Wizard: Adventures in Two Worlds-Chapter 646 - 4: Stealing a Bike

"Lady Monica."

"Professor Carl?"

"It’s me."

"Calling me at this hour, is there something important?"

You could hear the laziness in Monica’s voice over the phone, as if she had been woken from a deep sleep.

Carl glanced out the window.

The sunlight was bright.

But for vampires, this kind of weather is probably only suitable for staying home and sleeping.

Speaking of which...

Monica was also out yesterday during the day, although she seemed listless. What’s going on?

Could there be vampires who aren’t afraid of sunlight?

"It’s a small matter."

Carl spoke:

"Some data from the lab needs authorization from the BHP Group, could you help with that?"

"Hmm..." A rustling sound came over the phone:

"Just a moment."

Shortly after.

"Alright, just reset the password on your end, and don’t forget to inform the group of the password later."

"Okay."

Hanging up the phone, Carl didn’t rush to look at the data on the computer but headed inside the lab.

"Beep..."

After verification, the sealed alloy doors opened to the sides, revealing the high-tech equipment inside.

The most valuable assets of the independent laboratory were all here.

’It’s truly peculiar that a phone can’t even manage basic video calls, yet machines for observing and editing genetic material are so streamlined that a university lab can conduct complex genetic research. It’s astonishing.’

’Could it be...’

’There are some specific needs in genetics here that drive such progress?’

Shaking his head, the group, now in clean suits, stepped inside.

"Professor,"

Barro began the introduction:

"Here we have samples, biological data, and culture media used for Professor Jim’s past experiments."

"BHP Group participated in the Federation’s gene bank project, so we have genetic data for various organisms here. This is a tiger, this is a pig, this is a mouse..."

"Gene combination technology?" Carl, with his hand supporting his chin, nodded slowly:

"Did Professor Jim want to create a versatile organism?"

"Yes." Barro nodded, a hint of embarrassment showing on his face:

"We’ve always thought his idea was unreasonable and unrealistic, but the professor never gave up."

"Actually..."

"You can make slight genetic changes without setting such grand goals; it’s meaningless."

Carl nodded.

Turning a black-haired mouse into a white-haired one is meaningful and achievable, but turning a mouse into something that can fly or swim is crazy, even in the eyes of scientists.

Speaking of which...

Gene editing and enhancement technology on animals is already quite mature, with many applications creating considerable profits for major companies.

For example:

Fast-growing chickens, farm-raised pigs, and higher-yield grain crops are all beneficial.

Carl reached out and gently brushed across the front of the preservation cabinet, sensing a faint extraordinary power.

Hmm?

His eyes flickered, gaining some understanding of Jim’s choice.

It’s likely that Professor Jim encountered or saw something beyond a normal person’s understanding, leading to his obstinacy.

"That’s it for today!"

Nodding, Carl decided not to inspect the contents of the cabinets, and turned to leave:

"Barro, since you’re willing to stay in the lab, continue the previous research, but Professor Jim’s research direction needs some alterations."

"My research isn’t about granting one organism the abilities of others, but about discovering potential within to resist diseases..."

"Understand?"

"Understood." Barro nodded firmly:

"I’ll do my best."

"Good." Carl patted his shoulder, showing satisfaction:

"You’re the only one of Professor Jim’s apprentices left; no matter the result, I’ll help you upon graduation."

"Thank you, Professor Carl!"

Barro was visibly moved.

*

*

*

By evening.

Having just finished a part-time job, Barro parked his bicycle at the bar’s entrance, locked it carefully to a lamppost, and then headed inside.

"Barro!"

"Keynes!"

"Annie!"

Greeting his two friends with a wave, Barro removed his backpack, pulled a stool over, and sat down, gasping:

"I’m not late, am I?"

"Today it’s fine, you’re not too late." Keynes chuckled:

"Hasn’t your stipend from the lab increased? You don’t need to keep working odd jobs outside."

"It’s different." Barro shook his head:

"I need to gain work experience to secure a job after graduation; otherwise, graduating means unemployment."

"It’s much better now; at least I don’t have to do hard labor, but can take up part-time work related to my courses."

"Let’s not talk about that..."

"Did you need me for something?"

"Can’t I see you without a reason?" Annie rolled her eyes:

"Do you even remember when our last gathering was? It’s been so long since we all got together."

"..." Barro was momentarily stumped and sighed helplessly:

"I’m not like you."

Indeed, he wasn’t.

He came from a humble background and needed to work much harder to establish himself in this city.

Barro was determined to escape his troubled family situation, and he would do anything to stay here.

"Alright then."

Both friends were aware of Barro’s family situation, and Keynes sighed, asking:

"Does your lab need people?"

"Yes."

Barro nodded:

"I’m the only one in the lab now, although Professor Carl currently doesn’t have many demands for research; it’s still quite busy."

"Is someone asking through you?"

Keynes wasn’t in his field.

"Yes."

Annie cut in:

"They didn’t think much of the new tutor before, but now hearing about Professor Carl’s achievements, they’ve come around."

"It’s funny how it turns out."

Barro grinned.

His ’colleagues’ had gone elsewhere after Professor Jim’s accident.

As for him,

without connections in that area, he had to remain in the lab.

Upon finding out that someone without official seniority and from an unranked university took over the lab, he was equally disheartened.

Unexpectedly,

in less than two months, Professor Carl published several papers and became a rising star in the field of biological genetics, boosting Barro’s status as well. Those who left were filled with regret.

"Professor Carl currently focuses mainly on theoretical research, so the lab doesn’t need much experimentation; I’m still working on the tasks laid out by Professor Jim..."

"If someone wants to join, I can introduce them to Professor Carl..."

After the gathering, Barro left the bar and was about to take his keys from his pocket when he noticed someone furtively doing something by the lamppost.

"What are you doing?"

His heart skipped a beat, and he shouted urgently:

"That’s my bicycle!"

"Clatter..."

The person, dressed like a vagrant, looked back upon hearing him, then pushed the unlocked bicycle and sped off.

"Stop!"

"Stop right there!"

Barro shouted. This bicycle was something he spent a ’fortune’ on, and he couldn’t let it be stolen.

He immediately gave chase.