Hell, he didn't even think that any kind of soulmate would be right for him. Not after what happened to him. But there she was.

The University of Sapientiae was a lot bigger than I'd thought in advance. 

It was also ten times more beautiful than any school in the Fortis pack would ever be. Of course, the Fortis pack's main aim was not beauty, but functionality and protection. The centre of our pack wasn't called the Fortress for nothing. 

Still, I breathed out slowly in awe of all the beauty one would expect from the Pulchritudo pack, but wasn't uncommon in Sapientiae. 

All the representatives of the packs followed behind Willow like tourists follow their guide. 

Which we were actually, I think. Tourists. At least, I was only being a tourist, because I wasn't smart enough to understand any of the fancy research we were going to talk about later during the symposium.

"The first university building in the Sapientiae pack was built during the reign of Alpha Lewis in 1549. Since then, 27 new buildings have been built, including the one you are all walking in right now. This building was finished only two years ago, and has been named the Cervantes building, as a courtesy to our new alpha."

As we walked through the large halls on our way to the symposium, Willow gave some history lessons that most of the tourists already seemed to know. I didn't. I didn't actually study this pack before coming here. Maybe I should've, so I wouldn't be the odd one out here.

"Alright," she said when we stood in front of two enormous doors that went up all the way to the ceiling that was as high as the ceiling in most churches and cathedrals. 

"Behind this door is something you'll never see again if you go back to your own pack. This hall is the key to all research ever done, going on and will be done in the future. The Great Library is therefore the ideal place to hold our annual symposium, where all researchers present their ongoing or recently finished investigations by means of a poster and whatever else they can think of." She took her purse and opened it. 

My whole life I had always been amazed by what women could fit in one of those seemingly small purses. Willow's purse did not disappoint either.

"If you all agree to wear one of these tags," she got one out of her purse. "And a chip in your arm," she pointed at her own arm. "We will then allow you to roam the hallways of the Great Library freely, all by yourself." 

Before anyone had the chance to protest, she added something to her terms. "The chip in your arm you will receive either way. You should have gotten one already as soon as you entered this pack, but due to some technical problems, we weren't able to inject one in your arms yet. If you want to participate in any of the activities in the Sapientiae pack this week, it is mandatory you get injected one in your right arm. Am I clear?"

I gulped. The Fortis pack would never do something like this, gain information on you by means of a chip. Camera's, yes. Spies? Definitely. But chips? Never. At least, I thought so.   

"What exactly will be measured with this chips, and for how long?" One representative asked, her voice a little shaky.

Willow smiled encouragingly. "During your stay, we will monitor your location and vital functions. It is also a means of identity. As these chips cannot be hacked, every scan in this pack will involve your chip, so that we know who is entering a certain building. The chip will remain in your system if you decide to leave Sapientiae, however, it will be deactivated at the airport, before you cross any borders." She explained everything patiently, which seemed to take away all the doubts that any of the smart people had. 

Except for mine. Although that maybe had another cause. Ever since I was a little kid, I was extremely nervous and scared around needles. Call it a dumb fear, but I really wasn't looking forward to being stabbed in my arm, even if it were done by doctors.

"Alright, get the tag with your name on it and then follow me through these doors. It will bring us to the chipping stations, each with a qualified doctor."

We all got our personal tags, and off we went, following her again like little ducklings followed their mum. 

Some representatives went to their stations immediately, I was a little less eager than that. Shuffling quietly, I walked over to the last station, furthest away from the door. 

A middle-aged man with a friendly face sat there waiting for me with a warm smile. "You seem like you don't like the idea of a chip." He wore white latex gloves and a white coat. In combination with his glasses and sympathetic characteristics, I wasn't as distrustful as I'd been before I'd seen the man. 

A bit shaky I went to sit on the soft dentist-like chair as I shook my head, slightly embarrassed.

"I don't, but I'll manage."

"Well, first you will have to scan your tag here." I did what he said quietly and obediently. 

"Good, well done. Can you please confirm that all of the data here is correct?" He showed me a screen where practically my whole personal life was laid out. Name, age, pack, living situation, school records, and whatever else you could think of. It was all there, and it was all correct. 

Except for the fact that it also said that I was the smartest person in the Fortis pack this year, which was a really big lie, but I wouldn't tell anyone that obviously.

"Everything is alright," I said stiffly, not looking forward to the next part.

"Okay," the man said. "Now I will inject this chip on a specific place on the inside of your wrist. This to avoid people being able to scan it everywhere you go, but it is still in an easy place to reach. Give me your right arm please."

My arm trembled as I laid down my arm at the place he had pointed at.

"Good. Now try to relax all the muscles in your arm and breathe slowly. You can look the other way if you want."

I wanted to, but I couldn't look away as he came closer to my arm with a scarily big gun-like syringe. Without being able to stop myself, I pulled my arm back as soon as he touched my wrist. 

"I'm sorry," I looked down in shame.

"It's okay dear, we will just strap your arm tightly to the chair so you can't pull back, then it will be done in a jiffy, you'll see."

I nodded anxiously as he strapped my arm and hand so that I couldn't move any longer. At first, everything was alright. I could even look at all the other representatives, who were going to the Great Library one by one, leaving me behind. 

Besides my doctor, only Willow noticed how I began squirming, struggling and trying to pull back my arm as soon as the syringe came close to my wrist. 

"Please, no, don't," I couldn't explain my obvious fear to anyone, but I was absolutely terrified of that syringe. Unfortunately, whatever I did, him shooting the chip in my wrist was inevitable. I screamed loudly as it burned – a lot-. I didn't understand why I hadn't heard any of the other winners yell out in pain as I clutched my arm tightly as soon as they loosened the straps.

"I'm sorry," the doctor said. "It had to be done, and the tightening of your muscles only increased the pain. It will die down soon, don't worry." I nodded slowly, tears in my eyes.

"Can I go to the symposium now?"

The doctor nodded, and before anyone could say anything, I scurried out of the room as quickly as possible, on my way to another challenge.

***
Hoihoi!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'm going on a journey today, across my entire country, to the North... Ola Fryslân.
So I updated this in de train! I hope the WiFi is good enough :)

Love,
Sanne