Inside The Seven's meeting room, Axel watched the visibly excited Homelander and tapped the table lightly.
"Ashley, bring me some Compound V."
"Yes, sir."
Ashley moved immediately, heading to logistics without hesitation. Not long after, ten vials of dark blue Compound V were placed neatly in front of Axel.
He picked up the case, gave Ashley a brief, approving pat on the neck, and smiled.
"That's all. You can go, I need rest."
The moment his words ended, his body ignited into flames and vanished.
A second later, he reappeared in Gotham City, inside Axel Manor.
Axel walked over to Lex Luthor.
"How's it going today? Bruce out again?"
"He disappears every night. I have no idea where he gets that energy," Lex replied.
He pulled Axel toward the workbench and handed him a ring.
"I upgraded your nano-shorts, more nanomaterial, better coverage. And I've made progress studying Tony Stark's arc reactor design. Practical use isn't far off."
He paused, then added,
"Also, I need updated data on you. It's been a while since I monitored your condition."
Lex placed a data collector on Axel's hand, then glanced at the Compound V.
"What is this? Interesting color."
"Compound V. Something I picked up from another universe. It can turn humans into metahumans. The upper limit is high, some users can reach or even surpass Wonder Woman in raw physical ability. It can also grant random powers, depends on the individual. I brought it back for you to study."
Lex's eyes sharpened with interest.
"I've spent the last two years focused on human enhancement, mostly biological modifications. Genetic work still has too many unknowns, so my company hasn't produced anything like this."
He picked up a vial and examined it closely.
"Have you tried it?"
Axel shook his head.
"What's the point? It won't make me stronger than I already am. And you're the one who cares about gene purity. I figured I'd respect that."
Lex stared at him, unimpressed.
"Before I met you, I never thought I'd be friends with someone this foolish."
He patted Axel's shoulder.
"When I first studied you, yes, I cared about preserving your genetic purity. Now, that concern is irrelevant. You're already far beyond normal human biology. You can survive losing your heart. That alone breaks every definition of 'pure human function.'"
He continued, tone steady and analytical.
"Your genes are unique. They cannot be replicated or overwritten. If anything, they dominate. Any modification introduced into your body would be assimilated, not the other way around."
Lex picked up a vial and tossed it to Axel.
"Try it."
He connected the monitoring system to his computer.
"This is where you matter most. You're a stable subject with perfect regeneration. You can test things no one else can."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If the result is unsatisfactory, you die once and reset. Simple."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But I'm curious. If you gain new abilities, will they disrupt your genetic structure, or will your body absorb them completely? If it's the latter, then you're not just human anymore. You're a living archive of perfected genetic traits."
He gestured toward Axel.
"Names like Wraith won't fit anymore. Something like 'Gene Archive' would be more accurate."
He then signaled for Axel to proceed.
Axel removed Soldier Boy's suit and tossed it aside. Nanoparticles formed instantly around his body, shifting and expanding.
Within seconds, dark gray nano-trousers materialized.
Lex observed and nodded.
"I'll refine the adaptability later. Eventually, you'll control the design yourself."
He pointed at the vial.
"Now, try it."
Axel nodded.
Without hesitation, he drove his fingers into his chest.
A low grunt escaped him as a hole opened in his heart.
He pushed the vial directly inside.
Flames flickered, sealing the wound instantly.
Inside his body, the vial shattered under the force of his blood flow. The liquid spread rapidly.
Axel's expression tightened slightly.
"This hurts. Feels like my entire body is being cut with a dull blade."
Lex glanced at him.
"Are you sure that's not glass fragments hitting your arteries?"
Axel scoffed.
"My blood moves too fast for glass to survive. If my body supports speeds dozens or hundreds of times beyond sound, then my circulation has to exceed that. Nothing like that lasts inside me."
Lex nodded.
"That's exactly why you're valuable. You might be the endpoint of human evolution."
He checked the data on the screen, eyes scanning rapidly.
"As expected. A compound like this works as a catalyst. It's activating every cell in your body, pushing them into a heightened state."
He focused on the readings.
"Your brain activity is spiking. The catalyst isn't enough to fully evolve your body, so your system is compensating."
He tapped the screen.
"You rely too much on physical strength. Your brain has been underutilized. This will change that."
Lex leaned back slightly.
"You've been moving forward with only half your potential. Strength without thought."
He looked at Axel again.
"That imbalance is about to correct itself."