Kapitel 245: Visitation of Quantum Technology (5)

Yuji Futakao noticed his son's attention wandering as they began eating, his focus drawn elsewhere. Following his son's line of sight, Yuji's expression softened, accompanied by a low chuckle. Yasushi wasn't sure if his father found the situation humorous or if there was some other reason behind it.

"Are you interested in him?" Yuji asked casually, causing Yasushi to redirect his gaze to his father and nod slightly in response.

"That young man is about your age," Yuji continued, gesturing subtly with his chin. "He graduated from university at just sixteen and played a significant role in creating those items you used earlier. He's brilliant, though his social skills haven't quite caught up. His name is Jamie Doliver."

Kohana, seated beside Yuji, decided to elaborate further. "He's one of the leading researchers and engineers in advanced AI development, particularly with AGI systems. If you have the chance, you should try getting to know him. But…" She hesitated briefly, then added, "he's dealing with some personal struggles."

"Struggles? What kind of struggles?" Yasushi asked, his attention now firmly on his parents. He picked up his utensils again and finally began eating as he waited for them to explain further.

"He's…not the best at handling emotions. Genius and prodigy, sure, but when it comes to expressing himself, he struggles. Sometimes he even crosses lines that shouldn't be crossed," Kohana said, her tone suggesting discomfort.

Yuji, sitting nearby, decided to chime in, cutting straight to the point. "Smart as hell, but also a creep and a pain to deal with," he said, his eyes fixed on Yasushi. "And I doubt he's even looking your way right now — genius or not, he's still human, and he's definitely not above taking an interest in girls your age, son."

Yasushi frowned slightly at his father's words. Out of curiosity, he glanced to his left, where Nandini, Layena, Yunxue, Yinhaie, Catherine, Xinyi, and Jingliu were chatting together. He wasn't sure which one of them Jamie might be focused on, but he could already feel the potential trouble this would bring.

Yuji, noticing Yasushi's reaction, laughed lightly. "Don't get too worked up about it. We've got a pretty solid understanding of how he operates — he's already made his interest in several of the female scientists and researchers here very obvious. Before you leave today, we can fill you in on the specifics," he said, giving his son's shoulder a pat in what he probably thought was a reassuring gesture.

Although Yasushi still felt a bit uneasy, he decided to follow his father's suggestion and turned his attention back to his lunch. While eating, they discussed the various places and activities they still needed to check out before the day was over.

The conversation took a brief turn toward items and tools that could be useful for future designs, catching Yasushi's attention. However, they didn't delve too deeply into that topic, as it was something that had been promised for tomorrow's itinerary.

"Ah, there's something else," Yuji said, pausing for a moment before looking at Kohana.

Kohana gave a small nod of confirmation and reached into her bag. "We did some digging into certain names you might recognize, so here…" She retrieved a small piece of paper, holding it out for Yasushi. "If you're interested, you can visit them, but…well, you'll understand if you decide to go."

Yasushi accepted the slip of paper, scanning the address written on it. He instantly recognized it as the location of his old home from his previous life before reincarnating. The realization hit him that his current parents had uncovered this address for him, offering the chance to revisit a place tied to his past.

"…thanks. I'll keep this in mind," he said before quickly tucking the paper away into his pocket.

As the conversation continued, Yasushi maintained a calm demeanor, giving no outward sign of how much the new information affected him. Internally, however, his thoughts were tangled with two pressing matters.

Each demanded attention, and balancing them made everything feel far more complicated than it had been just moments before. Despite this, he contributed to the discussion, skillfully keeping up appearances as though everything was as ordinary as before.

+-+

Later in the day, Yasushi and his group had spent most of their time touring the facility, taking in the details of their surroundings while also exploring their future responsibilities. They explored the different sections and engaged in discussions that provided insights into what their work would entail.

Along the way, they were given the chance to experiment with some smaller creations developed by their parents and their colleagues, each one offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and effort poured into them.

By the time they returned to the underground parking area, Yinhaie had already taken her place as the designated driver, preparing to take them back to their home. Liang Yang stood nearby, addressing the group as he handed them access cards.

"You all have these now, so there won't be a need for us to pick you up tomorrow," he explained, glancing at each of them to ensure they understood. "Just head back here on your own, and we'll message or call you to let you know what room we're in. There are still more things we need you to try out and provide feedback on."

As he finished speaking, he reached over and lightly ruffled his daughter Jingliu's hair. Jingliu narrowed her eyes slightly at him, brushing his hand away with a quiet defiance that only seemed to amuse him further. He laughed softly in response.

"We'll make sure to be on time," she replied in a calm tone before stepping into the car ahead of the others.

The others quickly followed Jingliu into the car, and it wasn't long before they were on their way, the vehicle moving through the underground roads. Yasushi, seated near one of the windows, turned his attention to the outside view. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Jamie Doliver once again.

This time, Jamie was standing near one of the elevators, his expression blank as his eyes stayed fixed on Yasushi. The unchanging stare made Yasushi frown slightly, a reaction he didn't try to hide.

Earlier, Yasushi had tried to find out more about Jamie by questioning his parents, Jingliu's and Xinyi's parents, as well as several members of the facility's staff. Despite his efforts, the responses were all strangely uniform. Jamie was described as a prodigy with exceptional abilities, someone who had contributed significantly to various projects.

Yet, alongside the praise, there was always the acknowledgment of his peculiar demeanor. They mentioned his emotional immaturity and remarked on how his behavior could sometimes be unsettling, particularly towards girls.

"Is something wrong, Yasushi?" Yinhaie's voice broke the quiet as she focused on navigating the tunnel ahead. Her tone was calm, but it carried enough weight to show she had noticed his distraction.

Yasushi didn't respond immediately, choosing instead to glance toward the others in the car. Most of the girls appeared utterly drained from the day's activities. A few were already asleep, their heads leaning against the seats, while the rest looked like they were barely holding on, their exhaustion clear in their postures and drooping eyelids.

He turned his attention back to the tunnel ahead, the long path stretching endlessly in the dim glow of the vehicle's headlights. "I'll talk about it later. It's better not to jump to conclusions right now," he said with a calm resolve, his voice low but clear. Yinhaie gave a simple nod of agreement, her focus returning to driving without pressing further.

Yasushi's thoughts were anything but settled, his mind occupied by the strange encounter with Jamie and the odd way the young man's behavior had been described. It wasn't just Jamie's unsettling tendencies that troubled him.

There was also the matter of the equipment they were expected to test, its implications pressing heavily on his shoulders. Most troubling of all was the question of his parents in this reality — parents who shared a connection to him but were not truly his own. The paradox bothered him in a way that no straightforward answer could resolve.

He considered how to approach everything ahead of him. There were too many unknowns, too many challenges stacked one on top of the other. Each demanded his attention, yet he knew tackling them all at once wasn't feasible.

For now, he chose to focus on what he could handle, resolving to face things step by step and figure out each piece of the puzzle as it presented itself.

+-+

An hour had passed since Yinhaie and Yasushi finished their discussion. Together, they had taken the girls back to their rooms, ensuring each one was settled comfortably for the night. With their responsibilities momentarily concluded, the two sat down to share a simple late-night meal of light snacks and coffee, the quiet giving them space to continue their conversation.

"It's definitely a problem, but I don't think Jamie is the type to take things to an extreme," Yinhaie said, her words measured as she paused to take a sip from her coffee.

Yasushi, however, was far from reassured. "I've told myself that about other people before," he began, his tone betraying the frustration building within him. "But every single time, they proved me wrong. And unlike the others, who were mostly ordinary when it came to intelligence, Jamie's not just smart — he's a genius in every sense of the word. If we approach this carelessly, we're just setting ourselves up to deal with consequences we can't control."

He leaned back slightly, considering the predicament further. "Right now, though, Jamie hasn't made any overt moves. If I act on this too soon, I could easily make things worse, not better. And it's not like I can expect much support from my parents, or from Xinyi, Jingliu, or the other researchers. They all seem to think he's some sort of invaluable resource until there's something undeniable proving otherwise. So, all I can do is sit tight and wait, as much as I hate the idea."

Yasushi had no issue if Jamie wanted to pursue a romantic interest, as long as that person wasn't Jingliu. He could accept it if Jamie were balanced and mature, but based on what he'd heard from others, Jamie was far from either of those qualities.

He was described as a prodigy who had been forced to shoulder adult responsibilities far too soon, leaving his emotional and personal growth severely hindered.

What concerned Yasushi even more was the likelihood that Jamie had some knowledge of the supernatural. If Jamie managed to combine his intellectual brilliance with the advanced tools at his disposal, and, even worse, introduce magic into the equation, Yasushi knew it could lead to another grueling confrontation.

His past encounters with individuals like "Peter" and Gorso were still fresh in his memory. Both fights had pushed him to his limits, and he recognized that fortune had played a significant role in his survival. Relying on luck to save him time and again wasn't something he could continue to depend on.

Despite his reluctance, Yasushi couldn't ignore that his life seemed increasingly intertwined with a world he wanted no part in. He had long wished to distance himself from that realm of danger and unpredictability, but the circumstances surrounding him seemed to pull him closer to it with each passing day.

"The only option we really have is to keep an eye on him and hope he doesn't cross a line," Yinhaie said, her tone calm but serious. "Everyone we have is strong enough to handle themselves physically, but if he starts using advanced tools or tapping into magic, things will become a lot harder to manage."

Yasushi let out a deep sigh, his mind already running through the scenarios that could unfold if Jamie proved to be a more significant threat than they could handle.

"True," Yasushi replied, leaning back into his seat. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes settling on the ceiling above him. After a moment's pause, he added, "There's something else I need to bring up."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper, and passed it across the table to Yinhaie.

She took it without hesitation, unfolded it, and glanced at what was written. Her eyebrows rose slightly. "An address?" she asked, her expression showing mild uncertainty. "Do you want to go here?"

Yasushi gave a small nod before clarifying, "It's the address I had in my past life, before I was reborn here. It's where my old 'parents' live — or at least, where they did back then." His voice carried a note of something heavier, though he kept his expression neutral. "I was thinking about visiting them. Not to talk to them or anything, but maybe just to watch them from a distance. I want to see how they're doing."

His statement caught Yinhaie off guard. She hadn't expected him to bring up something like this, let alone about his previous life.

Yasushi's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. He couldn't decide what he truly hoped to find. Would they be different in this world? Would they be kinder, more understanding than they had been before? Or would they turn out to be the same people he remembered — or perhaps completely unfamiliar?

He found himself uncertain, torn between his desire to know and his reluctance to confront what he might discover. The answers might bring closure or open up feelings he wasn't ready to face. He wasn't sure which possibility frightened him more.

The truth is something that people often shy away from. It can feel overwhelming, and many choose to live in illusions rather than confront what lies before them. But the truth is inevitable, no matter how much someone tries to avoid it. Sooner or later, people are forced to confront reality, regardless of how uncomfortable it might be.

Yasushi knew this all too well. He wasn't immune to fear or hesitation. The memories of the past were like a wound he didn't want to reopen, yet he felt that he had grown strong enough to face it now.

His life had improved significantly compared to what it used to be. He had a sense of purpose and stability, even if occasional fights came his way without warning. These weren't things he actively sought out; they had a way of finding him regardless of his intentions.

"I understand," Yinhaie replied, her voice calm as she watched him carefully. "When do you plan to go? Do you want me to come with you, or maybe ask someone else to join you?"

He paused, letting the question settle for a moment before responding. "Bringing too many people wouldn't be good. For now, I just want to observe them — to see how they are and what kind of people they've become in this life. If they're different, maybe I'll try to approach them, to see if I can connect with them. If they're the same as before... then watching from afar will be enough for me." His words carried a mixture of resolve and caution, his expression subdued but purposeful as he explained his thoughts.

Yinhaie nodded in understanding. "Alright then, I'll follow your lead. If this is something you need to handle by yourself, I won't interfere. Are you planning to let anyone else know about this?" she asked.

"…Not right now. This is something personal, and I don't want to bring unnecessary worry onto them. Thanks for asking, though," he answered. The conversation paused, leaving a quiet moment between them.

After some time, they began to discuss the details of what was coming, focusing on how to approach it carefully without creating problems for others. They spoke about potential outcomes and what steps they could take to ensure everything went smoothly.

By the time they finished going over everything, an hour had passed. Deciding they had done enough for the evening, they agreed to call it a night and prepared to rest.

+-+

"So, what's your opinion of him?" Shiva asked, directing his words to Merlin as his eyes settled on the starless sky above the United Kingdom.

Merlin, who stood close by, let out a quiet laugh, his amusement barely contained. "Well, there's a reason I gave him the nickname Miracle Boy. Being reborn into our world from an entirely different one, while somehow managing to retain his memories… It's no small feat. The knowledge he brought with him — especially when applied to things like magic and ki — sets him apart in ways most can't comprehend."

Shiva gave a short snort in response. "Sure, but the kid's not interested in diving fully into the supernatural world. He'll use magic and ki when it's necessary, especially if it means protecting the people around him. That's the only thing he cares about."

Merlin inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the statement. "It's a straightforward desire, but not everyone in our world is going to respect it. There are those who know about him, and they'll take any chance they can to go after him. He's a target, whether he likes it or not."

Shiva drained the last of his drink and made the cup vanish without hesitation. "Hah! Let them try. That kid has the support of several gods — powerful ones, too. There isn't a single idiot in this world who'd come after him without facing consequences they're not prepared for."

"Oh? And which gods are you referring to? I've noticed you're quite attached to him," Merlin remarked, the corners of his mouth pulling into a smirk as he watched Shiva.

"To keep it simple, just about every god in Japan has thrown their support behind him," Shiva responded without hesitation. "Amaterasu made the declaration herself, and once she did, several others followed her lead. That convinced the rest to get on board. There are even a few among the Norse pantheon, not to mention some of the legendary figures who are still alive here in the UK."

"That last part probably has to do with him being English before being reborn into this world. Oh, and Hades is on his side too — kind of. He's told his underlings they can mess around with the kid, but outright killing him is off-limits. Apparently, he wasn't bluffing when he said there'd be consequences if anyone crossed that line. And then, of course, there's my own pantheon. The majority of them support him as well, but that's the general idea." Shiva finished, a grin spreading across his face as he looked at Merlin.

Merlin's reaction was one of clear surprise. It wasn't something he could have easily anticipated, even with all he already knew. That young man had managed to gain the backing of so many gods, and yet, when Merlin thought about it more, it started to make sense.

It wasn't just one event that had set the stage — it was a combination of everything. From the speech he delivered during the banquet, to his fight with Peter, to the victory he achieved despite the odds, followed by his death, rebirth, and Shiva's evident favor, all of it had happened over the course of a single, extraordinary night.

Few individuals can claim as many accomplishments as Yasushi, especially considering his origins as a normal human. Among his feats is the successful performance of the Miraculum Fulmen, which only further elevates his significance. With everything he has achieved, Merlin began to see the reasoning more clearly.

"That makes sense. He's called Miracle Boy for a reason, after all. Using the Miraculum Fulmen after so long — it's not something many can manage. Even gods struggle to invoke it, as its activation seems almost arbitrary," Merlin remarked, finding Yasushi's existence even more intriguing.

"Well, there's still more excitement waiting for him while he stays here this week. You should stick around and watch," Shiva said, his grin widening.

"Ah, naturally. People like him seem to attract such things. But tell me, Lord Shiva, does my homeland really support that young man? He may have once been English, but now he's a mix of Japanese and Chinese. I wonder where that leaves his allies," Merlin asked, his tone filled with interest.

Shiva's grin remained as he leaned closer and delivered his answer, "The legend himself — Arthur Pendragon."

"What!?" Merlin burst out, completely caught off guard by the unexpected revelation.