The office door opened, Adrien Veidt walked in.
He was wearing a gray suit, and his hair was neatly styled.
"BOSS."
Veidt's voice was steady and confident.
Lynn gently raised his hand, gesturing for him to sit down opposite him.
Tifa Lockhart stood behind Lynn.
" Adrien, what do you think is Vought's ultimate goal?"
Veidt paused slightly, expecting Lynn to mention the latest research progress or a specific project of the academy.
This sudden philosophical question instantly switched the focus of his rapidly working brain.
He pondered for a moment, a longing for perfect order flashing in his eyes.
" Vought's ultimate goal," Veidt began, "Is the final form of human civilization."
Lynn looked at Veidt, signaling him to continue.
" The Republic I envision," Veidt's voice rose, "Is a society guided by Vought, where superhumans and ordinary people each fulfill their roles. It is a highly stable Utopia, free from conflict and waste."
"There, talent is utilized to its fullest potential, resources are allocated most rationally, human potential is unleashed to its fullest extent, and all destabilizing factors are completely eliminated."
Lynn's expression remained unchanged; he simply listened quietly, his fingertips still gently stroking the cat.
"Is this possible?" Lynn asked.
"Yes, it is possible, and it is inevitable."
Veidt responded without hesitation.
"Human history is an evolutionary history from chaos to order. We were once governed by the laws of nature, then developed social laws, and now it is time for a higher intelligence to design and construct the final form of civilization."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lynn, seeking resonance.
"The reshaping of the ideological structure of the Vought Future Academy is the cornerstone of achieving this goal," Veidt continued. "By shaping perfect humanity, we will ultimately build a perfect society. Boss, we are upgrading the operating system of the entire human civilization."
"Upgrade the operating system?"
He repeated Veidt's words softly, savoring their meaning.
"Yes, upgrade."
A fanatical glint flashed in Veidt's eyes.
Traditional education methods can only impart knowledge, but cannot eradicate human weaknesses such as greed, jealousy, and fear. These are the root causes of social conflict and waste of resources. Reshaping the thought structure, on the other hand, optimizes human thinking patterns and behavioral logic from the genetic level and the depths of the subconscious.
"It sounds like you aspire to become the ultimate architect of human civilization through Vought," Lynn said bluntly.
Veidt did not deny it; he simply smiled slightly.
"I'm simply accelerating an inevitable process. Vought possesses superhuman abilities, cutting-edge technology, and resources powerful enough to influence the entire world. We are the only organization in this era with the capability and responsibility to undertake this mission. Nietzsche's Superman is not about the sheer power of an individual, but rather a grand will to transcend mediocrity, to control destiny, and to guide humanity. Vought is the embodiment of this will."
What should be done with those who are unwilling to be optimized or upgraded?
"Any factor that hinders the progress of civilization will become dust in the annals of history. Necessary cleanup is unavoidable in the process of building a perfect Utopia. Sacrificing the part is for the health of the whole."
Lynn turned her gaze to the window; the city lights appeared small and fragile against the night sky.
Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.. are having a major headache dealing with the Winter Soldier.
Lynn's voice became somewhat casual.
Veidt nodded. "Chaos is an inevitable stage before the reshaping of order. S.H.I.E.L.D..'s purge is clearing out those stubborn old forces, making room for the new world."
What should be the next step in reshaping ideological structures?
Lynn threw the question back to Veidt.
Veidt for a moment.
"The academy's screening of consciousness and reshaping of thought structures have successfully cultivated a group of elites with Vought's core values. They are distributed in key positions in various fields around the world, but this is not enough."
"Not enough?"
"Yes, that's not enough. We need to take this perfection to a broader level. Simply reforming the elite cannot fundamentally change the very DNA of society. We need a grander, more pervasive plan."
He turned around and looked at Lynn, his face filled with an almost fanatical confidence.
"I have an idea about how to reshape the intellectual structure of academia into technology and promote it globally in a more gentle way. To make everyone aspire to be the perfect human being Vought, making this upgrade a spontaneous choice, a social trend."
Lynn's fingertip stopped on the top of " Goose's " head. He looked at Veidt, his eyes gleaming.
Tell me about it.
Veidt took a few deep breaths; this was the real test for tonight.
"We need a role model," he began, "A living, breathing, perfect individual admired worldwide. He will be the most outstanding work in reshaping the Academy's ideological structure, the direction of human evolution, and the concrete embodiment of Vought's the Republic. He will use his existence to tell everyone that perfection is replicable, and Superman is malleable."
Lynn didn't interrupt Veidt, but listened quietly.
"Then," Veidt lowered his voice, "We'll use our Public Relations and Brand Management Department to elevate this role model to godlike status. He'll become a global icon, an object of emulation for everyone."
"Through him, we will unknowingly reshape global values and guide the direction of society. When everyone aspires to be like him, our 'ideological restructuring' will no longer be a secret, but a nationwide frenzy."
Veidt's eyes were full of anticipation as he awaited Lynn's evaluation.
He believed his idea would be enough to impress the CEO who controlled everything.
The office was quiet, with only the orange cat Goose softly.
" Adrien, perfection is static."
Veidt frowned slightly.
" The Utopia you pursue is essentially an end point," Lynn continued. "When everyone is optimized, when all conflicts are eliminated, when society as a whole reaches the ultimate form you designed—and then what?"
"That is the highest stage of human civilization," Veidt replied.
No, that's death.
Lynn's words stunned Veidt.
"Any static perfection implies stagnation. And stagnation is the beginning of decay."
Lynn raised his hand, letting " Goose " jump off his lap.
"Have you ever wondered why the Roman Empire collapsed? Why the British Empire declined? It wasn't because they weren't powerful enough, but because they lost the drive to continue after reaching their peak."
Veidt opened his mouth, but found himself unable to refute it.
" Vought's goal was never to create a utopian Utopia that would last forever."
Lynn stood up and walked to the window.
What we seek is Eternity.
" Eternity?"
"A world that will always need Vought's existence." Lynn turned around. " Adrien, what you want to build is a perfect ending, but what I want is a game that will never end."
Veidt's pupils contracted slightly. His brain raced, trying to decipher the meaning behind Lynn's words.
"Chaos and order," Lynn raised a hand, "Heroes and villains."
He raised his other hand.
"Progress and stagnation, freedom and control, ideals and reality."
"These contradictions can never be eliminated, only balanced. And Vought is that Eternity balancer."
Lynn walked back to the sofa and sat down again.
"We create conflict, then resolve it. We promote heroes, then expose their darker side. We encourage innovation, then control dangerous change. We give hope while reminding them of the necessity of fear."
" Eternity balance."
Veidt repeated in a low voice.
"So the new humans the academy cultivates aren't there to end the game?"
"Quite the opposite," Lynn laughed. "They are meant to be the most efficient and loyal players and administrators in this game. They need to understand the rules, uphold the rules, and modify the rules when necessary, but never break the game itself."
Veidt fell into deep thought.
His entire worldview is being reconstructed.
"Your vision of the perfect human being is too simplistic," Lynn continued. "A tool that only knows how to obey cannot cope with this ever-changing world. What we need are people who know how to survive in contradictions, how to create order in chaos, and how to inject necessary chaos into order."
"But such people are very difficult to control," Veidt questioned.
"Control?" Lynn shook his head. "Control is the lowest form of management. True control is getting them to choose to work for you, making them believe that Vought's existence is in their interest, in the interest of the world."
"Therefore, the next step for the academy should not be to promote the reshaping of ideological structures," Lynn said, "But rather to cultivate a group of elites who truly understand Vought's philosophy. They don't need to be perfect, but they must be clear-headed. They must understand that the world will always need contradictions, will always need problems, because only in this way do those who solve problems have value."
The office fell silent again.
Veidt's expression was complicated.
He felt that his past ideas had been overturned, but at the same time, a new door had opened.
"The role model program you just mentioned isn't entirely without value."
Veidt looked up.
"But this role model shouldn't be a flawless god."
"He should be a flesh-and-blood person, with a bright side and a dark side. He should inspire public admiration, yet also provoke public skepticism. He should be a beacon of hope, yet also a cautionary tale."
"This will weaken his influence."
"No, that's how you make his influence Eternity," Lynn corrected. "A perfect idol will eventually be exposed and collapse. But a flawed hero who constantly strives to balance light and darkness is the one who truly resonates."
Veidt began to understand.
"So the heroes under Vought's banner are never perfect," he said. " Soldier Boy is rough and arrogant, Yasuo aloof and cold, and Human Torch is impulsive and easily angered. They all have obvious flaws, but that makes them more real."
"That's right." Lynn nodded. "Perfection is boring. What people truly love are those who struggle forward."
Tifa, who had been standing silently, asked with some confusion, "So the Future Academy needs to be adjusted?"
"An upgrade is needed." Lynn looked at Veidt. " Adrien, stop those experiments that try to erase human weaknesses. What we need to do is teach our students how to coexist with their weaknesses, how to turn flaws into motivation."
Veidt took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand."
"Furthermore," Lynn added, "The promotion plan you mentioned can be launched, but the direction needs to be changed. It's not about making everyone aspire to be perfect, but about making them believe that everyone can find their place within Vought's system."
"Whether they are superhumans or ordinary people, whether they are from the light side or the dark side, Vought has a place for them."
Veidt stood up and bowed to Lynn.
"Thank you for your guidance, Boss. I will re-plan the future direction of the academy."
"Go."
After Veidt left, only Lynn and Tifa remained in the office.
"He only understood half of what you really meant," Tifa said.
"That's enough." Lynn picked up " Goose " again. "He understands enough now to do a good job at the academy. As for deeper things, he'll understand them when he's truly ready."
Tifa walked behind Lynn and started massaging his shoulders again.
"As for S.H.I.E.L.D.., Fury should be on the verge of collapse," she said softly.
"It's time to deliver the final blow." Lynn closed his eyes. " Motoko to prepare the next move for Cheetah."
What is she going to do?
"Reveal the location of the Winter Soldier's cryo-chamber to Fury."
Tifa paused for a moment. "You want them to clash head-on?"
"It's time for the game between Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D.. to reach its climax."