The lights and runes on the surface of the various arcanotech devices kept flashing. A low buzzing sound came from the magic network at the bottom of the lab. A stream of light flashed across the surface of the recording device not far away. Then, Kamel came to the young researcher, Cohen Bell.
"The auxiliary equipment is ready, Cohen." The grand arcanist said in a buzzing voice. "Prepare for the third connection experiment."
The young researcher nodded. "I'm ready."
As he spoke, he looked up and saw Pea, who had come over out of curiosity. He squinted his eyes and said, "Watch carefully. This is the real use of the neural thorns."
After some time together, almost everyone in the lab had become familiar with Pea.
Pea blinked. She saw two more assistants come forward. One of them opened a device next to Cohen's seat. It looked like some kind of terminal that was used to connect other arcanotech devices. It was shaped like a cylinder, with runes flashing at the top. The other assistant came behind Cohen and pulled out the neural thorns on the back of his neck. He then pulled out a 'cable' that looked like an artificial nerve cord from the cylindrical device and put it near the end of the neural thorns.
"The third connection experiment of the extension of consciousness project. All units, please record the data."
Kamel reminded the team members. He then nodded to the assistant standing beside Cohen. The assistant then connected the neural thorns and the artificial nerve cord from the cylindrical device. The terminal at the end of the neural thorns seemed to come alive at this moment. It immediately intertwined with the corresponding structure of the nerve cord and became a whole.
In the next second, Pea saw the young researcher's body tense up. Many arcanotech devices in the lab whistled at almost the same time. Some unknown devices were buzzing, and the recording devices nearby spat out a long tape of perforated paper. The lights in the lab seemed to be affected and began to flicker.
Kamel and Pitman looked at Cohen nervously. After the initial spasm, Cohen forced himself to calm down and gradually regained the ability to communicate. Pitman stepped forward and asked, "Cohen, can you hear it?"
"Many voices … overlapping …" Cohen forced his eyes open and looked at Pitman who was standing in front of him. "My senses … chaotic … but it seems … I can't, I can't control it …"
Following the last screech from all the equipment, the light at the top of the metal column standing beside the chair instantly dimmed. The connection between the artificial nerve cord and the nerve thorns also automatically disconnected. The lights in the laboratory suddenly dimmed, then slowly returned to normal. Cohen Bell, who was sitting on the chair, was already sweating profusely.
"Don't move." Pitman pressed Cohen's shoulder. "Let's check the situation first."
After the temporary physical examination, Pitman and Kamel confirmed that the tester was not injured. Then, Pitman shook his head and sighed. "It still didn't work …"
"But it's 1.25 seconds longer than last time," Kamel said. "This 1.25 seconds is enough for us to record more data."
"That's true … the data should be of some use." Pitman smacked his lips and looked at Cohen Bell, who looked a little frustrated. "What's the difference between this connection and the previous one? What did you see when the connection was disconnected? "
"Basically, there are no changes. After the connection, I can instantly feel that my senses have been greatly expanded. However, there are countless impurities that are difficult to distinguish. The information from the auxiliary equipment has not been completely converted into harmless control signals. Instead, it has become something that I can't understand …" Cohen frowned as if he did not know how to describe his feelings. In the end, he said a word that he thought was barely fitting. "Some kind of 'perception' that I can't understand."
"Just like the conjecture we put forward in the last meeting, the boundary of human perception will fall into chaos when it comes into direct contact with 'unfamiliar cognition'. Our brain can't understand how a magic network terminal 'thinks' … This is not simply a matter of brain-machine translation." Kamel shook his head. "The neural thorns are more deeply connected to the brain than traditional artificial nerve cords, so the barrier between the brain and the machine has become increasingly blurred. This' blurring 'is the biggest problem at the moment."
"It's still too early to let the human brain directly control the machine …" Pitman touched the sparse beard on his chin. "But fortunately, the experiment of using the neural thorns to directly control the magic network terminal is going well … So, all this time was not wasted."
Pea did not understand what profound technical concepts Kamel and Pitman were discussing. She just leaned on the isolation railing next to the experimental area, craning her neck to look at Cohen Bell who was wiping his sweat. Her eyes were wide open. "Uncle Cohen, this is what you want me to look at? You look a little embarrassed … "
Cohen Bell was hit hard and subconsciously pressed his hand to his forehead. A researcher beside him could not help but tease. "I told you not to show off. You're being mocked by a little girl."
Pea glared at the researcher, her eyes full of dissatisfaction. She was almost an adult and was sensitive to others treating her like a child. She immediately said, "Who said I'm a little girl? I'm going to be an adult in two years! And what do you mean by mocking? I'm just telling the truth. Uncle Cohen, you don't have a problem with that, right Uncle Cohen? By the way, Uncle Cohen, you look a little pale. Are you sweating too much and feeling uncomfortable? Do you want to … "
Pea started to ramble. Her lack of breath made it impossible for the person involved to interrupt. Kamel and Pitman could not help but take half a step back. Pitman even whispered, "Why didn't we think of installing a switch for her …"
Kamel blinked twice and said, "… Careless."
…
"Daughter? You already have a daughter? " The red-haired Dragonkin widened her eyes in surprise. She looked at her former leader whom she had not seen for 20 years. But she quickly reacted. "Ah, that's right. It's been 20 years. As a human, it's a long time. You should start a family … But thinking about it, you only have a child now? And she just learned to speak? "
"Ah, my situation is a bit … complicated," Byron immediately realized that his words were quite ambiguous and quickly waved his hand. When he wanted to explain, he realized that his fate with Pea was so special. He couldn't help but show a sentimental smile on his face. "She is a child I adopted. She is fifteen years old this year. As for the fact that she just learned to speak … That's because she's been mute for many years. "
"Mute?" Azalena was even more surprised. She could not help but ask curiously, "She's … cured?"
Byron glanced at Azalena and a trace of pride suddenly appeared on his face. "It's a miracle brought about by magitech technology."
"Magitech technology …" Azalena frowned slightly and repeated the word softly. With a trace of thought, she said, "This word has recently spread to the Duchy of the Holy Dragon. It's said that … it's the foundation of the sudden rise of the Cecil Empire. A considerable part of our reason for going south this time is to see this new thing with our own eyes. "
"The new thing in this land is not just magitech technology." Byron smiled and proudly. "You've been away for 20 years and missed all the changes. Now you're going back to the south. Believe me, everything there will leave you dumbfounded."
As he said, he raised the wine glass in his hand. In the crystal glass container, the dark red wine reflected the light. "Welcome to the Cecil Empire."
Ashalena raised her glass as well, and the crisp clinking of the glass rang out in the air. After taking a sip of the fine wine, the red-haired dragonborn could not help but shake her head with a smile. "I really miss the days in the cheap bar, where everyone would drink cheap beer from oak cups one after another … Cheap beer with water tastes terrible, but the cups can be clinked together as much as they want."
Byron smiled, and then took a peek at Victoria who was talking to Sir Golos not far away. His upper body quietly moved to Azalena's side and whispered, "If you're interested, I'll treat you to something stronger when we get back to Winter Fort Academy. Do you know our Cecil's Frost Resistance Potion? It's fifty-two degrees of soy sauce, holding a bucket and drinking it, that's awesome … "
"I'm looking forward to it." Azalena also moved her upper body closer and whispered with a smile. "But first, tell me about your experience over the years. What's the name of your adopted daughter? What kind of child is she? "
Byron could not help but smile happily. "She's called Pea. She's a good child …"
…
In the east of the continent, night had already shrouded Oldenheim.
An internal court noble wearing a dark coat hurried through the dark corridors of the Obsidian Palace. The light of the magic crystal lamp shone on his slightly sweaty face. The crisp sound of his leather boots stepping on the ground could be heard as he moved in front of the pillars and doors. Finally, he arrived in front of the door of Rosetta Augustus' sleeping chamber.
A guard in black light armor and holding a sword stepped forward and stopped the nobleman. "Lord Beaumier, His Majesty is ready to rest, and you have no right to enter the inner chamber at this time."
The nobleman called Lord Beaumier looked at the guard in front of him. His face was abnormally pale, as if he was too nervous and his muscles were tight. More fine beads of sweat seeped out of his forehead. This abnormal behavior made the fully armed guard even more vigilant.
"I … I have something important to report to His Majesty immediately." Lord Beaumier opened his hands and said with an almost pleading attitude. "It's very important. It's really very important. It may be too late if you're late!"
The guard looked at the man in front of him and nodded after a short moment of thought. "Your Lordship, I can pass it on for you."
"No, I can't say it now … I may only have one chance to speak, and I have to tell His Majesty personally …" Lord Beaumier grabbed the hem of his clothes as if he was being watched by something terrifying from behind. He seemed to be using great courage to fight against some instinctive fear, but still insisted on meeting Rosetta Augustus. "Please go in and report, at least let His Majesty know that I've been here …"
The two guards at the door looked at each other awkwardly. "Your Lordship, please don't let us —"
But before the guard could finish his sentence, he was suddenly interrupted by a voice from behind the door. A gentle but indisputable female voice said from behind the door, "Let him in. This is His Majesty's order."
Hearing this voice, the guard immediately straightened up and replied solemnly, "Yes, Miss Diana."
Then, the magically sealed door of the inner court slid open silently on both sides. The guard at the door nodded to Lord Beaumier. "You may go in."
Lord Beaumier stepped through the door. Behind the heavy and gorgeous gold-inlaid door, he saw a young woman with black hair and black eyes. She looked dignified and gentle, but her face was expressionless. She was wearing a maid's dress of the highest quality, and her eyes were quietly fixed on him.
This was the head maid of the Obsidian Palace, the highest female official in the inner court, a 'maid'. But here, this' maid 'symbolized part of Emperor Rosetta's mouthpiece.
"Thank you for your help, Miss Diana …" Beaumier said.
"No need," the head maid said indifferently, and as she stepped forward, she raised her right hand slightly and pointed forward. "Please come with me, His Majesty is already waiting for you."
(Recommend a book, 'The Legend of Cyberheroes'. Why did you recommend it? It's all in the title! PS: Personally, I think it's worth a read. At least the beginning of the cyberpunk has some flavor.)
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