The researcher replied with a string of data, and the man mused for a moment. "This wavelength is a bit dangerous. It could easily cause neural overstimulation and lead to brain damage. Can we weaken the stimulus?"

The researcher frowned and shook his head. "That’s not really an option. If it’s any weaker, a large portion of people won’t be able to link to the mecha."

"Any improvements on the materials? I recall a new batch of Energy Mine arrived."

The researcher said, "It’s here, but a portion of it is too unstable to use. Only twenty percent is usable. The patches don’t need any improvement, but everything else still needs modification."

So, when broken down, this batch of Energy Mine was nowhere near enough.

The middle-aged man tapped the data sheet. "Order more. Even if it’s not enough, we have to use what we have. There are no substitutes yet, so all we can do is keep trying."

The researcher looked at him, hesitating. "But our budget for this year is already larger than before. The higher-ups will probably require you to explain this in person."

The middle-aged man’s expression remained unchanged. "I’ll go in person."

"This is a critical moment. If we stop now, all our previous efforts will go down the drain."

He was clearly the highest-ranking person there. After dealing with everyone’s issues, he headed for his office.

Everyone he passed on the way stopped and called out to him, "Engineer Jarvis."

He nodded in acknowledgment without breaking his stride, walking briskly through the research area.

As soon as he entered his office, the Intelligent Brain placed a call to his superior.

Soon, a slim, shrewd-looking man with short, wine-red hair and slightly narrowed brown eyes appeared on the Intelligent Brain’s display.

"What’s wrong?"

Engineer Jarvis tugged at his collar. "My subordinates are worried the expenses are getting too high. They wanted me to come and explain things to you."

If Zoe Pierce had been there, she would have recognized the slim, red-haired man at a glance.

He was the same man from Chase Shaw’s investigation files: Wesley White.

Hearing Engineer Jarvis’s words, Wesley White cracked a wry smile. "When have I ever put a cap on your spending? Aren’t these all necessary expenses?"

Engineer Jarvis’s expression softened. He sat down and rubbed his temples. "They are. It’s just that our results haven’t met the requirements, so I’m getting a little anxious."

On this front, Wesley White was more philosophical than Engineer Jarvis. "Isn’t that just how research goes? You make a huge investment, and you might end up sprinting full-speed in the wrong direction, without a single cent to show for it in the end."

"Arthur White!" Engineer Jarvis snapped.

Wesley White, or rather, Arthur White, raised an eyebrow. "Getting superstitious on me now? Can’t even talk about things like that?"

Engineer Jarvis’s gaze was unfriendly. "You’d best not say things like that."

The comment had clearly struck a nerve.

Arthur White didn’t press the issue, changing the subject instead. "James Jarvis, if you manage to create this thing, you’ll be the top scientist of this era."

His eyes bored into James Jarvis’s face. "Bar none."

James Jarvis knew that, of course, but he felt such words sounded arrogant before the task was actually accomplished.

To say it now felt more like a joke.

"Besides, it’s not as if you’ve accomplished nothing. You’ve already completed the third-generation mecha. I’m sure you’ll soon reach the fourth and fifth generations, each one stronger than the last." This was why the funding and resources had never been cut off.

They had seen real, tangible results, which justified the continuous investment.

James Jarvis picked up a glass of water from his desk and took a few gulps before saying in a low voice, "Send more N781 Ore. We’re short on that type of energy source."

Even Arthur White couldn’t help but frown. Money was easy to arrange, but acquiring Energy Mine was another story. Procuring too much of it would draw unwanted attention.

But this was a problem they couldn’t avoid. They held plenty of other assets, but something like Energy Mine was so widely distributed that it wasn’t easy to purchase in its entirety.

Evidently, N781 Ore was a resource they didn’t possess themselves and had to acquire from various sources.

"You have to find a way to get it soon. Every day we’re delayed is just more money burned for nothing," James Jarvis said emphatically, seeing Arthur White’s predicament.

If they couldn’t solve the Energy Mine supply problem, they couldn’t continue.

Arthur White rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You sure know how to make things difficult for me."

He sat up straight. "Alright, I’ll figure something out. I’ll see where I can get my hands on some more for you."

James Jarvis’s expression relaxed. "I’ll be waiting for good news."

Arthur White scrolled through a list on the Intelligent Brain, his mind racing through the ore sources each name represented. He glanced at the other man’s face. "You should get some sleep. Your eyes are completely bloodshot."

"There’s a wise old saying: your health is your most important asset."

"If you break down, this entire base won’t be able to find another James Jarvis." His finger paused on a name, and he sent off a message.

James Jarvis leaned back in his chair. "I know. Don’t worry. I’ll go rest as soon as we hang up."

Arthur White was noncommittal.

The Intelligent Brains on both ends fell silent. Just as Arthur White was about to disconnect the call, he heard James Jarvis speak again, his voice no longer as firm and forceful as before.

"Arthur White... two more people died today."

His words were like a faint, pre-sleep sigh, adrift and filled with loss.

Arthur White’s gaze shifted from the list of names back to James Jarvis.

Jarvis was wearing a standard lab uniform, his body sunk into the chair. He was much taller than Arthur White and sometimes seemed more like an Alpha, possessing both a refined appearance and a brilliant mind.

Now, his eyes were lifted toward the dark cavern ceiling, not at the image of Arthur White on the Intelligent Brain’s display.

"Yes. My subordinates already reported it," Arthur White said.

That’s why he understood all the more why James Jarvis was so relentless in his push to advance the experiments.

"James Jarvis, they sacrificed themselves for this cause. They’ll be buried in the memorial park, and every one of us will remember them."

James Jarvis stared blankly for a moment, then wiped a hand over his face. "I know. I know."

"All of us are fighting for this ideal. All of us!" Arthur White said, looking at James Jarvis intently. "If tomorrow there were a necessary reason for me to make a sacrifice, I would do it without a second thought."

"James Jarvis, we’re not the same. I can be replaced. You can’t."

"You are our hope. When it comes down to it, your priority level is far higher than mine. I need you to remember that."

"Don’t lose your way. You’re already on the stepping stone to success. You just need one more push, and you can lead us all to the other shore."

"The path to paradise is through a narrow gate. It was never meant to be an easy walk."

James Jarvis took a deep breath. "Alright, you can stop with the pep talk. I know all this. Who have you been talking to, anyway? This doesn’t sound like you."

Arthur White chuckled. "You have to learn a few lines like these when you’re dealing with all those noble lords. You interested? I’ve got a collection of philosophies from various planets right here."

"No, thanks," James Jarvis said. "You can keep that stuff for yourself."