Year Fifty-Five of the Father God.

Charlene was invited by the same person who had collaborated with her previously. But this time, Charlene brought her bodyguard since her parents could not go inside the place that was designated.

“Welcome to the Hinon Science Institute, Miss Charlene.” A guide tasked to be with her greeted Charlene and her bodyguard at the institute's entrance.

“Are you the one designated to guide me around, Mister Raymond?” Charlene looked at the man carefully from the top to the bottom. His body stature was just like her bodyguard. It was robust, tall and firm.

The man who was identified as Raymond nodded. Charlene looked at her bodyguard and saw that the two recognized each other. This caused her to be slightly surprised.

“Hmm, do you know each other?” Charlene asked.

“Well, he is my acquaintance. That’s for sure.” Her bodyguard honestly replied. But his face was a bit hostile to Raymond. It looked like the two of them had an interesting history.

“Yeah, if it stinks it is usually the Butz. Isn’t that right?” Raymond smiled as he said those words.

“Anyway. What is our first place for this small tour?” Charlene had been appointed as one of the figures responsible for developing the human race's mental model. It was a task that needed to be supervised by the Hinon Science Institute.

“First, we will visit the museum section of our institute. After all, it is on the first floor.” Raymond then showed the way for Charlene and Butz to the museum section.

There, Charlene found out about the establishment of the institution, its founder as well as the achievements of the institution. From there, Charlene could see the struggle to develop a better future.

‘Since even Mister Bodyguard is a bit tense, I can assume that Snatcher is actually running rampant in the dark. I have to be careful even in a seemingly safe place.’ Charlene took a note of the gesture from Butz and concluded as such.

She had never seen her bodyguard that tense before even in a safe place. But along the way, he had been tense so Charlene could only think of the worse.

But so far there was no sign of the people that posed a threat to her. Of course, it could also be because Hinon Science Institute was secured by the best from the Hinon Federation.

Other than that, she also gained additional knowledge regarding the history of Hinon Science Institute.

The institute was built because of the increasing technological race that happened until now. There was a need to research and develop the technology for human use whether it was for military purposes or aiding in lifestyle as well as farming, animal husbandry, construction, etc.

For Charlene, that was necessary since strength was the foundation of everything. Without strength, no one would hear what you say or proclaim. That was already recorded in the history books.

But she found it strange that the Snatcher only dared to go after the younger generation and not the older ones. There must be a reason for that and Charlene started to find out why.

[Talent Protection Act]

That was what Hinon Federation had released some time ago when the Snatcher acted. Powerhouses of the Comberth Continent realized that something had happened to the talented ones among their ranks, especially the youth.

They could only assume that the enemy of their respective faction was behind it so some of the powerhouses tried to protect their valuable talented man. Hinon Federation was the strongest to react to this so they created the Secret Service.

Their primary task was to protect the talent of the federation from any threat.

Seeing these, Charlene fully realized that the situation was not as good as she had thought.

‘So the Snatcher has been causing this…’

Charlene was lost in thought as Raymond explained something related to the institute's history. Seeing that Charlene was not listening, he stopped in his tracks and patiently waited. As for Butz, he kept looking around in caution.

“Hmm, this is…” Charlene was shocked to see a certain item in the museum section of the institute. She was surprised because the item had some relation with a certain group.

“Oh, Miss Charlene. Allow me to explain. This is the commemoration item that the founder was given. Well, you probably already know about it…” Raymond then got closer to Charlene as he started to lower his voice in proportion to his distance from Charlene.

“…the founder of our Hinon Science Institute is probably a member of the Father God Congregation.” Raymond whispered in her ear by the end of his sentence.

Charlene frowned. She did not expect that the founder of the institute was probably a member of such a group.

“No need to think it too much. That is just speculation among the people of the institute. Whether it is true or not, it doesn’t reduce my respect for him. After all, he also supported the twelve years of compulsory education for the federation’s children.” Raymond sidestepped and shrugged his shoulders.

Charlene nodded. Speaking of which, she also had a slight interest in the Father God Congregation. It was because the group was the one who studied the figure of Father God the most.

And Father God was supposedly the one who helped the human race win the Star Battle.

 

-

 

Raymond was still guiding Charlene through the institute.

This time, they came to the research and development section of the institute. There, they were met with many prominent figures that the Hinon Federation had cultivated to be useful to the federation and possibly the entire human race.

The researchers greeted Raymond before they walked to do their own business.

Charlene looked at the famous figures in the academic world and did not expect that they mostly gathered at this place.

This was truly the place where talents gathered. Although she was part of a group that was responsible for researching a new kind of energy, she had not come to the Hinon Science Institute before.

Since the opportunity to visit the institute had come, she used it to understand her future workplace better. Even though she was only a middle schooler, she was qualified enough to be on the same position as the researcher of the institute.

Then finally she was guided to the President’s Room.

There, Charlene was to meet the current president of the Hinon Science Institute.

“Hello, Miss Charlene. It is nice to meet you in person.” The president was a middle-aged man with rectangular glasses. His hair had some white among the black and he trimmed it, becoming presentable.

“Nice to meet you, President Tesna. I have heard your name among the important figures of the federation.” Charlene nodded as she said it.

“It is my greatest pleasure to be known among the younger generation. You do come here, after all.” Tesna replied which caused Charlene to sigh.

“What can I do? I am planning to work here in the future after all. I have to know more about my future workplace, don’t you agree?”

“Haha, true that. But the main reason I invited you to come to the Hinon Science Institute is not just to introduce you to your workplace or the background of the institute. There is one important matter that has to be addressed immediately.” Tesna chuckled before he stared at Charlene with a serious expression.

“Would you like to tell me? Now I am curious.” Charlene could feel that something was not right but she had to continue the conversation.

“Nothing much but what I am about to tell you cannot go beyond this room. Raymond!”

“Yes, President?”

“Go out and stand on the door. There is something we need to discuss. Even the bodyguard has to also go out.”

Hearing that, Butz raised his eyebrows. He wanted to protest but Raymond gave him a pleading look. Seeing that made Butz reconsider it and finally moved out of the room. But he was going to secure everything else.

Charlene was a bit surprised but she managed to stay calm.

“What is it that you want to talk about? Being so secretive like this.”

“It concerns the development of the human race as a whole, actually.” Tesna started to explain the situation.

“As you know, our civilization is divided into many powers that aim for the unification of human but so far only the Hinon Federation is the closest to achieving that.

“Furthermore, we all learn through some information that we also spread to the education institution that the other continent is being ruled by one kingdom alone.”

“Hmm, what does this have to do with the Heavensend Kingdom?” Charlene knew about the kingdom across the ocean. Recently, they had diplomatic relationship with the powerhouses of the Comberth Continent.

“They are also aiming for the unification too. But the way they do it is through compulsion while we offer a softer approach to our citizens. Some of the people on this continent have tasted the bitter rule under the Heavensend Kingdom and even some of the continent’s powerhouses have started to imitate the Heavensend Kingdom’s style of ruling.”

“I’ve heard of it. They are enjoying themselves and only develop because it will bring more profit to them. Profit in their mind is something that they possess, is that the issue here?” Charlene could understand the problem.

 

Heavensend Kingdom’s influence was not good toward human civilization and apparently Tesna realized it too. But Charlene wanted to know why Tesna as Hinon Science Institute president was worried about such things.

 

“Why have you worried about that? It is not something that you can do about. Just like a distant water cannot extinguish a nearby fire, we cannot solve that kind of problem yet.”

“You are right but…this is because I am one of them. As it is the will of Father God to let humans prosper and advance to be better, we as the ones who receive such favor must reciprocate that favor!” Tesna’s way of speaking slightly changed, becoming more strict.

“Wait a minute…no way!” Charlene realized something. She saw something on the wrist of Tesna. It was a wristband with the symbol of a white cloud adorning the outer surface.

The symbol of the white cloud was also something the founder of the institute had among the items he left.

“Are you…secretly telling me that you are part of the Father God Congregation? Is that why you become so secretive this time?”

“Miss Charlene, it is because we are the ones who are in the shadow to serve the light. We accompany the powerhouse that wants to unify the human race until recently when we discover that the Heavensend Kingdom has negatively influenced our civilization and race as a whole.

“I am not sure why they do this but their action must be stopped. Otherwise, when the next Star Battle comes…” Tesna paused.

“What is in it for me if I help?” Charlene did not want to do this but she had thought about the long-term effect. So she wanted to know what she could get from this.

“I have seen you grow from someone who proposes a certain framework on human mental faculty to the champion of the Federal Competition. I know that your talent will bring humanity toward a better future. That is why I want you to join us.

“We can allocate some of the resources we have gathered to fund your research. Note that.”

“Grk.” Charlene could not even deny that the fund was necessary. It was actually the most important part of the research. Without funds, anyone could not do research. Especially since she had a group that researched a new kind of alternative energy.

“Ha…how much is the fund you are going to give to my group?” Charlene had already given in but she had to make sure that she got more for her group.

She knew that this was the irresistible trap that the president had laid but what could she do?

Furthermore, their interest aligned so cooperation was possible.

“The standard is three hundred million. Depending on the performance, it can be raised further.” Tesna replied with a slight smile.

Charlene looked straight into Tesna’s eyes. She could see that the president was not lying. But the promise he made was actually him as someone in the Father God Congregation and Charlene knew that.

She had come to the realization that the Father God Congregation had rooted itself so deeply that it could amass such huge resources.

“Mind if I ask something that I have been curious about for so long?” Charlene knew that the deal had been sealed and Tesna also realized that.

“Sure, go ahead since you are now one of us.” Tesna did not mind a question from Charlene. But he guessed that it probably was something significant.

“What do you know about Father God? I can’t believe it at first but I believe he exists. The problem is I don’t know much about him and you as a member of Father God Congregation should know a thing or two.”

Tesna was stunned. He should have known better that Charlene could find out about Father God. But he did not expect that Charlene believed in such existence. The majority of the populace was on the side of not believing it but surprisingly, this prodigy actually believed that Father God existed.

“How can you believe such an abstract thing as Father God?” Tesna was genuinely curious so he asked back.

“Wrong. Father God is definitely real. I somehow have a connection with him. I know that this is ridiculous but I can hear him in my core.” Charlene exposed the fact that she could hear Father God through her consciousness.

“!”

He knew that the core that Charlene talked about was something that referred to the very center of a living being. This was discussed when talking about the mental construct of the human race.

But to be able to communicate with Father God through the connection with the consciousness was definitely new to him. He also saw that Charlene was not lying.

It meant that through the mysterious connection that connected human consciousness, Father God could also communicate through that too other than manifesting himself in front of the people.

Placing his hand on his forehead, Tesna felt like he had come to find something precious. He did not expect that Father God could communicate in such a subtle way.

“So assuming that what you said is correct, what did Father God tell you?” Tesna asked a very important question.

“He told me to develop further as a human being and as a civilization.” Charlene answered while placing her hand on top of her chest. She could still remember that message from a few years ago. It became something like an edict to her, telling her what was necessary to do.

That was also the reason why she volunteered to join a research group. To develop further, they had to do some research into something and what was the most important was to find some concrete result.

So far, the research was at the stage where they needed verification and validation. Only after that they could publicize the result.

“Is that so? Well, as a member of the Father God Congregation we are looking into the reason behind Father God’s action. The fact that Father God can use the connection of our human consciousness is a sign that he knows something about this. Other than that, we are the ones who interpret the meaning of Father God’s words.” Tesna explained.

“Interpret? So you only know that Father God is beneficial to human growth, is that it?” Charlene furrowed her brow as the answer was not what she expected.

“What can we do? Our interaction with Father God is limited. Perhaps, you are the one who will know more about Father God.” Tesna raised both of his hands, indicating that he was out of information to give.

“So, happy cooperation then.” Tesna extended his hand toward Charlene. Charlene who saw the gesture then also extended her hand and shook it.

This cooperation was for the Hinon Federation as well as the human race. The first step they had to take was to secure themselves against the influence of the Heavensend Kingdom. The second step would be to develop in all aspects, preferably the armaments.

It was because developing a world-destroying weapon would cause the other superpower on the Comberth Continent to be more willing to be united.

Since that day, Charlene had received numerous funds that she used for the research group. She was on the verge of discovering something that caused the development of technology to enter a new age.

It was about a small unit that could not be seen with the naked eye. It was about time that human civilization entered the atomic era with the discovery of the atom by her research group. Other than that, they also discovered the existence of the microorganism.