That afternoon, Smelian went to the No.2 Institute to look for Lu Xia. He had been visiting frequently as of late, so the researchers and staff there were all quite familiar with him. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

When they saw him arrive, they would volunteer Lu Xia’s location. "Smelian, are you looking for the Duke? She’s in Lab 3."

Smelian nodded at them to show he understood.

When he got there, Lu Xia was with the head of Team 2, testing the stability of the Fire Spirit Gene.

Noticing Smelian at the door, Lu Xia motioned for him to wait.

Lu Xia didn’t come out until she was finished speaking with the team lead. "What brings you here so early? Have you had lunch?"

"I have, and you?"

"I’ve eaten too. Let’s head over, then. Are you nervous?" Lu Xia smiled at Smelian, clearly concerned about how he was feeling.

"Not nervous, but a little excited." Smelian didn’t hide his true feelings. If this injection was successful, he could become a Gene Fusion Expert just like Graces, transforming from a ’defective’ male. The very thought of having a chance to become a Gene Fusion Expert made it hard not to feel excited and full of anticipation.

Knowing what Smelian was excited about, Lu Xia still made sure to clearly explain the potential consequences of the gene fusion agent. "While the agent now has a 50% chance of reactivating your Beastification Gene, it’s not a 100% guarantee. Failure carries the risk of genetic collapse. Not all the volunteers who’ve participated in the trial have successfully activated their Beastification Gene and become Gene Fusion Experts. The ones who failed are now experiencing minor blood clotting disorders. I hope you understand all of this, Smelian."

"I know. Every experiment has risks, and I can accept the consequences. Xiaxia, please don’t feel burdened. I can take responsibility for my own actions." He knew she was telling him all this because she considered him one of her own.

Seeing that he was ready, Lu Xia didn’t say much more, simply nodding. "Go on in and get a basic check-up first. I’ll come find you in a bit."

Smelian’s physical condition needed to be confirmed before the injection.

After Smelian went in, Lu Xia went to collect the gene fusion agent.

When she returned, an assistant handed her Smelian’s test report. "The results show he meets the criteria for injection."

"Good, I understand. You may leave." Lu Xia walked to Smelian’s side. The man had already sat up on the examination table and was watching her with gentle eyes. "Xiaxia, did everything go smoothly with Graces at the government hall today?"

Smelian was obviously trying to make small talk to ease the tension.

Lu Xia nodded. "It went very smoothly. I ordered a double-layer cake on the way back."

"That sounds wonderful." Smelian lowered his gaze to the agent in Lu Xia’s hand. "I can do it myself."

As a doctor, he was perfectly capable of doing this himself. If Lu Xia couldn’t bring herself to do it, he was prepared to do it himself.

Lu Xia glanced at him, shook her head, and injected the agent into his body herself. "Smelian, good luck."

"Thanks. I feel like my luck has been much better lately. You should go, Xiaxia." He didn’t know what would happen to him when the agent took effect. It would clearly be risky for Lu Xia to stay here with him.

Lu Xia patted his shoulder. "Don’t worry, I’ll be right next door, watching you the whole time."

"Okay." Smelian didn’t doubt Lu Xia’s concern for him.

As he watched Lu Xia leave, Smelian suddenly felt his entire body begin to burn, the blood beneath his skin seeming to boil.

At the same time, his skin began to itch with a searing pain, as if something sharp was about to pierce through and sprout from his flesh.

Overcome by discomfort, Smelian tore at his collar, hot sweat streaming down his pale cheeks.

He got up and paced the room. He didn’t want Lu Xia, who was watching his every move, to see him in such a sorry state, so Smelian endured the pain with sheer willpower.

But the next moment, a wave of excruciating pain struck Smelian, forcing him to his knees. As he braced himself with his arms, long, slender white feathers erupted through his clothes.

The slender white feathers grew and spread at a visible rate, eventually covering even half of Smelian’s face.

"Success, Duke! Your husband has successfully transformed into a Gene Fusion Expert! Congratulations!"

Lu Xia didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on Smelian.

The Rafaelde family’s hereditary Beastification Gene came from the Saint Feather clan, a primordial species that was now extinct.

Lu Xia had once seen a pictorial collection about them—they were a species of large raptor.

In their complete form, their plumage would become as sharp as steel needles.

But clearly, Smelian was not yet capable of that.

"Keep an eye on him. I’m going over."

"Now? Shouldn’t we wait a bit longer? He doesn’t seem to have stabilized yet. You..." Before the assistant could finish, Lu Xia had already opened the door and left.

Soon, Lu Xia appeared in the adjacent room, a paper cup in her hand.

Hearing the commotion, Smelian looked over at her, then lifted a hand to hide his face. "Xiaxia, please don’t look at me. I must look horrible right now."

’I must look so wretched in this half-human, half-beast state.’

’I don’t want Lu Xia to see me in such a pathetic state.’

"It’s actually not that bad. You’re more like a fledgling in its awkward phase, not quite sure what to do with its new feathers. Here, drink some

water." Lu Xia’s voice was gentle and reassuring.

Smelian relented, taking the paper cup from her, but he still refused to meet her eyes.

Lu Xia knew that after he drank the Spiritual Spring Water, it wouldn’t be long before Smelian’s condition stabilized.

His awkward beastification phase should also improve. "Get some sleep, Smelian. You won’t feel so awful when you wake up."

Smelian gripped the paper cup and asked apprehensively, "Xiaxia, did I... succeed?"

"Mhm," she confirmed. "Congratulations, Smelian. You’re very lucky; the transformation was a success. You’ll have to go through a stabilization period, but once that’s over, these beautiful feathers won’t be so hard to control. Don’t worry, you’re in great condition. Rest up. I’ll come back to check on you later." As she spoke, Lu Xia reached out and gently stroked Smelian’s hair. "Get some good sleep. When you wake up, we have to go home and celebrate. We have to tell Lady Rafaelde the good news that you’ve become a Gene Fusion Expert and have her throw a grand banquet for you. I’ll be right there with you."

Lu Xia’s voice seemed to possess a reassuring magic. Soothed by her words, Smelian’s anxiety lessened. He slowly closed his eyes and, sure enough, drifted off to sleep.