"I have some good news now."
In Palais Mermonia, Neuvillette looked at the group before him, calm yet with a hint of seriousness. "The first batch of fourth-stage genetic serum has been completed. Theoretically, it will perfectly optimize human genes. Who among you would like to try it?"
Theoretically, you say...
That sounds like there might be some hidden risks, doesn't it?
But the group wasn't overly concerned.
Clorinde was the first to decline. "I don't need it."
It wasn't out of fear—her strength was already sufficient without the serum.
"Give it to someone else. It would add another pillar of combat power, which is the most rational distribution," Clorinde said.
"I'll pass too."
Chevreuse shook her head.
Her physical abilities were more than enough, and in terms of combat, Neuvillette had issued her a Barrett from Palais Mermonia.
At first glance, a Barrett might not seem particularly devastating in a world like Teyvat, but what if... it was loaded with magic bullets that never missed?
A Barrett card paired with a magic bullet card—how would you counter that?
"No one wants it?"
Neuvillette understood their reasoning.
The essence of this matter was to strengthen Palais Mermonia's forces.
If given to them, it would enhance their individual power, but the number of personnel wouldn't increase.
If given to others, the number of capable individuals would grow, lightening their workload.
Neuvillette considered it. With him and Furina overseeing things, along with the Skyfaring Mirror, Fontaine's top-tier deterrent power was more than sufficient.
Increasing the number of high-ranking personnel was necessary—they couldn't keep piling all the work onto just a few people.
"Then let's give it to Mr. Oliver."
Oliver was the young man who possessed the Martial Arts Master card, currently serving as the combat instructor and head trainer at Palais Mermonia.
Even Clorinde had to admit that the Martial Arts Master card was ridiculously overpowered. Purely in terms of martial skill, Oliver knew more than she did.
Soon, Oliver arrived.
He had no reservations and let Neuvillette administer the injection on the spot.
The moment the needle went in, Oliver said, "I feel like my cells are burning!"
"That's normal. Don't worry. Also, we've prepared plenty of high-calorie food for you," Neuvillette reassured him, having anticipated this.
Then, Oliver began to feel ravenous.
Time passed as he devoured food like a beast.
The others observed carefully.
Oliver had grown a few centimeters taller. Previously, he had been somewhat slender, giving off a slightly frail impression from a distance.
Now, though he hadn't transformed into a muscle-bound giant, his physique was in what could be considered the theoretically optimal state of health.
As Oliver ate, he suddenly dashed to the restroom.
"What's wrong?" Chevreuse asked.
"A normal reaction," Neuvillette explained. "This genetic technology will expel his weaker cells and impurities through excretion."
"Oh, I see."
Chevreuse nodded.
Clorinde asked, "Will it be... severe? If so, I just remembered I have something else to attend to."
"Ah, right, me too," Chevreuse said solemnly.
Neuvillette: "..."
"Rest assured, it won't be severe, nor will it reek."
"That's a relief."
"I just remembered—I mixed up yesterday's tasks with today's. I'm free now."
Neuvillette: "..."
Soon, Oliver returned.
His speed was far beyond that of an ordinary person—covering over ten meters in what seemed like a blur—but this was still nowhere near the level of a fourth-stage superhuman.
Oliver resumed eating.
His cells burned and seared within him.
Every single cell was evolving.
This wasn't about changing species but about cells growing stronger.
His bones were transforming too, their density increasing steadily. At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if they eventually became as hard as steel.
A full half-hour later, Oliver's eating pace finally slowed.
Clorinde and Chevreuse wore grave expressions.
"An overwhelming sense of threat... like an ordinary person facing a wild beast," Clorinde remarked.
Oliver was just sitting there, wolfing down food without any extra movements, yet his aura alone felt like that of a predator.
"I also feel like I've grown a brain," Oliver interjected between bites.
"How so?"
"Things I couldn't figure out before, I can now," Oliver said.
"Try solving these math problems, then? They're from the cards—good for mental exercise," Neuvillette handed him a test paper.
Oliver glanced at it and nearly passed out. "Please, don't do this to me. I can't understand any of it!"
"Alright then." Neuvillette sounded a little disappointed.
It seemed people couldn't magically become math geniuses.
"That should be enough."
Oliver was finally full.
"Let's run some tests, then."
After half an hour of testing, Clorinde and Chevreuse were utterly convinced: soon, everyone in Palais Mermonia would be a superhuman.
As everyone knew, Fontaine was a nation that utilized firearms—bullets capable of denting even steel.
Yet Oliver had tanked them with his bare body, suffering nothing more than a scratch that didn't even bleed!
What did that mean?!
Even a Mitachurl's physical prowess paled in comparison!
A standing long jump? He could casually clear over a hundred meters!
In terms of strength, he could lift boulders weighing dozens of tons and walk around effortlessly—or even toss them like shot puts!
"I feel like I'm looking at an adeptus," Chevreuse muttered.
"Adepti use adeptal arts... His power is purely physical," Clorinde rubbed her temples.
She was certain now: without using her Unmatched Speed card, even with her Vision and all her skills, defeating Oliver would be nearly impossible.
And even with the card, all Clorinde could manage was relying on her sheer attack speed to catch Oliver off guard.
But with the Martial Arts Master card, even if Oliver couldn't track her movements visually, his instinctive counterattacks would be terrifying.
Thankfully, he was on their side—otherwise, he'd be a nightmare to deal with.
"We should find a way to publicize this," Neuvillette said.
"Are you trying to scare the nobility to death?" Chevreuse quipped.
One Oliver was alarming enough, but Palais Mermonia now had the means to mass-produce Olivers...
It was easy to predict that, unless the aristocrats got their hands on fifth-stage cards, their motto would be: Law and Order!
Even if they were lucky enough to obtain fifth-stage cards... well, there was still the Skyfaring Mirror, wasn't there?
"Things have been unusually quiet lately..."
Neuvillette sighed.
Crime would always exist—it could never be eradicated completely.
But now that the Skyfaring Mirror's existence was common knowledge, Neuvillette suspected he'd rarely have the chance to preside over trials at the Opera Epiclese in the future.
Card Shop.
"Lady Furina, good afternoon. I didn't expect to see you here."
Hearing the voice, Furina turned to look.
It took her a moment to recognize the man. "Oh, you're... Wriothesley?"
"It's an honor to be remembered by you, Lady Furina," Wriothesley smiled.
Just then, a teleportation array flickered to life, and Lu Heng stepped out.
"Perfect timing—the shop owner is back."
Noticing Navia following closely behind Lu Heng, Furina blinked in surprise. "Navia's here too?"
"Huh?"
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T/N:
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