"BS Value 1500, MI Value 2200? Current physical parameters aren't at their limit, predicted to increase by at least 30% within six months?"
"Genes highly suspected to possess stable hereditary traits, recommend collecting genetic information?"
"Abnormal mental energy differential, suspected special abilities... Oh, not bad! It can even detect this."
Seeing Verde obtain these results with just one machine and without even needing tissue samples, Luo Shu couldn't help but express admiration.
"Take that data with a grain of salt. In reality, when values exceed 500, the margin of error becomes quite significant, as normal human tissue structure can't support such physical parameters."
Verde recited the data while cautioning:
"Exceeding this limit indicates your tissue structure is no longer composed of ordinary human cells, but rather a higher form of flesh-and-blood lifeform."
"My hypothesis is that such lifeforms can likely reproduce with lower lifeforms - humans - though currently this remains speculative."
"More concrete data can't be determined yet due to lack of large-scale sampling."
"Of course, if you're willing to contribute genetic information, we'd have much more comprehensive data here!"
Verde produced a test tube from somewhere and offered it to Luo Shu:
"If you find self-collection troublesome, I can arrange for professional sampling personnel."
Instead of accepting the tube, Luo Shu smiled and said:
"Dr Verde seems quite fond of risqué topics. Is it because you can't perform yourself?"
"Pfft!" Kirika Tachibana burst out laughing beside them.
Even Lacus struggled to maintain her composure.
That verbal jab had been particularly vicious.
"..."
Verde's hand holding the tube trembled slightly before he calmly replied:
"I've got far more experience than you, brat."
"Theoretical experience, right? I understand."
Luo Shu nodded with an exaggerated look of comprehension, then teased:
"But no practical experience, correct? How pitiful, despite being so much older than me."
"I must say, you're quite the annoying brat."
Verde grumbled before stowing the test tube back under the armrest and changing the subject:
"Kid, you should be aware of your own physical condition, so you should also understand that the Adjuster Drug won't have much of an enhancing effect on you anymore."
"Ah, I know that."
In truth, Luo Shu had known his body was beginning to transform when he advanced to Calamity Bringer.
At the time, however, he hadn't understood the specifics and could only examine himself afterwards using the Fragment of Knowledge Authority.
According to the esoteric encyclopaedia composed by the Fragment of Knowledge Authority, Luo Shu would undergo a six-month physical transformation until his current parameters doubled.
Verde's examination results predicted a minimum 30% increase instead.
'Though there was some discrepancy, the fact he could detect this much... Should I say it's no surprise he's the world's finest scientist?'
"While the Adjuster Drug won't work on you, some of its components can still serve as nutritional supplements. Based on current data, we can still double your physical enhancement speed."
Verde said this while glancing at Lacus.
After all, using the Adjuster Drug as a nutritional supplement would be impossible without her approval.
Those materials sourced from Abyss Artefacts couldn't be used by anyone without Lacus's authorisation.
Upon hearing Verde's explanation, Lacus agreed without hesitation:
"Doubling the growth rate? Understood, I'll approve the material request."
"If the Chairwoman agrees, then matters become simple."
As Verde said this, he glanced at Luo Shu and added:
"In that case, come to the hospital once a week for detailed data checks. I'll apply for permanent residency here this year."
"Oh right!" Verde suddenly turned to Kirika Tachibana. "This kid is the new department head, correct?"
"Correct!" Kirika nodded, then suddenly recalled Verde's previously rejected proposal. "Are you referring to the Nutrient Detection Machine?"
"Yes, that failed prototype of mine."
Verde nodded, then glanced at Luo Shu, explaining further in case he didn't understand:
"Originally, the Nutrient Detection Machine should have been called the Lifeform Maximisation Growth Supplement Machine. It was designed to continuously monitor the body's nutritional requirements, produce supplementary food, and maintain optimal bodily conditions."
"Oh?"
Luo Shu found this invention rather interesting - wasn't this essentially those automatic cooking machines from sci-fi?
"Then why did you rename it?"
"Because the food it produced was unbearably terrible, so I abandoned that function."
Verde made an extremely awkward face before continuing:
"While the machine worked, enduring that food for half a month was the human limit."
"So I repurposed it as a real-time detector to analyse daily nutritional deficiencies and provide dietary recommendations."
"Naturally, with its main function removed, I added pathological detection and treatment suggestions as selling points..."
"But after these modifications, the machine wasn't worth keeping confidential anymore, hence my previous proposal to equip every department member with one."
Here, Verde glanced at Lacus again.
Lacus nodded in response:
"I understand. I'll approve this request."
Seeing this, Verde adjusted his glasses with a smug smile and further explained:
"Health monitoring is essential for staff. The machine's medical diagnostics during abnormalities also provide self-treatment advice, so there's legitimate justification for making it standard issue - at least enough to sound plausible."
"Of course, necessary positioning and monitoring functions will be added appropriately."
'Monitoring members is the real goal here, isn't it?' Luo Shu thought sarcastically.
He then considered Yukino Yukinoshita's imminent SDS recruitment and what her inclusion signalled about the organisation accepting local factions.
This made Luo Shu realise Verde's underlying motives for proposing the machine as standard equipment.
As Luo Shu pondered these background reasons, Verde turned to him and said:
"If there's anything you don't want headquarters knowing, I can teach you how to disable the machine's monitoring functions."
"After all, I don't want to be constantly monitored by such a thing either, even if I invented it myself. Putting myself in others' shoes, I imagine you wouldn't like it either."
Luo Shu couldn't help but retort: "...How considerate of you."
"Because you're the most important specimen."
Verde smiled cheerfully as he said this:
"Although I don't think you're the type to cooperate with my research, just seeing you reminds me there are still many things in this world I don't understand. This kind of motivation is something a little guy like you wouldn't comprehend."
Luo Shu mocked: "So should I make more appearances before you? To stimulate you and spark more inspiration?"
"Precisely, but not today."
Verde pressed the left armrest again and retrieved a peculiar ring from within.
It was a silver-black ring with a deep blue gemstone embedded at its centre.
"This is the special edition of the Nutrient Detection Machine I made."
"I've added some special functions to it."
Hearing Verde's words, Luo Shu fell silent for a moment before speaking in a meaningful tone:
"The Vongola Ring?"
At this, Verde's pupils contracted briefly before he revealed a knowing smile:
"It seems you understand what the special functions are."