NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
After receiving his bachelor’s degree certificate and promotion notice, Suzu began to struggle with choices, wavering among several research areas.
First, there was the field of Medicinal Design Engineering, focusing on immunology of innate immune cells, involving innate immunity, bone marrow cells, C-type lectin receptors, and inhibitory receptors. This field often collaborated with the Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculties.
Suzu suspected this area could research the special constitution of the Godly family and participate in the development of vaccines and blockers. Moon Mountain’s senior sister was murdered precisely because she stumbled upon the problem with the potion.
Next was the field of Genetic Systems Innovation, covering evolutionary genetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, and evolutionary developmental biology.
Megumi had mentioned that those people wanted to impregnate normal humans with ghoul offspring and transform normal humans into ghouls. They used a special method to maintain Hokuto Kitayama’s state so that he wouldn’t immediately melt into a mass of rotten flesh after mutation.
Both Kitayama and Moon Mountain’s senior sister died, and it was unclear whether this was a failed experiment or mere punishment.
At this moment, Suzu recalled a few phrases:
“This virus’s gene can be endogenized, that is, embedded in the host’s genome, affecting future generations.”
“Once etched into the genome, it can be inherited. Infected individuals must take blocking measures promptly to prevent gene contamination.”
“The institute believes that once certain conditions are triggered, people carrying the virus gene are likely to fall ill.”
He had a bold idea: Was the confinement of the villagers within the walls, seen as “dirty-blooded and lowly” by others, also related to a genetic issue?
Perhaps, those people deliberately triggered “specific conditions” to activate the already contaminated genes of the inner ring people.
Sighing, Suzu thought: classifying people based on bloodlines and DNA, isolating carriers and infected individuals instead of actively treating them, and plunging them into poverty… Such actions were excessively cruel.
He hadn’t expected that the plot of dystopian literature would so blatantly unfold in modern civilized society.
Another option was the field of Applied Biological Resources, including genetics, insect design, extremophile biology, biological function utilization, plant breeding, genetic resources, plant genetics, plant genomics, and plant genetic breeding.
Choosing this direction might unravel the secret of “poisonous cicadas” and address the food crisis in Cicada Hiding Town caused by soil and water pollution.
Beitou needed effective vaccines and blockers to prevent a repeat of the inner ring disaster. They also had to store enough food to prevent isolation and blockade by enemies.
After all, it seemed the top brass was beginning to control port supplies. Endo House was reluctant to trouble Cicada Shrine, fearing suspicion from “certain people,” and was unwilling to buy the institute’s hydroponically grown vegetables and clean meat, worrying about the lack of fresh ingredients.
Suzu felt reluctant to eat the meat in the cafeteria, such as fish, chicken wings, pig’s feet, steaks, etc., knowing they were cultured from animal cells, despite the institute’s promotion of clean meat benefits:
“Mass adoption of cell culturing technology would reduce the need for animal rearing, saving land and water resources, and reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, benefiting ecological protection and sustainable development.”
“The cell culturing process is relatively controllable. Laboratories are cleaner than slaughterhouses, effectively preventing food safety issues. Plus, animals won’t have to suffer slaughter.”
“We can develop rare meat varieties, allowing people to taste forbidden delicacies without threatening endangered species.”
Suzu recognized the benefits of this technology but couldn’t understand why, if the institute’s advanced technology significantly reduced clean meat production costs, they still sold their products at several times the price of traditional meat.
Moreover, he couldn’t help but associate these cells with human cells used in bioroids. Could someone be cultivating human flesh with these cells, such as the flesh of the Godly? Would consuming it long-term cause kuru disease?
【Note: Kuru disease is an incurable degenerative human transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, generally believed to be caused by prions. Symptoms include headache, joint pain, severe limb tremors, and laughter, often resulting in death. It’s thought to have spread through cannibalism, similar to the spread of BSE (mad cow disease) through feeding cattle the remains of other cattle or sheep.】
Before the semester started, fellow travelers mentioned Watanabe and Morino seniors going insane in the cabin. Besides the possible side effects of the decompression spray, could it also be due to consuming human flesh?
Chilled by these thoughts, Suzu felt a cold sweat slowly creeping across his face.
2.
With a heavy heart, Suzu sought advice from Professor Kikuchi, hoping for some guidance on course selection.
“Frontier Sciences is essentially an advanced interdisciplinary science, heavily emphasizing the integration of disciplines. Mr. Suzu can choose a major and, if
capable, minor in other areas.”
“Majoring in Medicinal Design Engineering, minoring in Genetic Systems Innovation, and Applied Biological Resources – is that okay?”
Professor Kikuchi nodded, then showed concern:
“Wouldn’t that be too strenuous? The director is very worried about your physical and mental state and almost refused your advancement request. I heard some students in that faculty couldn’t handle the pressure, fell seriously ill, had to go home to recuperate, and some even committed suicide. So, please take care of yourself!”
Hmm, Professor Kikuchi seems unaware of Moon Mountain’s senior sister’s tragic death. Is he someone to be won over?
So, Suzu cautiously probed, “Professor, if I may ask, how are your relations with that faculty?”
“Well… as you know, the top institutions in the country are those two. The high-ups at the institute are all alumni from there, forming an academic faction of sorts. They place their loyalists in the most prestigious faculties, making it hard for other professors to fit in. Like me, I can only stay in the Faculty of Science to teach undergraduates.”
Finishing, Professor Kikuchi sighed bitterly.
“I understand, thank you, Professor.” Suzu bowed deeply to him.