Spurred by the good news about the gene fusion agent, Lu Xia went to the No.2 Institute with Graces after dinner that evening.

Kai Yue, the head of the team responsible for the gene fusion agent, was incredibly excited to see Lu Xia. "Duke, we’ve created a miracle! With this, even adult males classified as ’defective’ will have a chance to become Gene Fusion Experts. If this news gets out, it will be enough to shake the entire Empire!"

Even as one of the developers, the potential results sent a thrill through him, making his scalp tingle.

He never imagined they would actually succeed. The project Duke Lu Xia had assigned them was completed in just three short months, and the process had been almost unbelievably smooth.

"The results are great, but clinical trials are a hurdle." The gene fusion agent was ultimately meant for use in humans, so clinical trials were essential.

"We can recruit volunteers. People will be willing," Kai Yue said with absolute certainty. "Those ’defective’ males would try even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, and our agent hasn’t shown any side effects in test subjects."

His tone was brimming with unconcealed confidence and excitement. He even felt that if it weren’t for the mandatory clinical trial procedures, their agent could be sold directly to the public.

’It’s countless times more effective than what the Gene Research Institute developed. High success rate, no side effects, and best of all, no age restrictions! It’s the top choice for gene fusion.’

In contrast to Kai Yue’s excitement, Lu Xia was much calmer. "We’ll need to recruit volunteers, but we must have detailed internal reports on their physical condition. We can’t afford any accidents before the launch."

She knew perfectly well how much attention this news would attract once it became public, and how many powerful interests would be affected.

After she had given her instructions and Kai Yue had left, Graces looked at Lu Xia. "Are you worried?"

"I’m not worried. Now that the agent has been successfully developed, this is the inevitable next step. The most I can do is mitigate the potential harm and give everyone a satisfactory outcome." ’I’m no saint,’ she thought. ’I can’t account for everything. Besides, all scientific breakthroughs are accompanied by sacrifice. It’s unavoidable.’

’No one can stop it.’

But Graces thought Lu Xia was already handling it beautifully. ’Compared to those people at the Gene Research Institute, Lu Xia is practically a saint.’

’They say females are the most cold-hearted creatures in the Empire, but Lu Xia is different.’

"Can I apply to be a volunteer?" Graces asked, his gaze lowered to her. He had his own reasons for asking. He needed to become stronger so he could be a steadfast pillar of support for his young female.

’He knew exactly what kind of impact Lu Xia’s work would have on the Empire. Her status as a Duke might protect her from overt trouble, but he would need to handle the threats that lurked in the shadows.’

"Why would you want to be a volunteer? Graces, don’t be hasty. You can wait a little longer." Lu Xia knew she was being selfish; she could never be completely indifferent to whether Graces lived or died.

"I trust you, Xiaxia. I’m willing to be the first. It will be more persuasive when the agent is released." ’Precisely because I’m the one closest to her,’ he thought, ’I should be the one to take this risk and help pave her way.’

He had always felt that Lu Xia was the one who gave the most in their relationship, and he had never truly reciprocated. For him, this was an opportunity—a rare one. It was also the only thing he could do for her, and he didn’t want to give it up.

"But Graces, just because there were no issues with the test subjects doesn’t guarantee it’s completely safe. I can’t let you take this risk..."

"But any agent has risks. The worst that can happen is failure. I am yours, and if I am the first to do this, there will be far less negative speculation about you. The agent’s release will go much more smoothly. Most importantly, Xiaxia, I want to do something for you. I hope you can accept it, just as I’ve always accepted your kindness. Please, let me show my gratitude and repay you. Will you? Promise me." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Even while negotiating with Lu Xia, Graces’s tone was one of humble pleading.

’This man understands me too well now,’ Lu Xia thought. ’He knows I respond to a soft touch, not a firm hand.’

"Graces, I’m kind to you because I want to be, not because I expect anything in return. You need to think this through. If this fails, it could trigger a total collapse of the Beastification Gene in your body. You could die."

"I don’t think that will happen. I’ve been incredibly lucky ever since I met you, Xiaxia. This time will be no different; fortune will favor me."

Seeing that even her stark warning didn’t make him waver in the slightest, Lu Xia knew he had truly made up his mind.

"And what if I insist on refusing?"

Graces pressed his lips together, watching her in silence as he seemed to search for the right words.

Seeing his expression, Lu Xia sighed. "All right, have it your way. When do you want to...?"

"Right now." ’It would be best if I could successfully reach a 100% gene fusion degree before they start recruiting volunteers.’

"You’re in that much of a hurry?" Lu Xia was surprised he was unwilling to wait even a moment longer.

"Yes, very. I can’t wait to show you my perfected form, Xiaxia." Graces lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against it.

Lu Xia sounded a little resigned. "I need to prepare, and you need a quiet environment for the injection. Since you’re insisting on today, wait here a moment. I’ll go make the arrangements."

"Okay." Graces watched her leave with a gentle expression, then sent a message to Admiral Snop requesting leave.

Admiral Snop’s reply came almost immediately. "Leave? Didn’t you just take a break? Why are you suddenly asking for more time off?"

"Yes. I have something to take care of. I’ll request a week for now. If it goes smoothly, I shouldn’t need that long."

"A week? You think a week is short? Fine, but one week is the maximum. We’re about to begin the military district inspections, and it’s going to get really busy!"

"I know."

Lu Xia made the arrangements quickly. In fact, a special observation room had already been prepared for clinical trials during the initial construction of the No.2 Institute. It was only being officially used for the first time today.

"Graces, we can begin." Lu Xia led him to Observation Room No. 1. She personally drew his blood and confirmed all his vitals were within normal ranges before retrieving the agent from a cryo-chamber. Lu Xia handled the entire process herself, allowing no one else to participate.

"It’s not too late to back out," Lu Xia said, raising her eyes to meet Graces’s dark, smiling ones just a moment before she was to administer the injection.

"If this is a success... will you let me be your main husband?"