An Explosive Early Morning

Xingsu sat upright at one side of the long table, looked up at Neuvillette sitting opposite him, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said:

"It is truly an honor that my thesis has caught the attention of Your Excellency the Supreme Judge."

Neuvillette stood tall, her emerald eyes calmly fixed on Xingsu, and spoke in a frank and solemn tone:

"Mr. Xingsu Su possesses exceptional abilities. His research on Wisdom Network Communication System has the potential to revolutionize the information transmission model in Fontaine and is of extremely high research value."

Neuvillette rested her hands lightly on her cane and continued to explain her purpose.

"After internal review of the manuscript, the Fontaine Research Institute unanimously recognized the potential of this technology and hopes to continue discussing specific matters with you. That is why I have come today."

Arlecchino stood quietly to the side of the conference room, not interrupting, her scarlet eyes silently observing the conversation between the two, subtly paying attention to Neuvillette uttered.

Xingsu tapped her fingers lightly on the table and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Only now has the Academy remembered this document. I'm sure Mr. Neuvillette is aware that while awaiting a reply, I had already reached a preliminary technical cooperation agreement with the Fatui."

Neuvillette's expression remained unchanged. "I am aware of this matter. That is precisely why I have come in person. Fontaine hopes to cooperate with you to explore another path. Fontaine possesses comprehensive experimental facilities and abundant resources, which can provide long-term and stable support for your research."

Xingsu raised an eyebrow slightly. "That sounds very tempting. But I'm curious, if I choose to cooperate with the Fontaine Research Institute, will the Court of Fontaine require me to block the technology and cease all contact with Snezhnaya?"

"Please rest assured, Mr. Xingsu. Once the Wisdom Network System is fully implemented, it will be a beneficial thing for the country and its people, both for the daily communication of the people of Fontaine and for information exchange between countries."

"If you'd like, I can personally arrange a visit to the Fontaine Research Institute. You can see the laboratories, archives, and various research equipment in person and decide for yourself whether this place is suitable for conducting further research."

Neuvillette was quite confident in the Fontaine Research Institute. The entire academy brought together the top researchers from all over Fontaine and was equipped with all kinds of high-precision experimental facilities, including a water dynamics laboratory, a document archive, and so on.

"Furthermore, if you are willing to assist with the research, I am willing to strive for the status of an honorary research fellow for you. With this status, you can freely access all documents and materials within the Academy of Sciences that do not involve state secrets."

Xingsu tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, a smile slowly spreading across her face.

"... This invitation is indeed very sincere. I must say, it's hard for me not to be tempted. However, I have a personal request. Does the Fontaine Research Institute have any research works by Alain and Rene? I would like to see them in person."

Rene de Petrichor

Alain Giordan

When Xingsu met with Sandrone before, the Marionette had spoken with both of them.

A person recklessly pursues the illusion of saving the world, calmly sinking into the deepest depths of the water;

A person burns the candle of life with all their might, even when they themselves cannot see where the road ahead leads.

The Marionette calmly told him that the theories and experimental results left by these two people had silently laid the technological foundation for Fontaine for five hundred years.

Xingsu still clearly remembers that Sandrone calmly offered his final warning:

"Sacrificing myself to save the world is a choice I would never make, and I hope you would too."

Neuvillette clearly hadn't expected Xingsu to suddenly bring up those two long-forgotten names. The past of Narzissenkreuz Institute was long gone, and very few people knew the complete history of Alain and Rene.

"The Academy of Sciences Archives does indeed hold the manuscripts and experimental records left behind by the two individuals. After the Narzissenkreuz Ordo was shut down, a large amount of its materials were collected and stored in a unified manner."

"However, some of the manuscripts involve research on the dangers of the Primordial Sea and are classified as confidential files. But if you visit as an honorary researcher, you are allowed to view most of the publicly available materials after completing the registration process."

Xingsu leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed firmly on Neuvillette:

"I accept your proposal. There's no need to set a separate date; we can set off for the Fontaine Research Institute Sciences now."

Neuvillette was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting Xingsu to make such a decisive choice. After a moment, she nodded in response:

"Very good, then let's set off immediately."

Just as the two were about to depart, Arlecchino stepped forward slowly, her scarlet eyes calmly fixed on Neuvillette, and spoke with composure:

"Before I depart, there is one more thing I must inform you of. I have submitted a formal invitation to the Palais Mermonia, representing the House of the Hearth, hoping to establish a long-term partnership with Fontaine."

Neuvillette pondered for a moment:

"The matter of cooperation can certainly be discussed in detail, but it involves many aspects and requires extensive consultation within Court of Fontaine, so I cannot give an immediate answer. Moreover, I must frankly remind you that Fontaine remains vigilant regarding the actions of the Fatui."

"I understand." Arlecchino smiled faintly. "Whether a cooperation can be reached is up to fate. At least, we've shown enough sincerity."

As the group walked to the corridor in the courtyard of the mansion, Xingsu stopped and turned to look at Arlecchino beside him.

"Arlecchino, I'd like to ask for a week's leave. After visiting the Fontaine Research Institute with Neuvillette, I plan to travel to Poisson alone, which will also be a way to... say goodbye to Callas and Spina di Rosula."

"Isn't it because that little girl from the Spina di Rosula is having a birthday party?"

Xingsu paused for a moment upon hearing this, a hint of unease crossing her face. She shifted her gaze slightly, her tone tinged with apprehension:

"Um... she did invite me back then..."

Seeing Xingsu's slightly flustered appearance, Arlecchino smiled gently, but the smile did not hide the careful consideration in her eyes.

"Alright, I approve of the holiday. Remember to come home on time, otherwise I don't mind making another trip to Poisson."

Xingsu scratched his head. "Okay!"

The Callas Line Aquabus, sailing smoothly on the water, created ripples in its wake.

Inside the cabin, Xingsu and Neuvillette sat side by side. A guide named Melusine waved her little hand enthusiastically, introducing the hydrology and landforms of various places in Fontaine along the way in a light and lively manner.

"Not far ahead is the Fontaine Research Institute of Sciences complex! It's the core of Fontaine's scientific research, where countless scholars delve into elemental theory, mechanical structures, and so on. You could say it's the crown jewel of Fontaine's technological achievements..."

Boom!!

A deafening roar suddenly erupted without warning!

"... A dazzling pearl... exploded, exploded?"

On the horizon, a thick plume of black smoke suddenly rose from the location of the Fontaine Research Institute, shooting straight into the pale blue sky after the rain.

The violent shockwave spread out over a great distance, causing the surface of the Aquabus to tremble violently and the hull to lurch violently.

Melusine froze on the spot, her lively smile vanishing instantly. She stared blankly in the direction from which the thick smoke was rising, letting out a soft gasp of alarm.

A violent shockwave swept across the water, and the track supports beneath the Aquabus, unable to withstand the impact, collapsed with a deafening cracking sound. The boat tilted abruptly, veering sharply towards the cold lake water on one side.

Neuvillette moved with lightning speed, first firmly embracing the panicked Melusine with one hand, then swiftly reaching out with the other to firmly grasp Xingsu's wrist. Dense, gentle Hydro gathered beneath their feet, transforming into a stable support.

The next instant, the three of them, lifted up by the Hydro, lightly rose into the air and landed steadily on the wet stone beach on the shore.

"... Neuvillette, does the Fontaine Research Institute research such terrifying things every day?"