Lanvelle quickly received an order from the Blue Federation:
Go to Herta's dormitory and attempt to invite Herta to the Blue Federation to become an Academician!
If Herta refuses, you must not force her...
"Yes."
Lanvelle responded and hung up the phone. When she returned to Patavia's side, she found that the expression on Patavia's face had grown even more complicated than before.
In truth, Patavia's emotions were like a roller coaster—rising and plunging, constantly shifting.
When she first came to The Blue, her purpose had been to persuade Herta not to embark on the path of researching the Solitary Waves Theory. Even after Nous cast Their gaze upon this world, she had not believed that it was Herta who had been noticed.
But the facts proved that she was wrong... disastrously wrong.
Herta was completely different from what she had imagined. She was no mediocrity. She was a being who far surpassed Patavia's ancestors.
To unravel the Solitary Waves Theory at the age of eighteen—such ability was the mark of a true genius, beyond even Patavia's imagination.
Facing a Herta like this, she could no longer attempt to recruit her into the Intelligentsia Guild. After all, Herta had already been invited by Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, to join the most prestigious organization in the cosmos—the Genius Society!
However, the answer to the Solitary Waves Theory... whether the future of the universe was fixed or chaotic—that question, she would obtain the answer from Herta on behalf of the Patavia family.
Hoo…
Patavia took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and said to Lanvelle, "Let's go. We will pay a visit to Lady Herta, the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society."
At this moment, Patavia no longer regarded Herta as a mere student sheltered in an ivory tower, but as a supreme scholar.
"Mm."
Lanvelle nodded and once more proceeded alongside Patavia.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere, within the Path interstice where consciousness resided, The Herta herself had just signed the invitation letter from the Genius Society. She blinked and looked at Nous before her.
"So that's it? I've joined the Genius Society just like that? There's no special welcoming ceremony?"
Nous merely stared at The Herta with vast eyes, offering no response.
Seeing this, The Herta sighed and was about to ask a question. Yet at that very moment—a club ticket drifted through the special channel of the Path interstice and floated into her hand.
The Herta only needed a single glance to confirm that this club ticket was a Curio, much like the Fortune Glue she had developed before reaching adulthood.
But why would such a ticket appear within the Path interstice?!
At that moment, Herman's voice echoed within Herta's consciousness. "This is a club ticket. It was invented by the 56th Seat of the Genius Society, Elias Salas."
!!
The Herta's heart trembled. She communicated inwardly with Herman: 'Even within this Path interstice, you can still speak to me—and judging by that machine head's reaction, They haven't noticed you at all! Herman, what exactly are you?!'
"I belong to you, The Herta—your cheat, here to assist your research and advancement!"
The Herta neither confirmed nor denied that explanation.
At this moment, she already understood that Herman's existence was far more than a mere Curio. His origins must be extraordinary.
After all, even an Aeon could not perceive his existence—that alone proved his uniqueness.
But no matter how mysterious Herman was, one day she, The Herta—would certainly dissect his structure with her own intellect!!
After all, she was a genius!
With that thought, The Herta raised her hand and examined the club ticket while continuing her inner dialogue with Herman.
"The 56th Seat of the Genius Society, Elias Salas—wasn't he already a deceased genius?"
"It's said he was the second president elected by public vote within the club. The Synesthesia Beacon was his invention. Ultraremote sensing was also his invention!"
"It can be said that because of his creations, civilizations across the cosmos were able to communicate smoothly... his inventions profoundly shaped the universe."
Herman replied, "That's right, him. Though he has left this world, his inventions have not entirely departed from it. The club ticket is one such example!"
"He created this Curio with the hope that all genius members could gather together in celebration!"
"This thing can transport its holder to a certain banquet plane!"
"But from what I understand, although many geniuses have used it, their usage times have never overlapped!"
Hearing this, The Herta's heart stirred slightly. "Herman, you seem to know quite a lot about the Genius Society... Were you bound to other genius hosts before me?!"
"No. There's only you! Why are you asking me that, Herta? Don't tell me you're jealous?"
After saying that, Herman muttered inwardly, Aside from you, The Herta, the system's previous host was myself!
"Jealous? As if! You're just my cheat, not even a person. Why would I be jealous of you!"
The Herta continued, "I simply thought that perhaps someone in the past used you to elevate their wisdom and become a genius who wandered among the stars as a member of the Genius Society!"
"Unfortunately, no... Or rather, the only one who used me to join the Genius Society is you."
"Hmph. Are you implying that I became a genius only by borrowing your power?"
"Of course not. Don't belittle yourself! Have confidence, Herta!"
"I am confident. I've always believed I'm a genius!" The Herta replied inwardly with seriousness. "Even without you, I could still become a genius!"
"Yes, yes."
"You... forget it. Why am I even arguing with a cheat? I must be stupid—about to become a member of the Stupid Club instead." The Herta raised a hand to her forehead.
Herman said, "Speaking of which, after you solved the Solitary Waves Theory, you unlocked a new function within me."
"A special CG of yours?"
"A special CG? You want to see my special CG?"
"These past few days, you controlled my body and saw quite a few of my special CGs, didn't you? I want to see yours in return. Is there a problem with that?!"
"Let's be clear—I'm not interested in your special CG. This is simply tit for tat. You saw mine, so I get to see yours!"
"As for special CGs... of course that's fine! I don't mind at all... Right, ahem... back to business. The new function you unlocked after writing down the Solitary Waves Theory is Attribute Appraisal!"
"Attribute Appraisal? How do I use it?!"
"Just recite it silently in your mind!"
"I'll give it a try!"
The Herta closed her eyes and silently recited the command. In an instant, she saw her true research attribute:
1000 (A normal human has 1 point.)
A satisfied smile appeared on The Herta's face as she thought to herself:
As expected of me, The Herta—I truly am a genius!