"You're that one from the official side of The Blue, aren't you? What do you want with me?" Herman asked the representative of The Blue's government as instructed by the Fourth Mirror.
Truly high and mighty.
The attitude was as unpleasant as ever... but talent always came with privilege.
After all, the Herta standing before her had shed all lowly interests in her youth, conducted countless studies, and by the age of eighteen had already been nominated as an academician!
Not someone to offend. Definitely not someone to offend.
Thinking this, Lanvelle lifted her head and said, "Miss Herta, my name is Lanvelle. I came to see you regarding an important matter. You're aware that Professor Patavia of the Intelligentsia Guild has invited you to join the Guild, correct?"
Herman nodded, then revealed a puzzled expression. "I know. But didn't I already send a reply declining?"
Lanvelle said helplessly, "That's the Intelligentsia Guild—a superpower within the cosmos. Its scholars can cooperate with the IPC. Joining the Guild is equivalent to becoming a major figure in the universe."
She paused before continuing, "Of course, if you become a scholar of the Intelligentsia Guild, The Blue would also receive rewards from the Guild. That's not the main point, however. The key is that with the Guild's support, your research could advance even further."
Herman immediately understood why the officials of The Blue had come to persuade The Herta. Most likely, they wanted those so-called rewards from the Guild.
"I think the rewards are the real key," Herman snorted, imitating The Herta's tone. "You just want to sell me to the Guild in exchange for benefits!"
Lanvelle hurriedly replied, "How could that be? After joining the Guild, you would receive support for your scientific research. And even if you joined, it wouldn't prevent you from becoming an academician of The Blue Federation!"
Herman shook his head. "Once you enter the Intelligentsia Guild, you have to join one of its schools. And I doubt every project within a school receives investment. For example, the Solitary Waves Theory I'm researching right now!"
"It's the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum. I doubt many people within the Guild are optimistic about me... So even if I joined, I probably wouldn't receive resources to support my research."
Lanvelle refused to give up. "But the Intelligentsia Guild is the gathering place of the highest intellects in the cosmos. Only in such a place can you better develop your research potential and create greater inventions, Miss Herta."
"As for the Solitary Waves Theory, it is the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum. For countless Amber Eras, no one has solved it. My suggestion, Miss Herta, is that you abandon this line of research."
Herman shook his head again. "I won't give it up. And besides... the Intelligentsia Guild isn't the only gathering place for scholars in this universe, is it?"
"There is another true holy land of scientific research in this universe. Only genuine geniuses can enter it—and only after developing technology of sufficient depth and receiving an invitation from the machine head can they join."
A true holy land of research? Invitation from the machine head?
Lanvelle immediately thought of the most elite, most powerful faction of the Path of Erudition in the universe.
The Genius Society!
Only those personally invited by Nous—the Aeon of Erudition—true prodigies of cosmic research—could enter that sacred place.
Lanvelle took a deep breath to steady her trembling emotions and gazed at the magical-girl-dressed, somewhat chuunibyou-looking Herta before her—Herman in disguise.
"Miss Herta, the Genius Society... that is indeed the highest holy land in the cosmos. But!!"
Her voice rose sharply. "According to news from the IPC, new members of the Genius Society sometimes appear only after several Amber Eras—or even dozens of Amber Eras!"
"From the moment the great Aeon of Erudition, Nous, came into existence until now... who knows how many Amber Eras have passed. Yet the Genius Society has only a little over eighty members!"
"And the population of the entire universe is measured in septillions—stacked with the passage of time, that becomes countless septillions. Out of all those countless beings, only eighty-some individuals have joined the Genius Society!!"
Lanvelle's expression turned serious. "Miss Herta, do you truly believe you can join the Genius Society? Do you really have that level of confidence in your talent?"
"Of course. I have no doubt about Herta's world-shaking brilliance," Herman replied with absolute certainty.
As a transmigrator, Herman knew just how astonishing and dazzling Herta's future would be.
So he would not allow her to join the Intelligentsia Guild and let more people interfere with her research into the Solitary Waves Theory.
In the eyes of a genius like Herta—one who wandered among the stars—the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum had an answer.
—But in the eyes of most of the universe, Herta researching the Solitary Waves Theory alone was impossible. They would inevitably offer well-meaning advice, urging her to give up and not waste her time.
To prevent that from happening, Herman directly refused the invitation to join the Intelligentsia Guild. After all, The Herta had already entrusted him with the decision.
...
Lanvelle looked at the resolute Herta before her and could not help but sigh.
In the end, she's still just an eighteen-year-old girl who hasn't stepped out of her ivory tower—stubbornly believing she possesses the qualifications of a genius.
There was no persuading her.
Right... perhaps Professor Patavia could try instead!
With that thought, Lanvelle bid farewell to the Herta in her eyes and left.
Herman closed the door and returned inside. Soon, he heard the Fourth Mirror praising him.
"As expected of Madam Herta's second personality, Mr. Herman—you spoke wonderfully just now!"
"Madam Herta is incomparably intelligent! Madam Herta is breathtakingly beautiful! Madam Herta is unparalleled in the world!"
"She will definitely become a member of the Genius Society."
Herman nodded slightly. "I believe in her. Even without me, she could become a member of the Genius Society. With me, she'll solve the Solitary Waves Theory and become a genius even faster!"
Both the Fourth Mirror and Herman believed in The Herta. Both were convinced that her talent was sufficient for her to become a true genius.
And within the space of the Research System, the true soul of The Herta sensed all of this. The corner of her lips curved into a faint smile.
"One mirror, one humanoid cheat... you two certainly know how to talk. In that case, I'll have to live up to your expectations."
After speaking, she turned her gaze toward the solitary wave within the Simulated Laboratory. Her eyes flickered as she thought.
Only 0.0001% remains before the experiment is complete!
The Solitary Waves Theory!
The Fourth Cosmic Conundrum that has troubled the universe for ages will be unraveled in my hands!
I, The Herta, am no mediocrity!
I am a true genius!!