The answer to the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum—the Solitary Waves Theory—had already been found by The Herta.
At the official research institute of The Blue, Lanvelle reported the situation to the upper echelons of the government.
Among them, a bearded senior official immediately frowned deeply and slapped the table.
"She refused two invitations and even said she wants to join the Genius Society? She's far too arrogant!"
"This is simply absurd," another plump official added in dissatisfaction.
At that moment, the Federation's head, seated in the research institute's conference room, spoke up to soothe them.
"Everyone, there's no need to speak like that. Herta is still young, after all. Once she graduates and steps into society, interacts more with people in this universe... she will naturally understand our good intentions and realize that joining the Intelligentsia Guild is the proper path."
The bearded official nodded. "That makes sense. Four years from now, when she graduates from university, she'll only be twenty-two. That's the golden age for research. It won't be too late for her to join the Intelligentsia Guild then."
...
"In that case, we'll report this to Scholar Patavia of the Intelligentsia Guild," the Federation head concluded with a nod.
"Yes!"
Lanvelle immediately went to the foreign guest hotel and found Patavia, informing her that The Herta was still too young and not suitable to join the Intelligentsia Guild.
Patavia frowned deeply. "Are you saying that the student named Herta still intends to continue researching the Solitary Waves Theory?"
Lanvelle nodded. "Herta is exceptionally persistent about studying the Solitary Waves Theory. She firmly believes she can become a member of the Genius Society!"
At this, Patavia's frown deepened. "I've reviewed Herta's records. Since childhood, she has conducted numerous research projects of all scales. Especially Fortune Glue... it is extraordinary. Even senior scholars of the Guild would need a lifetime of study to produce such a research achievement!"
"There is no doubt—she is a genius."
Hearing this, Lanvelle's spirit trembled. "Scholar Patavia, are you saying that Miss Herta truly has the possibility of joining the Genius Society?"
"I did not say that." Patavia shook her head. "Geniuses stroll among the stars, while the ordinary cannot even chase a single footprint."
"There is no doubt that even someone as talented as Herta cannot become a member of the Genius Society!"
"This universe is far too vast. There are countless individuals with research talent. Yet even so, after innumerable Amber Eras... the Society has only a little over eighty members."
Lanvelle nodded in strong agreement. "I told Herta something similar before. But even so, she refused to abandon her research into the Solitary Waves Theory!"
Patavia sighed. "Then her outcome will most likely be the same as several of my ancestors."
"?!"
Lanvelle froze and carefully asked, "What happened to your ancestors?"
"They were scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild as well. They devoted their entire lives to researching the Solitary Waves Theory. But no matter how they calculated, they achieved nothing in the end."
Patavia paused before continuing, "It is precisely because of this that when I learned there was such a genius as Herta on The Blue, I wanted her to stop researching the Solitary Waves Theory."
"I do not want her to end up like my ancestors—spending her entire life studying it, accomplishing nothing, and dying in obscurity!"
"If she abandons the Solitary Waves Theory and joins the Candelagraphos school of the Intelligentsia Guild to participate in its research projects, she will certainly achieve great accomplishments!"
"In a few decades, it would not even be impossible for her to become the head of a faction and leave her name within the Intelligentsia Guild!"
Hearing this, Lanvelle clenched her teeth. "If that's the case, I am willing to accompany you to see Miss Herta once more and explain the stakes to her! I believe she will eventually change her mind!"
Patavia nodded. "That would be wonderful..."
She had only spoken halfway when she suddenly raised her head, surprise—even shock—appearing on her face. Her pupils contracted rapidly.
Lanvelle immediately became tense. "Scholar Patavia, has something happened? Could it be that the Antimatter Legion is attacking and preparing to invade The Blue?!"
"Nothing so severe. If the Antimatter Legion were invading, I could contact the IPC and request activation of the Peace Box. With that Curio, one can retrieve a planet-destroying weapon from within the box and eliminate the invading legion in a single strike."
After saying this, Patavia took a deep breath. "What just occurred on The Blue is even more serious than an invasion by the Antimatter Legion."
Lanvelle's breathing halted. Her heart pounded wildly, and her limbs went numb.
In the next moment, Patavia's voice echoed through the foreign guest hotel.
"It was the gaze of Nous—the Aeon of Erudition—casting a glance upon The Blue. And that gaze fell upon The Blue's First University City!"
"You mean... someone on The Blue has received guidance from an Aeon and is about to step onto the Path of Erudition?" Lanvelle's spirit shook violently as she quickly voiced her speculation.
"Is it possible that the one glanced upon by the Aeon of Erudition is the very person we were just discussing—Herta?"
Patavia shook her head without hesitation. "Herta is currently researching the Solitary Waves Theory—the unsolvable problem that countless teams across the universe have failed to crack."
"Therefore, the one glanced upon by the Aeon of Erudition is absolutely not Herta."
"Most likely someone else... Lanvelle, think carefully. Are there any outstanding scholars within The Blue's university city?"
Lanvelle lowered her head and pondered for a moment. "The Blue's First University is the highest academic institution of the Blue Federation. It houses numerous academicians. Perhaps one of them developed some extraordinary technology and thus drew the Aeon's gaze."
Patavia nodded in agreement. "That is the most likely possibility. We depart immediately..."
"You mean—?"
"I intend to invite the academician of the Blue Federation Academy of Sciences who has been noticed by Nous!"
"Understood. I'll take you there at once!"
Lanvelle was overjoyed and led the way.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, within the single-occupancy female dormitory at The Blue's First University campus, The Herta had returned from the Simulated Laboratory and was continuously writing the offensive structure of the Solitary Waves Theory on paper.
Line after line of the structure was incomparably complex, and the solution process was even more intricate.
Sharing the same body as The Herta, Herman could not understand a single one of these heavenly-script formulas.
However, he could clearly sense the excitement within The Herta's heart.
He immediately understood—The Herta had most likely completed her research into the Solitary Waves Theory.
The formulas she was now writing on paper were very likely the contents of the Solitary Waves Theory itself.
The Fourth Cosmic Conundrum...
The answer to the Solitary Waves Theory had already been found by The Herta!
This meant that The Herta had taken a massive step forward upon the Path of Erudition—and at the same time, she would obtain her ticket of entry into the Genius Society!!