Chapter 58: Himeko:"Su Xiaobai!"
You probably already knew why Himeko chose "Practical Applications of Artificial Gravity Systems" as the first research topic of her university career.
The Astral Express travels through space, and the complex gravitational environment inside it would prevent the crew from having a stable gravitational setting.
A train carriage where objects float or sway uncontrollably might only appeal to Stelle…
But if urine started floating everywhere…
Perhaps even Stelle wouldn't be able to tolerate it.
Ahem, back to the main topic:
Allowing the train to maintain stable gravity inside its carriages, even within a complex gravitational environment.
The difficulty of achieving this technology is extremely high—an enormous challenge.
Soon you received an email from the school granting you access to the laboratory.
It is worth mentioning that Miss Himeko did not seem willing to have you as her assistant, but because the school held you in high regard, her request was rejected.
In this way, you managed to make her feel somewhat helpless toward you.
That, however, was not important.
You vaguely remembered that the day seemed gloomy, with a light rain falling, as you ran toward that laboratory that left a deep impression on you.
"Miss Himeko…"
"I think that, no matter what, I need to apologize to you."
You looked sincerely into her burgundy-colored eyes; these were the first words you said when you saw her in the laboratory.
"Did you apply to become my assistant just to say that?"
"Su Xiaobai, I have actually forgotten all of that completely. Those things are not worth remembering. Please don't be so hard on yourself, all right?"
Himeko's words were very serious.
"No, Miss Himeko, you don't know what I've been through, nor why I've become like this…"
"That has nothing to do with me."
"All right, if you're only here to say these things, I understand. You can leave."
The girl's stubbornness left you feeling somewhat helpless, but you understood that some people, even if strong on the inside, must also have a very soft side.
"I'll stay quiet."
You fell silent and began focusing on the experiment.
To give the train a stable gravitational environment actually required two modules: first, a spatial isolation technology to shield against external force fields, and second, a gravity-generation device.
As long as these two elements were understood, the people or objects inside the train would be no different from those on the ground.
Himeko did not speak; she simply began drawing in silence. As expected, she really was designing this for the train.
Looking at the blueprints, her design ideas seemed similar to yours: a dark-blue light shield.
It was a spatial isolation device constructed with spatial fibers, and its energy consumption was terrifying.
A train operating normally would not need to activate it; it would only be required when the surrounding gravitational environment changed drastically—during a warp jump.
You silently observed the scale of her blueprint. Since she was constructing the spatial isolation energy shield, your task was the gravity-generation device.
Her initial idea was a type of "field" distributed throughout the entire train.
In fact, if devices capable of creating this "field" could be evenly installed beneath the train's floor, success would be achieved.
You did not know the size of the train, so you needed to mark the scale on Himeko's drawing.
You no longer spoke, simply working quietly on your tasks.
You both appeared busy with your own work, not disturbing one another, yet deep down you knew that what you were doing was essentially the same thing.
The production of spatial fibers was extremely difficult; this had been expected because it required an environment of extremely high temperature.
Compared to constructing your traceable "field," finding materials capable of withstanding such instantaneous extreme temperatures was clearly more difficult.
As far as you could see, Himeko often frowned because of this, frequently neglecting sleep, food, and rest.
Coffee…
It became her only means of relieving stress.
Without realizing it, you witnessed her special coffee. Within a five-meter radius of that cup there was a powerful aroma, but when she gently stirred it, the coffee—so thick it clung to the sides of the cup—still made you hesitate.
If you drank that coffee, you might be sent straight to the hospital.
However, aside from that, you did not have much spare mental energy to pay attention; your own research seemed to be progressing exceptionally well.
It was only that Himeko unknowingly noticed your research, and from then on, glances occasionally came from her side of the laboratory.
They passed over you as she worked diligently.
Yet you did not notice.
Gradually time passed, and by the middle of the semester, both research projects seemed to have made significant progress.
Himeko appeared to have prepared the first version of her high-temperature-resistant material and planned to conduct a spatial cut.
Meanwhile, you had developed a special floor panel for the train capable of providing a constant gravitational field using electromagnetic force.
It was about to enter experimental testing.
That day, you put on a special suit, filled with some kind of special material inside.
Unfortunately, for now only this could be achieved: relying on electromagnetic induction to firmly attach people to the train floor through these specialized garments.
The only thing worth noting was that the belt had to be tightened somewhat.
Otherwise, certain scenes—neither beautiful nor necessary—might occur.
Himeko also brought out the first version of her spatial fiber-generation device.
She had arrived early at the laboratory, while you arrived a little later.
After all, the weight of those special garments still needed improvement.
When you entered the laboratory, Himeko seemed to be evaluating your "achievement," her eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.
She recognized the function of that device and was also somewhat astonished that you had completed the other half of her project without any communication.
However, when she entered the laboratory, she subtly turned and walked back to her side of the room.
You did not say much; words had always been pale and powerless.
With a nervous heart, you silently stepped onto that floor panel.
It was difficult to calculate what would happen after activation. In the worst case, it might become a spectacle of "exploding clothes" for Miss Himeko, who still held resentment toward you.
You looked at Himeko, who was also nervously preparing for her first spatial cut, and sighed quietly in your heart.
She would not even notice you, so why worry so much?
You closed your eyes, concentrated, and tightened your grip on the controller.
You activated the power.
Since the experiment was being conducted on the ground, the way to test the device was to counteract gravity. If it could keep you floating steadily, the device would be considered successful.
"Buzz…"
The moment the panel activated, you felt an upward force acting on your clothes, slowly lifting your body.
You carefully adjusted the current until that force gently suspended you in midair.
It worked!
Miss Himeko's beautiful eyes widened as she nervously watched you with your eyes closed.
Suddenly, the controller emitted a faint crack.
You shot upward instantly like a rocket, crashing violently into the ceiling of the laboratory.
Your vision went black, and you knew nothing more.
"Su Xiaobai!"
Faintly, it seemed that someone was calling your name.
An illusion, right? It must be an illusion…
This damned magnetic levitation—this plan—throw it into the trash as soon as possible…
Your vision faded to darkness, and you fell into a coma.