About two hours after Luke left Louis's office, someone knocked on his door.
"Please come in," Louis said.
"Excuse me." A woman who looked several years younger than Louis entered the room.
She was dressed neatly with a simple but elegant pearl necklace. Her long hair was neatly pulled back. She wore blue high heels that matched her outfit. Despite the slight wrinkles around her eyes, she looked quite young for her age.
"Please be seated, Mrs. Hein."
Clara Hein, the Director of the research center, Nexus, entered.
After a while, Louis's secretary, Adella, served Clara green tea.
"Thank you."
Clara took a sip of the green tea that had been served to her.
"Why have you come today? I have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow." Louis asked.
"Forgive me, but I heard that a gate appeared in the Terania sea?"
"Yes, that's true."
"It's been a long time since a gate appeared in the sea. Maybe about twelve years ago?"
"Yes, it's unexpected that it's appeared again this time. Even back then, sea gates were extremely rare. Fighting at sea was very difficult."
"I still remember back then, the soldiers were forced to let the monsters reach land first. Even though there were many casualties, eliminating the monsters on land was still better." Louis said.
"Yes. Even now, the institute still hasn't developed fleet technology that can survive at sea." Clara said.
Louis looked at Clara, who seemed to be contemplating something.
"So, what brings you here so early?"
"Can't we just make small talk first?"
"I apologize in advance, but you know how I am."
Clara sighed and put down her teacup.
"The Nexus Research Institute was founded twenty-three years ago. From the first institute director to me, we've all focused on research related to the powers of the Awakened and that strange dimensional gate."
"It's different from the research institutes of thirty years ago. Back then, researchers focused on outer space and Earth's ecosystem. While the mysteries of outer space and Earth itself were largely unsolved, now this strange phenomenon has been added to the mix."
"Two weeks ago, we received a report. Most of the awakened enlisted in the army. However, in Endawn, many of them no longer wanted to serve in the army and began forming their own associations."
"Their own associations?"
"Yes. Unlike Lumiville, in Endawn, for some reason, many people awakening magical powers have begun to appear. With their powers, attracting attention and gathering more people is no longer difficult. They will no longer need to be under the government."
"Yes, if that's the case, there's no doubt about it. Other awakened people will want to be part of them."
"But, it seems that's not all you need to talk about?" Louis said.
Clara took another sip of her tea and remained silent for a moment.
"Over the past year, our research has discovered something." Clara looked at Louis with calm eyes.
Louis listened intently.
"There's a change occurring with the particles in this world."
Louis, hearing this, furrowed his brows slightly. He didn't understand what Clara meant.
"A change in the particles?"
"Yes. Hmm, how should I explain it..." Clara closed her eyes slightly and pondered.
Louis, who was waiting, asked his secretary to bring him a cup of black coffee.
"Let's say the particles in question are like dust particles floating in the air. If this were the world thirty years ago, they would be just ordinary dust. But we only noticed them this past year, because their spread, though slow but steady, is so rapid."
"Those dust particles are no longer just ordinary dust. They contain something that significantly affects the effectiveness of a person's body and the atmosphere of this world."
Louis took a sip of his coffee, pondering Clara's explanation.
"So you're saying the particles in question can give someone powers?"
"More or less like that."
"So, that's the reason people gain powers?"
"No... That's not certain. But our research so far suggests that the possibility is very low."
"These particles act more like support."
"According to my own conclusions, they adapt the world to the gate."
"What do you mean?"
"When a gate appears and opens, something else is produced by that process."
"Let's say that when a gate appears, a cluster of particles surrounds it. And then when the gate opens, those particles spread out like air."
"But these particles are different from those before. The opened gate seems to be spreading poison, which if exposed, could cause instant death."
Louis was surprised to hear this.
"Poison?"
"Yes. And the support particles I mentioned earlier are likely filters for those poisons."
"So, it's likely that the particles are absorbed into the human body as a filter for the poison produced by the gate. And if the human body's ability to absorb excess is sufficient, then the particles will not only act as a filter but also as a trigger for the awakened powers." Clara explained.
"If it weren't for that particle, this world and everything in it might have been corroded by the poison."
After explaining, Clara took another sip of her green tea.
Louis was slightly surprised, his mouth hanging open. Louis thought for a moment.
"Does everyone at Nexus know this?"
"No, just me and a few of my teammates. Even the theory I explained to you is still my own assumption, I only recently shared it with you and Mr. Evan."
"But I'm not the only one who will realize this possibility."
"The Eternity Project?"
"Yes."
"If that person realizes and shares your theory, then..."
Louis didn't finish, but Clara knew what he was going to say.
"How did Evan respond?"
"He said, 'Well, if he realizes, so be it.'"
"That's an annoying response." Louis rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Ah, by the way, there's something I wanted to ask." Clara said.
"What was that?"
"About Major Zevanor... I heard a rumor that the major actually became a zombie and blew himself up?" Clara asked.
"No... If the Major blew himself up, his body would have been destroyed and couldn't be buried." Louis replied, slightly confused.
"Where did you hear that rumor?"
"I only heard it briefly, I can't find the exact source. Did you see the body yourself?"
"No, but several other personnel found and transported the body. The report also clearly shows that his body was intact..." Louis felt something was odd.
"Indeed, after someone awakens their powers, their body is not easily destroyed even when exposed to explosions."
"But, at that time, the Major was facing the black gate, with a powerful explosion that almost burned a quarter of the area. Is it still possible that his body was completely undamaged?" Clara asked.
"That... It's possible he was hiding behind a shield... But... wait a minute, looking back, I don't remember the exact incident."
"No, no. I know, but... I can't seem to remember the right part."
"Wait, Luke Morran was there when it happened... I'll try asking him when Luke gets back."
"Luke Morran... He's the kid the Major saved when his magic exploded, right?"
"Yes, that's true. But unfortunately, after that incident, he didn't dare use his powers anymore."
"Yes, that's understandable. He's still very young."
"Yes, but I hope he'll be able to handle it this time. Because his magic has great potential."