Chapter 249: Research (Part 1)
With a light tap of Hathaway's fair hand on the phoenix's small head, the bird instantly understood. It fluttered off her shoulder, its body flashing red as it transformed into a massive crimson divine bird, majestic as a roc. Hathaway leaped gracefully onto its back, retrieving a sleek, semi-circular tech frame from her pocket. She secured it behind her ears, taming her flowing hair.
A press of a switch activated the device, and a faint white ki barrier materialized before her.
"Let's go!"
With a piercing cry, the phoenix spread its wings and soared into the sky, carrying Hathaway away from Muten's Island and toward the mainland metropolis.
---
Virtual Earth Network Corporation, First Central Research Institute.
A towering structure of over fifty floors, the building stood like a metallic pillar in West City's skyline, exuding ultra-modern artistry. Entire floors—sometimes multiple interconnected ones—were dedicated to single, expansive laboratories.
Whether drawn by the Virtual Earth Network Corporation, its predecessor Planet Corporation, or the countless scientific miracles birthed within, countless young researchers flocked here yearly. Even established scholars coveted a place here.
Rumors claimed Dr. Briefs—founder of Capsule Corporation, billionaire genius scientist—had once worked here in minor roles, though neither company ever confirmed it.
Under clear skies, Hathaway descended atop the institute on her phoenix.
The rooftop, designed like a private garden (despite her indifference), reflected the reverence for the woman who built this research core. Her scientific legacy alone commanded respect.
Yet, despite the years, her appearance never changed. She rarely appeared publicly, as if wary of drawing attention to her agelessness—yet she made no effort to hide it within the institute. Strange... but in an era of capsules and flying cars, people adapted.
Her team had long grown accustomed to her mystery.
'Scientists are all eccentrics anyway. Who doesn't have quirks?'
Dismounting, Hathaway retracted her windproof visor as the phoenix shrank back into a small red bird, alighting on her shoulder as she strode toward the elevator.
Her assistant—a sharp, dark-haired young woman, a top graduate of West City University—was already waiting with files in hand.
"How's the Virtual Earth Network running?" Hathaway asked, flipping through the documents.
"Smoothly. Jarvis's capacity could theoretically handle three networks of this scale. Daily traffic continues to rise steadily," the assistant replied, adjusting her glasses.
Hathaway's reading speed bordered on inhuman, yet her assistant knew better than to doubt her comprehension. The woman absorbed every word.
By the time the elevator dinged, Hathaway had swapped into a pristine white lab coat and clear goggles.
"Any progress from Fabeli at the Northern Mountain Zero Lab?" she asked, turning right down the hall.
The red bird dozed on her shoulder.
"None substantial. The experimental cells still can't overcome host rejection," the assistant answered.
Hathaway nodded. "Gather the Tesla Project team. Meeting in Conference Room One in five."
"Understood." The assistant quickened her pace to keep up with Hathaway while tapping the wireless earpiece on her ear. Through the institute's private Jarvis-managed communication network, she relayed the order: "All Tesla Project members—meeting in Conference Room One in five minutes!"
"Oh, and prepare some snacks for the little one," Hathaway added without turning.
"Jarvis, please notify the cafeteria to prepare Little Red treats," the assistant continued smoothly, unfazed as she maintained the call.
---
Inside the conference room, a massive table was lined with white-coated researchers—gray-haired elders, middle-aged scholars, and younger scientists, most sporting thick glasses. Though modern technology could easily correct vision, many senior researchers seemed to cling to the aesthetic of spectacles.
At the head of the table sat Hathaway, youthful yet commanding. Her voice, amplified by the room's acoustics, opened the meeting with a summary of key issues before inviting progress reports.
Despite her appearance, every attendee regarded her with deference.
Even the little red bird leisurely pecking at snacks beside her earned no complaints. Past whispers had all been met with the phoenix's petty retaliation—a fact the researchers learned the hard way. Left by Taro as Hathaway's guardian, the bird carried an air of invincibility. Had Hathaway not reined it in during Taro's absence, chaos would've long ensued.
"...The core principles are clear, but the bottleneck remains the mismatch between external energy conversion efficiency and the machinery's max output..." A young researcher presented, reiterating a familiar hurdle.
"Hmm." Hathaway nodded. "And what's Dr. Gero's take on this?"