Patavia stared at The Herta, her gaze filled with seriousness. "The answer to that question just now is very important to me."
After speaking, Patavia added, "Perhaps you do not know my background. I am a scholar of the Intelligentsia Guild, and I come from the same family as the Patavia who originally wrote the formula for the Solitary Waves Theory."
"In fact, in the past... many of my ancestors joined the Intelligentsia Guild's research group dedicated to the Solitary Waves Theory. They spent their entire lives studying it, and in the end..."
Herman finally understood and spoke with sudden clarity. "In other words, you want to obtain an answer from me to console your forebears!"
"Not only that. I am also a scholar. I too wish to know whether the future of the universe is fixed—or chaotic and uncertain."
After saying this, Patavia fixed her eyes intently on the person before her.
"I cannot answer that question." Herman replied calmly. "To determine whether the future of the universe is fixed or chaotic, the answer derived from the Solitary Waves Theory alone is insufficient. Understanding the Solitary Waves Theory is merely the starting point for deciphering the truth of the universe's future."
"To truly understand what the future of the universe looks like, we would need to establish a new model—such as the Simulated Universe—and then incorporate the Solitary Waves Theory into it... Only then could we attempt to deduce whether the future of the universe is fixed or chaotic."
Patavia was stunned upon hearing this.
The Fourth Cosmic Conundrum—the answer to the Solitary Waves Theory—was merely the beginning of researching the truth of the universe.
That made sense. After all, determining whether the future of the universe was certain or not involved the mysteries of space-time itself.
Patavia regained her composure and continued staring at him. "Will you continue the research?"
"Without question," Herman replied. "One day in the future, the Simulated Universe project will become one of The Herta's research endeavors."
Tap tap.
At that moment, Lanvelle returned from the restroom to the living room and sat back down on the sofa. She overheard a question from the person she perceived as The Herta—Herman.
"You there. You're not from the Intelligentsia Guild. You came together with Patavia, but you can't possibly be representing the IPC to discuss cooperation as well. So tell me—what is your purpose in coming to see me?"
This time, being addressed as "you there" by The Herta no longer angered Lanvelle in the slightest. On the contrary, she felt that The Herta failing to remember her was simply because she devoted all her time to research projects—because she was too focused on scientific inquiry.
That was a good thing!
After thinking this through, Lanvelle smiled brightly at The Herta. "Miss Herta, I represent the Blue Federation and have come to award you a medal—the Medal of The Blue's First Genius Academician. I wonder whether you would be able to attend the ceremony in person?"
Upon hearing this, Herman closed his eyes and communicated mentally with The Herta inside the Simulated Laboratory.
"The Herta, will you attend?"
"A boring award ceremony. You must remember, I have already joined the Genius Society. The Blue Federation is not qualified to confer honors upon me. And I only wish to research things of value—such as the Simulated Universe project you just mentioned to Patavia."
"Researching the Simulated Universe is certainly possible," Herman replied. "But to study something like that, you must possess sufficient understanding of real cosmic phenomena. Otherwise, how would you simulate it?"
"You're right. That is indeed the case... In the future, I must gather more materials from the real universe—information related to the Aeons, even data about Curios... Besides that, I should also consider a new research project."
The Herta began to ponder deeply.
Meanwhile, Herman's consciousness returned to The Herta's body. Opening his eyes, he said to Lanvelle, "The Herta likely will not have time to attend in person."
Lanvelle made an immediate decision. "There's no need for you to attend on-site. I will personally deliver the medal to your residence when the time comes!"
"That would be acceptable."
After pondering for a moment, Herman nodded. Then he yawned, signaling that he was somewhat tired.
Lanvelle understood instantly. "Miss Herta, you must be exhausted from researching the Solitary Waves Theory. I will take Scholar Patavia and leave at once."
With that, Lanvelle pulled Patavia out of the room, leaving only Herman and the Fourth Mirror behind.
The Fourth Mirror spoke first. "You are Madam Herta's second personality—Mr. Herman, correct?"
"That's right. How did you figure it out?" Herman turned his head in surprise, looking at the Fourth Mirror with curiosity.
"With Madam Herta's intelligence, she would not need me to examine that cooperation contract. Relying solely on her own intellect, she could determine whether the contract contained loopholes."
"I see." Herman nodded in understanding before asking in confusion, "But how is it that The Herta understands legal matters so thoroughly?"
"In the past, Madam Herta did not only conduct research—she also loved studying. She not only studied professional legal texts, but also books on hacker AI."
"Particularly in hacker AI, Madam Herta could even be considered an expert. Without that expertise, I—the Fourth Mirror—would never have been born in her hands."
Herman could not help but applaud inwardly.
Proficient in law, hacking, and AI... The Herta was skilled in virtually everything!
A research capability one thousand times greater than that of ordinary people was simply overwhelming!
As expected of a genius!
With those thoughts, Herman closed his eyes to rest for a while. Soon after, he heard the sound of the doorbell.
His spirits lifted, and he thought to himself:
This time, it must be the delivery guy, right?!
Herman rushed to the door, flung it open, confirmed it was indeed the delivery courier, grabbed the takeout, shut the door, and began eating in one smooth motion.
After finishing, he did not forget to drink milk and eat papaya to nourish his body.
Once full and satisfied, Herman rubbed his slightly protruding belly and thought to himself:
From the moment I grabbed the takeout until now, The Herta never came out of the Simulated Laboratory to stop me!
It seems she doesn't truly believe, as she claims, that staying small is perfect!
She wants to grow too?!
With that thought, a charming smile curled at the corner of The Herta's lips as he lay back on the sofa, feeling utterly at ease.
...
After a short afternoon nap, Herman woke up and returned to the Simulated Laboratory, where he found The Herta still deep in thought.
He could not help but ask, "What are you thinking about, The Herta?"
"I'm thinking about the next research project." The Herta raised her head and glanced at Herman calmly. "Right now, the project I most want to research is a device that can turn people into magical girls."
"Moreover, when I activated the World-Shaking Wisdom ability earlier, I gained an enormous amount of inspiration!"
"In fact, I have already used simulated materials within the Simulated Laboratory to manufacture such a device!"
"The Soul Gem!"
"A miniature personal reality capable of granting a girl magical power and transforming her into a magical girl..."
After saying this, The Herta opened her palm. Resting in her hand was a black-purple gem.
Herman stared at the Soul Gem in complete disbelief. "Ah... You've already developed the Magical Girl Transformation Device—the Soul Gem?!"
"Didn't you just finish researching the Solitary Waves Theory? And now you've already produced a prototype of a magical girl transformation device?!"
"I am a genius. Of course, the buff enhancements you provided—Universal Genius and World-Shaking Wisdom—were also crucial. Especially the inspiration granted by World-Shaking Wisdom. It allowed everything to fall into place."