Researcher Mahan, Instructor Valdin, and many of Simon’s classmates were surprised by the fact that Simon stepped forward.
They believed that it would take some time before he chose to step forward. But to their surprise, he was the third to step forward.
Those in his class who looked down at Simon with disdain and those who held a grudge with him did not even bother to hide their emotions toward Simon.
A few whispered, and Simon could hear every whisper through his superb hearing and with the assistance of the wind.
"Does that slave think he’s something just because he asked a couple of questions?"
"Look at him. A slave and an inferior hybrid. Inferior both in status and race. I wouldn’t want to be him."
"I’m sure his mother and father must be disappointed in him. Such a talentless and unfortunate waste."
"No. His mother and father are also wastes and useless trash. Imagine carrying trash inside of you for months."
"He should just serve us like the slave that he is. That’s what he’s meant for after all."
"A talentless fool who thinks he’s something in life."
Simon completely ignored the words of his classmates despite how harsh and brutal their words were.
His eyes were as calm as a lake, and his heart was unperturbed.
’Feels strange receiving insults from kids. I used to receive praises and cheers from any child that comes across me.’
’Many children aspired to be me in my past life. They all wanted to become me, but now I’m receiving insults from kids... How strange and interesting life can be.’
Simon softly shook his head as he lay on the bed, then Researcher Mahan spoke.
"Just like I’ve been saying, be calm and don’t be afraid. It won’t kill you, you might just feel a bit of discomfort and pain."
Simon calmly nodded without saying anything, and Researcher took the syringe containing Formula X-I from the black box in the female researcher’s hands.
He observed Simon’s eyes through the mask, and he was a little bit surprised by the indifference and utter calm in his eyes.
’Are these the eyes of a child?’ He wondered, but he had to do what he had to do.
Without saying anything else, he injected Formula X-I into Simon’s bloodstream, then he waited.
A part of him hoped that Simon would not be like the previous boy whose body could not handle the first dosage of Formula X.
He wanted many of the Year 1 Initiates to have high shadow affinity potentials since that would make the clan great and would also be beneficial to the research department in the future.
However, when it came to Simon, his hopes were not high because he knew some of the information the clan had on Simon.
’He awakened an affinity for the wind and fire element. His affinity for the wind element is higher than that of the fire element. He also has a Supreme Common Bloodline, and he’s a hybrid of two weak races that have nothing to do with the shadow element.’
’The chances of him having even a F grade shadow affinity potential is very low.’
’And I like how curious he is and how he’s not afraid to ask questions. A shame that his race, clan status, and bloodline are just against him.’
Researcher Mahan shook his head with a disappointed expression, but a few seconds later, his expression changed behind the mask.
"How can this be?"
Researcher Mahan stared at Simon’s arm with a stunned and baffled expression. He turned his arm and checked both sides, but his shocked expression remained.
’His veins did not turn black? Then does that mean-’
Simon suddenly spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
"Is there a problem?"
Researcher Mahan looked at Simon, and he saw that Simon was in no discomfort whatsoever.
He furrowed his brows in confusion.
"You-you don’t feel any discomfort or any pain?"
Simon shook his head. "No. It just felt like a cold liquid was injected into my body but it vanished very quickly."
"I see." Researcher Mahan looked down and mumbled softly.
Simon raised a brow. "Is there a problem?"
He asked the same question again, and Researcher Mahan looked at Simon.
"Well. No actually. It’s just that... since you don’t have a shadow affinity, your veins are meant to turn black after being injected by Formula X."
Simon tilted his head slightly. "I don’t understand."
Researcher Mahan exhaled softly. "If we inject Formula X into the bloodstream of an individual with shadow affinity, the individual’s veins would not turn black because the individual has shadow affinity. When there would be changes in the veins is when we reach the affinity grade of the individual."
"Just like what happened with Sunless."
He gestured at Sunless, and Simon glanced at her before looking back at the Researcher.
"And for those who don’t have shadow affinity, the individual’s veins would turn black everytime we inject Formula X into their bloodstream. However, depending on their shadow affinity potential, the individual’s veins would change back to its normal colour."
"If that child before you had a shadow affinity potential of let’s say D grade, his veins would turn back to normal after the first, second, and third Formula X. But once we reach the fourth, he might have such a reaction like he did after we injected him with Formula X-I."
Simon immediately understood why the researcher was stunned and baffled.
"But you’re different. From the records I have of you, you don’t have shadow affinity, so your veins should have turned black no matter what, but it didn’t... Now, I’m confused."
Researcher Mahan frowned deeply in thought, and Simon chuckled softly.
"That’s because I have shadow affinity."
"Hmm?"
Researcher Mahan thought he had wrong and did not process Simon’s words until three seconds later.
"What? You have what?"
Simon’s lips curled up slightly behind his mask.
"I have shadow affinity."
Researcher Mahan’s mouth opened and closed multiple times, and at the end of day, he could only say two words.
"How come?"