a deadpan face, Xie Ye looked at him.
Gui Lan first acted scared like the original. Gui Lan is originally timid according to the memories he received.
“W-What do y-you want?” asked Gui Lan with a frightened face.
Xie Ye’s brow raises as stares at him. Looking at him with interest.
“Looks fake. Put on my plate everything you don’t want to eat. You’ll get punished if you have leftovers on your plate.” Said Xie Ye.
Hearing this Li Xing and Yi Zheng who heard Xie Ye’s world flinched as they felt frightened. With almost tears falling from his eyes, Li Xing looked in front of him at Xie Ye seated beside Gui Lan. But Xie Ye ignored his pleading gaze as his eyes were only focusing on the man beside him.
Xie Ye said, “Just give me the carrots and green beans. You hate eating those anyway.”
Gui Lan stared at the young boy with cold eyes beside him. This boy while looking so young has detailed features of sharpness and perfection. Obviously, the type of guy who will grow up into a captivating, handsome man. His grey hair looks soft and away a familiar shade of moonlight when hit by light. Despite the coldness and distrust within those crimson eyes, his eyes were clear and gave a feeling of slight obsession. Seeing this, Gui Lan’s eyes showed surprise for the first time in this world.
Astonished Gui Lan, “You!?”
The sudden raise of Gui Lan’s voice startled everyone and even caught the attention of the guards loitering around the cafeteria. Before anything else was said, Xie Ye suddenly pulled Gui Lan as he covered his mouth. He hid under the table before the rest moved their eyes on them leaving the other two guys on the same table uncomfortable with the stars from around them. It didn’t even take a minute for the usual surroundings to return to normal.
Under the table, Xie Ye and Gui Lan stared at each other in silence. No one spoke at the beginning. It was only when Gui Lan spoke that the ice between them broke.
Gui Lan, “Can I speak with you privately tonight?” he asked, though the tone of his voice and his gaze left Xie Ye no other choice but to agree.
“I will see you after the rest fell asleep.” Replied Xie Ye as he left to resume eating his breakfast.
When Gui Lan returned to his seat he noticed that on his plate, the carrots and the green peas had already disappeared. Then beside him he saw that Xie Ye took his empty plate to return it for cleaning. Gui Lan didn’t stop Xie Ye from leaving but his eyes observed the boy’s figure until he left the area of the cafeteria.
Their conversation was cut off after that meal time. On this day their group was not scheduled for a test but they have classes. Few groups like theirs gathered in a classroom. The room is completely white including the chairs and tables, in front is a huge white board. Standing before the white board is a man in white gown. This white gown is something usually worn by doctors or those who work in laboratories.
This man had an emotionless expression on his face but his eyes showed intense observing gaze. Without waiting for all students, he started his classes in math and science but the level of this education doesn’t match the children’s normal level of intelligence.
It’s a math and science lesson at middle school, high school and university level respectively. Obviously the goal of this class isn’t to teach, but to filter the children’s intelligence quotient. As the test they are currently answering is separated through those three levels.
Gui Lan acted the way the original portraits himself. Slightly timid while looking around listless. He did so because he knew there are more cameras in this room than in the cafeteria. At least in the cafeteria Gui Lan took the spot which is the blind spot of the cameras of that place. Only the figure of his back was recorded in the cafeteria’s surveillance recording.
Obviously Xie Ye noticed the special positioning of the table Gui Lan had chosen which is why he didn’t speak a word and join him without a word in that table. Little Yi Zheng and Little Li Xing just followed them because they are from the same group. In the institute group moves as a single team no matter where.
Gui Lan’s acting made it hard for those who didn’t know him well that the soul inside the vessel had changed. Only Xie Ye who has been observing quietly from his seat continues to stare at him despite his calm and cold façade. He knew that this Gui Lan is the same as before but different at the same time. He knew that the one who pulled him under the table who was calm and indifferent at the same time is the new Gui Lan or the real one.
Gui Lan while keeping his act didn’t forget to glance around in a natural manner. He is observing what kind of majority the children’s IQ quotient is. Obviously the children taken in by the institute are those whose IQ is above normal children. Though the children because of inexperience could not control their emotions from showing on their faces like fear and confusion. They still followed instructions obediently and listened to the lesson. Majority of the children inside the room could understand lessons in middle school level, some at high school and few at high school level but there is a minority of children who showed emotions of not being able to understand a thing.
Thankfully within his little group, little Yi Zheng seems to have the level of middle school. Little Li Xing at high school level and as he expected little Xie Ye’s IQ level is beyond university one. Seeing this, Gui Lan chose to portray that his IQ is only at the same level as little Li Xing. This is to make sure he could continue to observe Li Xing so he could complete his task.
After the lesson the professor asked all children to leave as they have an hour of free time before the next lesson but he didn’t let those minority who failed even the sample test for middle level.
Gui Lan and his group are about to leave when Li Xing, who is following him out together with Yi Zheng, speaks. He also noticed those children who were asked to stay.
Li Xing asked, “A’Lan do you think we’ll still see those children again?”
Gui Lan who was asked didn’t answer but they could see him opening his mouth to speak but hesitated.
Yi Zheng who could vaguely understand just held Li Xing’s hands with sadness in his eyes. Only Xie Ye gave Li Xing a straight answer.
Xie Ye replied coldly, “Don’t expect it. You wouldn’t even see them in the next lesson.”
After saying that he grabbed Gui Lan’s hands and pulled him away. Seeing that they are leaving, Yi Zheng and Li Xing gave a last glance at those children before following the first pair with heavy steps. Even though they may have some guesses of what would happen to those children, they could do anything about it. As they themselves didn’t know how they could survive in this hell.