Chapter 59 – Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?
When you opened your eyes again, you were already lying in a hospital bed.
The nurse told you that a red-haired girl had come to see you.
"I told her you were fine, and then she left. That girl is very pretty and has an amazing figure—you should take the opportunity…"
A bitter smile tugged at the corners of your lips.
However, you soon fell into deep thought. This anti-gravity device had only been a minor accident, but it was clear that relying on specific clothing to create stable gravity would not solve the problem.
But the blow to your head seemed to have unlocked something.
An equation appeared in your mind…
Energy equals mass multiplied by the speed of light squared.
Under certain extreme conditions, energy can be converted into mass, and if the rate of energy conversion at the bottom of the carriage can be controlled, then the magnitude of the gravitational force there can also be controlled!
This…
It's feasible!
You suddenly sat upright, not even noticing that you had pulled down all the medical equipment behind you…
"I've got it!"
"I don't care what you've got, just remember to pay for the damages…"
the nurse reminded you.
You tossed out two gold coins, quickly got up, and ran out of the hospital in your patient gown.
Meanwhile, Ms. Himeko, carrying a thermal lunchbox, watched you dash out of the hospital like Fan Jin after passing the imperial exam, her expression turning somewhat dazed…
You rushed back to the school laboratory…
As inspiration surged through your mind, you began sketching out plans for your new idea.
Soon after, Ms. Himeko also entered.
But you, completely absorbed, didn't notice her.
A storm roared in your mind…
"If energy can be converted into mass under certain extreme conditions…"
"Then essentially, Ms. Himeko's project only needs to overcome one issue: finding materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures!"
You muttered to yourself, as if no one else were there.
"Tsk, now it all depends on whether Ms. Himeko has made any progress. If the material she's developing succeeds, then the train's structure will be complete, and all that's left is the warp engine and—"
"I failed."
Ms. Himeko's voice sounded behind you, startling you.
You turned around blankly, a layer of cold sweat forming on your forehead.
You stared at Ms. Himeko, who appeared calm and composed, feeling somewhat unsettled.
You realized you had been a bit abrupt…
"Xiaobai…"
You froze. It had been nearly two years since you last heard Himeko call you that.
Before the warmth in your chest could last more than a few seconds, you heard her continue:
"If you're not pursuing your own ideals, I suggest you give up this research…"
"Restarting the train is undoubtedly an ideal I long for, but… I don't want you walking this path with me for other reasons…"
You looked into her sincere eyes, unsure how to respond for a moment.
Her meaning was clear: she didn't want you doing this "for her."
"You're very talented. If you seize the opportunity, your future achievements will be immeasurable…"
"Ms. Himeko!"
"If I said that I also long for the Trailblaze, that I also want to wander beneath that starry sky, that I also want a room of my own on that train…"
"Would you still believe me?"
Himeko habitually placed a hand on her chin, lost in thought.
"I believe you. In fact, over the past semester, I've seen how dedicated you've been. If it weren't for an ideal, I don't think anyone would work that hard…"
"That's good, Ms. Himeko. An ideal is certainly one reason, but I'm doing all this because back then, when I… you didn't give up on me either…"
"Alright, that's enough. I don't want to remember those things…"
Although her attitude had improved, the warmth you once felt from her was gone…
You wisely fell silent, but this was already a very good start.
The former "you" had deeply disappointed her, but change for the better was enough…
There was no need to ask for too much.
"Then, Ms. Himeko, may I see the material you've developed?"
Himeko took out the material—a very rare metal…
The kind whose price was measured in credits.
You had seen relevant information about this metal before; it was a valuable material capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures and pressures.
"Is it lacking in temperature resistance or pressure resistance?"
"Both, but this is already the closest match to the requirements among all recorded materials on this planet."
You fell silent. If that was the case, then the only options were to create an alloy or develop organic materials…
Himeko rubbed her brow, looking somewhat troubled.
You didn't know what material had been used in the original story to overcome this obstacle.
But any approach would take a long time.
Then, paying off the debt…
Start here.
"Ms. Himeko, I know a materials expert—a very skilled one. Perhaps he has a way to improve this material's properties…"
"Hmm?"
Himeko looked at you suspiciously.
"I met him during my studies…"
You added a reasonable explanation…
"I'll take the material to him. I'll be back soon."
You picked up the material, about to leave.
"Xiao Bai, change your clothes before you go…"
Himeko handed you a bundle of clothes—the ones you had left at the hospital.
You looked down and realized you were still wearing the patient gown…
You scratched your head awkwardly, then took the clothes and left the lab.
After changing back in your dormitory,
you took out the material…
What materials expert? This was a life-sacrificing expert…
You held the material, and with a thought, a faint blue light appeared between your fingers.
You gently stroked the surface of the material, and the dark metal instantly deepened in color…
Its mass had increased…
The lifespan consumed seemed minimal—you didn't feel anything unusual.
Then you lay back on the bed. You needed some time before returning to the lab; otherwise, your lie would be exposed again…
…
You rested for a day before returning to the laboratory. Himeko was still focused on her research.
"Ms. Himeko, look at this!"
"Hmm? Xiao Bai, you're back? Coffee?"
Himeko seemed to have regained some of her usual gentleness, holding a cup of coffee and smiling at you.
"I…"
You felt a bit of resistance inside, but…
That cup of coffee might be a friendly signal from Ms. Himeko.
"I'll drink it!"
You took the extremely strong coffee—
and downed it in one gulp…