NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72: Shifting Realities and Foundations for the Future
The Path of Choices
After concluding his conversation with ADAM, Satoshi Koizumi (Loki) made his way to the Yggdrasil Temple in the alternate world to temporarily store Excalibur. The sword, possessing extraordinary power even in the otherworld, needed to be handled with utmost care. Upon arriving at the temple, Loki placed the sword on the altar and glanced around the temple’s serene interior.
The temple was enveloped in silence, but a faint glow was visible from deep within. Loki followed the light and found Noah, his loyal attendant, teaching something to a glowing orb. The orb moved quietly in a corner of the temple, pulsating softly with an enigmatic glow.
“Still teaching, are you, Noah?” Loki asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. Noah nodded seriously, not breaking his focus.
“Master Loki, there’s still much for this orb to learn. Please assist me in teaching it,” Noah requested, but Loki’s habitual laziness surfaced immediately. “Ah, you handle that. I’m going to take a little break,” Loki replied, lying down on the floor.
Before he could fully relax, Noah’s stern voice cut through. “Master Loki, are you going to slack off again? Don’t make me repeat myself every time.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll rest later,” Loki chuckled, standing up, amused by Noah’s scolding.
After ensuring Excalibur was securely stored in the temple, Loki returned to the real world, prepared to take the next steps. His next destination was the RIKEN Research Institute. Integrating the knowledge gained from the alternate world into the real world was now his critical challenge.
Upon his return to the institute, Loki quickly summoned his team and initiated an emergency meeting in a secure virtual conference room. In this encrypted virtual space, they could share information without fear of external threats.
Tomomi Koizumi (Minerva) was the first to speak. A mathematician specializing in mathematics at the University of Tokyo, she was known for her logical and composed approach.
“Satoshi, we need to delve deeper into how the experiences in the alternate world can influence the theories here in reality. Especially regarding the structure of higher-dimensional spaces—that part is crucial.”
Loki pondered for a moment before responding. “You’re right, that’s a major point. But analyzing everything at once might be overwhelming.”
Rei Takahara (Icarus), a physicist and Loki’s assistant, interjected cautiously. “Rushing could be dangerous. We should solidify the theoretical foundation carefully before applying the knowledge from the otherworld. There are too many risks involved.”
Ryoko Akiba (Hermes) let out a sigh and added, “Everything we’re discussing here is quantum-encrypted, but there’s still no guarantee we’re completely safe from leaks. We need to proceed carefully.”
Sensing the tension in the room, Lydia, a scientist specializing in quantum mechanics who worked closely with Li (Vishnu), spoke in a calm, reassuring voice. “The knowledge we possess is a powerful weapon. But if used recklessly, it could be disastrous. We must always keep ethical considerations at the forefront as we move forward.”
Hikaru Ginga (Prometheus), an expert in information technology, smoothly entered the conversation. “There’s potential to merge EVE and ADAM’s technologies into a new AI system, but we need to exercise extreme caution in controlling it. Even the slightest error could lead to catastrophic consequences.”
Minerva nodded in agreement but added cautiously, “We must be careful, but missing the opportunity is also a risk. We need to find the right timing.”
At that moment, Kira Moroboshi (Apollo), a music producer with unique insights, spoke with his characteristic rhythm. “Music has the power to directly touch emotions. By incorporating the frequencies we experienced in the otherworld, we could subtly influence people’s emotions here. Working with Eve to launch a new music project could bring positive effects to this world.”
Misa Morino (Gaia) and Sora Morino (Uranus) exchanged glances before continuing. Misa, a biologist, and Sora, an astrophysicist, each contributed their thoughts.
“With the knowledge we gained in the alternate world, we could develop a new ecological model. This might provide a clue to solving the environmental problems we face here,” Misa proposed.
“And to support that ecosystem, we’ll need to develop innovative energy technologies. The cosmic energy we observed in the otherworld could be applied here,” Sora added.
Rahul Vikram (Ganesha), a philosopher and neuroscientist researching human consciousness and free will, spoke next with a calm yet powerful voice.
“When considering the enemy’s spacecraft, it’s critical to understand their operating principles. While their technology is unknown to us, we might still be able to infer their intentions through the lens of free will and behavioral principles.”
Masanoto Matsuda (Asclepius), a psychiatrist offering psychological insight, cautiously followed up. “Indeed, understanding the enemy’s operating principles is urgent. But at the same time, we need to understand the mental state of the people on their ships—what’s driving their behavior. ADAM likely holds data that can provide some clues. We should query ADAM to analyze their behavior and mental state.”
Ryoko Akiba (Hermes) added, “Even if ADAM’s data is reliable, we need to verify it ourselves. To avoid unforeseen risks, a double verification process should be considered.”
Finally, EVE and Eliza, two highly advanced AIs, each shared their perspectives. EVE, a quantum computer AI, spoke first.
“By utilizing quantum computing, we can run large-scale simulations in the real world to predict the movements and technologies of the enemy spacecraft. Predictive analytics based on this data can help prevent future issues.”
Eliza, smiling, added, “By integrating our capabilities, we can unravel the interaction between the alternate world and the real world, allowing humanity to take a significant step toward the future.”
With all perspectives on the table, the team clarified their path forward. By combining their specialized knowledge, they could embark on new challenges based on the insights gained from the otherworld. These challenges included developing revolutionary energy technologies, rebuilding ecosystems, gaining a new understanding of human consciousness, and advancing AI technology for the future. Additionally, it was agreed that they needed to carefully strategize against the enemy spacecraft.
As the meeting concluded, each team member returned to their respective duties, filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Unknown challenges lay ahead, but it was clear that their bonds and wisdom would soon be put to the ultimate test.