The blue shimmer of the portal faded behind me as I emerged back into my apartment. The pocket universe was overflowing with potential, but I knew there were gaps in my knowledge, subjects that I hadn't fully mastered. If I wanted to push the boundaries of what I could create, I needed a stronger foundation in various disciplines: biology, metallurgy, chemistry, and more. With that in mind, I decided to pay a visit to the city library.
As I walked along the bustling streets, I took a moment to appreciate the city's vibrant life. It was a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of the pocket universe. There were people of all walks of life, chatting, working, and hurrying about. It was easy to blend in, especially since I had been keeping a low profile despite my growing presence in the gaming industry.
The library was a large, stately building with columns and high arched windows, evoking an old-world charm. As I stepped inside, the faint scent of aged paper and polished wood welcomed me. The interior was bright and spacious, rows of bookshelves stretching out in every direction. I approached the front desk, where a middle-aged librarian with a warm smile greeted me.
"Good morning. How can I help you today?" she asked.
"I'm looking to expand my knowledge in some specific areas," I replied. "Biology, metallurgy, chemistry, and a bit of engineering. Could you point me in the right direction?"
Her eyes lit up, clearly pleased to assist someone eager to learn. "Of course! We have a vast collection in those fields. The biology and chemistry sections are on the second floor. For metallurgy and engineering, head over to the west wing."
"Thank you," I said with a nod before heading upstairs.
I started with the biology section, scanning through books on human anatomy, botany, and biochemistry. Picking out a few titles, I found a quiet corner and began reading. My mind, augmented by the mind gift, soaked up the information rapidly. As I read, I took notes on useful techniques and biological concepts that could apply to my experiments in the pocket universe, especially related to Azura's impact on the local flora and fauna.
After an hour or so, I noticed someone else had settled in nearby, a young man in his mid-twenties, engrossed in a book on biomechanics. His bag was filled with other engineering texts. It was clear he was also pursuing a broad range of subjects.
"Interesting choice," I said, gesturing toward the book he was reading. "Are you studying biomechanics professionally, or is this just a personal interest?"
The man glanced up, seemingly surprised but then smiled. "A bit of both, actually. I'm an engineering student, but I've got a fascination with how biology can inspire mechanical design. What about you?"
"I'm exploring a few areas," I replied casually. "I'm interested in how different fields can intersect, especially in terms of practical applications."
"Sounds like you've got some ambitious projects in mind," he said with a chuckle. "I'm Eric, by the way."
I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Eric. I'm Adrian."
The conversation flowed naturally from there, covering various topics from engineering principles to cutting-edge research. We exchanged ideas and even discussed some concepts that sparked new thoughts for me. Eric was knowledgeable, and though I held back on the specifics of what I was working on, I could tell he appreciated the exchange. It was a refreshing change of pace, interacting with someone face-to-face rather than just dealing with the digital world.
After finishing my studies in biology, I moved to the metallurgy section, where I picked up books on refining processes, metal alloy compositions, and modern forging techniques. Understanding metallurgy was critical for creating better tools and components for my experiments. As I delved into the subject, I realized that with the right metals, enhanced by Azura-infused materials, I could potentially create alloys that didn't exist in the real world. The implications were endless.
By the time I finished my reading, the library was getting busier, with students and researchers filling the tables. I checked out several books, deciding to continue my studies at home. On the way out, I ran into Eric again, who was on his way to the cafeteria.
"Hey, Adrian, if you're hungry, the cafeteria here isn't half bad. They have a decent selection for lunch," he said.
"Actually, I was thinking of trying one of the nearby restaurants," I replied. "I've heard good things about a place around the corner. You're welcome to join me if you're interested."
Eric agreed, and we made our way to a restaurant just a block away. The interior had a cozy atmosphere, with wooden tables and warm lighting. We found a table near the window, and I took a moment to glance at the menu. The currency here was called "Caldin", and prices were fairly reasonable. I had earned a good amount from "Gravity's Edge," with the game bringing in around 30,000 Caldin over the past month. It was a respectable start, and it covered my expenses with room to spare.
I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with a side of roasted vegetables, which cost 35 Caldin, while Eric opted for a pasta dish priced at 40 Caldin. As we waited for our meals, the conversation continued.
"So, what exactly do you do?" Eric asked. "You seem pretty well-versed in a lot of different subjects."
"I run a small tech company," I said. "Mostly focusing on software and game development right now, but I'm branching out into some more experimental areas."
"Ah, that makes sense. The tech scene here is pretty competitive," Eric remarked. "But I've heard there's a lot of potential for startups, especially if you've got something innovative."
"You could say that," I replied, keeping my response intentionally vague. There was no need to reveal my real plans, but I appreciated that Eric had a similar interest in technological advancements.
As we ate, I noticed a news report playing on the television above the bar. It was discussing the growing popularity of "Gravity's Edge," and how it had become a viral hit among puzzle game enthusiasts. The anchor even mentioned that some larger companies were looking into developing similar games, citing the rising trend of physics-based mechanics.
I smirked. "Seems like I'm not the only one with ambitious projects."
Eric glanced up at the TV. "True, whoever is behind that company is really a genius."
I nodded, a bit amused at his comment. "Yeah."
As we finished our meals and prepared to leave, Eric jotted down his contact information on a slip of paper. "If you ever want to bounce some ideas around, feel free to reach out. I'd love to hear more about what you're working on."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," I said, taking the paper and tucking it into my pocket.
With a small nod of farewell, I parted ways with Eric and returned to my apartment. The stack of books I had checked out sat waiting on the table. I knew I was on the right path. There were many fields to master, each one a piece of a much larger puzzle that I was slowly putting together.