DAY 7 AFTER HERALD - BEIJING CHAMPION TRAINING FACILITY
The trial chamber was clinical. White walls. Sterile equipment. Medical monitors displaying vital signs of candidate strapped to conversion chair. Zhang Wei stood behind observation glass, watching with single remaining hand resting on control panel.
Rama watched via video feed from Jakarta hospital bed. Sekar beside him. Both silent as first accelerated trial began.
The candidate was young. Twenty-three. Chinese hunter. B-rank, Level 37. Genetic compatibility test showed sixty-seven percent match—acceptable threshold for Champion transformation. Volunteer. Informed consent signed. Understanding twelve percent mortality risk.
Her name was Li Mei.
"Beginning System integration," Zhang Wei's voice through speakers. Professional. Detached. "Candidate Li Mei, genetic compatibility sixty-seven percent. Administering Champion catalyst serum."
