But that was before he awakened his memories. Rain's attraction to the *Super Healing Lizard* seemed tied to his past life, where he had died painfully from cancer. The thought of self-healing had felt like salvation, but now, with his memories back, he knew he needed to approach this more carefully. This decision would shape his future, and he couldn't let old fears dictate it.
He decided to thoroughly review all the genetic medicines and their abilities before making a final decision:
1. **Stone Monkey** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Grants the user a body as hard as stone, with earth energy affinity.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 15, Agility - 10, Physical - 18.
*Pros:* Strong defense and resilience.
*Cons:* Slower agility.
2. **Blood Hound** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Enhances the sense of smell, detecting blood within a 1km radius; attacks cause a bleeding effect.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 13, Agility - 17, Physical - 13.
*Pros:* Great for tracking and bleeding damage.
*Cons:* Physically weaker compared to other choices.
3. **Giant Ant** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Temporarily doubles strength during battle for a few minutes.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 18, Agility - 12, Physical - 13.
*Pros:* Tremendous strength boost during combat.
*Cons:* Short duration of increased strength, low agility.
4. **Ice Cat** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Summons a cold mist that freezes enemies; ice energy affinity.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 12, Agility - 18, Physical - 13.
*Pros:* High agility and effective area-of-effect freezing abilities.
*Cons:* Weaker physical and strength stats.
5. **Red Pupil Crow** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Hypnotizes others and can observe the energy channels of living beings.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 14, Agility - 17, Physical - 12.
*Pros:* Hypnosis and energy sensing offer strong mental and tactical advantages.
*Cons:* Physically weaker, requires more strategic use.
6. **Iron Rhino** - *D-rank, middle-level Genetic Medicine*
**Ability:** Enhances strength and physical toughness, with metal energy affinity.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Strength - 16, Agility - 11, Physical - 16.
*Pros:* Excellent balance of strength and physical resilience.
*Cons:* Slower agility.
7. **Super Healing Lizard** - *???*
**Ability:** Provides three times the healing ability of normal humans, with life energy affinity.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Unknown for strength, agility, and physical attributes.
*Pros:* Superior healing and life force abilities.
*Cons:* Uncertain physical stats, possibly weaker in combat scenarios.
8. **Electric Eel** - *???*
**Ability:** Attacks contain a paralyzing effect, with thunder energy affinity.
**D-rank peak genetic warrior stats:** Unknown for strength, agility, and physical attributes.
*Pros:* Paralyzing attacks offer great crowd control in combat.
*Cons:* Unclear physical and agility stats.
Rain carefully weighed each option. He was drawn to the *Super Healing Lizard* because of its life-saving ability, but the uncertainty of its physical stats made him pause. The *Electric Eel* and *Ice Cat* also stood out for their strategic advantages, yet each had its trade-offs. His decision would shape his future abilities, so he couldn't take this choice lightly.
As Rain mulled over his choice, Principal Gupta interrupted his thoughts. "Having trouble making a decision, Rain?"
Rain sighed, "Principal, before coming here, I had already decided on the Super Healing Lizard. But its incomplete data is making me second-guess myself."
Principal Gupta nodded, understanding the hesitation. "The Super Healing Lizard is actually a very good choice," he said, drawing Rain's full attention. "In the wild, the Super Healing Lizard can regenerate all parts of its body except for its brain. If you advance to the *True Body Realm*, you'll gain this same regeneration ability. Your attack power, agility, and physical stats can be compensated for with proper combat techniques and training."
Rain's attention was drawn to something unfamiliar: the True Body Realm. "Principal, what is the True Body Realm?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Principal Gupta glanced at him thoughtfully before explaining, "After you take genetic medicine, your human genes combine with the beast genes from the medicine. However, they remain two distinct gene chains. As you've opened your Spiritual Gate before taking the medicine, once you reach the D-peak realm, you'll notice that the gene chains aren't perfectly merged. The process of combining them into a single, harmonious chain marks the beginning of the *True Body Realm*. Achieving this greatly enhances your chances of reaching C-rank."
Rain processed the information, then asked, "So the True Body Realm has different levels?"
Principal Gupta nodded. "Yes, it's divided into five realms: Beginning, Minor, Major, Consummation, and Perfect True Body Realm. If you reach the Perfect True Body Realm, you'll have a 100% chance of breaking through to C-rank."
Hearing this, Rain's curiosity deepened. Sensing the eagerness on his face, Principal Gupta added, "I know you want to ask more, but knowing too much too soon can bring unnecessary trouble. Focus on breaking through to D-rank today. Once you reach the Beginning True Body Realm, the rest will become clearer."
Rain nodded, understanding the wisdom in the principal's words. Trusting in the process, he quickly made his choice and selected the *Super Healing Lizard* genetic medicine.
"Now," Principal Gupta continued, "let's head to the school medical lab. Doctor Sen will administer the genetic medicine."
As they opened the door to leave, they found Luke standing outside, waiting for them.
Principal Gupta turned to Luke, "Luke, have you made your decision?"
Rain raised an eyebrow, wondering what decision Principal Gupta was referring to. He recalled that Luke had opened his Spirit Gate just a day before him, and he remembered that before he awaken his memory both he and Luke shared a mutual affection for Siobhan. Siobhan, too, had opened her Spirit Gate only two days earlier. The success of Luke and Siobhan in opening their gates had given Rain the final push he needed to make his own decision. He couldn't help but wonder how their choices would shape the path ahead.
Luke replied confidently, "Yes, Principal Gupta, my elder brother's company will provide me with Darkfire Wolf genetic medicine after I sign a contract with them."
Rain's eyes widened. *Brother?* Luke, like him, had grown up in the same orphanage. This was the first time he had ever heard Luke mention having a brother. The revelation, coupled with the knowledge of the Darkfire Wolf medicine—a high-tier, late D-rank genetic medicine—piqued his curiosity.
Principal Gupta, however, didn't seem pleased. His expression shifted as he asked, "Your elder brother works for which company?"
"Heshi Research Institute," Luke responded nonchalantly.
At the mention of Heshi, Rain noticed the principal's face darken with concern. Principal Gupta's tone turned urgent, "Did you already sign the contract?"
"Yes," Luke confirmed.
Rain watched the principal closely. Upon hearing that the contract was signed, the look in Principal Gupta's eyes shifted—first to pity, then to a stern resolve. "Then there's nothing more for me to say. You may go, Luke. You've essentially graduated already."
As Luke turned to leave, the principal glanced at Rain. "Come, Rain. Let's head to the medical office."
Walking down the corridor, Rain couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. He thought about Luke's sudden news and decided to ask, "Principal, is there something wrong with Heshi Research Institute?"
Principal Gupta sighed heavily. "The City Police are investigating Heshi for unauthorized human medical trials. They've been involved in some suspicious activities. Luke may have signed a contract with them, but it's not a safe path. I worry for him."
Concern welled up in Rain. Despite their rivalry over Siobhan's affection, Luke had always been more than a rival—he was a friend. If it weren't for Luke's constant push, Rain might not have pushed himself so hard to improve. He silently hoped his friend wasn't in danger as they approached the medical office.
Inside, Rain immediately noticed the empty beds and Nurse Sia standing by. She smiled warmly at him. "Principal, Doctor Sen is in his office preparing Rain's genetic medicine."
Principal Gupta gave a small nod before motioning Rain to follow. Rain quickly greeted the nurse, "Good morning, Nurse Sia."
Nurse Sia beamed at him. She had often tended to his injuries after grueling training sessions, and Rain held a lot of respect for her. "Good morning, Rain, and congratulations on becoming a genetic warrior!"
Rain grinned. "I'm not a genetic warrior yet."
Waving her hand, Nurse Sia chuckled. "You've opened your Spiritual Gate. It's only a matter of time. Now hurry along to Doctor Sen's office!"
Rain nodded, still smiling, as he entered Doctor Sen's office, ready to take the next step toward becoming a genetic warrior. Inside, he immediately noticed the partition of glass separating the main office from an adjoining room. Through the glass, he saw Doctor Sen working on a machine that was connected to a chair. The machine's sleek design ended in a syringe-like attachment, its purpose unmistakable.
Rain shut the door quietly behind him and joined Principal Gupta, who stood by, watching him carefully. His gaze shifted back to the machine, studying its every detail. He knew what was coming next—the administration of the genetic medicine—but there was still an undercurrent of nervous anticipation.
Principal Gupta turned to him, his voice calm but serious. "Rain, tell me. After the genetic medicine is administered, what is the process of breaking through to D-rank?"
Rain had studied the process thoroughly and felt confident in his knowledge. He recited, "After the genetic medicine enters my body, it will transform into energy. I will need to merge that energy with my own, creating a new type of energy. Once that new energy fills 90% of my body, the first genetic door will appear. Before the energy fully saturates me, I have to open that genetic door to advance."
Principal Gupta nodded approvingly. "Good. Your theory is sound. But remember—when the medicine is administered, the pain will be intense. You must endure it and follow through with the process. If you don't... you may die."
Rain's expression tightened as he absorbed the gravity of those words, but he nodded resolutely. He wouldn't back down now. He had come too far.
Just then, Doctor Sen emerged from behind the glass door. He was a silver-haired man with sharp green eyes, his appearance strikingly youthful despite his age. Rain had always found it odd that Doctor Sen, despite being the school doctor for over 30 years, looked no older than a man in his mid-forties. He'd once assumed Doctor Sen was a genetic warrior, but Cistro had informed him that Doctor Sen was just an ordinary civilian—one who benefited from the advanced genetic technology that now allowed humans to live up to 200 years.
"All set," Doctor Sen announced, his tone calm but professional. He approached Rain with a discerning gaze, as if assessing his readiness for what was about to come—both physically and mentally.
Principal Gupta, standing beside them, turned to Doctor Sen. "Everything ready, Doctor Sen?"
"Yes, everything is in place," Doctor Sen replied. "All that's left is for Rain to change into a robe."
Rain, distracted by anticipation, blinked at the mention of a robe. "Here?" he asked, unsure of where to go.
Principal Gupta chuckled lightly and pointed to a door marked with a bathroom sign on the back wall of the adjacent room. "No, in there."
Nodding, Rain took the robe handed to him by Doctor Sen and walked toward the bathroom. As the door closed behind him, he quickly removed his clothes and put on the robe, his mind racing. His heart pounded in his chest, not just from the excitement of what was about to happen but from the lingering thoughts of his past life.
In his previous life, he had been just an ordinary human, dying slowly from cancer. His only escape during that time had been reading fantasy novels, where the protagonists would gain extraordinary powers, defy death, and start anew in another world. How often had he wished for the same? To be reborn somewhere he could be special, to live without pain or sickness. And now, here he was—standing at the cusp of becoming something more than ordinary.
But as much as he wanted to embrace this new world, there was still a twinge of sadness when he thought about his parents. They had endured so much as they watched him suffer, unable to do anything. Rain couldn't help but wonder if, in his absence, they had finally found peace. A part of him hoped they were happy now, free from the heartache his illness had caused.
Shaking his head, Rain pushed those thoughts aside. This was his moment, his new beginning. After today, he would leave behind the shadow of his past life. Today, he would become a genetic warrior.
He took a deep breath, calming the nerves that buzzed in his veins. The reflection staring back at him in the bathroom mirror looked ready—determined. With one final exhale, Rain opened the door, stepping out to face his new reality and embrace the extraordinary future that awaited him.