Chapter 5: Job Change?

Another two weeks had passed since Aleph woke up. A month had already passed since the Nagazora incident.

"This is too unreasonable… Did I really learn something like this before?"

Aleph simply continued to "grind" knowledge—retrieving the things he had forgotten in the past. He couldn't be discharged due to his near-death state before, plus the fact that he is one of Fire MOTH's talents assured that he was given high priority when it comes to his recovery.

"Just like the martial arts thing… There's a lot of things that don't match up."

Within these two weeks, all Aleph did was to read and practice his ratio technique. He didn't expect to 'fully recover' his technical knowledge in such a short span of time, but he managed to recall the majority of it.

Not only that, he could recall various knowledge that should've been different from the field of research in this world emerged in his mind. It was as if these memories came out of nowhere.

With such a recovery time, he could confidently assert himself as a scholar once again. Of course, part of it came from the books that the black-coated man brought to him.

'The theory about another world… it becomes more firm.' He thought. 'A different technological tree. With these theories…'

Aleph's musings were cut short when he finished packing his things.

Today was his discharge date. He was supposed to head into the Third Research Institute—a place that focuses on robotics technology. Its director was the one who showed favor to him once he was able to help with their anonymous research papers.

To that, he was picked up by several suited men. He could easily tell that their car was built bulletproof, at the very least.

Along the way, nobody spoke much except for the man who extended the olive branch. 

"Fire MOTH currently has five research institutions with their own directions. You are currently assigned as the Assistant Institution Director, the position under only the Institution Director. Director Einstein personally requested for this position to be granted."

"...It seems like the director trusts my abilities a lot."

"There's no need to doubt it. I personally saw a lot of personnel gain the ability to sleep with your assistance. Your arrival would definitely make them rejoice."

As they talked, Aleph learned that the suited man's name was Morris. He is the current Security Head of the Third Research Institute, therefore he had personally seen the "help" that the previous Aleph provided to dozens of researchers.

Through his casual talks, he subtly hinted that there was nothing to worry about his sudden employment to a high position. Normally, there would be dissidents wanting to see a proof of skill, but that became unnecessary with Aleph's contribution before he even became an Assistant Institution Director.

In a sense, his induction to the Fire MOTH was even smoother than Mei's.

By the time he arrived and stepped into the institution, he was greeted by a surprise.

[Welcome, Doctor Ainsworth!]

The sound of confetti along with a banner was hung first thing on the entrance.

"Our savior!"

"We owe you a big one, Morris!"

"I can already see the bigger funding approaching us!"

Aleph was truly loved by the Third Institute.

*****

Fire MOTH is an organization created to fight against the Honkai. Many brilliant minds gathered in its five institutions, yet there are always people who shine the brightest.

A month ago, it was the Fourth Institute's Dr. Mei who showed exceptional talents to her field. Moreover, she was shown to be able to understand and give better research directions to other research institutions.

On the other hand, Aleph had made his mark by constantly giving feedback to the "unknown research papers" that turned out to be "confidential studies" released by the institution director.

That was the major factor why Aleph was found swiftly after his battle with the Chariot-class. He was already under surveillance, though his watcher died due to the sudden eruption on the Nagazora City, leaving him in a near-death state if not for the 'miracle' that happened.

When everything was considered, it was luck that brought him back to the third Institute.

"I believe this is our first meeting, Doctor Ainsworth."

"...Well, I believe it to be so."

'Doctor Einstein is a woman… I thought she was an old guy in a suit…'

Inside the director's office, Aleph faced the woman with light-blue hair. She wore the usual white coat along with the eyebags that accompanied a usual institution researcher.

"How is your condition?"

"It's good. I managed to recover most of my knowledge when it comes to robotics. I should be fine with handling tasks."

"How about your memories?"

"That… I still haven't remembered much."

Ever since the day he woke up, Aleph kept on remembering 'objective' knowledge, but there weren't any 'memories' related to his being. That was the reason why he became vastly different from the Aleph before.

"If you'd like, I could ask the Fifth Institute to take a look at your problem." 

Einstein's words gave off a strange feeling to Aleph.

"No, no, there's no need to. At least, I should work for some time now, no?"

This time, Aleph denied Einstein's recommendation to the fifth institute. Based on what he heard, it specialized on examining the biology of honkai beasts. 

Who knows what they might discover in his body, especially the purple lines from his APS. He is more than aware that it was actually honkai energy. He doesn't know what to do about it for now, thus he decided to hide it temporarily.

"I will respect your wishes." She replied. "For now, there are some pending research proposals. I will appreciate your help from that side."

"No problem. What is the main research direction now?"

"The automation of…"

Their conversation quickly turned into a work-related one.

*****

"Automated machines to fight on humanity's behalf… Dr. Einstein is looking far ahead. Other than that…"

It has been two weeks since Aleph's induction as the institute's assistant director. He had fully adapted to the workload that came with his position.

Ever since his arrival, most research directions that were met with a blockade progressed smoothly—to the point that everyone was literally crying tears of joy.

To these researchers, what they sought wasn't extra sleep, but the opportunity to go farther in their studies. The thrill of 'discovering' new knowledge is their main reason as to why they joined the institute. That, and their will to contribute against the honkai.

Aleph, who solved their research bottlenecks that lasted for months, was then treated as an 'extremely talented' person.

Currently he made much progress when it came to his theoretical knowledge, which was affected by the "new" memories in his mind.

In the process of integrating to this research institute, it was inevitable that Aleph unlocked several achievements at once.

[Definitely Not Nepotism: Ascend to a high societal position at one go.]

[Reward: Subtle Charm]

[Bottleneck Breaker: Destroy research bottlenecks five times consecutively.]

[Reward: Clear Mind]

[Messiah of the Third Institute: Gain a huge positive reputation on the third research institute.]

[Reward: Positive Charm]

These three major achievements were something he gained as he went through the work of an assistant research director. It was more important to note that the rewards seem to be related to the achievement done.

That, and the fact that two of his rewards merged into one.

[Subtle Charm and Positive Charm merge into Amicable Charm.]

[Amicable Charm: People will look at you in a positive light.]

Aside from that, he also got another metaphysical reward.

[Clear Mind: Allows you to keep composure better as well as to not be greatly affected by external factors.]

The rewards were not only limited to these three. There are also 'minor' achievements resulting from small events. They were completely random, thus most of them were achieved unintentionally.

[Spider Senses: Catch falling objects from your desk nine times.]

[Overworked, Overtime: Work for eighteen hours straight.]

[Keyboard Master: Write ten thousand words in a digital medium under two hours.]

A total of 'fourteen' minor achievements were unlocked. Most of its rewards were miscellaneous items such as [Invisible Blanket] and [Electric Toothbrush]. Though, the most beneficial rewards were none other than [Minor Random Energy Box].

[Minor Random Energy Box: Grants an increase of 1~10 energy units when used.]

With five of them, Aleph got a total of twenty seven energy units.

[Cursed Energy (Converted): 120 → 147]

Seeing the increase reminded Aleph of some things.

"Ugh… Am I missing the sensation of battles?"

Somehow, Aleph was missing the 'adrenaline rush' that his battle against the Chariot-class honkai brought. Aleph was still polishing his usage of the ratio technique everyday, but he reached the point of wanting to try it against practical enemies—honkai beasts.

"If I joined as a soldier… no, that was quite pointless."

Aleph has enough awareness to see that the promotional ladder of a researcher is much better than being a normal soldier. That was proven by Mei, who at the span of a month and a half, managed to gain enough status within Fire MOTH. Despite her busy schedule, her status was increasing at a visible pace.

It is only a matter of time before she could affect the decision-making body of the organization itself.

If Aleph joined as a soldier, he wouldn't have as much bargaining power as a researcher—more so when he became the assistant director in one fell swoop.

Although, it came with the price of not being able to contact her through all these times. Nevertheless, he still missed the path of developing his combat ability.

"They will find it strange…"

Aleph thought of the diced chariot-class honkai beast when they found him. They will definitely find it strange, yet there aren't any movements to affirm his thought.

Either they were in the dark or they acknowledged that strangeness from the start.

Since the one who rescued him was Director Einstein's people, Aleph was more or less inclined that the director should know about it, yet she chose not to mention it again.

"Enough of that… The director seems trustable enough."

Somehow, Aleph had a strange feeling to the word "trust". It was something he should have kept closely with him prior to his amnesia. Yet, this was what made him more distant from others.

One theory of Aleph was him suffering from some sort of betrayal. As to the reason why he could open up to a select few such as Kevin, Mei, Su, and now, Einstein, only he knows it himself.

Beep-!

His phone suddenly rang.

Looking at the caller, Aleph knew that his busybody friend finally had the time for a meet-up.