Changes

Chapter 45: Changes

Like a famished infant who has drunk its fill of milk, it no longer cried, thrashed, or squirmed, but instead fell into a peaceful slumber, quietly absorbing nutrients for its growth.

All the neural pathways that had invaded Luo Di's arm retracted, taking the zombification effect with them. He didn't even need to inject an inhibitor.

The entire blade became even more "docile" than before it absorbed the blood.

The sinister skin covering the blade, along with the neural pathways, began to peel away, receding into the hilt and transforming into wrappings that increased grip.

The zombie blade had reverted to its original appearance as a machete, practically indistinguishable from when Luo Di first bought it from the supermarket.

Even the "corner" aura it was supposed to emit had vanished.

Director Wang's eyes widened. He adjusted his glasses and leaned in for a closer look. "Stealth and concealment... did it truly inherit the traits of that spider? You really struck gold with this. I never expected the blood-sucking effect of this jiangshi to be so potent. Logically, imposters cannot devour each other. Is this an effect caused by cancerous mutation?

How do you feel?"

Luo Di, overcome with excitement, spoke more than usual. "It's much easier to control now. It seems I don't need to offer my blood anymore; I can trigger the blade's 'switch' simply by conveying my thoughts."

"Can you demonstrate it live? Let us see its true nature."

Director Wang seemed to have returned to his early days at the Research Bureau, his serious expression replaced by an eagerness to learn.

"Certainly."

As Luo Di focused his attention on his right hand gripping the blade, he transmitted a kill command into the blade's core, towards the pituitary gland within.

Buzz!

The wrappings around the hilt immediately began to stir, re-covering the blade, though in a different form.

Several tufts of sinister black hair sprouted from the back of the blade, lending it an almost living aura.

Not only that, two additional white, tooth-like structures, resembling "jiangshi teeth," emerged on the blade's surface, suggesting enhanced blood-sucking capabilities during combat.

Black hair, corpse skin, and white teeth—

all these characteristics of a living being were present on this weapon. Just looking at it was unsettling, as if the blade could actively bite.

"This... this has exceeded our projections.

This blade is highly valuable, and you can carry it discreetly thanks to its inherent stealth properties. The next time you encounter a similar anomaly, if you're well-prepared, you might actually be able to seriously injure your opponent."

"Thank you, Director Wang."

What others found horrifying perfectly satisfied Luo Di's aesthetic and inner desires.

From the moment the first vial of blood was poured onto the blade's surface, his eyes had never left it.

Feeling the blade's transformation and its enhanced lethality, Luo Di felt one step closer to his life's goal.

Although he desperately wanted to test its cutting power right then and there, he refrained from swinging the weapon, not wanting to affect his newly made friends.

"Retract."

All the zombie features receded, and it returned to its original blade form.

Just to be safe, Luo Di used the shroud to wrap and store it in his backpack. With that, his business at the Research Bureau for the day concluded.

Before Luo Di left, Director Wang couldn't hold back his thoughts.

"I may not be particularly skilled, nor do I enjoy doing things that go against the rules. But I still want to say, if you have plans for your advancement this year, you could consider applying to our Research Bureau.

I can help you secure preferential entry treatment, and you can choose any department.

Even if you're not satisfied with working at the Research Bureau, you can use us as a stepping stone to the Capital. As a city-level institution, we naturally hold the tickets to the E.I.A World Bureau."

Luo Di didn't answer directly, merely nodding before departing.

"Director, this young man..."

The staff member who had brought the blood over had a complex expression. He recalled how much effort it took him to get into the City Research Bureau back in the day.

"It's quite understandable. His personality is better suited for the Investigation Bureau or those major companies in the Capital. A place like ours, focused on research, really isn't his cup of tea.

I was just acting on impulse, mentioning it casually.

I imagine the mid-year advancement exams will be quite interesting."

Outside the Research Bureau, the class monitor walked at the front of the group with a light, springy step. As her toes touched the final stair, she spun around and looked back at her companions.

"I'm so satisfied! To see such a corner-transforming item before graduation. Luo Di, your advancement this year is definitely going to shock everyone. You might even outperform those elites from First High School.

Alright, you guys go grab something to eat tonight. I have to go home and catch up on my studies."

Luo Di asked proactively, "Class monitor, has your uniform arrived?"

"Oh, right! But that kind of outfit isn't suitable for wearing out directly, so I've kept it at home for now. I'll wear it to school after the winter break, and then you'll get to see it."

"How do you feel?"

"Exceeded expectations, of course. I'll be wearing it for the advancement test too, Luo Di. Don't lose to me."

Anna, following behind them, saw their conversation and seemed to catch a whiff of something sour. She quickly covered her nose and moved away. "Good thing I'm not in the same school as you two, or I'd be suffocated to death sooner or later."

Anna deliberately glanced at Xiao Gao, who was wearing glasses beside them, only to find him watching intently, a hint of satisfaction seemingly hidden in his eyes and the corners of his mouth.

After the ride-hailing car took the class monitor away, the three of them found a random restaurant nearby.

Without the class monitor present, the atmosphere was clearly not as lively as their first gathering, but as Anna downed several glasses of beer, the mood gradually picked up.

The winter break was drawing to a close.

The second semester of the third year of high school arrived as scheduled. This would be the final leg of their campus life.

Although there was still the path of pursuing university studies after advancement, most students, including Luo Di, who achieved average to above-average grades in Physical Education, would not choose to further their studies at university.

On the eve of the new semester, at Fourth Middle School.

The faculty had already arrived early, making preparations to welcome the new semester and ensure students could enter the school normally tomorrow.

In the comprehensive office for the third-year high school students, A male teacher with a gentle demeanor and a slender build, who clearly wasn't good at sports, was tidying up miscellaneous items at the outermost workstation.

The books and documents piled on his desk were the most in the entire office, including many unrelated to teaching.

Suddenly, a sharp and hurried sound of footsteps entered the office.

Deep black high heels, exceeding ten centimeters, walked directly to the male teacher and heavily threw a document in front of him.

The work ID badge worn on her person clearly indicated the middle-aged woman's position – Dean of Academics.

Perhaps this work ID wasn't even necessary; one could tell directly from her appearance.

She forcefully poked the document on the desk, her words spitting out from her tongue like sharp nails, piercing and harsh, "Teacher Guo, can you explain? Your class's cultural studies grades were second to last last semester, and student satisfaction was last.

This isn't the first time I've spoken to you about teaching, is it?"

Facing the Dean's stern reprimand, the thin Teacher Guo didn't reply, continuing to tidy the books on his desk.

This silence, however, ignited the Dean's temper like a precisely placed match.

Seeing the various books on the desk that had nothing to do with teaching, the Dean prepared to sweep them all away.

But just as she reached out, Snap

A strong and powerful arm extended, grabbing her.

A man in a military uniform with a stern face stood beside them, preventing the conflict.

"Teacher Guo's teaching methods might be unconventional, but they have their own unique characteristics. I believe he will make improvements based on the current situation."

"Teacher Ruan? Let go quickly!"

Although still angry, the Dean quickly realized her actions had been a bit excessive. "It seems I can't manage you. I'll report the specific situation to the principal."

As the Dean left, the atmosphere in the entire office eased.

"Thank you."

Teacher Guo, who was packing up, expressed his gratitude.

Teacher Ruan, still in his military uniform, simply waved his hand and returned to his workstation. As the homeroom teacher, he had a pile of things to do.

I recommend a friend's book, "American Horror Master."