Rhine / Eyjafjalla

"Hello."

"Hello."

After several people introduced themselves, Theresica quickly took advantage of the close-range conversation and asked, "Ms. Kristen, you've been talking about how to send an object into the stars, but have you ever considered how that object would communicate with the ground once it got there? The environment on the ground is different from that of outer space. Would Terra's equipment work properly in space?"

"That's something I haven't gotten into yet. But I didn't expect you to actually be listening."

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

"Then let's have a meal together. It's getting late."

Kristen made the suggestion excitedly and tugged on Saria. "Saria, didn't you say yesterday that there was a pretty good restaurant? Let's go try it!"

"But..."

Saria looked at Theresica, unsure how to bring it up. Though the young man before her looked very young, he was still a company representative, wasn't he? Would a student-style restaurant be inappropriate?

"It's fine. I don't like those flashy, impractical places either. Dinner's on me tonight."

"All right, then."

Seeing how unconcerned Theresica looked, Saria could only go along with Kristen's idea.

The group left the lecture hall, but at the entrance, a man in a lab coat with mud all over his trouser cuffs came rushing over.

"My name is Ferdinand. I specialize in Originium energy research. This is one of my previous results..."

"Sir, the lecture has already ended." Saria held out an arm to stop him from approaching. "Besides, you're not a student at this school, are you?"

"I am! I graduated two years ago!"

A hint of pleading entered Ferdinand's voice. "The bus got into an accident on the way here, so I had to walk and arrived late. I need funding!"

"Sorry, sir, but the lecture is only open to students of this school..."

"Please wait a moment, Ms. Saria. Would it be all right if we added another seat at dinner tonight?"

Theresica gave Saria an apologetic look, then pointed down the street. "Walking there would waste too much time. I'll call a taxi. Mr. Ferdinand, you've had a hard time running all the way here, so go clean yourself up. We can discuss work while we eat. We have plenty of time."

P.S. Please vote!!!

Once again, I'm recommending I'm a Fragment of a God, Yet I'm Always Carried Away by Big Sisters. Thanks to the great author for the recommendation!!!

Chapter 29: Rhine

The restaurant was filled with small groups of students who were about to graduate and go their separate ways. Excited, spirited voices erupted from time to time. Infected by the atmosphere, Ferdinand relaxed considerably after receiving funding from Theresica. He seemed to recall his own student days, and the conversation among the group became more casual.

"Those were good days... Being a student was wonderful. Back then, every day was spent moving toward our dreams. Every night, all we thought about was when tomorrow would begin. We didn't have to worry about research funding, either."

"Research in Columbia isn't about exploring science anymore. All they care about is fame, fortune, and profit."

Saria agreed with Ferdinand, but when he heard her words, he instinctively glanced at Theresica before changing the subject.

"You two just graduated, right? Do you have any dreams? I can barely remember mine anymore."

The man, who had been in society for two years, couldn't help showing a bitter smile. In response to his question, Saria gave a faint shake of her head.

"No. I've only ever stayed by her side."

A faint smile appeared on Kristen's face. She spread her arms wide. "I'll complete my parents' research! Then I'll go somewhere higher and embrace the stars!"

"Wait! Could your parents be..."

Ferdinand had just been about to pick up a glass of wine when his eyes widened. Kristen nodded.

"That's right. My surname is Wright. My parents were the ones involved in the laboratory accident some time ago."

Theresica had heard about it as well. Recently, the newspapers in Columbia had been reporting on a couple who had tried to build an aircraft. Their experiment had gone wrong, causing a serious accident. Not only had they died, but many others had been caught up in it as well.

"...To the explorers of science."

Ferdinand suddenly raised his glass and drained it in one gulp. He said somewhat resentfully, "Miss Wright, I'm afraid your dream will be difficult to achieve. Flying to an even higher place..."

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

"But no matter what, I'll work hard to make it happen!"

Kristen's voice was filled with determination. At that moment, Theresica spoke up.

"I'm quite interested."

"Huh?"

Ferdinand, whose face was slightly flushed, stared at him in disbelief. "Aren't you afraid of losing money?"

"All businesses suffer losses sometimes. That goes double for something that isn't even a business."

Theresica spoke unconcernedly, but Saria's gaze held a little more scrutiny, like a knight guarding a princess.

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

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

Theresica spoke with complete composure. "Sarkaz are called fiends on Terra. Everyone hates the Sarkaz, and Sarkaz are prone to Oripathy. I don't have the ability to change that. So I've always wondered: If Terra has no land that can accept the Sarkaz, what about beyond Terra?"

"That's why I became so interested after hearing Miss Wright's lecture today. What if there's somewhere in the stars that can accommodate the Sarkaz?"

At this point, Theresica laughed. "Please allow me to keep my fantasy. Don't shatter it. Hahaha..."

"But what if such a place really exists? It's still an unknown land!"

Kristen said excitedly, "Come with us! Let's go see what lies beyond the stars together!"

"But none of this will be easy. It involves energy science, materials science, communications, physics, and many other fields. In particular, the source of the energy—Originium—can also cause people to contract Oripathy."

Saria looked worried, but Kristen immediately said, "Then we'll eliminate Oripathy! That might even help us understand Originium better! Let's establish a company specifically to complete our research! We'll overcome every obstacle in our path! Theresica, what do you think?"

"It's a good idea. I can provide some funding to the best of my ability. But please rest assured that I don't understand scientific research, so I won't interfere with your experiments."

Theresica readily agreed. Having a larger front would make it easier for him to operate in Columbia. As for Kristen's research, he genuinely wanted to see how far she could take it.

If they really managed to create an aircraft, they would gain a tremendous advantage! He could see the prospects by standing on the shoulders of those who came before him, but no one on Terra had reached that position yet.

Ferdinand sat to one side, looking dazed. A researcher with ideals had met a sponsor with the same ideals. What kind of heavenly combination was this?

Noticing Ferdinand's unusual expression, Theresica held out a hand. "Would you like to join us, Mr. Ferdinand?"

"I... Can I? I specialize in Originium energy research. I can help you! I happen to be renting a laboratory, too!"

Ferdinand was overjoyed. Exploring the stars! He could continue his own research while participating in another project with far-reaching prospects. Was today his lucky day?!

"Of course! It's our honor!"

Kristen picked up the drink bottle beside her and poured everyone a glass. "Let's celebrate! We're going to establish a great company!"

That night, no one slept. Under their ideas, a prototype gradually took shape.

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

The company temporarily had a Directorate Department that served as its hub. Kristen was the Director, while the three Deputy Directors were Theresica, Ferdinand, and Saria. The Defense Department was responsible for various security matters and emergencies, with Saria as its head. The Energy Department researched Originium energy, with Ferdinand as its head. The second research division, "Rhine Metal," was managed by Theresica.

When Ferdinand asked what this department was for, Theresica said, "The metal industry in Kazdel is fairly good. In the future, we might be able to export some products from there and provide the company with a bit of funding on the side."

The company's general structure was decided just like that. But when they considered how to handle daily affairs, Kristen was merely a researcher, Saria wouldn't deal with such matters, and Theresica said he might often need to return to Kazdel. Thus, Ferdinand, who had experience presiding over experiments, additionally became the affairs manager.

After working through the night, everyone fell asleep on the sofas in the old apartment Saria rented. Theresica, however, remained awake. He left a note and went outside.

"Aren't you going to rest?"

Shining appeared beside him. Theresica shook his head. "Time is tight. We still have something else to look into."

P.S. Everyone had nucleic acid testing today, which wasted a great deal of time. The update is late—sorry.

P.S. 2: Please vote!!!!

Chapter 30: Ptilopsis

Without stopping to rest, Theresica hurried to another university specializing in medicine. Today was the graduates' lecture.

Doctors were different from the students at Trimount Institute of Technology. They were in such demand that companies competed to recruit them. Rhine Lab, which had not even been officially registered yet, had no real advantage here, but it wasn't completely without prospects.

Beside the regular lecture area was a second lecture area. It was filled with infected medical students. The major companies in Columbia had all gone after the uninfected, leaving these students almost entirely unwanted.

Theresica accepted the gloves handed to him by a staff member, but didn't put them on. He merely held them in his hand and directly shook hands with the medical students who approached.

"Aren't you going to wear the gloves?"

"You don't have lesion crystals on your hands. Why would I wear these?"

He smiled. "I'm not a medical student, but I've studied the basic facts about Oripathy. Besides, I think you'll understand Oripathy better than ordinary medical students."

Theresica was delighted. He was the only recruiter here! And thanks to the basic knowledge Kal'tsit had once forced on him, his actions won the students' goodwill.

He used money to recruit people in large numbers. He wanted not only Terra's mainstream medical students who specialized in Oripathy, but also Terra's less popular medical students who studied common illnesses.

"Student, your grades are good, and you've passed your residency training. Would you be interested in education? Medical education."

Theresica looked at a student with good grades and explained, "Some places are underdeveloped and have no way to send students abroad. Sending teachers there isn't very practical, either, and conditions there are terrible. So I want to record the courses and have someone take them there for playback. After the students collect their questions, they can send them here. Would you be willing to do it?"

"Of course! Being a teacher is much easier than treating common illnesses in a clinic! Thank you so much. I'll work for you!"

"All right, you're hired. Leave me your contact information, and I'll get in touch with you within a week."

The employment of infected medical students had always been a headache for the school. Now that someone had come specifically to recruit them, the school was overjoyed. Even the principal came over to take a look.

"Thank you so much, sir. You've solved a huge problem for us!"

"I've always had great faith in the talent your school cultivates!"

The two sides exchanged compliments, but the principal went a step further. "We have a very special student here. I wonder if you might be interested. Her abilities are excellent, too! You really must go take a look!"

The principal warmly invited him and even waited nearby. After Theresica finished recruiting here, he had no choice but to follow him over.

Led by the principal, they went straight to a ward on campus, where they saw a woman whose head was completely wrapped in gauze.

"Information exchange interface activated. Joyce Moore greets everyone."

???

The strange intonation left Theresica with a face full of question marks. But the next moment surprised him even more. The woman actually closed her eyes and fell backward. If he hadn't caught her in time, the bandaged head would have smashed straight into the tiled floor!

"What happened?"

"The overlap of my racial traits and the side effects of Oripathy causes me to fall asleep at any time during a conversation. Please don't mind it."

She suddenly woke up again.

"Joyce once participated in an Originium research project. They used a human body as an intermediary to test whether Originium could serve as an information carrier. An accident occurred during the experiment, injuring Joyce's brain. To save her, her teacher installed an Originium chip in her brain to replace the damaged parts. But it also left her in her current state."

The principal explained. Theresica listened with interest. He wasn't surprised that Originium could serve as an information carrier—potatoes could even be used as servers!

The real key was that Terra could actually make chips.

"Principal, where is her teacher?"

"He performed the same experiment on himself, but something went wrong and he died. That happened because he also wanted to become like Joyce."

The principal continued, "After that, her memory became extraordinarily good. She could basically remember anything after seeing it once! During her internship in the pediatric clinic, she could do the work of five doctors by herself. But she's infected, and she often falls asleep..."

"I see... Strange people can have strange effects."

Theresica looked at Joyce and asked, "I need an employee. Would you like to come work for me? The conditions will be rather difficult, and you may even have to leave the country."

"You have obtained an administrator account."

Uh... Did that count as agreeing?

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

So you're clearing out your inventory, huh?

Theresica smiled. "It's nothing. But to better employ your graduates, I'll need a little help from your side as well..."

"Wow, you've had a very fruitful harvest."

Kristen flipped through the large stack of personnel files in her hands. "Has Rhine Lab's Pharmaceutical Department been established?"

"Yes. We're temporarily borrowing the medical university's laboratory. If we didn't recruit these people, we wouldn't stand a chance against the major companies."