"Boss, I bet this is the safest method of mutation in the world!"
In the laboratory, Franklin Hall gushed over the apparatus in front of him, Otto Octavius nodded in agreement, and only Maya Hansen held a different opinion on it, "Technically speaking, this can't be called a 'mutation'!"
"Of course it's not a mutation! I don't want to use an unstable and uncontrollable mutation to gain superpowers!" Eric carefully tested the apparatus to make sure there was no problem and then lay down into it.
The instrument was still based on the Cradle of Life he had built, but several people had made significant changes to it, nearly doubling the internal space, installing two slots for the arms, and adding a number of robotic and energy ray devices inside.
"When you think about it, you really can't call it a mutation, I think, Enchanting is a bit more graphic!" Otto held his chin in thought for a moment and delivered a more accurate description of the instrument in front of him.
"Enchanting? I'm glad you thought of that!" Erik cried, what the hell does this take me for? But when you thought about it, this experiment that was about to take place was really quite like enchantment.
Based on the working principle of the Extremis virus, and relying on the research they had done for over a year, they had designed an energy attachment device in the Cradle of Life.
Through this device, Using Strucker's genes as a model, and referring to the magical circuits of the Matter Reconstruction Ring and the Atomic Cutting Ring, two special energy circuits were constructed in Eric's body.
The two energy circuits, which can be said to have been adapted from the magical circuits of the two rings, allow Erik to gain temporary power and weakness control through these two energy circuits.
The whole process is like enchantment.
As the circuits are made of pure energy, they cannot exist for too long. According to several people's calculations, the energy circuits will start to collapse in a maximum of forty-eight hours, but this time, it is enough.
Still as with gravitonium, what Eric needed was not an ability to be given directly, but a primer, backed by magnetic and gravitational forces, and with his understanding of strong and weak forces, a simple primer was all he needed to give birth to these two controlling forces himself.
"Whatever it's called, it's the safest way I've ever seen, or heard of, to access the power!" Franklin Hall reached out and stroked the Cradle of Life shell, his eyes flickering as he wondered what he was thinking.
Safety, that was the most crucial aspect of this experiment. Whether it was through genetic mutation or direct exposure to radiation, the risk factor was too high, Eric didn't think he was one of those one in a million juggernauts who could be beaten half to death but still live, safety was his main concern.
"Alright, don't get sentimental, check again, if there are no problems let's get started." Eric finished and stretched both arms into the two slots, then closed his eyes and waited for the miracle to begin.
To be on the safe side, the two energy circuits would be engraved within both of Eric's arms so that even if something did happen, there would be some room for manoeuvre, and the worst that could happen would be to inject the Extremis virus and grow two arms back.
With everything ready, Maya Hansen flicked the switch and closed the door to the Cradle of Life. Looking inside at Eric, who was waiting with his eyes closed, she couldn't help but reach out her slender fingers and tap twice on the glass as Eric opened his eyes and responded with a reassuring smile.
"Begin!" At the command, the future immediately took over the controls, the various instruments and equipment began to operate and the Cradle of Life lit up with blue light.
Above Erik's arm, hundreds of miniature robotic hands and energy ray devices moved up quickly, occasionally emitting a blue flash.
Through the window, Maya Hansen noticed Eric's frown and asked, "What's wrong? Does it hurt?"
Eric shook his head, "No, it's just a little itchy."
A few people breathed a sigh of relief and watched Eric's body monitoring data closely on the screen.
After waiting for ten minutes or so, it had become apparent that Eric felt something extra in his arm and closed his eyes, taking in the details.
Building an energy circuit was like treating energy like bricks and placing them one by one in a designed position to form a finished building, a building that had to be linked to Eric's own energy, his nervous system and so on, in order to function as it should.
Erik felt a special energy enriching his arms, gradually forming a shape that resembled a magical rune, and then connecting them together.
The energy began to spread from one point and slowly all the points connected together to form a large and complex structure. Eric carefully touched this structure with his own energy and the energy rays immediately connected the two together.
It was like a circuit being wired, and Eric's arm instantly lit up with an eerie blue light, a blue glow hidden beneath the flesh of his arm, hazy and mysterious.
"Did it work?" As envisaged, the illumination of the blue light meant that the erection of the energy circuit was complete, but Maya Hansen could not resist asking out loud, and several others waited nervously for the future to give an answer.
"Dr. Hansen, the energy circuits have been erected and tested and there are no errors."
"Yay!" Maya Hansen raised both fists to cheer, but kept her voice low for fear of disturbing Eric, Franklin Hall and Otto Octavius raised both palms and gave them a light clap in celebration, and Chen Lu, who had been silent, also showed a delighted smile.
There was nothing more they could do to help with the rest of the matter, and according to the agreement, their work was all over at this point.
Chen Lu declined the few people's offer to give him a farewell party, packed his bags alone, kept that hard drive close to him and waved goodbye to the crowd.
Dr. Otto Octavius finally picked up his experimental proposal again and returned to his research on controlled fusion reactors with full confidence.
Maya Hansen went to the lab next door to continue her experiments on fusing vampire genes with the Extremis virus.
Franklin Hall returned to his lab, but instead of continuing his gravitonium research, he opened up the technical data on the Cradle of Life. Eric's success might turn some of the unrealistic ideas in his head into reality... he, too, wanted superpowers!
For the next forty-eight hours, Eric would remain in the Cradle of Life until he succeeded in acquiring his powers. Except for the future, who was closely concerned with Eric's physical changes, everyone else went about their business and peace returned to the lab.
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