Chapter 93

Chapter 93

"How is the current situation?"

Xi Ze gazed at Yale, who was lying on the hospital bed, with a grave and concerned expression.

The inquiring doctor also wore a serious face, constantly comparing the complex data before him while looking at his fellow colleagues, all of whom were equally perplexed. Finally, he sighed.

"It's very peculiar. There's no precedent for finding His Excellency's prototype. It's impossible for there to be a unique worm prototype in the entire universe, but calling it a mutation is also stretching it..."

Without any precedent, they couldn't treat His Excellency's condition using the methods employed for treating worms, which would allow his prototype to develop healthily. The fact that it appeared so late was already highly abnormal.

Yale removed the X-ray scanner from his back, turned around to face them, and coughed softly. "Don't worry, there shouldn't be anything wrong."

"Do you feel any discomfort? Does the area around your chitinous sheath usually itch or hurt?"

The doctor remained unconvinced but was helpless. He could only emphasize this issue once more.

"The growth of the prototype typically completes during the juvenile phase. During this period, the body is extremely vulnerable. If you experience similar symptoms again, you must inform us immediately to avoid missing the optimal treatment window."

The disheveled bedding was carefully tucked in by Xi Ze. Yale met his gaze, noticing the unmasked concern in those eyes. He responded cooperatively.

"I understand. If there's any issue, I'll contact the hospital right away."

Knock, knock.

Rhythmic knocking echoed, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. They saw a vibrant worm standing at the door, his sour expression highly recognizable.

"Teacher, why are you here?"

Yale was surprised but quickly invited him in. "Please come in!"

"I just happened to be back from a business trip today. I heard from your senior that you were sick and took leave, so I dropped by."

Mord glanced at the male worm's face, relieved to see it still healthy and no signs of serious illness. He then adopted a stern expression.

"A weak body can't support long-term research. During less busy times, you should exercise more. Otherwise, when work piles up, you'll easily fall behind!"

Recalling his usual routine after work—either reading in the study after dinner or indulging in mischief with his mate—Yale realized he indeed didn't exercise much.

Yale coughed softly, his heart filled with guilt. "You're right."

Perceiving Yale's pleading gaze, Xi Ze turned to Director Mord with a serious expression. "I'll help the Male Sovereign exercise more in the future. Please rest assured."

Seeing their good attitude, Mord found it hard to blame them. He then turned to the doctor beside him and asked, "What's the cause? Please diagnose him thoroughly and cure him as soon as possible."

The incident began this morning when the Male Worm suddenly felt an itch on his back, as if something was trying to emerge from within.

"What's inside?"

In the clear mirror, the two slits were visibly swollen, seemingly about to burst open. Something appeared to be stirring inside, eager to break through the tender membrane.

The pain and itch intensified, causing Yale to break into a cold sweat. He immediately informed Xi Ze of the situation.

After all, their home wasn't as well-equipped as a hospital. If the doctor missed anything, multiple trips would only waste time. Thus, they rushed to the top hospital in District 2 for an examination.

Mord looked strangely at Yale. "Why are you only growing wings now? You should have grown them by the age of three. Are you regressing?"

Yale pressed his lips together, trying to hide his embarrassment.

His tentacles had only grown a few months ago, and no other parts of his body had undergone any abnormalities since then. It was only now that he had grown wings. Rather than describing it as retrogressive growth, it was more like an incredibly slow development.

After a brief moment of mutual gaze, a sudden intense itch struck them both.

"Wha...!"

Yale's pupils constricted as he clutched the bedsheet in pain, instinctively reaching to scratch. However, Xi Ze promptly grasped his wrist.

"Are your wings about to unfold? It might be itchy, but you mustn't scratch."

He wore a specially designed garment that featured openings over the corresponding points on his shoulder blades, as if anticipating the unfurling of wings. If he were to spread his wings at this moment, there would be no hindrance at all.

The medic stood poised on the sidelines, ready to pounce at any sign of mishap during the procedure. Mord also rose abruptly, his tense expression betraying a hint of anxiety.

"Rip... Rip..."

Unlike the resonant unfolding of the female insect's wings, Yale's spine distinctly swelled, but instead of a cracking sound, it was accompanied by a gentler and more subtle noise.

"It seems like it's about to... Hmm!"

He forcefully closed his eyes, feeling that object being withdrawn from his body, causing his scalp to tingle from the bizarre sensation. He could only grip the female insect's hand tightly.

"Almost there! Male Sovereign, hold on just a little longer!"

Xi Ze embraced Yale's upper body, controlling his strength so as not to hurt him, while his gaze remained fixed on the undulating shadow.

The membrane within the crevice was pierced and torn, but no blood flowed. Whatever was inside was gradually making its way out—

A delicate wing emerged from the right side first, with a slightly pointed tail wing followed by a broader and softer main wing. It quickly broke through the membrane and unfolded entirely.

The base color of the wing was a dense and fine black, appearing incredibly high-quality, surpassing even the Empire's finest materials.

Deep blue, block-like patterns were exquisitely beautiful, arranged in a regular yet highly aesthetic manner across the wing. Fine phosphorus powder refracted sunlight from all angles, shimmering like myriad stars in the night sky.

Though it looked fragile with its thinness, as it fluttered gently with each breath, it carried an undeniable vitality, robust and full of life.

"..."

Breathing in the infirmary room stilled, and everyone was momentarily struck speechless.

The female's bony wings were composed of countless intricate bones, shimmering with an understated, metallic luster. Sharp bone spines adorned their edges, giving them a terrifying appearance.

Male insects rarely had wings, and if they did, they were typically small and thin. This was vastly different from what they were witnessing now. An S-class male insect truly was distinct from an ordinary one.

...There's still one more.

Yale took a deep breath and, with unpracticed hands, prepared to unfold the other wing. Suddenly, he felt a strange piercing pain, causing his brows to furrow.

Why can't I pull it out... Let me try again... Rrrrip!

A sharp pain jolted through him, stealing his breath. Cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead as he instinctively clenched his teeth onto the button of the female soldier's uniform jacket.

"One has come out, but there's still one left. Is it stuck?"

They both held their breath, observing the wing. Xi Ze's expression darkened as he looked at the half-unfolded wing, speaking urgently.

He placed Yale's hand on his waist and tore the opening in the clothing wider to get a better view of the situation. Then, he heard the male insect groan softly in his embrace.

"The membrane is too tough; it's causing a wound when I try to pull it out... Just tear it open for me."

Direct tearing was out of the question; it might only exacerbate the wound. However, struggling forcefully could also inflict further injury to the wings.

"Doctor!"

Xi Ze immediately looked up at the medic across from them and tightened his grip on Yale's shoulder, gently stroking the male insectoid's hair to soothe him.

"Here! Don't worry, we're professionals. This is just a minor issue!"

The doctor's expression sharpened as they swiftly assessed the situation. They promptly activated a precision laser pointer and made a light cut on the membrane—

The remaining wing smoothly unfolded.

The pain and constriction vanished instantly, and Yale heaved a sigh of relief.

He wanted to sit up and inspect his wings but, upon parting, noticed the military jacket in front of him. The once-shiny buttons were now indented with a bite mark, causing him to guiltily release the female insectoid.

Upon seeing the wings, Yale was momentarily taken aback, still somewhat confused.

"They feel like butterfly wings. As for the species, it resembles either a Morpho butterfly or a Blue Morpho from Earth, but there's still a subtle difference…"

He silently speculated, flapping his nascent wings with effort under the doctor's anxious whisper, sensing an unfamiliar yet intimate bond of flesh and blood.

It was... incredibly fascinating.

Yale was about to examine them more closely when a warm towel was pressed against his forehead. His eyes widened slightly as he gazed at the still-serious female insect.

"Are you alright?"

As Xi Ze wiped away the cold sweat on Yale's face, he whispered, "Don't move your wings for now. There seems to be a wound there. Let the doctor take a look."

The injury was on his left wing. He slightly contracted it, making it easier for the doctor to inspect the tear.

"The skin is very thin and delicate, prone to tearing. There's a small abrasion on the surface without any bleeding... But there are nerves and blood vessels inside, Your Majesty, please..."

The gloved hand gently touched the wing with utmost care. The doctor's expression was so focused that it bordered on obsession. After a preliminary examination, he waved his hand, signaling for the medical equipment to be brought over.

With his face being wiped and his wings held, Yale couldn't move for a moment. He didn't notice Mord's subtle change in expression, which remained fixed on those two wings.

Mord leaned in closely to inspect the patterns on the wings, his expression increasingly suspicious. He muttered something under his breath.

"The hue and pattern... It's peculiar, it shouldn't be like this..."

The more he observed Yale's wings, the more he felt they resembled a description in an ancient text. If his suspicion was correct, they might uncover a groundbreaking discovery!

Perhaps even their stagnant research progress would benefit from this revelation.

The towel was finally moved aside, and as Yale opened his eyes, he noticed the anomaly in the female's behavior, recoiling slightly. "...Teacher, what's wrong?"

Mord abruptly lifted his head, his narrow eyes flashing with an intense green glow, reminiscent of Adelaide and the other insects' insatiable curiosity, if not more so.

"May I take a bit of the powder from your wings?"

Powder?

Yale was momentarily perplexed before reaching out to touch his wing. The sensation on his fingertips was soft, akin to real skin, and it was covered with a layer of shimmering golden dust.

Realizing that the dust seemed to be regenerative, he didn't mind parting with a small amount and nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Taking tools from the doctor, Mord nudged Xi Ze, who stood to his right, and gently swept the powder off with a soft brush, muttering to himself as he did so.

"Speed up your recovery, the research can't wait... This time, there will definitely be progress!"

With a soft hum in response, Yale winked at Xi Ze, whose face was dark with displeasure, urging him not to hold onto his anger.

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With the powder carefully collected from the wings, Mord dashed out of the hospital room, appearing exceedingly eager to return to the research institute. Meanwhile, after examining and treating the abraded areas, the doctor also excused himself and left the room.

The vast expanse fell silent, leaving behind only the intertwining sounds of two breaths.

"How do I put this back?"

Finally able to examine the wings properly, Yale turned his head out of curiosity and struggled to manipulate this newfound appendage, making it flap left and right.

It felt as if he had an extra tail, and for a moment, he lost control, accidentally knocking over a vase beside him with a thud. The impact reverberated back, causing a slight ache.

These wings were incredibly sensitive – whether that was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.

Xi Ze picked up the rolling vase and sat on the bed. He softly instructed Yale, "It's quite simple. First, focus your mind to sense its presence, then gradually become familiar with it."

He gradually raised his hand, guiding the wings to rise with him. "Come, follow my movements and slowly ascend, straighten..."

"That's right, just like that. Now try spreading them out to the sides, but take your time to avoid strain."

Yale fixated on the articulate hand, his wings instinctively mirroring the motion, folding gently once more before slipping back into the crevices.

There was no sense of foreignness; it felt as natural as closing one's eyes. He couldn't help but curve his lips in a smile, his gaze shining bright. "It's fine, let me try again!"

The magnificent and supple wings unfolded and folded, flapping up, down, left, and right. They quickly became agile, even capable of subtle, precise tremors, a fascinating sight.

"Have you got the hang of it?"

Xi Ze had not intervened throughout, watching Yale's attempts with a gentle expression. He reached out to cover the male insectoid's hand on the bed.

"More or less. But can these wings carry me? They seem so thin and soft, like they're made of paper and would tear with a gust of wind..."

Yale's excitement waned as he recalled the true purpose of the wings – flight. Doubt began to surface on his face.

"There should be some cartilage inside, but it doesn't feel sturdy enough to bear my weight. Compared to your bone wings, they seem like delicate parchment versus a deadly weapon."

Xi Ze also paused, refraining from making assumptions. "How about I help you check it out?"

These wings were unusually sensitive. Just now, when the doctor examined them through gloves, he already felt a bit uncomfortable. Now, he openly extended them in front of the male insect.

"Go ahead, touch it if you want. I've already touched your bone wings."

The words carried an inexplicable intimacy and privacy. After all, apart from doctors, only trusted partners would caress each other's backs and wings.

Xi Ze's expression turned serious as he gently placed his hand on the surface of the wing, softly kneading along the outer soft bone as if measuring something.

So... soft.

That was his first impression. As his fingertips traced the undulating patterns, he could almost sense the blood flowing beneath, as if touching some beautiful and fragile life.

After a momentary lapse, he recalled his original intention – to assess whether the male insect's wings were capable of flight. He promptly focused his attention on feeling the bones within.

The sensation of his fingertips brushing against the skin was too distinct. Gently touching here and there soon produced an unbearable itch that spread along the veins, numbing half of his body.

"Mmm... wait, hahaha... It's too itchy..."

Yale suppressed his laughter as much as he could, but eventually, he couldn't hold back and chuckled. He tried to shake off the tickling sensation on his wings, but it was to no avail.

"I can't take it anymore, I really need to scratch this time. It's too itchy."

He managed to compose himself, attempting to bring his wings closer, but lost control of his strength for a moment—

His broad and soft wings swept over the male insect's head and face, almost entirely covering him. The impact was so strong that the phosphorus powder on them scattered across the ground.

"!"

The sudden darkness before his eyes startled Xi Ze for a moment. In the next second, he realized what had happened and felt a touch of helplessness. "Male Sovereign."

Yale quickly moved his wings aside, only to see the golden dust covering the male insect's face and head, shimmering in the sunlight with tiny, colorful sparkles.

"Cough, sorry, I lost control for a moment there."

Yale grabbed a towel nearby to wipe the male's face, but the powder was so fine that it was difficult to remove with just wiping; instead, it stuck to the male's face with the moisture.

"It's alright, I'll wash it off when I get back. You should…"

Before Xi Ze could finish his sentence, he felt a gust of wind brush past him, sending the floating phosphorus powder scattering. He opened his eyes to find Yale flapping his wings.

With intense focus, Yale flapped them repeatedly, lending an odd yet endearing quality to the scene.

These wings… really suited the Male Progenitor.

Unable to resist a chuckle, Xi Ze sincerely exclaimed in admiration.

However, it didn't take long for Yale to admit defeat. "I can't do it anymore. It's tiring, and my wings are cramping."

After this small comedic interlude, they both collapsed onto the hospital bed.

The ultra-luxury VIP ward was spacious enough that it could easily accommodate two insects. Yale pulled Xi Ze down with him, basking in the rare moment of leisure amidst their busy schedules.

They had succumbed.

Yale rolled onto his side, facing Xi Ze, and let out a quiet sigh.

A year ago, he would never have imagined that he would be delighted by growing wings. Instead, he would have seen it as becoming more insect-like and less human, causing him even more despair.

All transformations are intangible, yet leave traces behind -

It was always somehow connected to Xi Ze.

Gazing at the face of the female insect beside him, his expression softened unconsciously, and he couldn't help but repeatedly curve his lips.

Then, Xi Ze leaned in and kissed his eye, eliminating the tiny gap between them. Soon, he heard the deep voice of the female insect whispering in his ear, "What are you thinking about?"

Yale replied lazily, "Nothing. Let's just lie here a bit longer, we rarely have some free time together."

Last night, they both had to work overtime, and this morning, they woke up early to prepare for their day, only to be interrupted by the unusual occurrence on their backs, which led them to take half-day leaves. Now, it was the perfect time for them to rest and regain their energy.

"Good."

*

To Yale's surprise, the phosphorus powder that Teacher Mord had collected from the wings had indeed brought about a significant breakthrough in their research—

"It's truly remarkable! These powders contain a hint of vitality, not being mere inorganic lifeless substances. Moreover, the cellular structure within is not from this era at all..."

He was in the middle of an experiment when Mord hurried into the central laboratory, showcasing their findings from the past few days, capturing the attention of every insect present.

"An organism so ancient that it might date back thousands of years!"

A buzz of excitement erupted.

Yale froze for a moment, his gaze falling on the intricate image displayed on the clear screen. His expression gradually turned solemn.

As a researcher himself, he was well aware of what this data meant to them—

Decades of research that had reached a deadlock and had induced despair would now be infused with new vitality. They might even solve many unsolved mysteries with this discovery.

"Don't get too close! These powders are very light; even a slight air current could blow them away."

Looking at Mord carefully holding the vessel, Yale suddenly recalled how he had accidentally doused the female insect with phosphorus powder earlier. He coughed guiltily.

...He hadn't expected the powder to be so valuable. Fortunately, the phosphorus on the wings was renewable. Otherwise, if Mord found out about his wastefulness, he would surely sulk for an entire month.

After distributing the information, Mord called Yale into the director's office amidst the heated discussion.

"Might you have regressed?"

"Indeed, an S-Class male is utterly distinct from the typical males in the Empire! They're like living fossils!"

The female before him appeared incredibly excited, pacing back and forth while muttering to herself.

"Regression?"

Recalling that he had come from a distant corner, virtually on the opposite side of the universe, such anomalies were understandable. If he could accidentally break through a research deadlock, it would be a delightful surprise.

But his origins were definitely not to be revealed.

Yale replied vaguely, "Perhaps, considering how slow my growth has been. Anything can happen."

His antennae had already developed, but during their previous check of his bodily data with Ai Ke, no abnormalities akin to his wings were detected.

What were these wings all about...

"As long as we seize this opportunity and continue exploring through this breakthrough, the gene serum that we've been desperately researching for years might just be within our grasp!"

Even through the office door, the buzz of various discussions outside could be heard, while the enthusiastic scientist before him was practically beside himself with excitement.

Yale couldn't help but smile, feeling as if a flame of warmth had ignited within his chest, burning fiercely and shimmering with the faint glow of hope.

The path of scientific research was far from a smooth and direct road; it might even be a dead end from the very beginning. But only by personally venturing forth and relentlessly forging ahead could one have a chance to grasp the truth.

...

After a day of fervent research, everyone reluctantly dispersed at ten o'clock in the evening, still immersed in their work.

The days of diligent yet fruitless research were truly unbearable. The sudden divine intervention of the Worm God, bestowing a miracle upon them, had instantly ignited the passion of all the research enthusiasts.

If not for Mord's forceful order to go back and rest, they would have genuinely been able to sustain themselves for days and nights on high-concentration energy boosters, devoting themselves to research without pause.

"Beep beep."

His optical computer flashed red, and without even checking, Yale knew who the message was from.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped out the door, he saw a figure waiting there, dressed in neat military attire, tall and straight, staring intently in his direction.

It was already quite warm at this time, and the night breeze at ten o'clock carried a hint of heat.

Yale descended the steps one by one, but couldn't help hastening his pace as he drew closer to Xi Ze ahead.

The scene before him strangely echoed a memory from his past, stirring a deep sense of déjà vu within him.

"My greatest wish is to continue my research, own a house, find a partner to share my life with, and together, raise a pet. I desire a peaceful and happy existence."

A year ago, he had fulfilled half of that dream, only to be driven to the brink of ending his own life in despair.

It wasn't until he stumbled upon the edge of the galaxy and fortuitously encountered the male insectoid that he weathered through a long, arduous journey together, ultimately realizing his entire dream.

This time, he genuinely felt a profound sense of happiness, not just an empty void.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Yale took Xi Ze's hand naturally, leaning down to give him a tender kiss. "Sorry for the unexpected overtime tonight. You've worked hard."

"No, it was only a few minutes," Xi Ze replied with a warm smile. In response, he gently squeezed Yale's hand and led him outside. "Let's go. The hovercar is about a kilometer away."

Director Mord mentioned that you need exercise, and by the time we get home, it'll be rather late. Why not take a leisurely stroll now?"

Despite his protests falling on deaf ears, Yale resigned himself to walking the one-kilometer stretch at night with the male insect. Surprisingly, the slow pace and conversation along the way proved quite enjoyable.

He lifted his gaze to behold the vast expanse of the night sky, studded with countless stars and a gentle breeze blowing.

Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of Xi Ze's profile. They were holding hands childishly, swaying as they walked, their pace unhurried.

Behind them lay the place where dreams were realized, while ahead was the direction home.

In this moment, everything was as it should be – perfect.