At the MOTH quarterly research achievement presentation,
Standing at the podium, Dr. Newton wore a confident expression, yet her heart was uneasy. If one looked closely, her eyes flickered slightly, as though she were hiding something.
She forced her trembling hand to steady and tapped the holographic screen with a metal pointer. "Like this, like this, then that, then that. And then we apply a pincer maneuver from both sides. If you understand, please applaud."
To be honest, even Dr. Newton herself felt that this explanation was ridiculously stupid. But surrounded by men in black suits, she had nowhere to run. She could only brace herself and step onto the stage.
The reason she asked for applause was simple—she needed to confirm whether she had managed to bluff her way through.
If she failed to bluff her way through... then she would activate Plan C... pretend to be a knight from another world and muddle through...
Once I accept my own chuunibyou, I become invincible.
That was also why Dr. Newton had deliberately chosen to wear a high school uniform on stage.
Well, "chuunibyou" should refer to second-year high school, right?
Fortunately, it seemed Dr. Newton would not need to release her true self and undergo a knight transformation.
Thunderous applause erupted in perfect unison from below the stage. Not a single person had actually understood what she was talking about, but that did not matter. As long as they believed, it was enough. Because Dr. Newton was a goddess... Because Dr. Newton's theories had always withstood scrutiny. The successful development of the controllable nuclear fusion engine and the heavy particle cannon were indisputable proof.
"As expected of Dr. Newton. Her theories are always well-founded and logical."
"By the way, why is Dr. Newton wearing a high school uniform?"
"No idea. Maybe that outfit has some kind of special effect. Dr. Newton's decisions aren't something we can understand."
"Dr. Newton's theories have always been outstanding. There's no need to doubt them."
"You're right. She looks so adorable in that high school uniform. I think I'm completely captivated."
As for the fact that Dr. Newton herself did not understand her own theories—who would believe that?
If they didn't understand, it must be because Dr. Newton's wisdom far surpassed ordinary people. How could mortals like them possibly comprehend it?
Not only were the audience convinced, even MOTH's upper management was persuaded.
At this meeting, MOTH's leadership made an important decision: twenty-four engineering research laboratories—including the M39 Research Laboratory, which was developing an anti-gravity engine, and the M41 Research Laboratory, which was developing a new material called soulium—would be merged and placed under the Second Science Division. The minister would officially be Dr. Newton.
In other words, Dr. Newton became the Minister of the Second Science Engineering Division. In terms of rank, she was now equal to Dr. Mobius, Minister of the First Science Biology Division.
(Of course, this did not mean Dr. Newton and Dr. Mobius held the same actual power. It was merely the same title. As one of MOTH's founders, Dr. Mobius's authority had long surpassed that of an ordinary minister. These powers were backed by formal agreements. Even if Dr. Mobius gave up the minister position, her influence would remain immense.)
Naturally, this was the result of negotiation and maneuvering among the upper ranks. In their eyes, Dr. Newton was a well-behaved child. She did not demand large amounts of funding, nor did she make excessive requests. Yet she continuously produced astonishing results.
Unlike Dr. Mobius, who constantly drove her accounts into deficit, demanded this and that, frequently disobeyed orders, secretly conducted anti-human experiments, and required upper management to clean up the aftermath whenever accidents occurred.
Moreover, the engineering department truly had no outstanding talent capable of rivaling Dr. Mobius—except for Newton, this abnormal super genius.
Of course, whether deeper and darker power struggles lay beneath the surface was unknown.
For example, the previous Minister of Engineering—who had opposed orders from the North American leadership—had somehow acquired a kitchen knife at home and inexplicably slashed himself thousands of times before finally strangling himself to death. That was how the ministerial position became vacant.
Thus, riding this wave provided by the upper ranks, Dr. Newton's promotion speed was astonishing. From a small laboratory head, she leapt three levels in succession to become one of the most influential ministers within MOTH's research division.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Dr. Newton." Dr. Mobius was the first to step forward and offer her congratulations.
Upon hearing Dr. Mobius's words, Dr. Newton immediately stood up. Her respectful attitude was almost identical to how she had once treated Mei. "Thank you for your congratulations, Dr. Mobius."
Because she knew that the Dr. Mobius standing before her was a true genius scientist, on par with Vill-V—one of the top figures in humanity's research fields.
Newton deeply admired them. Compared to their boundless ocean of knowledge, her own learning was but a single drop.
But Dr. Mobius did not know what Newton was thinking. In her eyes, Newton's respectful attitude seemed more like mockery. She refused to believe that this scientist—praised by everyone to near divinity—would not possess a trace of pride. Dr. Newton was not some newcomer who had just stepped into the scientific world.
Originally, within the research field, Dr. Mobius could be said to hold absolute authority. The upper ranks had little they could do about her. After all, Dr. Mobius's capabilities were undeniable, and the leadership were not experts in the field. They could only rely on explanations from other specialists.
Although Dr. Mobius's public reputation was extremely poor and many experts disagreed with her theories, they still acknowledged their scientific validity and feasibility. Thus, the upper ranks often had no choice but to let her do as she pleased, only offering praise or criticism after results emerged.
Now, however, a dark horse had appeared—one capable of challenging Dr. Mobius's authority. How could she not feel wary? Especially when this dark horse had been promoted by the very upper ranks who frequently irritated her.
Though Dr. Mobius, as MOTH's foremost figure, was a pure researcher who had never cared about power or status, the restructuring of laboratories would inevitably have a massive impact on research funding allocation.
That was precisely why the upper ranks announced the reorganization of the engineering department—to use this pretext to siphon funding from her laboratory and make things unpleasant for her.
Generally, MOTH laboratory funding consisted of two parts: MOTH's budget and sponsorship from investors, with the former accounting for the majority.
Therefore, although Dr. Mobius was unwilling, for the sake of her laboratory's future funding, she needed to probe the tone of this newly appointed leader of research.
"I didn't expect that in just one year, my former little assistant would become the helmsman of the engineering department. Klein, when you have time... you should also seek guidance from this Dr. Newton."
"Dr. Newton, I don't believe I've introduced my new assistant yet."
"Allow me to introduce her. This is my little assistant—Klein."
Dr. Mobius pointed toward a pile of documents.