Chapter 1306: Imperial Warrior, Node Records

The next day, the third phase of the "Negative Energy Downgrade" project finally arrived.

That morning, Xia Duo arrived at the Laboratory early to prepare to welcome today's volunteer. He had received the list of volunteers the day before yesterday; the first batch still consisted of five people, but only one had been notified to come today.

Before long, Xia Duo met the volunteer, Advanced Rank Mage Mate, who had been accompanied by Jiabu'er, a student of Dean Bernie.

"Inquisitor Mate, thank you for your selfless contribution. The Imperial Mages will surely cherish your sacrifice in the future."

However, Mate's attitude was quite cold and he remained completely unmoved. "There is no need for superfluous words. When does the experiment begin?"

"In about half an hour. I will have Jiabu'er familiarize you with the experimental procedure first."

After saying this, Xia Duo gestured for Jiabu'er to take Mate away.

Jiabu'er was also a Researcher in the "Negative Energy Downgrade" project team, sent by Dean Bernie to assist and supervise the experimental process; his execution of Xia Duo's instructions was quite high.

Not long after Mate arrived, the other thirteen Researchers also arrived one after another.

……

Inside the Laboratory, Mate had already gained a preliminary understanding of the entire experimental design and process under Jiabu'er's introduction.

As an Advanced Rank Mage, although he had no attainments in the field of research, he still possessed the basic qualities of an Advanced Rank Mage from the academy.

Seeing the orderly experimental site with his own eyes, along with the various rigorous Protection measures, his heart gradually settled, and his attitude toward the group of experimental personnel became a bit softer.

Originally, he had come here to participate in the experiment with the mindset of certain death, but now, seeing the situation here, he felt that he should not end up dying miserably and obscurely here.

After all, if one can live, who would want to die?

"Researcher Maikade, can we begin?" Samuel asked.

"Yes. Just as we discussed yesterday, we will proceed with the three gradient doses of Negative Energy radiation—high, medium, and low—in order from low to high."

Immediately after, Xia Duo assigned tasks to the others: "Vice Dean, you are responsible for monitoring Inquisitor Mate's vital signs. If there is any significant fluctuation, cast a Spell to isolate and stabilize him immediately.

"The others are responsible for recording all changes in Mate's body after the Negative Energy intrusion—

"Jiabu'er and Feike, you two are responsible for recording the changes in Soul-related Nodes; Maier'si and Dameng, you two are responsible for recording the changes in internal organ-related Nodes;

"Kamila and Bode, limb Nodes; ……

"As for me, as the initiator and person in charge of the project, I will be the one to perform the Negative Energy intrusion on Inquisitor Mate."

After Xia Duo finished speaking, the others expressed their agreement as usual, but only Samuel raised a different opinion: "Maikade, the subject of this experiment is different from the others. Let me perform the Spellcasting. As for the monitoring of vital signs, there are so many monitoring and Protection devices here that whoever does it will be competent."

If this had been an experiment from a few days ago, it would not have been hard for Xia Duo to accept Samuel's opinion, but now, he shook his head.

He knew that Samuel was worried that if an accident occurred during the experiment, he, as the initiator of the project, might not be able to accept such a setback, or that he would have to bear some currently unforeseen responsibilities if it failed.

Samuel seemed to be targeting the leading authority of the experiment, but in reality, it was out of good intentions.

It was just that Xia Duo was not as fragile as the other imagined, nor did he care about the responsibilities he might have to bear if the experiment failed; on the contrary, this experience of personally performing the Spellcasting was something he could not give up.

Upon returning to the Main Plane, he would certainly restart the "Negative Energy Downgrade" project when the time was right. Rather than using people from the Main Plane to practice, it was better to master it here.

This way, at least his psychological burden would be much lighter.

……

There was no need for too much debate over who would be the primary Spellcaster; Xia Duo's will was firm, and Samuel did not insist further.

Before Spellcasting, Xia Duo reminded Mate again:

"Inquisitor Mate, please also keep your Magic Vision active at all times. If you perceive any abnormality in your Perception of the Magic Net, alert us immediately. Otherwise, we will only proceed according to the fixed experimental process, and you will be the only one to suffer additional losses."

Upon hearing this, Mate's expression turned stern, and he replied solemnly: "I understand!"

"Very good! Then—the first experiment of the third phase of the 'Negative Energy Downgrade' project, begins now!"

After saying this, Xia Duo cast the 5th-circle experimental Spell 【Negative Energy Control】, beaming the Negative Energy toward Mate in the form of radiation.

In the center of the Protection Array, Mate offered no resistance, only accepting everything with a resolute gaze.

Xia Duo noticed that when the Negative Energy radiation first hit Mate, the other's expression did not change, and he did not even move a muscle.

But in reality, according to the project team's researchers' estimations, even a low dose of Negative Energy radiation would be no less painful than being stabbed in the thigh with a sword.

From this, it could be seen that Inquisitor Mate was truly a Warrior of the Empire with firm Faith!

……

As the Negative Energy radiation continued, various feedback information was constantly coming in—

"0 hours, 05 minutes, 34 seconds, Soul-related Node, slight movement detected, suspected mild contamination, recorded!"

"0 hours, 06 minutes, 01 seconds, internal organ-related Node, no abnormalities, recorded!"

"0 hours, 07 minutes, 12 seconds, skeletal-related Node, slight movement detected, slight bone deformation, recorded!"

"0 hours, 7 minutes, 28 seconds, left arm-related Node, slight movement detected, slight atrophy of flesh and blood, recorded!"

……

"0 hours, 09 minutes, 01 seconds, vital signs stable, recorded!"

Hearing Samuel's periodic report of the results, Xia Duo could not help but frown. The "Negative Energy Downgrade" research was indeed not that simple!

A reduction in Spellcasting Level was merely one of the countless negative states caused by Negative Energy intrusion, but Xia Duo had not yet had the chance to return to the Main Plane to discuss the relevant details with Lord Leisen.

Therefore, he could only adopt "Negative Energy radiation," a more comprehensive, relatively stable, and easily controllable method of Negative Energy intrusion.

The current experimental results proved that low-dose Negative Energy radiation could not lower the target's Spellcasting Level at all; it could only slightly corrode the body.

This level of damage could be completely removed by drinking a single Purification Potion, and there would not even be any aftereffects.

"It seems I still need to increase the dosage!"

In fact, Xia Duo also understood that low-dose Negative Energy radiation would yield almost no results, but he insisted on starting from a low dose, not only for the rigor of the experiment but also for that tiny, almost non-existent possibility.

If results could be obtained using only low-dose Negative Energy radiation, there would be no need to move on to high doses.

Whenever Negative Energy intrudes into the human body, regardless of whether the dose is high or low, it will wear away life. Xia Duo felt great admiration and respect for these volunteers participating in the experiment, and as long as it was possible, he would try his best to preserve their lives.