Copernicus, Biological Research Zone, 24-Hour Restaurant.
Seated in a brown upholstered chair, Luo Shu glanced at the transparent vial before him and sighed:
"However you look at it, developing an antidote in 30 minutes is absurd."
Hearing this, Lacus, sitting across from him, handed over a freshly brewed coffee while smiling:
"Originally, I'd set a preliminary one-month deadline, hoping we could achieve results within that timeframe. But Nia insisted that setting a 30-minute limit would yield the fastest outcome."
"Did she script the future with Raziel?"
When Luo Shu heard it was Nia Honjo's idea, he immediately reacted:
"Isn't she afraid of exhausting all her Spiritual Power without getting any results?"
The trump card ability of the Angel Raziel, which could read the past and present, was to write the future.
At its core, it was a special ability that wove together future possibilities, grounded in vast Spiritual Power, with Raziel's power at its centre.
For Nia Honjo, whose Spiritual Power ranked near the bottom among Spirits, such an ability was extremely difficult to utilise fully.
Especially since Nia hadn't signed a contract and her own rank remained at Hero Rank.
Yet it seemed Nia had succeeded?
Lacus picked up her coffee and answered Luo Shu with a smile:
"Theoretically, Nia indeed couldn't converge all possible futures into successful ones. But with Ania's help, it's different."
"Those blessed by fortune will eventually awaken miracles, no?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help glancing at Ania standing beside him.
Though relatively unfamiliar with this demon who manipulated luck, he had to admit her ability was decisive in research work.
"Using mystical powers to assist scientific research? Quite the contemporary approach."
Luo Shu chuckled before asking Ania:
"Has the antidote's safety been confirmed?"
Ania nodded in response:
"We've already verified safety with Miss Honjo. According to her estimates, the fatality rate doesn't exceed 0.01%, with effects lasting over 30 minutes - sufficient for your requirements."
This surprised Luo Shu somewhat: "Nia still has energy to use Raziel now?"
"The Chairwoman prepared recovery aids, including the Water of Life. Estimates suggest Miss Honjo will regain 80% of peak condition in about five minutes."
As she spoke, Ania glanced at Lacus.
Without denying this, Lacus simply smiled:
"4:30 am should be suitable for the first formal experiment."
"The experiment to extract the Calamity Jade Seal..." Luo Shu frowned deeply. "But the method hasn't been found yet?"
Ania calmly explained:
"Actually, Miss Kotoko Iwanaga and Lady Aya Tokoyogi have successfully analysed an extraction method."
"What method?" Luo Shu asked, astonished by their efficiency.
At this, Lacus said serenely:
"According to the individuals involved, it seems to be quite an interesting solution!"
...
4:30 am.
In the all-white metallic laboratory, a drowsy Conan suddenly gaped.
"Achoo~!!"
After sneezing violently, he looked helplessly at his oversized blue-and-white hospital gown, sniffled while staring at the empty room, and complained:
"Seriously, why did I need that 'cold technique' to give myself severe flu before the experiment?"
"What's the necessary connection between flu and experiments?"
"Having only one nostril working feels absolutely awful!!"
Although he was muttering to himself in an empty space, Conan was well aware that the number of people still watching him at this moment definitely exceeded the fingers on one hand.
Just as he expected, a few seconds after his complaint, another voice echoed through the room:
"Research has proven that experimental subjects developing severe colds can effectively prevent damage during the recovery process."
Hearing this, Conan stared with dead-fish eyes and said flatly, "Do you really think I'd trust you quacks after being strung up on a cross?"
"Whether you trust us or not is meaningless to us."
As these words faded, a series of mechanical clicks sounded.
A white metal cylinder rose from the floor, its top opening to reveal a glass container holding a red-and-white capsule.
The moment he saw the capsule, Conan's pupils constricted sharply.
"This drug..."
Why did it look so similar to the Drug A he'd taken? Realising this, Conan felt his scalp tingle as his entire body jolted with alertness:
"Have you... developed an antidote?"
"Correct. This is the antidote for APTX4869."
Before Conan could show his astonishment, the voice continued:
"However, it's only a time-limited prototype."
"A time-limited prototype?" Conan started, then exclaimed in shock, "You mean this drug can only restore my adult form temporarily?"
"Affirmative. The estimated maximum duration is approximately 35 minutes."
Hearing this, Conan's expression immediately darkened:
"After taking the drug, will I still revert back in 35 minutes?"
"Why would I revert back?"
In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Conan's mind.
Even the antidote only temporarily restored him to his original form. So could there be another possibility?
That his current childlike appearance was actually the default original state, while his adult form was the special condition.
If so, it would explain why the antidote only temporarily restored him before he reverted to a child again.
Otherwise, if his adult form was the original state, taking the antidote should permanently restore him to adulthood rather than cause him to revert again.
Following this logic, perhaps Drug A's antidote wasn't really an antidote at all, but rather a temporary growth drug that made him an adult for ten years?
Realising this, Conan's expression turned extremely grim.
Just then, voices came from all directions:
"If the experiment succeeds, there should be a certain probability you'll maintain your adult form."
"A certain probability..." Conan thought suspiciously, clenching his teeth.
"Would you like to try experiencing your original form again?"
Hearing this, Conan took a deep breath and said:
"I have one condition!"
"Go ahead."
"After I take this drug, you absolutely must not give up on treating me."
"...Understood."
At that moment, Conan swallowed hard, stepped forward to retrieve the capsule from the glass container, swallowed it with another gulp, then waited anxiously.
Five minutes later, excruciating pain began!