The Procedure

Lucius sat in the cold metal chair in some sort of scientific lab. The sterile white walls glowed faintly under the harsh light of the facility, and the faint hum of advanced machinery filled the room. Two technicians in white coats worked silently, checking the arrays of monitors that displayed his vitals.

Adelheid stood nearby, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. "I still don't know why my father told me to be with you, anyway, this is supposed to be painless," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of concern. "Try not to embarrass yourself."

Lucius smirked. "I don't intend to."

The door opened, and an older man in a dark uniform entered. Dr. Falken, the head geneticist of House Vasilier, held a sleek tablet in one hand. His sharp eyes scanned Lucius as if measuring him. "This will be probably the most advanced genetic upgrade of your life. The Eltz genetic sequence is unparalleled. It will elevate your already enhanced abilities to another level."

Lucius nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "Let's get started."

Dr. Falken gestured to the technicians. "Prepare the lord."

They moved quickly, attaching several nodes to Lucius's chest, temples, and arms. A cool gel touched his skin, and he barely flinched. The chair reclined, and a mechanical arm descended from the ceiling, holding a thin injection device filled with a glowing blue liquid. Lucius watched it with curiosity and also a bit of fear.

"This serum contains the Eltz genome modifications," Dr. Falken explained. "Your physical strength, cognitive speed, and regenerative abilities will all be enhanced. Additionally, you may notice heightened reflexes and sensory perception."

Lucius studied the glowing blue liquid in the injection device, his eyes narrowing slightly. It looked almost alive, swirling with faint patterns as if the serum itself held some awareness. "Heightened reflexes and sensory perception, huh?" he muttered. "Sounds like a worthwhile trade for a bit of discomfort."

Dr. Falken chuckled faintly. "Discomfort is an understatement, Lord Lucius. The Eltz genome modifications are perfect, even among noble enhancements. The changes will occur at a cellular level, and the process is... intense. Your body will essentially rebuild itself."

He then smirked, his gaze flicking to Adelheid with a playful glint in his eye. "Hopefully, I won't end up with the red hair."

However, Dr. Falken replied, his expression filled with amusement. "A common concern, Lord Lucius," he replied with a chuckle. "But I assure you, the modifications are based on your genetic lineage, not on cosmetic traits. You won't find yourself with any unintended... changes."

Lucius grinned, relieved but still intrigued. "Well, that's good to hear."

The injection arm lowered to his neck, and there was a faint hiss as the needle pierced his skin. The serum burned as it entered his veins, a sharp contrast to the cold gel. He clenched his fists as the heat spread through his body, igniting every nerve like wildfire.

Adelheid leaned closer, watching him carefully. "Feeling anything yet?"

Lucius gritted his teeth. "Like my blood is boiling, but nothing I can't handle."

Dr. Falken nodded, satisfied. "Good. The discomfort is normal. Your body is already adapting to the genetic changes. It will take a few hours for the full integration."

The burning sensation faded, replaced by a wave of cold that left Lucius shivering. His muscles tensed involuntarily, and his vision blurred for a moment before sharpening to an almost painful degree. He could see every detail of the room, every pore on the technicians' faces.

"Your enhanced vision is kicking in," Dr. Falken said, noticing his reaction. "It will take time to adjust, but you will find it invaluable."

Lucius clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling a surge of strength coursing through him. His entire body felt lighter, more responsive as if a weight had been lifted. He took a deep breath and sat up straighter.

"Is that it?" he asked, his voice steady.

"For now," Dr. Falken replied. "Your body will continue to adapt over the next twenty-four hours. Avoid strenuous activity during that time, though I suspect you will find it difficult to follow that advice."

Lucius stood, testing his balance. He felt invincible like he could crush steel with his bare hands. "I'll manage."

Adelheid smirked. "You look impressed with yourself."

He glanced at her, a faint grin on his lips. "I feel stronger already. I can't wait to test it!"

Dr. Falken interrupted. "I will monitor your progress closely. If you experience any unusual side effects, report to me immediately."

Lucius nodded. "Understood."

As the doctor began to adjust his instruments, Viktor stepped into the room, his presence as imposing as ever. His eyes scanned the scene, quickly assessing the situation before he turned towards Dr. Falken and Adelheid. "That will be all," he said, his tone firm. "Leave us."

Dr. Falken and Adelheid hesitated for a moment, but Viktor's command left no room for argument. Adelheid gave Lucius a certain look before closing the door behind him. The room fell into silence, save for the faint hum of medical equipment in the background.

Lucius looked at his grandfather, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Viktor studied him for a moment before his gaze shifted to the door, as if pondering something. Then he spoke, voice low but laced with curiosity.

"Your fiancée... Lady Adelheid, is it? She seems a tough one, more than I expected. Too strong-willed and confident for a woman. Too much so, perhaps. It's unusual for a woman."

Viktor's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone turning contemplative. "I can't help but wonder... What's her genecode? It would explain a lot. She doesn't strike me as typical, not with that level of... assertiveness. Almost suspiciously so, don't you think?"

Lucius blinked, his expression unreadable. He hadn't expected his grandfather to bring her up, much less analyze her with such keen observation. "I hadn't really thought about it," Lucius admitted, though his mind started to think. "She's different, yes. But I find her her….. interesting."

Viktor gave a slight, knowing nod, but his gaze lingered as if evaluating something more than just Lucius's words. "Hmm," he muttered. "You'll need to keep a close eye on her. Her father... I suspect he may have had a hand in shaping her like this." He paused, a calculating look in his eyes. "Not just with training, but perhaps even with her genecode. If he altered her illegally in ways that make her more assertive, more forceful, it wouldn't surprise me."

"Anyway I have to say, I'm proud of you, Lucius," Viktor began, his voice low but steady. "With this, we're no longer just a noble family in name. You've taken the Vasilier bloodline to a new level. With your genetic upgrade, we can finally stand among the core world nobility. True nobility, not just by name, but by blood."

Lucius met his grandfather's gaze, with a knowing look, Lucius knew his grandfather had some plans for him. "What exactly are you planning for me now, Grandfather?"

Viktor's lips twitched upward into a smile, though it was more of a ghost than a genuine one. "I've seen the potential in you, Lucius. Your father did your part now it's your turn. You're the key to taking our house to the next stage. I have plans, big plans. But don't worry, you'll get to carve your own path, too. I'm not blind to the skills you've already shown me. You've earned your place, and soon enough, you'll prove that you can lead."

Lucius remained silent, though a part of him felt a slight surge of anticipation. But then Viktor's expression softened for a brief moment, the harshness of his features fading as he looked at his grandson, almost as if seeing something beyond the now.

"I remember when I was just another soldier, another grunt fighting for the royal prince," Viktor murmured, his gaze far away. "It feels like another lifetime. The Grauer robot swarms were relentless, but it was my fight, my chance to prove something, not just for the prince, but for myself. You know, I never cared much for the politics or the intrigue, just focused on the battles. But in the end, it was those battles that raised me up."

Lucius watched his grandfather closely, listening to the rare vulnerability in his voice. "You never told me much about those days."

Viktor gave a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "I guess I never saw much point in it. You were always so focused on your studies. Remember Lucius it takes more than money and titles to be great. It takes good blood, work, strategy, and the will to shape the world how you want it. And now, with your new enhancements, you're ready for the next step in that journey. But you'll have to work for it. No one hands you the keys to power."

He reached to the side and pulled a long, polished sword from its sheath. The blade gleamed in the light, its edge sharp enough to cut through steel. Lucius's eyes narrowed as his grandfather held it out to him, the weight of the moment settling in the air between them. It was his grandfather's sword!