The room fell silent.
Only the ticking of a mana regulator could be heard.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Kai lay motionless on the operating table.
Restrained.
Unable to move.
Dr. Z stood over him.
He adjusted his glasses.
Then took one final look at the notes scattered across the room.
Subject 46.
Kai's fragmented memories.
His own years of research.
Dozens of incomplete theories.
"..."
"...Let's see which one of us was right."
He picked up the mana scalpel.
A soft blue light ran along its edge.
Kai's breathing quickened.
"Mmph..."
The doctor ignored him.
A magic circle appeared beneath the operating table.
Several mechanical arms unfolded from the ceiling.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Each held a different instrument.
Scalpels.
Needles.
Mana injectors.
Crystal clamps.
Tiny articulated tools powered by mana cores.
Dr. Z smiled.
"...Beautiful."
The first incision was made.
The scalpel sliced through skin with impossible precision.
Blood immediately flowed.
Not much.
Just enough.
The mechanical arms reacted instantly.
Cotton.
Pressure.
Mana sterilization.
Kai's body tensed violently.
"MMPH!!"
His entire chest spasmed.
Dr. Z didn't even look up.
"Heart rate increasing."
Another magic circle appeared.