Ethan walked outside with newfound confidence.
The servants he passed all bowed respectfully, but Ethan could tell there was no real respect behind their actions.
To them, he was still trash, a disappointment, someone who did not deserve their respect.
He had seen those expressions far too many times during the past six months and had long since grown used to them.
Without paying them any attention, Ethan walked past them casually.
His destination was his father.
Lucas Velmire was probably at home today because his precious daughter, Nova Velmire, was returning home this evening.
Lucas was a 7 Star Elite Martial Warrior, a vastly influential figure within the city, and the CEO of Velmire Company, one of the largest biotechnology corporations in the Federation.
The company produced many genetic serums, including the highly sought-after top-grade nutrition fluids.
Ethan took out his phone and called him.
The phone rang for a while before it was picked up.
"Father, I need to talk to you. Can I meet you now?" Ethan asked.
The other side remained silent for a few moments before Lucas replied, "Come to the main hall."
The call ended, and Ethan immediately headed there.
When he arrived, he found Lucas seated at a chess table across from Ben Carter, one of Lucas's closest friends.
Ben was also a business partner and a commander in the Federation Army.
"Hello, Father. Hello, Uncle Ben."
Ben looked up from the chessboard and smiled.
"Young man, you look lively today. How have you been?"
"Thank you, Uncle Ben. I've been doing fine. How are you?"
"Doing great."
Ben chuckled before returning his attention to the chessboard.
Lucas glanced at Ethan.
"What is it, Ethan?"
"Father, I have comprehended the Genetic Art to the Minor Completion Stage. I want ten bottles of top-grade nutrition fluid to support my cultivation and future progress."
Ethan spoke directly.
Lucas had not been particularly interested in what Ethan wanted to discuss, but the moment he heard those words, the chess piece in his hand trembled.
Even Ben's eyes lit up; he understood better than anyone how much pain and disappointment Lucas had suffered because of Ethan's lack of talent.
"Are you telling the truth?"
Lucas's stern voice almost cracked with excitement before he quickly regained control of himself.
Ben shook his head helplessly; the usually calm and dignified Lucas Velmire was clearly struggling to maintain his composure.
"Yes, Father. So please grant me the resources."
Ethan's tone remained calm and confident.
Lucas immediately stood up.
At that moment, he did not care whether Ethan was telling the truth or not; the confidence in Ethan's voice alone was enough reassurance.
"Sebastian."
The butler appeared almost instantly, dressed in his usual immaculate suit, and bowed respectfully.
"Master."
"Bring Ethan twenty bottles of top-grade nutrition fluid."
Lucas's voice contained not the slightest hesitation.
"As you wish, Master."
Sebastian immediately departed.
Lucas looked back at Ethan.
"Do not disappoint me, Ethan."
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"If you truly succeed today and become a Junior Martial Student, I will announce you as the heir of the Velmire Family during tonight's banquet."
Ethan nodded confidently.
"I won't, Father. And thank you."
Lucas's declaration sent shockwaves through the servants standing nearby.
If Ethan truly became the heir, many of them would have to answer for the way they had treated him during the past six months.
Several secretly prayed for Ethan's failure.
Twenty minutes later, Sebastian returned carrying a luxurious silver suitcase containing twenty bottles of top-grade nutrition fluid.
"Here you are, Young Master."
He handed the suitcase over.
"Thank you, Sebastian."
Ethan accepted it before turning toward Lucas.
"Thank you, Father. I won't waste any more of your time."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Even I want to remove this trash label from myself."
After bidding farewell to Ben once more, Ethan left.
Lucas slowly sat back down, struggling to suppress the grin on his face.
For the past year he had gradually lost hope, but now that dying hope had suddenly been revived.
His daughter was a supreme prodigy, but she would eventually marry and carry another family's name.
Ethan was different; he was the future of the Velmire bloodline.
Lucas did not have any brothers; he was his father's only son, and likewise, Ethan was his only son.
The importance of that fact could not be overstated.
Unable to suppress his excitement, Lucas immediately took out his phone and called his wife.
He wanted Ethan's mother to hear the news as soon as possible.
The call connected.
"I am currently in a business meeting, Lucas. What is it?"
Elizabeth's cold voice sounded through the phone.
Several board members sat around her conference table.
As the Managing Director of Velmire Company, her authority was second only to Lucas himself.
"Beth, return home. Finish the meeting as soon as possible."
Elizabeth frowned.
"Nova is returning this evening. We still have time. What's so urgent?"
Lucas grinned.
"It's our son."
Silence.
"He says he has comprehended the Genetic Art to the Minor Completion Stage."
Elizabeth instantly stood up; her chair slid backward.
The board members stared at her in shock.
"Gentlemen, the meeting is over. I need to leave."
Without waiting for any objections, she grabbed her things and walked out.
The board members looked at one another in confusion.
None of them dared ask any questions.
Elizabeth Velmire was known throughout the company as the Ice Queen.
Even the CEO was careful around her.
Yet at this moment, a faint smile appeared on her cold face; it refused to disappear.
She entered her car and immediately headed home.
Back in the mansion, Ben laughed.
"Congratulations, Lucas. I am truly happy for you."
"Thank you, Ben."
Lucas picked up a chess piece.
"Now it's my turn."
His enthusiasm for the match had increased severalfold.
Meanwhile, the person responsible for causing such emotional upheaval in his parents was sitting inside a bathtub.
Breaking through to the Martial Student Realm often expelled a large amount of impurities from the body.
Preparing beforehand would save him a lot of trouble later.
Ethan opened a bottle of nutrition fluid and swallowed it in one gulp.
The moment it entered his stomach, a warm current spread throughout his body.
Without wasting any time, he activated the Minor Completion Stage of the Genetic Art.
He stood up and began performing a series of strange movements.
This was the essence of the art: by placing the body into precise and optimal positions, one could tap into the hidden potential buried within every cell.
His muscles stretched, his joints twisted, and his breathing followed a specific rhythm.
Every movement appeared strange yet carried profound purpose.
The nutrients inside his body were instantly devoured by his cells like starving beasts.
Thirty minutes later, Ethan felt a strange sensation rushing through his entire body.
Without hesitation, he sat down in the bathtub.
Almost instantly, the previously clear water turned pitch black.
A foul odor spread through the room.
Impurities poured out of his pores in large quantities.
At the same time, he felt his body becoming stronger with every passing second.
His muscles became denser, his bones grew sturdier, and his blood circulated with greater force.
Five minutes later, the sensation finally stopped.
Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I am a Junior Martial Student now."
His heart trembled.
Both his previous life and his current life had longed for this moment.
For years, he had dreamed of standing at this point.
Now he had finally achieved it.
"Now for the Major Completion Stage."
Taking a deep breath, Ethan calmed his emotions.
Before continuing, he drained the bathtub and replaced the filthy water; the smell was simply unbearable.
Afterward, he consumed three bottles of nutrition fluid.
The rich energy surged through his body.
Once again, he began performing the movements of the Genetic Art.
This time the movements were far more difficult: the angles were deeper, the postures were more complex, and the entire process felt much more profound.
An hour later, the familiar sensation returned.
However, this time it was far more intense, because an additional three hundred kilograms of strength was being added to his frame.
His muscles trembled, his bones crackled, and every cell seemed to be undergoing rapid evolution.
Once again, black impurities seeped out from his body and contaminated the water.
When the process finally ended, Ethan clenched his fist.
Crack. Crack.
Popping sounds echoed from his joints.
Overwhelming emotions filled his heart.
The immense strength flowing through his body gave him a strange sense of security.
For a brief moment, it felt as though he could overcome any obstacle.
However, Ethan quickly suppressed those thoughts.
He knew it was merely an illusion brought about by suddenly obtaining power.
Again, he changed the water.
"The Perfect Completion Stage."
A grin appeared on his face.
"Today, I will become a Pre-Martial Warrior."
This time he drank six bottles of nutrition fluid.
A tremendous amount of energy flooded into his body; his skin quickly turned red from the heat.
Ordinarily, consuming such an amount at once could seriously injure a person's body.
Fortunately, Ethan immediately activated the Perfect Completion Stage of the Genetic Art.
His body began moving once more.
The movements flowed together like water; every posture was flawless, and every motion was perfect.
Three hours passed.
Then, boom!
A terrifying wave of strength exploded throughout his body.
Five hundred kilograms, an enormous increase in power, enough strength to crush a boulder with brute force alone.
The transformation this time was far more dramatic.
The excess fat on his body rapidly disappeared, his muscles became more defined, his proportions improved, and his entire physique underwent refinement.
Because he had advanced from an ordinary person to a Pre-Martial Warrior within a single day, the changes were particularly obvious.
Clear abdominal muscles appeared; his body became toned and athletic.
He did not become bulky; instead, he developed a perfectly balanced physique that combined strength, speed, and flexibility.
The transformation lasted several more minutes before finally ending.
Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze shone brightly.
He had done it: a Pre-Martial Warrior.
He stepped out of the bathtub and headed toward the shower.
After thoroughly washing away the impurities covering his body, he changed into a fresh set of clothes.
Then Ethan walked out of the bathroom.