Mutation

Reality, an unknown workshop in an unidentified province or city.

Wang Weijin woke up on the laboratory bench. The moment he opened his eyes, he lowered them again, dipping his head slightly and hiding his gaze in the shadows cast across his face.

He quickly surveyed everything around him, then rose with practiced ease and walked over to the water-making machine beside the bench. He poured himself a glass of water and brewed a cup of coffee at 85°C.

This was his habitual routine after completing every trial. Once he finished the coffee, he would review the entire trial, sort and categorize the materials and experimental notes he had obtained, and continue his research.

He handled everything in perfect order, until his neighbor—also belonging to Truth—once again knocked on the workshop's thick wall and opened one eye at the small peephole in the wall.

It was a "communication device" jointly constructed by the two mutually distrustful neighbors so they could exchange truths.

The peephole slanted downward, enough to render certain ballistic weapons ineffective. Both ends had been fitted with two layers of explosion-proof glass using the methods of the Tower of Reason. Its airtight seal was also sufficient to block any poison-gas attacks from the other side.

That narrow, elongated hole became a channel for the two believers in Truth to communicate amicably. After every Special Trial, they would lean against the wall on their respective sides and engage in a brief academic exchange.

Of course, Wang Weijin generally discussed academic matters. However, the female neighbor on the other side—yes, the neighbor was a woman—seemed to harbor other ideas about him.

She was always asking about every aspect of Wang Weijin's life, appearing eager to become part of it, but the doctor remained unmoved.

And now, it was time for