Kamijou Private Hospital, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Standing before the hospital entrance, Luo Shu's face twitched at the name:
"This hospital must have excellent medical expertise."
Being the Kamijou Hospital and all. What, did Kamijou Touma start this after all those self-taught skills from constant hospitalisation?
While Luo Shu internally mocked, the oblivious Kirika stubbed out her cigarette and said calmly:
"Of course, if this hospital's skills weren't up to par, I'd definitely apply to have it demolished."
"In our line of work, inadequate medical support can be deadly."
"Enough small talk, let's enter the hospital. Don't worry, it's run by our own people. Though publicly accessible, it mainly serves political and business circles. Just avoid saying anything inappropriate to patients; otherwise, you can speak freely."
"I understand." Luo Shu nodded slightly before asking, "So why bring me here?"
"You'll know when we get there."
Kirika Tachibana offered no explanation, simply gesturing for Luo Shu to follow.
Luo Shu didn't bother asking further when he saw this and simply followed Kirika Tachibana's lead, entering the hospital directly and taking the internal staff elevator down to the underground hospital on the sixth basement level.
In the examination room of the underground hospital, Luo Shu saw an adorable pink-haired beauty wearing a white dress with purple trim, radiating purity and charm.
"Lacus?" Luo Shu froze for a moment.
'Why would she be here?'
Lacus, who had been humming softly on the sofa, turned her head at the sound and smiled upon seeing Luo Shu:
"Good morning."
"...Good morning."
Luo Shu responded with a slightly odd tone.
At that moment, Kirika Tachibana, who had entered the room first, pulled up a high-backed chair and sat down, crossing her legs as she asked:
"Enough with the greetings. How are the preparations for the equipment going?"
Hearing this, Lacus lifted the Haro that had been swaying on her lap:
"The checks are complete. The doctors are all waiting for us now."
Then, she turned to Luo Shu with a smile:
"I'm sure Tachibana didn't explain anything before bringing you here, right?"
Luo Shu glanced at Kirika Tachibana, whose expression had turned awkward, and replied:
"The Chairwoman is most perceptive."
"I was following confidentiality protocols." Kirika Tachibana wanted to smoke again, but, restrained by Lacus's presence, merely clicked her tongue.
Lacus chuckled at this but didn't call her out, instead standing up and saying to Luo Shu:
"Tachibana probably didn't mention the SDS's basic benefits for new members, did she?"
"She did not." Luo Shu shot Kirika Tachibana a look, his voice deliberately loud.
Kirika Tachibana was nearly speechless: "He's only been here a few days—he hasn't even passed the three-month probation period. No, today's just his fourth day in the department."
"But Luo Shu-kun is already part of the department's leadership now, on the same level as you, Tachibana."
Lacus's smiling remark made a vein bulge on Kirika Tachibana's forehead.
Seeing this, Luo Shu secretly gave Lacus a thumbs-up.
"Fine, you win." Kirika Tachibana threw up her hands and leaned back in her chair, refusing to speak further.
Lacus smiled at this before turning back to Luo Shu:
"The so-called department benefit is actually a type of gene serum provided to new members."
"As for what kind of serum it is... Luo Shu, you must know about Coordinators, right?"
'Coordinators?' At that term, Luo Shu could no longer hide the surprise in his eyes.
Coordinators!
This referred to humans from the SEED world, where Lacus originated—those whose genes had been adjusted during the embryonic stage through Gene Adjustment.
Such Coordinators exhibited superior average performance in intelligence and physical ability, learned quickly, possessed immunity to many diseases, and typically had more attractive appearances.
In short, they were essentially artificially created academic elites and super-soldiers—practically man-made geniuses through technological means.
Recalling this information about Coordinators, Luo Shu's expression turned complicated as he said:
"So the gene serum is meant to turn people into Coordinators after birth?"
"You could say that." Lacus approached Luo Shu while holding her Haro and added, "But it also incorporates special technology from this world, enhancing the Coordinator modifications significantly—even extending lifespan—with minimal side effects."
"Based on current data, using the Coordinator gene serum should increase physical and mental capabilities by roughly 8 to 10 times within three months."
At this point, Lacus added:
"Hmm, at least that's the case for the sixth-generation serum."
An eight-to tenfold increase was quite substantial, though Luo Shu wondered if it would work on him. But what about the drawbacks?
Hearing this, Luo Shu suddenly recalled that the flaw of Coordinators seemed to be fertility issues:
"Wait, does the sixth-generation serum still have the fertility impairment trait?"
Hearing this, Kirika Tachibana abruptly looked up at Luo Shu, seemingly surprised that he knew about this.
Wait, these two were exchanging coded messages again about things only they understood.
What Coordinators? What on earth is that? Are you sure you don't mean flirts?
Snorting inwardly, Kirika Tachibana immediately said with a cold laugh:
"You're talking about the first-generation serum - the troublesome one I was injected with. But the current sixth-generation doesn't have that effect. According to data feedback, fertility is only reduced by about 3% to 5%."
'So fertility remained at 95%-97%? That didn't seem too bad. Wait, the serum you used?' Luo Shu couldn't help glancing at Kirika Tachibana's abdomen.
"See something interesting?" Kirika rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'm stupid? Of course, I froze some eggs in advance, just in case. Even if I hadn't, Lacus would have persuaded me to do so. Actually, instead of worrying about me, you should worry about her - she's also a first-generation serum user."
"Oh." Luo Shu responded stiffly before turning to look at Lacus.
He'd long known about her fertility issues.
Lacus had already pressed a finger to her lips, but relaxed when Luo Shu said nothing further.
From Lacus's perspective, Luo Shu knew she was a first-generation Coordinator, not through any serum.
But Kirika Tachibana was unaware of this. In fact, the technology when Lacus was born produced worse results than even the first-generation serum.
Lacus knew Luo Shu was aware of all this, hence her silent warning not to speak.
Fortunately, Luo Shu didn't elaborate, avoiding an emotional outburst from Kirika learning the truth:
"Anyway, the sixth-generation serum has passed safety testing."
"But due to genetic complexity, each dose must be custom-made after genetic testing."
Kirika Tachibana sneered nearby: "Speaking of which, our American counterparts seem eager for us to develop a cheaper mass-production version, even if it's somewhat inferior."
"They even said they're willing to pay a reasonable price."
Hearing this, Lacus maintained her gentle smile:
"So you've heard about that, too, Kirika? How persistent of them."
She shook her head and glanced at Luo Shu:
"Never mind that producing the serum requires several Grade 4 Abyss Artefacts."
"Simply demonstrating mass-production capability for such genetic serums for a so-called 'reasonable price' would make us besieged by the entire world."
Lacus casually spoke these terrifying words.
But if they truly showed capacity for mass-producing weakened serums, events would likely unfold exactly as she described.
"Moreover, mass production would carry certain mortality and mutation rates. However small those probabilities, multiplied by six billion people, becomes an enormous number."
"Moreover, the customised agent programme will also solidify our position in America."
"Considering SDS's interests, mass production of this agent is naturally out of the question."
The first half focused on safety concerns, while the latter half primarily addressed interests.
However, everyone present was an insider, and no one objected to Lacus's arrangements—not even Luo Shu.
"I quite like your tone at times like this."
Kirika Tachibana took out a cigarette case, the corners of her lips curling slightly as she crossed her legs:
"By the way, Luo Shu, are you going for the genetic testing?"
At this point, Kirika's expression turned teasing as she added:
"That thing can reveal quite a lot, you know?"
Lacus shot Kirika a glare at this. Though her voice remained pleasant, it now carried a hint of complaint:
"Kirika, you know exactly why I'm here."
Kirika laughed heartily. "Isn't it because this brat always likes to keep things to himself? I just want to see if he's willing to do the genetic test."
Lacus gave her a helpless look before turning to Luo Shu:
"According to protocol, only your direct superior, myself, and the agent production lead can access the genetic test report."
"But considering your concerns, Luo Shu, the report will only remain with me. The relevant personnel will undergo memory erasure afterwards. Would this arrangement be acceptable to you?"
Seeing Lacus go this far, Luo Shu gave her a deep look, realising this was probably why she had specifically stayed in Japan.
'So, was this a trust test? No, given Lacus's personality, she likely genuinely wanted to show trust—though her methods leaned towards being a test of trust... Typical politician's daughter, isn't she?'
With this thought, Luo Shu smiled:
"Genetic testing?"
"That does sound rather interesting."