Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Fang Zheng acted immediately upon uncovering the truth about Academy City. He was particularly displeased with this anti-scientific group that was both championing science and engaging in feudal superstition. Using the banner of science to promote superstition? You’re bullying Newton, Einstein, and Galileo while they lie in coffins unable to come back to set things straight!

Well then, let justice... *cough cough*... let the Paladin uphold the Heavenly Dao and take care of you!

Fang Zheng wouldn’t recklessly charge in to create trouble. Instead, he chose to establish his base within Academy City, as he still needed to chat and observe a few protagonists, right?

Thus, Fang Zheng promptly spent money to purchase a ”Quantum Neural Research Institute” in Academy City. This is just one of many research institutions there, neither high nor low in status, without much achievement nor known for anything spectacular. Yet, at least the equipment was complete, with everything needed in physics, chemistry, and biology. That’s why many scientists chose to come here; it’s convenient to buy equipment and conduct research!

This was also Fang Zheng’s reason for choosing it. He couldn’t possibly transport equipment from the Heavenly Dao Palace, so he had to use what was available.

Although this meant that all three residences were quite far apart, Fang Zheng didn’t mind. In fact, after purchasing the institute, he used spells to directly connect Mel and Meiyin’s house with the institute. This way, whenever either Mel or Meiyin returned, they’d appear in the same space, and they could visit the institute anytime.

However, what Fang Zheng didn’t expect was that upon acquiring the institute, he also received an unexpected... gift.

”What does this mean?”

Fang Zheng held the contract, frowning as he looked at the former director in front of him, who only responded with a helpless smile.

”Well, when the institute was initially established here, um... it signed a contract with someone else to provide funding for two students...”

”What funding?”

”Living expenses, educational fees...”

”So what is this all about? Aren’t you a research institute?”

Fang Zheng flipped through the contract again to confirm he hadn’t mistakenly acquired a children’s charity organization.

”It’s just that because one of them was an Ability User of LV3 Rank at the time—oh, she’s now a Great Ability Holder of LV4 Rank—we initially wanted to use her power to research the secrets of superpowers. She mentioned wanting to study in Academy City and hoped our institute could sponsor the necessary expenses for her and her sister during their stay in Academy City...”

”So should I continue fulfilling the contract?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng also frowned, finally grasping the situation of the institute. Clearly, they thought they had found a good experimental material, investing quite a bit, but their capabilities were limited—otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone bankrupt and been acquired by Fang Zheng.

Though he had money, he couldn’t just give it out to others randomly, right?

”Well... um...”

”All right, I understand.”

Fang Zheng nodded, placing the contract down.

”Notify the beneficiary that I wish to meet face-to-face to discuss the situation before deciding.”

”Yes, yes...”

Upon hearing this, the former director quickly and obsequiously left, while Fang Zheng shook his head. He then exited the office and entered the laboratory nearby, where Riko was curiously sitting on a chair, examining the equipment in front of her.

”Let me see... hmm, the results are in...”

Fang Zheng picked up his personal terminal, scanned a sample, then squinted at the data, pondering deeply.

”Mr. Fang Zheng?”

Seeing Fang Zheng deep in thought, Riko nervously asked. Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.

”Hmm, I think I get it... from a certain perspective, that werewolf’s remark isn’t really wrong...”

”Eh? You mean... Vlad?”

Upon Fang Zheng suddenly mentioning this topic, Riko was surprised, while Fang Zheng nodded.

”That’s right. You said you possess a certain power, but this power only activates when you wear the cross your mother gave you. On ordinary occasions, you can’t use it, right?”

”Yeah...”

Riko nodded. This was her biggest secret, one that even Vlad didn’t know. To protect the cross, Riko always hid it in her mouth. Only with Fang Zheng did she reveal this secret — after witnessing Fang Zheng’s unbelievable spells, she felt that her little trick had no value to him.

”Indeed, the data analysis shows that this cross contains an unknown chemical element, and it’s the radiation from this element that activates the dormant cell factor in your body. Yes, simply put, you indeed have this power, but under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t awaken.”

”Why, why!”

Upon hearing this, Riko was stunned.

”Because this actually counts as a genetic defect or a mutation inherited genetic defect. Simply put, humans have dominant genes and recessive genes, which we call A and a. Assuming your father is a power holder, then his genotype would be aa, whereas your mother’s genes could be AA or Aa. In this scenario, part ’a’ is genetic mutation, responsible for the power section, while your genes are aa+AA/Aa=Aa. So, in this case, the gene mutation power section is the recessive gene ’a’, unable to manifest, and you can only express the ’A’ part.”

Drawing a schematic on the nearby blackboard, Fang Zheng explained to Riko.

”And that cross can temporarily activate your recessive gene ’a’, and that’s why you can use your power when you contact that cross. If you get married in the future, and your spouse’s genes are aa, then your child might potentially be aa+Aa=aa type, manifesting abilities similar to your father’s — commonly known as skip-generation inheritance. I suspect that the werewolf has kept you tied up, searching for that aa gene spouse.”

”How could it be...”

Riko’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. In fact, she had always been puzzled; Riko had always thought Vlad intended to harm her, as he called her a ”breeding bitch.” Riko always believed Vlad wanted her to bear his child, completely overlooking the deeper reason.

Yet soon, Riko thought of another question.

”But if this is the case, wouldn’t I still give birth to Aa-type children like my mother?”

”Certainly, it’s a probability issue, but do you think that werewolf cares about how your children turn out?”

”..........”

At this moment, Riko’s body shivered involuntarily. Indeed, just as Fang Zheng said, even if Vlad found an aa gene spouse and then had Riko bear children, those children might not necessarily possess aa genes (especially with Riko’s ’a’). If that were the case, what then?

Vlad wasn’t a good person. Perhaps he would kill the child outright or use it as a test subject — until she finally produced the offspring with his desired aa-type gene.

Thinking of such a future made Riko tremble uncontrollably.

Now it seemed she finally understood what Vlad meant by ”breeding bitch.”

”Don’t worry.”

However, at that moment, Riko felt a warm hand gently petting her head.

”That guy is dead now, isn’t he? Rest assured, I can guarantee that he’s absolutely dead, impossible to revive.”

”Hmm...”

Feeling the warmth of Fang Zheng’s hand, Riko’s heart seemed to revive from its icy depths, breathing deeply as her heartbeat settled, albeit...

”However, I still can’t possess the abilities like my father, or like the first Lupin?”

”Hard to say. From a biological perspective, current technology makes it impossible, but the composition of your cross is intriguing...”

Fang Zheng curiously picked up the blue-colored cross, examining it carefully.

”It can activate your recessive genes, granting you temporary powers of a certain level... hmm, I intend to study it thoroughly. Of course, don’t worry too much; if you merely wish to possess strength, I have many methods.”

No big deal, you can just sign a contract with me and become a Magical Girl; it’s not difficult, right?

”Ding-dong...”

Just then, the doorbell rang, prompting Fang Zheng to move forward, engaging the intercom.

”What? Hmm... yeah, come directly to my office.”

After a brief exchange, Fang Zheng cut off communication, turning back to Riko.

”Then Riko, take some rest for now, I have some work to attend to.”

”Okay, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

Riko nodded, standing up and taking her cross as she exited the laboratory. Fang Zheng watched her until her silhouette disappeared beyond the corridor, then he shook his head, returning to the office.

Soon, a knock resonated at the office door, prompting Fang Zheng to tidy his clothes.

”Come in.”

At Fang Zheng’s call, the door quickly opened, revealing two figures walking in. Upon seeing them, Fang Zheng offered a slight smile.

”Please sit, yes, I called you here regarding the contract... so, let me confirm once more.”

With that, Fang Zheng raised his head, looking at the two girls seated before him.

”You are Frenda Severine and her sister, Flemia Severine, correct?”