บท 1977: Outside vs Inside

"That's hard to believe," Kane frowned. "You cook up magical systems of thought in years where it would take others decades."

"That's because I dedicated my life to them," Rui replied impassively. "I'm probably better at creating them than anybody in this world, I would suspect."

"How do I get as good as you? Or at least, really good?" Kane asked.

"…"

Rui considered the question for a moment. "…You could try what Ieyasu tried. He spent two years just thinking, trying to increase his affinity for thought."

"Does that actually work?"

"It did for him." Rui shrugged impassively. "His capacity for thought rose enormously in the time that he spent thinking to increase his affinity for thought. This place is a good place for that, actually."

"You mean the time acceleration?"

"Yes," Rui nodded. "It will allow you to make far more progress relative to others at your stage outside."