Chapter 55: The Assistant in the Experiment

Lin Wei held the struggling gray-white mouse firmly in his hand, issuing a command in his heart.
“Core Sphere, establish the experimental model!”
In an instant, a three-dimensional experimental scene appeared on Lin Wei’s retina. The gray-white mouse was digitized and analyzed, and in the upper right corner of his retina, the subsequent steps of the experiment and the configuration of materials were detailed.
With the intelligent Core Sphere, Lin Wei was in his element when conducting biological experiments. High-precision operations were the least of his worries.
Lin Wei used a scalpel to slit one side of the gray-white mouse’s body, blood constantly spilling from the wound.
“Normally, the genes of different biological species cannot be fused… In my previous life, experiments combining disparate organisms were simply impossible…” Lin Wei mused as he placed a pale purple pill into the mouth of the gray-white mouse. “But in the world of wizards, specialized potions crafted from unique ingredients and wizard power can test these seemingly bizarre possibilities.”
After ingesting the pale purple pill, the orange glow in the mouse’s eyes grew even more intense, its entire body trembling violently as though injected with a stimulant.
“This pill is truly fascinating, able to stimulate the mouse’s brain and induce a degree of mutation.” Lin Wei’s movements slowed, as if waiting for the mouse to return to normal. “A mutated mouse brain becomes highly receptive, able to accept foreign genes for a certain period—this is the principle of the experiment. After all, we’re not simply attaching false wings; we aim to grant it the power of flight…”
The mouse’s bodily data fluctuated constantly on Lin Wei’s retina.
“The moment has come!”
Lin Wei’s hands moved with breathtaking speed. He quickly retrieved the sparrow’s wings, previously cut and soaked in deep blue liquid, and pressed them to the wound on the mouse’s side.
“The wound is fusing…” Lin Wei could see it all clearly, even with the naked eye.
The sparrow’s wings merged seamlessly with the mouse’s flank.
The previously exhausted mouse struggled fiercely once more.
“Unbearable itching and pain—an inevitable phase in the fusion of disparate organisms…”
Lin Wei’s gaze remained clear and focused, observing both the mouse’s changes and the experimental data on his retina, ensuring the experiment proceeded smoothly.
“It seems to have worked…”
Lin Wei took some gray ointment, smoothing it onto his finger, and applied it where the mouse’s body and wings met.
Seles stood behind Lin Wei, silent, but his astonished eyes betrayed his thoughts.
“How could this be possible!” Seles’s mind was in turmoil, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “The timing is unbelievably precise! The delay in the pill’s effect and the biological transmission resistance aren’t fixed—they require constant trial and intuition. How could a new student accomplish this? A genius, an absolute genius!”
Under Seles’s gaze, Lin Wei successfully transplanted the second wing.
The gray-white mouse was utterly transformed. Its once lustrous fur had dulled, the orange glow in its eyes faded toward yellow, and most strikingly, a pair of sparrow wings now adorned its sides.
“Come, try the power of flight.”
Lin Wei’s eyes held a trace of anticipation as he gently tossed the mouse into the air.
“Squeak!”
The mouse shrieked, plummeting at first, seemingly unaccustomed to its new wings.
Yet, just before hitting the ground, its mismatched wings suddenly beat, carrying it swiftly upward. Though its flight was shaky, it had already mastered the basic skill.
“A flying mouse?”
A faint smile played at Lin Wei’s lips.
As the mouse attempted to flap its wings once more, a black flame ignited within its body, and a piercing cry escaped its throat.
In just a few breaths, the mouse was reduced to a wisp of ash.
Seles’s right hand maintained a particular gesture, a wave of wizard power emanating from his fingertips.
“Sorry, Lin Wei, I destroyed your experiment,” Seles said with a gentle laugh. “I was afraid it might damage the laboratory’s potions and equipment—these are not cheap.”
Lin Wei didn’t mind in the least. Now that the experiment had succeeded, he cared little for the fate of the test subject. “It’s fine, Mentor Seles.”
Seles nodded slightly, pursing his lips as though pondering something. Suddenly, he looked up at Lin Wei. “Lin Wei, are you interested in becoming my laboratory assistant?”
“Assistant?”
Lin Wei was surprised.
Although he was Seles’s student, ordinarily he wouldn’t be qualified to serve as Seles’s experimental assistant.
As a mentor at Shadow Forest Academy, Seles was required to produce research results each year, and in the field of biological mutation, experimental outcomes were paramount. Biological experiments were thus a critical part of Seles’s duties.
Yet, due to their complexity, Seles couldn’t personally oversee every step; he needed experienced assistants to handle the less crucial procedures.
A decade ago, with many students under his tutelage, Seles selected assistants directly from his trainees. But an accident during an experiment left Seles injured and recuperating for five or six years. He not only ceased recruiting new students, but his personal disciples gradually graduated. He was forced to spend magic stones to hire other wizard apprentices.
Only last year did he recruit a new student, Ambis, but as Ambis proved inadequate, Seles continued to employ outside apprentices. Now, however, Lin Wei’s appearance had changed his mind.
Noticing Lin Wei’s thoughtful silence, Seles added, “Though you are my student, I won’t have you work for me without recompense. Each month, I’ll pay you twenty magic stones as salary.”
“Twenty magic stones…”
Lin Wei had never intended to refuse. Becoming an experimental assistant and participating in his mentor’s experiments was a rare opportunity—and now, a generous salary was included.
“No problem, Mentor Seles. I’d be honored to be your assistant.”
Lin Wei had been troubled by the cost of borrowing books from the library, but now, things seemed to be turning around.
Seles’s face broke into a satisfied smile. “Very well. Starting tomorrow, report to the laboratory on time. Your working hours will be half a day each morning.”
“Understood, Mentor Seles.”
Lin Wei nodded in agreement.