More than a decade later.
Benjamin stood in the center of the laboratory. Before him was a gelatinous creature the size of a swimming pool.
Its entire body was translucent, glowing with a faint blue light. Its surface constantly wriggled, like a puddle of living jelly.
It was Benjamin's expendable naval warfare unit, the "Nest."
Clearly, Benjamin was no longer satisfied with the temporary modifications he had previously made to the Nest, so he had once again begun a modification surgery.
The surgery had already lasted seven days and had reached its most critical stage.
Benjamin's hand hovered above the mass of gel. His mental power transformed into countless fine threads that entered its body, weaving new energy circuits bit by bit. At that moment, the laboratory door was suddenly pushed open.
Yet Benjamin did not even look up at the abruptly opened door.
"Senior Sister? You're here? Wait a moment, I'll be done soon."
His tone was as calm as if he were commenting on today's pleasant weather. His hands did not pause, and his mental power continued to steadily control the translucent gelatinous creature.
Viola stood in the doorway, her expression somewhat strange.
She had already prepared what she wanted to say as a greeting, but Benjamin's attitude of "I already knew you were coming" choked every prepared word in her throat. She walked into the laboratory, her gaze sweeping over the creature being modified, then over the neatly stacked materials in the corner, before finally settling on Benjamin.
"You don't seem surprised at all."
Benjamin casually replied, "After all, you just submitted an application for spatial teleportation."
Viola did not answer, her expression growing even stranger.
Benjamin did not notice her expression either. All his attention was focused on the surgery in his hands.
Second by second,