Chapter 31

[Third Person's PoV]

As the first period ended, Gwen and MJ approached their seats to accompany Peter to their next class. Peter adjusted his glasses and introduced the new arrival, "Ladies, meet our silver-haired new friend, and silver-haired new friend, meet the ladies."

They exchanged names and nods during the introductions. Gwen swiftly took Peter's hand, urging him, "C'mon, let's go; we have biology next, and I don't want to miss the guest lecturer."

While Peter and Gwen exited the classroom, the remaining trio followed closely. "So, are those two a thing or something?" Felicia inquired.

Both MJ and Harry nodded in agreement. "Yup," they chimed in simultaneously.

Observing their synchronized response, Felicia pointed at them, asking, "What about you two? Is she the one you're going on a date with?"

"Nah, she's not the one," Harry responded, prompting Felicia to exhale with relief.

"Thank goodness. I wasn't planning on becoming a third wheel between all of you," Felicia remarked.

MJ glanced at Harry in surprise. "You're going on a date with someone? Who's the lucky girl?" MJ asked, smiling.

Harry flashed an embarrassed smile. "Liz Allen," he replied simply.

They hurried to their next class, and as they approached, MJ suggested, "Why don't you stick close to us? Who knows, it could be fun, and I want to get to know the new girl."

Felicia shrugged. "Sure, why not? It's not like I know anyone else currently."

As they entered the classroom, they spotted a scientist standing in front of the class, leaning on his desk and waiting for everyone to gather. With blond hair parted in the middle, glasses, and his most striking feature... a missing arm.

Peter and the rest settled close to each other as the scientist addressed the class. "Alright, everyone, settle down. As you can see on the board, my name is Dr. Curt Connors. I'm a guest lecturer here to discuss a particular aspect of biology: regeneration," he said, gesturing with his limbless arm.

Dr. Curt Connors cleared his throat and began, "Today, we're delving into the fascinating realm of regeneration in biology. As many of you may know, the ability to regrow lost or damaged tissues, a trait exhibited by certain organisms, holds tremendous promise for medical advancements."

He paced back and forth, his demeanor reflecting both passion and expertise. "My own research in this field aims to decipher the mechanisms behind tissue regeneration in various animals, particularly focusing on the regenerative abilities of lizards."

With a projector displaying images of lizard anatomy and regrowth cycles, Dr. Connors continued, "Lizards possess an extraordinary ability to regenerate complex structures, including limbs, tails, and even parts of their vital organs. Understanding the molecular and cellular processes that govern this regeneration may pave the way for groundbreaking applications in human medicine."

He elaborated on his experiments and discoveries, captivating the class with insights into cellular regeneration and tissue growth. "The ultimate goal of my research is to harness these regenerative capabilities to aid human healing. Imagine a world where lost limbs could be regrown, where damaged tissues could be repaired naturally."

Throughout his lecture, the students listened intently, intrigued by the potential implications of such research. Dr. Connors concluded, "While much work lies ahead, the study of regeneration offers hope for overcoming disabilities and revolutionizing medical treatments.

I will now be answering any questions any of you may have"

As he finished, the classroom buzzed with discussion and questions, the students eager to learn more about the exciting field of regenerative biology.

Peter raised his hand to which Dr. Connors called "Yes you the brown hair boy with the glasses"

"Name's Peter Parker, I'm curious about your focus solely on lizards. There are other animals with remarkable regenerative abilities. Take the axolotl, for instance. Apart from regrowing their tails and limbs, they exhibit an exceptional ability to regenerate spinal cords alongside their brains."

He continued, "This species' regenerative prowess encompasses neural regeneration, a feat that's particularly extraordinary in the realm of regenerative biology. Understanding their capacity to regrow complex neural tissues could offer unique insights into addressing severe spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions in humans."

Peter adjusted his glasses and awaited the scientist's response, aiming to delve deeper into the scientific rationale behind Dr. Connors' specific focus on lizard regenerative capabilities.

"Ah, Mr. Parker, an astute observation," Dr. Connors replied, nodding thoughtfully. "Indeed, the axolotl's regenerative abilities, especially in the realm of neural regeneration, are truly remarkable and hold immense potential for medical applications."

He continued, "While lizards have been the primary focus of my research due to their accessibility and relatively well-understood regenerative processes, the axolotl's capacity for neural regeneration is an area of great interest. Their ability to regenerate complex neural tissues, including parts of the spinal cord and brain, presents a tantalizing opportunity for exploring novel therapeutic approaches."

Dr. Connors gestured to the images displayed on the screen, showcasing the intricate biological mechanisms of lizard regeneration. "The axolotl's extraordinary neural regeneration undoubtedly offers a promising avenue for further investigation. However, each species exhibits unique regenerative mechanisms, and our current understanding of lizard regeneration provides a solid foundation for comparative studies with other organisms."

He concluded, "Incorporating insights from diverse regenerative models, including the axolotl, may indeed broaden our understanding and potentially lead to innovative advancements in regenerative medicine for the benefit of human health."

'So it's about compatibility and how easy they are to access compare to all other creatures'

"Any more questions" Dr. Connors asked.

The other students in class started asking many questions while Peter was still deep in thought thinking about different ideas and what to do about 'The Lizard'.

When while while Dr. Connors was answers some questions he kept thinking back to Peter's questions 'Could this be the solution to my enduring dilemma regarding how to mitigate the aggressive behavior observed in lizards?

There's potential for the transformation process to inadvertently damage the neural structure. Yet, introducing axolotl cells might facilitate repair and regeneration, potentially rectifying the altered behavior.

When I inject the rats with the serum, they consistently transform and become aggressive. If we address their aggression first, we could gradually reverse it, allowing us to ensure that the next application of the serum functions as intended, regenerating limbs...Peter Parker huh? I guess I'll keep an eye on that boy'

While Dr. Connors addressed certain inquiries, those less engaged, such as MJ and Felicia, engaged in their own conversation. As they conversed, they found themselves growing closer, discovering common ground between them. One such shared interest involved their mutual fascination with uncovering and exposing hidden crimes, a theme prevalent in movies and television shows

They conversed until the bell's chime marked the end of the period and concluded their time with the guest lecturer. Dr. Connors addressed the class before their departure, "That wraps up our session today. I hope you found today's lesson engaging. Should any of you have further inquiries later on, don't hesitate to drop by. I'll be in this room for the majority of the day."

As the students bid their farewells and departed for their next classes, Peter and his friends gradually grew closer to Felicia throughout the school day. They discovered shared interests, and in each subsequent class, Felicia started to integrate herself slowly into their circle of friends.