A Person on Terra with No Books to Read

"Hello."

"Hello."

After a few people introduced themselves, Theresica quickly took the opportunity for close-range communication to ask, "Ms. Kristen, you've been talking about how to send an object into space, but have you ever considered how that object will communicate with the ground once it's in space? Also, the environment in space is different from the ground. Will Terra's equipment function normally in space?"

"That's the part I haven't gotten to yet, but I didn't expect you were actually listening."

"Of course, I'm very interested in this."

"Then let's have dinner together, it's getting late."

Kristen suggested excitedly, pulling Saria along. "Saria, didn't you say yesterday there was a really good restaurant? Let's try it!"

"But..."

Saria looked at Theresica, unsure how to speak. Although the young man in front of her looked very young, he was still a representative of some company, wasn't he? Would a student-style restaurant be too inappropriate?

"It's fine, I don't like flashy things either. I'll treat tonight."

"Alright then."

Seeing Theresica's nonchalant expression, Saria followed Kristen's idea.

As the group walked out of the lecture hall, a man in a lab coat with muddy pant legs rushed towards them at the entrance.

"My name is Ferdinand, and my major is Originium energy research. This is my past achievement..."

"Sir, the lecture is over," Saria said, blocking his path. "And you're not a student here."

"I am! I'm a graduate from two terms ago!"

Ferdinand's voice carried a hint of pleading. "The bus got into an accident, so I had to walk here, which made me late. I need funding!"

"I'm sorry, sir, the lecture was only open to current students..."

"Please wait a moment, Ms. Saria. Could we add a seat to our dinner table tonight?"

Theresica gave Saria an apologetic look, then pointed down the street. "It'll take too long to walk to dinner. I'll call a taxi. Mr. Ferdinand, you must be tired from running all this way, why don't you go clean up? We can talk about work while we eat, there's plenty of time."

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One more shout-out for "As a Fragment of God, I'm Always Taken Away by Big Sisters" Thanks for the recommendation, big boss!!!

Chapter 29 Rhine

In the restaurant, small groups of students about to graduate and go their separate ways were everywhere, and excited, loud voices erupted from time to time. Infected by the atmosphere, Ferdinand, who had received some funds from Theresica, relaxed considerably. He seemed to recall his student days, and the conversation among their group became more relaxed.

"It's so good... student life was so good. Back then, every day was a step towards a dream, and every night I thought about when tomorrow would start, without worrying about research funding."

"Now, research in Columbia isn't about exploring science anymore; all they see is fame and profit."

Saria agreed with Ferdinand's words, but upon hearing them, he instinctively glanced at Theresica before changing the subject.

"You've just graduated, haven't you? Do you have any dreams? I can't remember mine anymore."

The man, who had been in society for two years, couldn't help but show a bitter smile. To his question, Saria shook her head faintly.

"No, I've just always been with her."

Kristen's face lit up with a faint smile. She spread her arms. "I'll complete my parents' research! Then I'll go to higher places and embrace the stars!"

"Eh! Could your parents be..."

Ferdinand, about to pick up a glass of wine, widened his eyes, and Kristen nodded.

"That's right, my surname is Wright. The experimental accident that happened recently involved my parents."

Theresica had also heard about this. Recently, Columbia's newspapers had been reporting that a couple who wanted to build a flying machine had an accident during an experiment, causing a considerable disaster that not only claimed their lives but also affected many others.

"...To the explorers of science."

Ferdinand suddenly raised his wine glass and drank it down in one gulp. He said with some indignation, "Miss Wright, your dream is probably difficult to achieve, flying to higher places..."

He shook his head. "There's no profit to be seen. No one will invest in this project."

"But no matter what, I will work hard to achieve it!"

Kristen's tone was filled with determination. Theresica spoke up at this moment.

"I'm quite interested."

"Ah?"

Ferdinand, his face slightly flushed, looked over in disbelief. "Aren't you afraid of losing money?"

"All business involves losses, and this isn't even business," Theresica said nonchalantly. However, Saria's gaze towards them took on a more scrutinizing quality, like a knight guarding a princess.

"I'm sorry, I can't understand why anyone would be interested in her project."

"Well... my horns haven't grown yet. I'm actually a Sarkaz."

Theresica said with a composed expression. "Sarkaz are called demon-folk on Terra. Everyone hates Sarkaz. Sarkaz are prone to Oripathy, and I can't change that. So I've always wondered, if Terra doesn't have land that accepts Sarkaz, what about beyond Terra?"

"That's why I was so interested when I heard Ms. Wright's speech today. What if there's a place in space that can accommodate Sarkaz?"

Here's the translation:

"Speaking of which, Theresica chuckled, 'Please allow me to keep my illusions, don't burst my bubble, hahaha…'"

"What if it's real? That place is still an unknown territory!"

Kristen said excitedly, "Let's go together! Let's go see what it's like beyond the stars!"

"But none of this is easy. It involves multiple fields like energy science, material science, communication, and physics. Especially the energy source – Originium – it also causes people to contract Oripathy."

Saria looked worried, but Kristen directly said, "Then let's eliminate Oripathy! This might even help us understand Originium better! Let's start a company to focus on our research! Let's overcome every stumbling block along the way! What do you think, Theresica?"

"That's a good idea. I can contribute some funds. But please rest assured, I don't understand scientific research, so I won't interfere with your experiments."

Theresica readily agreed. Having a larger front would also make it more convenient for him to operate in Columbia. As for Kristen's research, he was genuinely curious to see how far it could go.

If they could actually create an aircraft, it would grant them a huge advantage! However, he could see those prospects by standing on the shoulders of giants, while no one on Terra had reached that point yet.

Ferdinand, sitting to the side, looked somewhat dazed. Idealistic researchers meeting an equally idealistic sponsor – what a heavenly combination!

Noticing Ferdinand's unusual state, Theresica extended his hand, "Would you like to join us, Mr. Ferdinand?"

"Can... can I? My specialty is Originium energy research, I can help you all! I'm also renting a laboratory right now!"

Ferdinand was overjoyed. Exploring the stars! He could continue his own research and participate in another project with profound prospects. Was this his lucky day?!

"Of course! It's our honor!"

Kristen picked up a beverage bottle from beside her and poured a drink for everyone, "Let's celebrate! We're going to establish a great company!"

All night, no one slept. A nascent form gradually took shape under their conceptualization.

Rhine Lab Technologies Co. Theresica held 50% of the shares, Kristen and Saria each held 20%, and Ferdinand held 10%.

The company would temporarily establish a Directorate Department to serve as its central hub. Kristen would be the Director, with Theresica, Ferdinand, and Saria as Deputy Directors. The Defense Department, responsible for various security and emergency response matters, would be headed by Saria. The Energy Department, dedicated to researching Originium's energy, would be headed by Ferdinand. The Second Research Division, 'Rhine Metal,' would be supervised by Theresica.

When Ferdinand asked what this department was for, Theresica said, "Kazdel has a pretty good metal industry. In the future, we might be able to export some products from there and provide some funding for the company."

The company's general structure was thus decided. However, when it came to handling daily affairs, Kristen was purely a researcher, Saria wouldn't manage such things, and Theresica mentioned he might need to return to Kazdel frequently. Therefore, Ferdinand, who had experience managing experiments, additionally became the Operations Manager.

After a night of hard work, everyone had fallen asleep on the sofas in Saria's rented elderly apartment. However, Theresica was not asleep. He left a note and then went outside.

"Aren't you resting?"

Shining appeared beside him. Theresica shook his head, "Time is tight, we still have other things to look at."

PS: We had a group COVID test today, which took up a lot of time. The update is late, apologies.

PS2: Please vote!!!!

She suddenly woke up again.

"Classmate Joyce participated in an Originium research project that used human bodies as intermediaries to test if Originium could serve as an information carrier. An accident occurred during the experiment, causing damage to Joyce's brain. Her teacher, in order to save her, installed an Originium chip in her brain to replace the damaged parts, but this also turned her into her current state."

The principal explained. Theresica listened with some curiosity. He wasn't surprised that Originium could be an information carrier; even potatoes could be servers!

The real question was, could Terra actually produce chips?

"Mr. Principal, what about her teacher?"

"He conducted the same experiment on himself and it resulted in an accident, killing him. This was because that teacher also wanted to become like classmate Joyce."

The principal continued, "After that, her memory became exceptionally good, practically photographic! When she interned at the pediatric clinic, she could do the work of five doctors by herself, but she was an Infected and often felt drowsy..."

"Is that so... peculiar people have peculiar effects."

Theresica looked at Joyce and asked, "I need an employee. Are you willing to come? The conditions will be rather harsh, and you might have to leave this country."

"You have obtained administrator privileges."

Uh... does that count as agreement?

The principal happily shook his hand. "Thank you so much!"

So you're just clearing out your inventory, huh.

Theresica said with a smile, "It's my pleasure. However, to better assist your school's students with their employment, I could use a little help from your side as well..."

"Wow, you've got quite a haul."

Kristen flipped through the large stack of personnel lists in her hands. "Rhine Lab's Pharmacology Department, is it officially established?"

"Yes, we're temporarily using the university's medical labs. If we don't recruit these people, we won't be able to compete with those big corporations."