Gene Compatibility

"Master, Gray reported to me that he ran into some trouble while carrying out his mission this time and needs the base's help."

Gaia's mechanical electronic voice interrupted Art Student's thoughts, prompting him to ask in confusion.

"What kind of trouble required him to come back and report in person?"

"Master, Gray said his mission went smoothly, but because he recruited so many people, they are running short on food and drinking water."

Gaia replied.

"Does something so minor really require him to return to the base and report?"

Art Student asked doubtfully.

"Master, you forgot to equip Gray with communication devices, so he had to come back and report in person."

Art Student could not help but mentally facepalm with a wry smile. He had given Gray weapons and armor, yet somehow forgotten to provide him with communication equipment.

"How many people did Gray recruit this time?"

Art Student asked Gaia.

Gaia said, "Gray said there are roughly over two thousand."

After thinking it over, Art Student said to Gaia, "Equip Gray with two off-road trucks, load them full of food and water, and assign him a hundred combat robots. Have the robots protect those civilians, and give Gray a radio."

"Understood."

After receiving Art Student's orders, the Gaia Mainframe sent the information to the Gaia Butler and had it handle these trivial matters.

Gray, who was resting at the first defense platform, received supplies from the base along with a hundred combat robots. Seeing that lineup, he knew this was in the bag.

When Gray brought back several thousand Underhive residents, Art Student had no intention of going out to show himself. The veterans who had arrived several months ago would naturally handle such matters.

Art Student summoned Gray and the other two, who had completed their mission, to the warship's bridge. Looking at them with satisfaction, he said,

"You did well on this mission. You brought back more than two thousand people in one go and expanded the base's population."

Gray and the other two gave Art Student slight bows, smiling as they accepted his praise.

"All of this is our lord's blessing upon us."

Art Student said with a smile, "Stop flattering me. This is credit you earned. You worked hard to complete the mission yourselves, so don't pile all the glory onto me."

"I wouldn't dare," Gray said with a bow.

"Enough. I know what you want. There are currently two career paths in the base's combat department, and you need to choose one yourselves: the navy or the army."

Art Student introduced the options to the three of them.

Gray asked uncertainly, "My lord, could you explain the difference between the navy and the army in detail?"

Although Gray had lived at the base for three months, he and the other two spent most of their time training. The rest of their time was spent studying High Gothic and its writing, so they did not know much about military matters.

From Gray's previous knowledge, he only knew of the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Guard, and the Space Marines. Information about other military forces was beyond his reach due to his insufficient rank.

With a wave of Art Student's hand, a virtual screen appeared before Gray and the other two. Videos played on the screen as Art Student slid a finger across it and explained.

"The army is centered around Space Marines. After receiving gene-enhancement injections, they must undergo extensive, grueling training to become qualified Space Marines. A qualified Space Marine wears a full set of Star Power Armor, which grants the wearer greater strength, speed, and powerful defense.

"Space Marine weapons include the Ripper Rifle, plasma melta pistols, Power Swords, and more.

"Those among the Space Marines with strong willpower may also be selected to pilot various mechs, such as Knight mechs, Titans, and other powerful weapons of war.

"The army mainly conducts combat within planets.

"The navy pilots various space warships to fight among the stars. When necessary, it provides fire support for the army's planetary invasions, so the navy is much easier than the army.

"Of course, the navy is also dangerous. Sometimes, an entire warship's personnel are sacrificed at once.

"That is the difference between the navy and the army. Now you must make your own choice: join the army or the navy."

After Art Student finished explaining, he said nothing more and let the three make their own choice between the army and the navy.

Gray and the other two exchanged looks before saying to Art Student, "My lord, we choose to become Space Marines. No matter how bitter, exhausting, or dangerous it is, we are not afraid. We have had enough of being weak, so we want to become Space Marines."

Art Student smiled in gratification. To become Space Marines, they needed exactly this kind of unwavering willpower.

Art Student said with a smile, "Good. You are very impressive. Even after seeing a better option, you can still remain firm in your original choice. That is the best driving force on the path to becoming strong. Come over here."

Art Student beckoned for the three to come closer.

Art Student picked up an analysis device from the workbench and collected a small amount of blood from Gray and the other two, waiting for the device to analyze their compatibility with the gene-enhancement serum.

If a person's compatibility with the gene-enhancement serum was too low, forcibly injecting it would be useless. That was why compatibility testing was needed first.

A few seconds later, the device displayed Gray and the other two's compatibility with the gene-enhancement serum.

Gray: 76%.

David: 73%.

Nack: 71%.

Gray and the other two were quite lucky. All of them met the minimum standard for becoming Space Marines.

The higher the compatibility, the stronger one would become after receiving the gene-enhancement serum. The minimum compatibility required to become a Space Marine was seventy percent. Below that threshold, even a forced injection would only waste the serum.

That was why Art Student had created this device. It could determine from the start whether someone was suited to becoming a Space Marine.

Among Art Student's test subjects, the highest compatibility was only eighty-two percent. However, after high-intensity training, their strength should have reached the level of Thunder Warriors, at least according to Art Student's own judgment.

Looking at the three tense expressions, Art Student said with a smile, "You are lucky. All of you meet the standard for becoming Space Marines. Congratulations."

"Phew."

Upon hearing the final result, Gray and the other two all let out long breaths. Overjoyed, they embraced one another in celebration.

Art Student silently watched the three rejoice, and he felt somewhat happy as well. As long as the people under his command grew stronger and stronger, he could seize more territory and become the true Lord of the Stars.