CHAPTER 120: COSMOS COMPANY
As the group approached the building, the first thing they noticed was the company’s windows.
The workers on the other side moved inside, going everywhere.
As soon as they passed through the door, they felt like they entered a different place, another ‘space’.
“Magical distortion. They enchant the entire building with space magic, increasing its interior space,” Cithrel commented as soon as she entered and, looking at the surroundings with curious eyes glowing overflowing with magical energy, she added. “It’s impressive. This building is dozens of times bigger than what one sees from the outside.”
One didn’t need to be a space wizard to notice, as everyone felt it once they entered.
This room in the building was huge and the most impressive thing was that it didn’t feel like a drab reception building.
A huge open room with the reception area in front, and at its back was a garden with tables for workers to drink or eat.
Stairs surrounded that garden, leading to different corridors and various rooms, for the first and second floors of the building.
It looked like a shopping mall, only the ‘stores’ were offices of all kinds.
Next to the elevators were portals where people exited and entered as if it was natural to move that way.
This was the future... That was what everyone could feel.
“A wonderful analysis,” said a middle-aged man dressed formally as a secretary and looking at the students, he commented. “I am Elerius Trenus. I will be your guide this day.”
That man had been waiting at the entrance.
“Thank you. We hope we won’t be too much trouble.” Replied Professor Forde in the same respectful tone as that man.
“Not at all. We here at Cosmos Enterprise are delighted to receive visitors,” Elerius replied and with a smile, asked. “Where do you wish to begin?”
Kind and charismatic smile, which gave the impression that he was an approachable man.
“We can visit the technology, psionic or magic section before heading to see Terra nova,” Elerius explained to the surprise of those present.
This trip should test the company’s virtual technology by ‘traveling’ to Terra nova.
To see that world for their own eyes was Professor Forde’s goal.
Only now that they were being offered an entire trip to different places made the students perk up.
It wasn’t as if every day they had the chance to tour the richest company in the world.
Students murmured among themselves or urged going to other areas first, getting Professor Forde to sigh.
“We’ll leave it up to you,” Professor Forde replied, getting rid of the problem.
Elerius gave a smile and created a portal that let them see the other side.
“Come on, we’ll start with our psionic section.”
With those words, they all stepped into the portal and came to a research section with a purple wall, the characteristic color of psionic energy.
On both sides of the hallway were different rooms, but no one could tell what part of the immense building they were in.
What they could realize was that these rooms and this entire section were larger than the building that could be seen from the outside.
“How is that possible?” One student asked incredulously.
How was it possible that such a small building could fit huge research sections?
“Space magic... I guess they developed here it through space technology,” Cithrel muttered in response.
Her bright, excited look was all over the place.
It was clear this place had quite surprised her.
“Exactly. With a combination of magic and space distortion-focused technology, we could create our building and expand it without taking up too much outside space,” Elerius replied, and looking at Cithrel, he added. “I suppose, for you, this must be a common day thing. From what I have heard, some dragons can fit a castle into a small hut.”
Who has not heard the stories of mighty dragons or impressive archmages capable of such feats?
“Yes, but only with magic...” Cithrel replied with a faint smile.
It was noticeable that the technological development of this world impressed her.
As some Earthlings felt pride in their technology, the individuals of Terra nova were similar.
Their magic, they thought, was incomparable.
Reality showed that by different means, they could reach the same end.
“Psionic development is slow, but I am very sure that in the future it will come to compare with magic and technology,” Elerius commented, giving a glance at all the psionics present.
He had identified them instantly.
Walking down the hallway, the different rooms revealed screens where various individuals were working on different projects.
It was hard to tell if it was a video on the screen or it was a glass window, but one could see the researchers working on different projects related to psionics.
There were also some explanations of the project being researched in each room.
“We usually focus on civilian-related psionic research leaving the weapons research to our commercial partners, but we make great strides in our way,” Elerius recounted in a simple tone.
He did not hide the fact that weapons research was being done, showing that the company had nothing to hide.
The different projects ranged from objects with telekinesis that could automatically prepare different types of meals or psionic artifacts capable of increasing concentration and aiding study or work.
The aim was to make the use of psionic energy general for all ‘ordinary’ people and the testing of some products was carried out here.
As for research, they focused it on the mind.
From medicine, artifacts, or drinks that allowed better care and recovery of people’s minds.
Helping people with memory loss recover their memories or those who lost their rationality and all kinds of effects related to people’s minds.
Every research and every project that was underway pointed in one direction.
Bringing to ordinary people the benefit of those psionic individuals.
From healing to everyday development... Different projects that had not yet officially come out were underway and the amazing thing was that some of those researchers were not psionics, but ordinary people.
“Time has shown us that having ‘power’ does not make you superior to other people,” Elerius pointed out in a simple tone.
Perhaps ability users were strong, but not superior, as some in the past believed or currently still believed.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The various projects in this section that years ago were privileges that only psionics could get, were a simple example that no one was superior to anyone.
The next section was the magic section.
It was very similar to the psionic section, with the only difference being that here, there were more projects and research.
It was at a level that not only extended to everyday life, but to other aspects of an ordinary person’s life.
From ways to lessen the pollution that in the past mankind caused to the world, to research that helped millions of people.
“Magic in agriculture is one of our prodigious projects. Druids, alchemists, and other individuals who work daily look for ways to improve crops and reduce underlying problems. It’s also about bringing magically powered products to ordinary people,” Elerius reported, looking into a room where dozens of cultivated plants stood.
In those places were researchers and, to the surprise of some, magical beasts were in the area, working as if they were researchers.
“We are working with the Apicius Company, who is leading this type of project,” Elerius added without hiding the smile on his face.
Cithrel nodded, rather impressed.
It would be naïve to believe that magic was only useful for fighting or facing enemies.
There were quite a few ways to apply magic to different areas of life.
Agriculture was a prime example.
Increasing production, reducing the consequences of large plantations, and giving the possibility for those crops to get some magical energy, able to revitalize the body in a nourishing way.
Instead of letting the rich taste ‘magic foods’, the Apicius Company and the Cosmos Company were working to extend that possibility to all mankind.
Each area aimed to do the same as the others.
Not only was research being done to create new products, but ways to apply magic in the best way in different areas.
Converting magical energy into another source of energy capable of being useful to mankind or simply applying it to medicine, engineering, or science.
The planet Earth continued to change at a considerable speed and the Cosmos Enterprise was an obvious example of progress.
Its constant research and development outstripped that of other research giants.
Even some of their projects had no great economic benefit, such as creating drinking water to distribute to people who lacked this vital resource for human subsistence.
Elerius explained the different projects and research being conducted.
He was not afraid that this information would spread, as most of these projects were public.
However, if they were showing this ability so publicly to the students, they were all curious to know what the classified projects were.
Without realizing it, they came to the technology section, but this time it was not only purely technology, but an area where they were looking to apply technology, magic, and a psionic influence.
Unlike before, this time the Cosmos Company was to get the technology, and other affiliated companies were leading the projects.
Different fields of study were being developed in this place.
From aeronautics, aerospace, robotics, and electronics among other fields of study, all had projects in this section.
Elerius explained that some projects were being carried out here while being connected to other research sections spread around the world.
Here, they combined technology with psionic and magical energy to develop the world uniquely.
On the surface, developing three directions at once was an enormous cost and for some was counterproductive, but this was how Cosmos Enterprise operated and it was the method by which they made substantial profits.
It was not as if they had a monopoly, at least not of all the technology, and most of the projects were joint developments with other companies and allowing the use of their patents.
Seeing so many projects and so much development put Aurora at ease.
Humanity is prepared.
For whatever was to come, humanity was prepared to face it and overcome it.
******
Aurora saw a gigantic tree that was extremely wide and tall.
It was to the point that she had to lift her head to see if it had an ending, and even then she couldn’t see the ending.
This was the ‘World Tree’ that was in the ‘Lunar Empire’ in Terra nova, where Cithrel was a princess.
It was the first time Aurora was in this kind of ‘place’ and she had to admit that she felt small... In a very literal sense.
She felt like only a leaf from that gigantic tree could crush her, that’s how big Terra nova’s ‘world tree’ was.
A tree that hid in the clouds.
“Scattered throughout the world of Terra nova, other ‘Trees of Life’ are found, and although smaller, they are extremely useful and precious to us elves,” explained Cithrel with a smile.
Looking at that giant tree, Aurora remembered that in the center of the magical forest on earth was an enormous tree very similar to these.
Although not as huge and tall as this one, the one in the center of the forest was the tallest tree on earth.
However, this massive tree was likely to be taller than some mountains on earth and even more.
“Is it true that the fruit of the World Tree makes one immortal?” asked Nicole curiously.
So many rumors came from that world that it was hard to be sure of their authenticity.
Millions of players entered Terra nova, and they saw and heard too many stories.
Some unprovable and some certain.
“No. The fruit can extend the life and if used by a skilled alchemist, then it can cure diseases or curses, but ‘immortality’ isn’t something you can achieve this way,” Alice replied, eating her chips with an indifferent expression and looking at the tree she added. “If someone desires immortality, the closest thing would be to become undead or a vampire. Although both of those can be killed, so they don’t technically meet the requirement.”
The light tone with which she said those words made some not know how to react, though Cithrel nodded, showing confirmation.
“Anyway, the elves guard this tree heavily and don’t let any outsiders get near it easily,” Cithrel explained, changing the subject.
Then the group descended towards the base of the World Tree, where a vast city stood.
Dozens of houses in the treetops, with a very natural style, as if assimilated into nature.
Aurora sensed the surroundings and realized that everything was unreal, everything was fake.
It looked good, and the effects were mind-blowing, however, that it was fake and lacked realism was clear.
This was a virtual reality machine, but it was not fully immersive.
One could feel the bark of trees, smell the scent of flowers, and hear the chirping of birds.
However, one could not get over the feeling that they were in a fake world.
The problem was, it wasn’t about flaws or mistakes; it was about proving that this world was false and unreal.
From the information that appeared before her vision as if it were a ‘data screen’, like a game, and the desynchronization in her senses as they became confused.
“Time is up...”
A voice rang in her ears and Aurora watched her vision distort as it revealed the inside of a helmet.
Carefully removing the helmet, she watched the other students, who were excited by what they had seen.
They could split into groups or go with the teacher and they followed Cithrel, who as a local was knowledgeable about Terra nova.
“As expected from the Cosmos Enterprise, your machine certainly was impressive,” Professor Forde said with a sincere tone.
The other students also gave positive comments.
They could not deny that they all enjoyed that ‘trip’ to another world.
Aurora herself was impressed when she visited the palaces and other areas, guided by Cithrel.
“Thank you very much for your comments. Our developers will be pleased to hear it,” Elerius replied and with a sigh, commented. “What happened with Terra nova years ago has been a hard blow to the virtual reality industry. That’s why we have reduced the immersion of our machines.”
A so-called virtual reality machine ended up taking humanity to another world, a world where it was thought to be a game.
It was normal to think that people would have a negative opinion of such machines, and that was the reason why full immersion was not sought.
“I guess those people who still want to go back will like their machine.” Another student pointed out enthusiastically.
Twenty years had passed since the ‘Great Cataclysm’ and since the virtual machine was ‘unplugged’.
At the time, not all people were bad, some had a ‘second life’ in that world.
Family, friends, and a place they could call home.
When the machine stopped working, it was a hard blow that increased in scale, when they learned that Terra nova was real, being confirmed by a God.
For a long time, that group of people sought to return and although a few years ago individuals from Terra nova could travel to this world, no one so far could travel to the other.
This was a topic under debate that haunted Greece and the Church of Time and Space.
Of course, since he was a Primordial who helped bring Terranovans, mortals could only debate, pray and plead that they could return to Terra nova.
Elerius gave a smile and then led the group to follow him.
“Before you wish to retire, we invite you to enjoy your time in our facility,” Elerius said as they stepped through a doorway.
They arrived at the reception garden, where they noticed a buffet in a nearby room.
“You may order whatever you wish and rest. Don’t forget that before retiring you must receive your souvenir at the front desk,” Elerius informed with a mysterious smile.
Then, so as not to inconvenience the group, he gave some orders to his secretaries and left the students on their own.
“They’re very kind,” Alice muttered, looking at the buffet.
This was the company buffet, and different plates of food could be found to be served.
Some cooks on the other side could reheat it or order something else.
You could tell that the company placed great importance on good food.
“Come on. We can’t refuse their goodwill.” Said Professor Forde, urging the students to put their shyness aside.
The students made their way to the buffet and began filling their plates with the foods they liked best.
Except for Alice, who literally took several plates of food.
Her friend knew no shame when it came to food, so Aurora sighed and pretended not to see the strange looks from the cooks and the other workers.
What was worse was that it didn’t seem as if they were looking at her strangely for carrying too much food, but rather it was a strange look that came from the doubt of whether someone like Alice could eat so much.
A slender young woman with a perfect figure, it was hard to accept that she was actually a glutton capable of devouring several courses.
“If you sell your secret, I think you will become famous,” Clémentine murmured in an amused tone.
Sell the secret to always staying in shape?
Aurora gave a smile, as did everyone else in her group.
Even Cithrel seemed impressed by such a feat.
Eating and chatting at their own pace, the group commented on the tournament and the announcement the church would make today.
“I’ll go get a drink. Do you guys want anything?” Aurora asked when the subject of the report came up.
She knew the truth, so it was a difficult subject when the others talked about it with curiosity.
Since it was a question, they would find out later tonight. Aurora didn’t reveal too much.
After seeing that no one wanted a drink, Aurora walked away from the garden where they were eating and headed to where the drinks were.
She was about to order her drink when she noticed a figure turning a corner.
A smile appeared on her lips without her noticing and she followed the figure that had gone into a corner.