Ryan had lost track of how long it’d been since he last slept.
From getting nuked on Canglan Star to being picked up by Herta, he’d been running non-stop.
Ability testing, kitchen explosions, botanical garden research…
But his energy was surprisingly high.
For science, he’d gladly grind!
Right now, he was floating about ten centimeters above the botanical garden floor.
Electromagnetic fields subtly distorted beneath his feet, carrying him along slowly.
Why walk when you can fly?
In his hand was a small notebook, already filled with observations.
He had to admit, the lace-trimmed lab coat was genuinely impressive.
It had been covered in black soot, cake batter, and rainbow bubbles, yet it remained pristine white—not even a wrinkle.
Smart people wear smart clothes.
No problem there.
He felt like a multi-functional modular robot now.
Electromagnetic perception was his radar, vector manipulation his thrusters and mechanical arms, microscopic vision his microscope…
Except the assembly was a bit rough, and switching between functions still needed work.
As he floated along, a Herta doll glided over and looked up at him.
“Madam Herta requests your presence in the main laboratory.”
Ryan nodded.
His electric field adjusted slightly, his direction shifted, and he floated along behind the doll toward the main lab.
They passed through corridors where other Herta dolls paid him no mind.
Apparently, floating around wasn’t anything unusual on Herta’s turf.
Entering the main laboratory, he found Herta standing at the control console.
Hearing him approach, she glanced back at the floating Ryan.
“You look,” Herta said flatly, “like a floating dumpling in a lab coat.”
Ryan slowly descended, grinning.
“It’s just more convenient for observing and moving around.”
He held up his notebook.
“Preliminary observation report on the botanical garden. Nearly done. Most of the plants respond to energy fields—some are insanely sensitive. Like that Shadow Moss over there. Even my research enthusiasm made it bristle.”
Herta took the notebook expressionlessly and flipped through it rapidly, scanning the contents.
After a moment, she stopped, closed it, and set it aside, then looked directly at Ryan.
“The records are reasonably organized.”
Ryan watched her nervously, unsure if she was satisfied with his work.
Hearing her assessment, he relaxed slightly, though he didn’t dare let his guard down completely.
“Your ability application seems noticeably more practiced,” Herta continued, her gaze settling on him.
Ryan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
“At least I don’t fall anymore when floating.” His tone was light, but carried a hint of resignation.
“Mostly experience gained from getting blown up,” he explained.
“In the kitchen and the botanical garden, if you react even a little too slowly, you get hit. So I had to practice like crazy just to avoid getting attacked.”
Herta seemed to smile—barely, almost imperceptibly.
But Ryan caught the momentary change, and his heart lifted.
Maybe his efforts were being recognized.
“As long as it works,” Herta said finally, her voice still calm.
She walked over and pulled up a holographic projection showing energy curves and data.
“Based on your recent performance, plus preliminary analysis of the sample Ruan Mei collected, your ability’s potential is greater than expected.”
Ryan blinked.
“So,” Herta turned to face him, “the next phase of research requires more systematic training and theoretical support. Gaining experience purely through getting blown up is too inefficient.”
She tapped her finger, and the holographic display changed to show a series of complex charts and formulas.
“These are foundational energy field theories and advanced applications of fine vector manipulation. Review them yourself. If there’s anything you don’t understand—”
Herta paused, gesturing toward several dolls on standby nearby.
“Ask them. Or ask me, if I deem the question worth answering.”
Ryan stared at the dense formulas and charts, feeling his scalp tingle.
This was way harder than baking a cake.
But he nodded anyway.
“Understood. I’ll master it as quickly as possible.”
Herta added, “Also, regarding that seed Ruan Mei gave you—report any new findings immediately. I’m interested in it too.”
Ryan touched the seed in his pocket.
“It’s been pretty quiet lately. Just occasionally goes invisible.”
Herta raised an eyebrow.
“Invisible?”
“Invisible to the naked eye, but still tangible,” Ryan explained.
“When I observe it with microscopic vision, it just ‘disappears.'”
Herta looked thoughtful.
“Interesting. Keep observing.”
She waved him off.
“Go study now, floating dumpling.”
Ryan’s mouth twitched, but he obediently floated up and headed out of the laboratory.
Back in the botanical garden, he found a quiet corner and began studying the theories Herta had given him.
He had to admit, materials organized by a genius were something else—explained simply but with depth, though the volume was substantial.
As he read, he practiced manipulating the electromagnetic fields around him, following the methods in the materials to control field strength and direction with greater precision.
It was awkward at first, but soon he could make a leaf dance figure-eights in the air.
The two gardening Herta dolls passed by and stopped to watch for a moment.
“Progress,” Herta No.
7 assessed.
“Much steadier than yesterday,” Herta No.
8 added.
Ryan smugly made the leaf do a few flips.
“Practice makes perfect.”
He continued practicing while directing part of his attention to the seed in his pocket.
It remained quiet, its internal energy flow slow and steady.
He tried using his newly learned methods to direct an extremely weak electromagnetic wave toward the seed.
The energy flow seemed to accelerate slightly, then quickly returned to normal.
“Pretty picky,” Ryan muttered.
He wasn’t discouraged though.
He kept studying theory, practicing manipulation, and observing the seed all at once.
Time passed gradually.
When hungry, he’d have a doll bring food.
When sleepy…
well, he wasn’t sleepy yet.
He felt like a wound-up machine, but his spirits only rose higher.
This was the joy of exploring the unknown.
Even though his body was patchwork, his abilities half-baked, and his research materials prone to turning invisible or exploding at any moment… Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
it was all fascinating.
Far more interesting than burying his head in formulas back on Aerido Star.
He even started looking forward to what strange things might come next.
As long as he could run fast, see far, and take a beating, he’d survive.
Maybe he’d even make something of himself.
During a practice break, Ryan floated over to the Shadow Moss that had once left him and two dolls covered in soot.
This time he’d learned his lesson—suppressing all outward research enthusiasm, simply observing calmly.
The dark leaves remained still.
“Seems like dealing with sensitive types requires a ‘governing by doing nothing’ approach,” Ryan concluded, stroking his chin.
Herta No.
7 glided over and handed him an energy drink.
“Madam Herta says you need to replenish your energy.”
Ryan took the drink and sipped it.
It tasted like mint-flavored lightning.
“Thanks.” He swirled the cup.
“Do you guys drink this regularly?”
“I have no need for sustenance,” Herta No.
7 replied.
“This was specially formulated for you.”
Ryan stared at the crackling blue liquid in his cup, figuring it was another laboratory product.
Tasted decent though.
Sipping his drink, he continued reviewing the holographic materials.
The advanced vector manipulation theory was indeed complex, but once understood, the improvement in fine control was tangible.
He could now make three leaves dance different routines simultaneously without collision.
“At this rate,” he muttered to himself, “in a few more days I might be able to attempt more complex operations.”
Like controlling multiple objects for coordinated work?
Or constructing a more stable defensive force field?
So many ideas, all requiring step-by-step validation.
He wandered the garden some more, documenting characteristics of several newly discovered plants—a “Melody Flower” that changed color with sound, a “Calming Herb” that released soothing fragrance when touched.
The novelties of this world seemed endless.
As darkness fell, the simulated night sky lit up with soft starlight.
Ryan finally felt a trace of fatigue.
The continuous high-intensity studying and practice had taken their toll on both body and mind.
He slowly descended and walked on solid ground for a few steps, feeling slightly unaccustomed.
“Time to rest,” he told himself.
Science requires passion, but also sustainability.
He headed toward his room, planning tomorrow’s schedule in his head.
First consolidate today’s theory, then try that multi-object coordinated control concept.
If things went well, in the afternoon he might…
His train of thought was interrupted by a yawn.
Fine.
Specific plans could wait until after sleep.
He pushed open his door and looked at the clean, tech-styled room with a sense of fondness.
At least things didn’t randomly explode here.