"Miss Ann, are you ready?"
Hearing the other person's concerned inquiry, Sandrone, who put on her mask and took the stage again, looked at Rene and Jacob with burning eyes and nodded.
For some reason, Rene always felt that Sandrone gave him a very familiar feeling.
"Monsieur Rene, Monsieur Jacob, what about you?"
Upon hearing these words, Rene and Jacob also nodded.
"Then, let the academic discussion officially begin."
"The specific rules are as follows: each side may arbitrarily choose one item from the uncompleted research projects to conduct research on. Meanwhile, for the remaining research projects, all personnel of the Fontaine Research Institute will vote to select the project with the highest number of votes. Finally, the time taken by each side to complete three research projects and various other indicators will be counted to award a score. The side with the highest total score wins."
"The three of you shouldn't have any doubts about the rules, right?"
Hearing this, the three immediately shook their heads.
"This academic contest is fair and just, especially the voting stage, which will absolutely have no insider information. You three can rest assured!"
"As for Monsieur Jacob accompanying Monsieur Rene as his assistant to participate, Miss Ann has accepted this. However, Monsieur Jacob must not speak to provide any ideas to Monsieur Rene throughout the entire process. This will be jointly supervised by all of us."
"I will now conduct the initial screening of suitable research projects for everyone."
The Head spoke to the three of them, then immediately selected a set of research projects for display.
"Rene, I will prove to everyone that my talent is superior to yours!"
Sandrone declared with full confidence, glancing at the once again upgraded Pulonia behind her. Two more core technologies had made minor breakthroughs, and this was the source of her confidence!
"Miss Ann, even if you truly surpass me, it proves nothing."
After hearing Sandrone's words, Rene didn't get angry, but instead spoke to her softly.
"I am merely standing on the shoulders of my predecessors, striving to look upwards. There are simply too many people in this world far superior to me."
Seeing the currently seemingly smoothed-down and edge-less Rene, Sandrone grew somewhat angry.
"Rene, the current you truly disappoints me."
"The talent of a person who lacks confidence is also just as dull and lusterless."
After hearing these words, Rene merely smiled, showing no intention of arguing.
Sandrone wanted to say more, but the Head, who had just returned, brought a large stack of research reports for everyone to choose from.
Naturally, Sandrone chose research related to Clockwork Mechanisms. After skimming the contents, a confident smile bloomed on her face. She then spoke to Rene triumphantly.
"Rene, you're definitely going to lose this time!"
"Miss Ann's words are as sharp as ever!"
Immediately after Sandrone made her bold declaration, the surrounding crowd began to chatter and discuss animatedly.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Monsieur Rene, of course! Need you even ask?!"
"Although Miss Ann's talent is superior to ours, she's still far behind Monsieur Rene, who survived that incident."
Hearing the people's discussions, Sandrone felt somewhat unconvinced. Yet, at this very moment, Rene also made his choice.
From the numerous research projects, Rene selected one similar to Sandrone's, also involving Clockwork Technology. Seeing this, Sandrone's eyes instantly turned cold.
"Rene, what is the meaning of this? Are you deliberately holding back for me? Or are you trying to find an excuse if you lose to me?!"
Sandrone felt humiliated, and Rene's behavior was simply infuriating to her.
"No, Miss Ann, I have no intention of belittling you."
Looking at the somewhat agitated Sandrone, Rene smiled and spoke.
"On the contrary, this is exactly what I am most skilled at right now."
"Miss Ann probably didn't notice when I arrived, but the mech I was piloting is my latest development."
Just after Rene finished speaking, the ground began to tremble slightly. As time passed, this vibration became more and more obvious, and a series of footsteps could faintly be heard becoming clearer.
Before long, a giant lump of iron, five meters tall and completely black, appeared behind Rene, standing there silently, radiating a uniquely beautiful metallic luster, and even emitting an aura of killing intent.
Seeing this mech, the eyes of everyone revealed expressions of longing and envy.
The unique charm of a mech was something many people simply couldn't resist.
Sandrone was completely stunned.
Standing behind Sandrone, Alain, who was over two meters tall, looked up at the giant thing several times his own size, becoming even more silent for a moment.
As an expert in this field, Alain could easily see that Rene wasn't just using a fancy toy to intimidate him.
Every screw and every joint of this mech could be called a work of art, and its internal energy flow didn't make a sound. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have even felt its presence!
"This, this isn't right, is it?!"
After a moment, Sandrone regained her composure and looked at Rene in shock, speaking with some stutter.
"You shouldn't have had much contact with, or even looked down on Clockwork Technology before, right?!"
"It seems Miss Ann has a certain understanding of me."
Rene spoke with some hesitation, although his past deeds weren't classified as a secret, it wasn't easy to learn about them after so much time had passed.
He heard that after joining the Fontaine Research Institute, she had almost never gone out, so it was obvious that she hadn't just learned about these things recently. Plus, he had been challenged by her right after returning from the tower, which meant that her purpose for joining the Fontaine Research Institute was likely all related to him.
But what exactly was her purpose?
Rene didn't think Sandrone was a mole sent by some faction. Are you kidding? A talent like her would be a prized asset anywhere. Who would be willing to let her go undercover?!
Moreover, Rene had always felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with Sandrone. She was very similar to an old acquaintance of his, yet slightly different, making it impossible for him to be sure.
Besides, that old acquaintance's soul had been properly laid to rest, and he had even visited her not long ago.
And although her personality and name were similar, this exceptional talent felt more like another of his old acquaintances.
Rene pondered silently but didn't immediately test her.
"My own vision was too narrow in the past. After following that gentleman for a while, I deeply realized this.
"No research in any domain is useless or inferior to research in other domains. What's missing is simply someone who can clearly demonstrate its advantages."
After hearing Rene's words, the people present all showed thoughtful expressions on their faces, as if each had gained something.
At this moment, after Rene saw the results of everyone's votes, he made a "please" gesture to Sandrone and said.
"Miss Ann, let's begin."
"Hmph, don't think you've already won, Rene!"
Although Sandrone was already starting to panic inwardly, she didn't back down in the slightest verbally.
"In the field of Clockwork Technology, no one is my match!"
"I only need to put in a little effort to defeat you!"
Since she was wearing a mask anyway, Sandrone let loose and blurted out a cool line she'd heard somewhere.
Rene smiled and didn't mock her back. He just exchanged a glance with Jacob, and after they both nodded, they moved to their positions with perfect tacit understanding to begin the preliminary preparations.
The people present also began to watch with anticipation, and the scene immediately fell silent. This wasn't a common opportunity to see Rene in action in front of so many people, and they had to seize this chance to learn as much as they could.
Don't panic, she won't lose when starting from Zero!
Seeing Rene's skilled movements, Sandrone immediately comforted herself in her heart, then immersed herself in the research.
The first phase of research lasted for a full two days and two nights, during which the three of them, and even the onlookers, hardly rested.
This kind of situation was completely normal for researchers. Aside from necessary meal times, they cut back on all other time.
This state of affairs only broke when Rene completed the first phase of research first. Seeing this, Sandrone's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. At this moment, her first phase of research was only about 70% complete. She had actually been defeated by Rene in her most specialized domain?!
Although Sandrone could comfort herself, thinking Rene might have overlooked some key issues and wouldn't receive a high score during the final review.
But Sandrone also knew Rene didn't have that kind of personality, so in truth, she had already lost, and lost completely.
This even made Sandrone start to question her very existence, and she couldn't continue with the remaining research.
However, just at this moment, Sandrone's body paused, and then the aura around her changed abruptly.
Alain took control of Sandrone's body. He had to personally intervene in this competition.
Alain looked up toward Rene, and Rene seemed to sense it and looked back. Their gazes met in the air for several seconds before they both lowered their heads and focused on the research in front of them.
After Alain took over, the research progress noticeably accelerated. A mere two hours later, he had also completed the first phase of research, and then he poured all his effort into catching up with Rene's progress.
When everyone present discovered that Alain had also completed the first phase of research, they couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
In their eyes, although Alain's speed was not as fast as Rene's, it was already astonishing. At least none of them could have cracked the first phase of research in such a short time.
At this moment, Alain's talent once again earned everyone's respect. Although in everyone's eyes he was indeed very arrogant, he had the capital to be so.
Although his talent didn't match Rene's, he was still top-tier across the entire Teyvat continent.
Ultimately, this competition ended with Rene's victory. Even though Alain had gone all out to catch up, he still couldn't keep up with Rene's speed. When the other party finished, his third phase of research was only at 50% progress.
In his own specialized domain, the gap wasn't so obvious, but in other domains, the gap between them widened instantly.
It should be noted that the third phase of research wasn't something Rene had excelled at in the past either, but the current Rene seemed to have no weaknesses at all, becoming powerful to a frightening degree.
Alain suffered a huge blow. Dropping the research in his hands, he walked out step by step with his Pulonia in a lost soul state.
"Let her calm down for a bit."
Rene said something, and nobody stopped Alain from leaving.
At this moment, Rene looked at Alain's back, and numerous complex emotions surfaced on his face.
There was nostalgia, joy, and relief...
On the other side, Alain, who had returned to the rooftop, only felt that the wind on the rooftop today was very strong, just as strong as the day he first came to the Fontaine Research Institute.
He actually lost.
And it was in his own most proficient Domain that he lost to Rene for nothing.
Thinking that he had previously wanted to completely defeat Rene in the Domain Rene was proficient in, he never expected the result to be like this in the end; this slap made Alain feel like his face was burning.
Until this moment, Alain still couldn't accept it; he had lost so easily, without any suspense.
The corners of Alain's mouth were bitter, and his thoughts were incomparably messy; he was even somewhat lost about the future.
He seemed to have forgotten something, but now it didn't matter.
At this time, footsteps seemed to be coming from the distance.
"Can we talk?"
Rene's voice carried over. Alain did not want to face his old friend at this moment, so he simply agreed and then hid inside the Pulonia.
"Miss Ann, in my opinion, you are already excellent enough. I believe you will surpass me before long, so there is no need to immerse yourself too deeply in this failure."
"I once suffered a huge blow as well, but a gentleman told me to never give up on my inner convictions no matter what, and never give up on the light in my heart. Now I will pass this phrase on to you, Miss Ann."
As he said this, Rene seemed to remember something, and a look of reminiscence appeared on his face.
After taking a little time to organize the memories stuffed into her mind, Sandrone snorted coldly, then said.
"Are you here to deliver your victory speech to me?"
Sandrone didn't wait for Rene's reply. Instead, she felt her face lighten, and the next second, the mask fell into Rene's hands.
Meeting Rene's eyes filled with complex emotions, Sandrone's heart went cold.
Damn it, her identity is exposed!
If she had known, she should have escaped directly from the Fontaine Research Institute earlier. This was a huge loss of face!
At this moment, Sandrone heard Rene speak to her.
"Alain, aren't you going to come out and see me?"
Who is Alain?
A huge wave of confusion surged in Sandrone's heart.
"Rene, what nonsense are you talking about? I've known you for decades and have never heard the name Alain."
Studying Sandrone's expression carefully, Rene finally sighed softly and said with emotion.
"So this is your masterpiece. You really did it, giving life to a machine."
"This is the very problem I am currently facing, yet you have already overcome it. In terms of Clockwork Technology, I am indeed not as good as you."
"If you had chosen Artificial Intelligence, I might have lost to you this time."
Seeing that Alain remained unmoved, Rene decided to throw out his trump card.
"Alain, Ann is still alive."