Akivili opened the chat window with the Aeon of Erudition.
The question they had asked last time still sat in the chat, unanswered.
With considerable patience, Akivili copied the question again and sent it.
They waited and waited, but no reply came.
Akivili couldn't help sighing.
Apparently, they couldn't count on an Aeon. They could only pin their hopes on their friends.
Akivili had once heard a theory that any two people in the world could establish a connection through an average of just five intermediaries.
Their friends were scattered throughout the Starsea. Surely they could find a member of the Genius Society?
Akivili posted on social media, hiding the post from their best friend. Before long, a new friend request appeared in their contacts.
They accepted the request.
The other person sent a name-Zandar One Sangyuan.
Akivili was initially bewildered, but soon remembered who he was.
The Astral Computer Zandar had created was none other than the Aeon of Erudition.
A genius like that... surely only an Aeon could persuade him to help.
Akivili happily contacted the Aeon of Erudition.
Apparently, the other Aeon really did have a warm heart beneath that cold exterior!
They enthusiastically expressed their thanks to the Aeon of Erudition. For some reason, however, despite having helped them, the other Aeon remained aloof and replied with nothing but an ellipsis.
Akivili didn't mind. They contacted Zandar, concealed their best friend's true identity, and shared some of their observations.
Their best friend's condition seemed particularly serious. Even Zandar, the first member of the Genius Society, was stumped.
[Zandar: ???] [Zandar: How could this happen?]
He quickly retracted both messages.
Akivili stared at the "Typing..." indicator for quite some time before Zandar finally sent a message.
``` [Zandar: Does this person you're talking about habitually