Before long, the mouse inside the cage began to tremble violently.
A moment later, tiny buds of flesh began to sprout where its forelimb had once been severed.
Seeing this, Dr. Connors and Garfield's faces lit up with excitement.
Maguire, however, already knew the truth—this green serum carried severe side effects. Even if the mouse regenerated its limb, the uncontrolled mutations would be fatal.
In just seconds, the mouse's missing forelimb grew back completely.
Dr. Connors burst out, unable to contain himself.
"This is incredible! I've finally done it! This will be the greatest scientific achievement of the century!"
Garfield quickly added,
"Congratulations, Dr. Connors—you've finally succeeded!"
But before the celebration could continue, the mouse let out a pitiful squeal.
Both Connors and Garfield turned toward the cage.
The mouse was now scrambling frantically, as if in a panic—then, without warning, it collapsed.
It lay still, lifeless.
The excitement on Connors' face drained away, replaced by a deep, stormy gloom.
He had spent nearly ten years on this line of biotech research, enduring countless failures. The long-term stress had left his temperament fractured—quick to anger, easily provoked.
This time, he thought he had finally overcome one of his biggest hurdles.
He had pinned all his hopes on this single trial.
But fate had other plans. The experiment had failed.
Garfield stood awkwardly, trying to find the right words.
"It's okay, Dr. Connors. Failure is the mother of success. I'm sure you're just one step away from making it work."
Connors' face darkened. Bloodshot eyes glared at nothing, his left hand clenched into a trembling fist. Inside, a storm was already raging.
Finally, he exhaled.
"Garfield… you and your friend can go."
Garfield glanced at Maguire, signaling that it was time to leave.
But Maguire's gaze lingered on the dead mouse.
"I think you used too high a dosage," he said slowly. "The mouse couldn't handle it. Also—mice are warm-blooded mammals, while lizards are cold-blooded reptiles. Even if you solved the cross-species barrier, it still wouldn't work."
Garfield stared at him, shocked—it actually made a lot of sense.
Of course, this knowledge didn't come from Maguire himself, but from Peter's memories in his head.
To Connors, though, Maguire's words were like a spark in dry grass.
"You—who the hell do you think you are, spouting nonsense here?" Connors roared.
"'Wouldn't work'? Do you have any idea how long I've worked on this? You're just a high schooler—what could you possibly understand? Get out!"
Maguire's brow furrowed.
"Oh my god… did you *really* just use that tone with me?"
"You must have a death wish."
The schoolyard bully in Maguire wasn't about to let Connors' temper slide.
"WTF? You're hiding behind this façade of 'helping humanity' when you're really just chasing your own selfish goals. Drop the act. You think being a doctor makes you special? You're nothing but crap."
Honestly, if it weren't for the Villain Points, Connors' level of disability might've just gone up a notch.
Garfield froze in disbelief.
Connors, livid, turned on Garfield.
"This is the kind of trash you keep company with? Stick around him and he'll ruin you sooner or later."
Maguire smirked.
"Oh, you little nobody—you really think I wouldn't lay a hand on you?"
He took a step forward, but Garfield quickly grabbed him.
"Maguire, calm down! Dr. Connors didn't mean it like that. Let's just go."
Pulling Maguire toward the door, Garfield hurried them out.
Maguire shot one last cold glare over his shoulder.
"You've just made a mistake. A *big* mistake."
Connors stood there, still fuming as they left.
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