Chapter 74: Extraordinary Everywhere
With a soft thud, a few books scattered and fell beneath the desk, leaving the laboratory once again in silence.
Under the podium, in the narrow, dim space, Xi Nian and Gwen were pressed close together, almost face to face. Their breaths mingled, warm against each other's skin, and they could faintly hear the quickening beat of one another's hearts.
"Xi Nian, what are you doing?" The blonde girl blinked, sapphire-blue eyes shimmering with clarity and confusion.
"I want to borrow your ability," Xi Nian said seriously.
He still didn't know why the spy Natasha had appeared at the school, but it was better to be prepared. If he could gain Gwen's spider powers now, he'd be ready to deal with any sudden danger.
"Borrow my ability?" Gwen froze for a second, then quickly understood what he meant. Her fair cheeks and ears turned scarlet, almost steaming.
"Here? In the school? Under the podium?"
She bit her soft pink lip, stealing a glance at the lab outside. Her exposed skin glowed faintly red.
"If you don't want to, forget it." Xi Nian didn't push her. After all, for Gwen—class president no less—doing this under the podium was far too bold.
"Who said I didn't want to…" Gwen forced the words out, her voice tiny as a mosquito's buzz, almost making it hard to believe she had once been bitten by a super-spider.
Xi Nian hadn't thought much of it at first. But seeing Gwen so shy, his own heart skipped violently, his body warming in sync with hers.
"Then I'll begin." Xi Nian looked at the delicate face so close to him, his lips suddenly dry.
Gwen nervously shut her eyes. Her long lashes trembled slightly, her chin lifted at just the right angle, and her soft lips parted ever so faintly.
Xi Nian drew in a breath, resting his hand gently on her shoulder, and leaned forward.
Their lips were about to touch when—
Tap, tap!
Footsteps echoed suddenly from the hallway, moving closer into the lab.
Under the podium, Xi Nian and Gwen froze, holding their breath, not daring to move.
If it was just a classmate, they could leave quickly.
But the footsteps grew closer—directly toward the podium!
"I almost forgot something again…" A voice muttered helplessly. The man approached the desk and began cleaning up the glassware.
It was Dr. Curt Connors.
Xi Nian and Gwen dared not breathe, staring at his polished shoes just inches beyond the desk.
If they were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Fortunately, Dr. Connors didn't take long. In less than half a minute, he had finished tidying up, still unaware of the two hiding below.
But just as he was about to leave—
Clatter!
A glass beaker slipped from the table, bouncing onto the floor. It didn't shatter, instead rolling right under the podium.
Dr. Connors sighed and bent down to pick it up.
Xi Nian and Gwen's eyes widened in shock.
But then, everything changed!
Before his body even bent fully down, Connors suddenly convulsed violently. His hands slammed against the table, and from his throat came a low, guttural roar—something no human should be able to make.
"Damn it… why now!" His gentle voice turned hoarse and strained. He clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle the sound.
Agony twisted his once kind face. The desk creaked under his grip as his shirt and slacks tore apart, muscles swelling two or three times their size!
Under the podium, Xi Nian and Gwen stared in disbelief. From Connors' shoes burst a pair of monstrous, green-scaled, lizard-like claws!
At the same time—
A massive tail covered in green scales lashed out from beneath his white coat, whipping the air violently and filling the lab with howling gusts!
The floor cracked, the blackboard splintered, and deep claw marks scarred the desks!
Dr. Curt Connors had revealed his true form—the Lizard!
"The Doctor is… the Lizard?!" Xi Nian thought, when suddenly—
A sweet warmth pressed against his lips.
Eyes wide, he found Gwen's delicate face before him.
Without hesitation, Xi Nian parted his lips, seizing the chance.
Buzz—
Two strands of heightened spider-sense touched, then entwined, then merged completely into one!
Login successful.
Spider-enhanced Xi Nian—online again!
…
Tap, tap, tap!!
Unaware of what had just happened under the podium, the transformed Lizard staggered, smashing through the lab's door and rushing out.
The moment Connors left—
Bang!
The podium desk was shoved aside.
"Gwen, your outfit is in my bag!" Xi Nian said quickly as he stood.
"Got it. I'll change right now. You find a way to evacuate the students! Oh, and there's something for you in my locker—don't forget to grab it!" Gwen threw the words over her shoulder as she bolted out, fast and agile.
Xi Nian sprinted out after her but split off toward the office building across from the classrooms.
At the main entrance of the office building, he ran straight into Instructor Rott.
"Xi Nian, perfect timing! I was just looking for you!" Rott waved him over.
"For me?" Xi Nian blinked.
"The new Dean of Discipline asked for you specifically. She said to come to her office immediately." Rott patted his shoulder.
"No problem," Xi Nian agreed, then quickly added, "But listen—just now I saw Dr. Connors transform into a giant lizard monster. The students could be in danger. Please, evacuate the teaching building at once!"
Rott froze, staring in disbelief. "Dr. Connors… a lizard monster? Are you serious?!"
"I saw it with my own eyes!" Xi Nian said firmly.
If it were any ordinary teacher, they might have laughed off such words.
But Xi Nian trusted Rott—after all, they had fought together in the Battle of New York.
Rott fell silent for a moment, then nodded gravely. "I understand. I'll get the students out now!" With that, he rushed toward the teaching building.
Xi Nian exhaled in relief and headed deeper into the office building—straight toward the Dean's office.
If the Dean wanted to see him anyway, maybe she could help…
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