MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: All
While Kevin and Su were still puzzled, Ryan had arrived at the laboratory.
Changing into a white lab coat, he carried his laptop to the pointed building, taking the elevator to the basement. After fingerprint authentication, a heavy blast-proof door opened, revealing a spacious laboratory.
Various instruments glowed; thick cables snaked across the floor. Researchers in white coats bustled about; at the center stood an enormous machine.
The apparatus, approximately three stories high, consisted of two circular objects, one concave and one convex, resembling the shells of two giant fans. This was a ring-shaped particle accelerator, capable of accelerating particles to near light speed.
At the center of the two ring accelerators was a vacuum tube. Particles, reaching light speed, would collide within the tube, their energy and particle signals recorded by a series of detectors.
Particle colliders, essential tools for studying the microscopic world.
Ryan looked up at this testament to civilization. The world's civilian technology wasn't too different from Earth before his time travel, but the cutting-edge technology was far more advanced. This didn't even include Fire Moth's black technology, let alone the existence of Imaginary Internal Energy.
He'd come to Chiba Academy partly to cling to Kevin, and partly because of this advanced equipment, which could help him better understand the nature of imaginary numbers.
Science was so rational. The discovery of unique particles had already shattered the earlier 'divine punishment' theories.
"Dr. Ryan, you're late." A blond man descended the stairs of the concave accelerator. He had handsome features, was around twenty, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a coffee cup.
Damian, head of the high-energy physics project, held the record for youngest PhD recipient—a record broken twice in a row.
Ryan nodded politely. "I was pondering some issues during dinner and got delayed. How's the setup? Can we start smoothly tomorrow?"
A single run of this machine required 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, costing nearly a million euros. Daily experiments were impossible; even with Chiba Academy's resources, bi-weekly runs were considered extravagant.
Click.
The coffee cup clinked slightly. Damian's somewhat soft green eyes narrowed, but he quickly relaxed, resuming a normal demeanor.
"No problem. The outdated components have been replaced, and we've incorporated Dr. Mei's latest findings. Calculations show that the collision speed can be increased by 30%."
Jealousy? Ah, the difference between project leader and assistant was quite significant.
Ryan wasn't fooled by this subtle display; he wasn't interested in office politics. Theoretical arguments might not convince others, but the fist of truth always did.
"She's capable of groundbreaking discoveries. This equipment alone is enough to win the Mu Continent's engineering award, turning those old professors into obedient students."
"Indeed. Dr. Mei's talent is unparalleled, especially considering she's only twenty. Who knows how far she'll go?" Damian sighed. Jealousy aside, he respected her unparalleled intellect, stroking the convex and concave components of the particle collider.
Reluctant, yet resigned.
"I'm going to Shanghai University tomorrow. I'll leave this experiment to you."
"Why not wait for the experiment to finish? There will surely be groundbreaking discoveries." Ryan glanced over, seemingly surprised.
"Come on, I've already signed off on the research report. It's time to accumulate reputation." Damian chuckled self-deprecatingly, tossing his empty can into the trash. He lightly nodded. "I'm no match for Mei or you, but even the most brilliant minds can't be everywhere. If I can make a breakthrough, even a small one, it will be my achievement."
He was proud, acknowledging the vast gap, yet determined to follow his own path, refusing to simply trail behind others for easy gains.
This prompted Ryan to turn, looking directly at the young scientist, slowly raising his hand. "Ambitious. I wish you success."
"Thanks. Remember to beat Mei for me. We men's pride rests on your shoulders."
The two shook hands, then separated. Ryan watched Damian's retreating figure, about to organize his data, when Damian turned back.
"Just a heads-up, Dr. Mei's looking for you. She looks furious."
Mei's looking for me? And furious?
Ryan raised an eyebrow; two seconds later, his entire face darkened.
Damn it, those two idiots completely misunderstood.
He'd only made a casual remark, yet Kevin and Su interpreted it as a terminal illness, likely angering Mei. That scientist would surely blame him.
That woman was ruthless. He should preemptively apologize. Once the experiment started, Mei wouldn't have time to bother him.
Ryan turned and hurried away, acting like he was guilty. He opened a password-protected door into a hallway, entered a code on the wall, quickly entering the second room on the left, collapsing into a chair.
Whew… Safe.
Ryan sighed. Like Su, he genuinely worried about that unusual couple; it wasn't just intuition.
He opened a file containing thick stacks of data: the results of ten particle collision experiments over the past six months. Looking at the curves on the summary sheet, Ryan's eyes grew serious.
"Even at the microscopic level, Honkai energy intensity is steadily increasing. It's still weak, but it's real."
The air was filled with invisible energy. Passing through the particle collider, it registered as a fleeting spark—the energy's momentary expansion. Tomorrow's experiment would increase the collision intensity, making the energy brighter and more sustained.
The brighter the spark, the greater the disruption of spatial stability, allowing them to capture the source of Imaginary Internal Energy within a thousandth of a second.
Ryan slapped the table. A tremendous amount of energy would be released; fortunately, the impact on the real world could be ignored. The safety parameters should be sufficient.
"A very meaningful experiment. It will significantly aid in the investigation of Imaginary Space."
He smiled. He was fortunate to live in a scientific world; he could use experiments to understand it, far better than relying on unfounded mysticism.
He closed the file and opened his laptop. The preparatory work would be completed by others; Ryan planned to use his free time to write. He was well-known for his diligence.
"Today, I'll write about encountering the third apostle, incorporating the latest research findings. I'll definitely shock them."
A mischievous smile appeared on Ryan's face. He enjoyed guiding readers' imaginations. He'd just typed a few lines when—
Ding!
[Blossoming Flower]: Update today? (Pleading eyes)
Damn, this guy is really persistent, urging me every day.
Ryan glanced at it and picked up his phone, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips.
[Void]: Writing, writing. Besides, aren't you busy? Why are you urging me every day?
[Blossoming Flower]: No, I'm very busy.
[Void]: So what are you busy with?
[Blossoming Flower]: Saving the world! Don't worry, I'm a powerful, beautiful, and responsible girl. I won't disappoint you! (Fist bump)
Ryan almost laughed. This was some fanatic from a novel. Propping his chin, he imagined a scene:
A beard-growing man in slippers sitting before a computer, his tone suggesting he might be wearing a pink magical girl outfit.
[Void]: I suddenly feel nauseous. Give me an hour to finish writing; I need to prepare for tomorrow's experiment. Seriously.
[Blossoming Flower]: Wait, I remember you were in Nagazora City. I'm nearby. Want to grab a bite? I have lots to talk about, and we still need to discuss the Dragon stuff…
Mu Continent, a heavily guarded military base. A large transport plane stood on the runway; soldiers in powered exosuits were loading cargo into the hold.
The rotating propellers gently lifted Elysia's long skirt. The pink-haired girl held her phone, intently waiting. She wasn't impatient, a faint smile playing on her lips.
After a long wait, her phone finally vibrated. Elysia quickly opened the message; her smile instantly froze.
The other person hadn't replied with words, only a doge meme.
Ah, this…
The girl blinked her violet eyes, pressing her phone against her ample chest, a slight smirk on her lips.
"Not only does he use me as bait, but he's also mischievous?"
"I've told you countless times not to use the organization's communicators for casual chats." Mobius strode quickly towards her, still in her white coat, dark glasses, and high heels. Her assistant trailed behind, carrying various cases.
"What else can you use a communicator for if not for chatting? Official orders are delivered by designated personnel." Elysia put her slender finger to her lips, appearing thoughtful.
Mobius couldn't counter that, raising her voice slightly. "It's not for chatting with strangers. Wait, at least you didn't send any classified images. Besides, that person updated. He writes quite well; he must be a science student."
Elysia froze, checking her phone. She'd found the latest chapter, then looked up, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Don't overthink it. I'm simply trying to understand your interests and uncover your secrets." Mobius watched the approaching girl, maintaining a stoic expression. "Don't get too close. I don't share your interests. That 'we are but fleeting moments, so-called happy stories bittersweet, a mixture of pain and confusion'—you clearly don't understand."
She raised her chin, sounding somewhat sarcastic, yet her words didn't elicit even a hint of anger from the girl.
"But you are trying to understand me. As long as we can fully understand each other, we can be companions. Like reading, maybe we can even be companions with [Void]."
Understanding? Companionship?
Mobius blinked, her usual rationality and arrogance returning, laced with a touch of disdain.
"Ha, I have no desire for companionship with ordinary people. They can't even comprehend my pursuits."
The woman looked at the dust on the ground, then at the starry sky.
Foolish mortals, presuming to judge. How could they understand the joy of evolution, the journey towards infinity?
Snapping out of her reverie, Mobius waved her hand. "Let's drop this topic. We should go. If the higher-ups change their minds, it'll be troublesome."
"Dr. Mobius, higher-ups forbid you from causing trouble in Nagazora City. You must exercise restraint." Blanca quickly intervened.
"Causing trouble? I'm merely going to Australia for a conference and overseeing Elysia's vacation in Nagazora City. I'll just be casually visiting someone."
"Your unauthorized contact with him will jeopardize research funding."
At the mention of research funding, Mobius's slender eyebrows furrowed, a soft snort escaping her nostrils.
"I'll see whoever I want. There are plenty of interesting people in Nagazora City."