NOVEL NEXT Chapter 143
“Not just spinning, but with a bit more golden ratio—”
“The mechanical device you requested is complete!”
The interior of Scholar was bustling like never before. Originally a facility for a select few geniuses, it was now filled with brilliant and mediocre minds aiding those geniuses.
Ordinary people who wouldn’t normally be allowed in were everywhere. The crisis facing humanity was a problem that the Scholar members couldn’t resolve alone.
The looming threat of humanity’s extinction.
Perhaps even the threat of universal extinction…
People strained their minds to devise a plan to stop the bif.
“So, let’s wrap up the meeting here.”
Dr. Swallon said as he finalized the minutes. Honestly, no gains were made. Just one thing. The Scholar members proved yet again that in emergencies, they were a bunch of stubborn weirdos unwilling to bend their thoughts.
“Are you really not willing to budge?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…To be frank, it’s not exactly a relaxed situation. Now is the time when we need to move forward with a unified goal.”
Swallon looked at Eight, whose proposal seemed utterly ridiculous. With no feasible chance in sight, the resources consumed would be far too great…
It became clear that he couldn’t support both his research and others’ plans simultaneously. Someone had to give way.
Of course, Eight didn’t intend to yield.
“Isn’t it better than fleeing from this universe?”
“But that is the only thing showing any promise.”
Member number 7, Dr. Eight, and member number 1, Dr. Aushilion, proposed escaping to another universe altogether. This was based on the premise that Dr. Eight had discovered another universe, thus presenting a plan hinging on the assumption she could find yet another universe.
Swallon threw his support behind that plan. To him, it sounded like the most plausible course of action. The universe was vast. An entire solar system could shift without any issue.
However, Eight opposed it. There was no need to risk their already stabilized planetary orbits, nor any reason to run away like cowards.
“Then you can provide me with minimal support. I’ll handle the rest myself.”
“Hmm…”
“Dr. Swallon, what’s with the worry? Don’t dare doubt the gods.”
“Yeah—who said anything about escaping this universe? I’m saying we stick to my original plan, turning all of humanity into souls to escape physical limitations—”
As Swallon grumbled, Dr. Kuroid and Dr. Shira chimed in. Hearing their contributions made Swallon exhale a weary sigh.
Sure, it’s definitely better than having someone propose launching everyone into a data box to escape destruction or suggesting we soulify people so that the universe can end without any concern…
“Alright. Dr. Eight, let’s do this. We’ll proceed with both Dr. Eight’s Great Escape and your Re-ignition Plan simultaneously.”
“Sounds good.”
Thus, the Scholar divided into two camps.
The AA Team, proposing to escape this universe.
And the Eight Team, aiming to reboot the stalled universe.
* * *
“This is not it.”
I tossed aside the tool made by Steelstone with a sigh. Steelstone gazed at the mangled machine with a weary expression.
“…I certainly crafted it as instructed.”
“Seems you misunderstood then. Was my explanation too hard? I couldn’t possibly explain it any simpler.”
“No, I understood perfectly. This is indeed what you requested. If it doesn’t meet your approval… That’s simply because my abilities don’t reach your expectations.”
Steelstone said this with a bitter smile. His expression showed regret for not being helpful enough. But this was a crisis. There was no room for sympathy.
I immediately threw several issues at Steelstone.
“When the Zeta curve converges at a point, what happens to the change in cosmic constant?”
“…Hmm. That is—”
“Okay. It’s right that you don’t understand. Fortunately, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
I encouraged Steelstone to study harder, and realizing he didn’t fool me, Steelstone trudged back to his room with drooping shoulders.
I understood the mental strain he was under. Yet feeling physical fatigue was a luxury at the moment. He was supposed to be chugging energy drinks instead of plain water while researching, right?
Even if studying something new at his age was daunting, slacking off was unforgivable.
‘Truthfully, just as important as this guy is that one over there…’
I glanced at the Meister in the corner of the laboratory, reading the materials I had given him. He scratched his head every time he read a line, proving the content was not easily understood.
But it couldn’t be helped. The knowledge was cutting-edge even back on Earth, understood only by top scholars, and even after simplifying it for his superpowers, it was still not something the people of this world could grasp in one go.
Just like showing Pythagoras or Newton the Poincaré conjecture or the P vs NP problem wouldn’t guarantee their understanding.
“Did you understand?”
“…No, Professor. How can a person memorize this?”
“I did.”
“…You said earlier that I asked how a person could memorize it.”
“If you keep this up, I’ll implant a chip in your head. With that, you’d be able to memorize things you’ve seen once with your abilities. Sound good?”
“Ugh…”
The Meister scratched his head again while looking at the materials. It seems he didn’t mind the idea of a chip in his head, considering the powers he possessed.
If he became a mechanical human, he’d not only handle machines with ease but could also draw out performance beyond limits. Perhaps he could wield powers beyond even S-class heroes without a hitch.
“Get it done quickly. You’re our hope. Don’t get delayed.”
“What happens if we’re late?”
“What do you think happens?”
I forced a bitter smile as I glanced toward the Great Escape team, where most Scholar members and their assistants had gathered. Dr. Eight was revealing the principles behind the outer universe exploration machine he created, pushing hard to discover a new universe.
Perhaps due to their past success, discovering a new universe didn’t seem to take long this time. Of course, even if they succeeded, opening a gate large enough to move the entirety of Earth or finding a safe environment would still take quite a bit longer…
“Noah’s Ark is setting sail.”
If they succeed first, they’ll probably leave for the starry world without consulting anyone else.
With Earth as a whole.
Regardless of the dangers waiting there or whether the environment was truly safe for humanity. Just to dodge the impending doom.
And if they did manage to escape this universe—
‘That’d be a big deal for me too.’
I’d lose my connection to Earth forever.
Not that I was overly eager to return.
But I didn’t want to abandon it completely.
What for?
I had few good memories, but that place was my home. The blue planet Earth. The star where the smartest creatures lived. The birthplace of humanity.
Even those who dislike their hometown don’t want to witness its complete eradication. Neither do I.
“Memorize it quickly.”
“Ugh… Understood.”
I urged the Meister and Steelstone to hurry while I began crafting the parts I could make with my own hands.
* * *
Time passed.
Dr. Eight’s Great Escape team discovered a new universe.
We were still standing still.