Bear School Astartes

The first and second experiments both ended in failure.

The first attempt resulted in a pot of thin muscle broth, the heart was far from forming.

The second attempt resulted in excessive growth of the heart muscle wall, with the internal space of the organ being completely unacceptable.

But faced with the situation of two failures, a total of over six thousand Gold Coins wasted, all three people present remained very calm.

Because even the least experienced in experiments, Margaret, had observed the experimental processes within the academy.

In an experiment, the normal ratio of failure to success should be like the ratio of air to chips in a bag of chips.

To Lann, who designed the experiment, the first two experiments were essentially used as 'calibration.'

The efficacy of the [Dragonbone Growth Agent] in this experiment had yet to be quantified, these two experiments served this purpose.

Lann held the product of the second experiment in his hand, an excessively solid 'heart,' observing it closely.

"Mentos, is the calculation complete?"

"Calculation complete, sir. The exact mass required for catalyzing heart growth using the [Dragonbone Growth Agent] is estimated to be 20.30g."

Upon receiving the reply, Lann nodded slightly, put down the failure. He turned to Margaret and Tishaya.

"Let's begin the third experiment."

The two agreed with pleasure.

Margaret did so out of trust in Lann, after all, in her dealings with him, it seems this young Demon Hunter has yet to fail at anything he attempted.

Tishaya had already received nine thousand Gold Coins from Lann yesterday, and she had exchanged them for the required experimental materials from Airetusa's logistics department.

The money had been spent, even if the third attempt failed, the experiment had to continue.

Moreover...

Tishaya glanced at Lann's expression, noticed his confidence seemed completely unaffected by the two failures.

The glow of Magic Power flickered once again, new natural crystals and magic cloth were replaced...

The only different step was that Lann began precisely measuring the amount of [Dragonbone Growth Agent], placing the gray gel-like substance onto the crystal.

"Rita, start supplying Magic Power."

Ample Chaos Magic Power reappeared in the room, then was accurately guided to the crystal and into the flesh above.

The heart cell slice originally lying on the crystal began writhing and growing at a visible speed under the catalyst.

The turbid nutrient solution rapidly became clear.

Tishaya remained calm-faced, having witnessed this scene in the second failed attempt.

At that time, she couldn't help but applaud Lann for solving the 'difficulty of proliferating highly differentiated cells'.

Since then, Tishaya was convinced that Lann could complete this experiment, the only hindrance being the number of trials. Mastering the usage of the mysterious gray gel was indeed a challenge.

Clearly, Tishaya was unaware of how much a biological brain could assist humans in calculations.

Within the [Dragonbone Growth Agent], the surging growth force was infused into the myocardial cells. These cells, which had lost their regenerative ability due to high differentiation, began orderly proliferation.

Ultimately, under the three individuals' expectant eyes, a seemingly 'deformed' but complete heart grew to its proper shape, then slowly ceased writhing, coming to rest.

Lying quietly on the crystal plate.

Margaret and Lann found the success as expected, Tishaya felt surprised, yet also considered it reasonable.

Tishaya smiled, shook her head, gently applauding as she stood beside Lann.

"Congratulations, your experiment was a success. Cultivating organs with crystals, a project that stumped dozens of Warlocks in Airetusa over more than three years, and you solved it in just a few weeks here. Simply astonishing... You really should be a Warlock."

Lann raised an eyebrow.

"I just used a special growth agent, the ingredients of this Potion were brought from another realm, the dragon bones are limited in quantity. To truly conquer this project, we ought to return to the normal path. At best, I just set an example for future success."

"Well, I'll take this heart then."

Lann leaned down, picked up the container with the crystal plate and the 'deformed' heart.

Tishaya looked puzzled, but she still gestured with her hand, using Magic to bring over a container able to preserve organ vitality, along with cell preservation fluid, and handed them to Lann.

"Will this deformed waste be of any use to you?"

"A memento, after all, it's the first success of the experiment."

Tishaya asked no more, and after sending off the clearly restless Lann and Margaret, she stayed to record the experiment data in the laboratory.

A rigorous nature is a valuable trait for an experimenter, and Tishaya was born with it.

-----------------

Lann held the jar containing the [Second Heart], feeling somewhat peculiar.

Just like when he initially carried the jar with genetic seeds, the fleshy organ suspended in the jar's liquid is destined to be placed into his chest in the near future.

With such an understanding, one can't help but feel odd.

Walking with Margaret along the opulently decorated halls of Airetusa, the blonde Female Warlock suddenly spoke.

"I've prepared various Magic Potions for you, as well as Alchemy materials you may need, Bopai has also been saddled and bridled, ready to depart any time."

Watching her swaying fragrant silhouette, Lann suddenly felt a warm concern. This warmth naturally curled his mouth into a smile.

"Thank you, Rita."

"You're welcome, dear." Margaret turned with a smile, using an endearment she hadn't before.

"I know your pride won't accept my sponsorship, or even borrow my magic pouch. At least accept these modest caring gestures—if you reject even these, that'd be quite clueless."

Lann, holding his [Second Heart], jokingly saluted the blonde dean.

"Of course, I'll surely accept your care, dear dean."

That afternoon, Lann left Airetusa, once again boarded the riverboat headed for Vizima, and three days later, he returned to the lakeside village named Dark Water.

Lann wore a long cloak with a hood over his armor, identical to the attire he wore when he first arrived.

The villagers were accustomed to his traveler appearance, at least Selena, the village chief's daughter, skipped by without even glancing up at him.

Lann headed straight to the village tavern.

On the way, he passed the village smithy, where an old acquaintance was hammering and observing a piece of raw ore by the furnace.

"Hey, Belengar!"

The burly man by the furnace straightened up, squinted outward, immediately catching sight of the tall horse and the robust figure upon it.

"Ah, you've finally returned!"

Belengar tossed away his tools, wiped the coal dust off his face, and walked outside the workshop.

"Returning something to you."

Before he reached Lann, he had already tossed him the Dragonbone Dagger, sheathed.

Lann caught it in the air, smoothly hanging it on his back waist.

He lifted his hood, letting his radiant silver hair reflect a dreamlike glow under the sunlight.

"Returning it so straightforwardly, Belengar. Did you make any headway with your replica?"