The Evolution of Genius: Every Night, I Get Smarter!

After the spirited conversation about the Quantum Gravitation and their perspective on the Gravitons theory, Professor Hayes, with a discerning look, posed a genuine question.

"Max, we’ve all been focused on the plasma project, but I’m curious about the bigger picture. What’s your plan after this? It seems like you’ve been delegating it to others lately."

I met Professor Hayes’ gaze, "Valid question, Professor. However, may I know why you’re asking that of me?"

Professor Hayes looked at me with genuine interest, stating, "I’m genuinely curious about your trajectory as a scientist, Max."

I took a moment to articulate my vision. "If the plasma project succeeds, I’m aiming to create a technology which fundamentally alters the flow of energy. I plan to go into closed research. I’ve been going through papers on non-commutative space-time."

Professor Hayes nodded, indicating her awareness. "As soon as I heard that you have discovered the monopole, that’s also what I thought about—manipulating the quantum world on the Dirac monopole quantization condition."

I was pleasantly surprised that she understood the direction I was going in. However, that’s when she revealed a different motive for her questioning.

"Max, I asked you about your plans not just out of scientific curiosity. As part of the advisory board for the Nobel Committee, I’ve been tasked to recommend a physicist. Your work caught their attention, and I’m hoping to see your name in the nomination list."

In response to Professor Hayes’ revelation about the Nobel Committee, the room held a collective air of understanding, especially Lydia was very happy for me.

Even if she wouldn’t receive the Nobel Prize herself, she would still be mentioned as someone who has worked on the discovery with a Nobel Prize winner.

However, Dr. Reynolds, breaking the silence, posed a question, "Wouldn’t a discovery like that fall more into Chemistry Nobel Prize, given the compound aspect?"

Mrs. Hayes acknowledged the point, "It’s a good question, Dr. Reynolds. The distinction between Physics and Chemistry can be a bit blurred, especially with groundbreaking discoveries like these. The Nobel Committees, though, decide based on the nature and implications of the work."

I commented, "Well, I guess I better watch my back. Nominated for the Abel Prize, and for the Nobel. I might have to hire a bodyguard to protect me from scientists seeking revenge for stealing their stuff."

After my failed attempt at humor, Lydia added, "Well, Max, I think you’re safe for now. I don’t anyone will have a problem with it."

In that moment Professor Hayes’s daughter, Veronica, descended the stairs with a carton of pizza in hand. She approached our group, her expression a mix of innocence and politeness.

"Hey there," she greeted us, a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she looked at me. "I ordered too much pizza. Anyone interested in taking the rest off my hands? I can’t possibly eat it all myself." Her delivery was charmingly cute.

My eyes briefly registered her attire—a pair of snug shorts paired with a loose-fitting white t-shirt. Also, just the right amount of make-up.

Professor Hayes, observing the interaction, took it upon herself to play matchmaker. "Max, would you be interested in going out with my daughter, Veronica?"

Before I could respond, Veronica couldn’t hold back her surprise, exclaiming, "Mom!"

I chuckled and waved my hand in a friendly gesture. "Thanks for the offer, Professor, but I actually have a girlfriend, Olivia. We’re thinking about heading to Germany together next time."

Veronica’s expression became a tad complicated—perhaps a mix of surprise and something close to a pout, but she quickly recovered with a nod and a faint smile.

The people in the room began to exclaim their preferences.

Mrs. Hayes surveyed the requests, and then her gaze shifted to me, I understood the unspoken question, and said, "No thanks, Mrs. Hayes. I’ll stick to a clear head for now."

After my decision not to drink, Veronica chimed in with a happy expression, "I’d like vodka, please."

Mrs. Hayes, surprised, raised an eyebrow and then turned to Veronica. "Who said you can drink, Veronica?" Mrs. Hayes scolded playfully. "Look at Max here, learn from him." She then proceeded to take out the alcohol from the fridge.

After Mrs. Hayes teased Veronica and got the drinks ready, I thought about joining the fun with a drink. However, I knew that wouldn’t be the smartest move.

The scholars were having a blast, and the conversation slowly whirled into some insane theories.

In fact, they had so much fun that, five hours later, the only sounds filling the room were gentle snores.

Luckily it was a Friday. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The next day, in the morning, we hung out at Professor Hayes’ place for a few more hours.

It turned out that most of them had known each other even before this project. Lydia and I, were the only new faces to Veronica.

What Dr. Reynolds said was, "Guess the best always know each other."

"I see. So you’re an egoistic bastard," was my witty response to that remark, they were so drunk that anything sounded funny to them. So, everyone laughed.

In the morning, the crew dealt with the inevitable hangovers.

I left first and headed to the airport, an 8-hour flight later, I landed back in Boston.

As I approached my house, it seemed almost like someone knew exactly when I’d be returning, which I’m sure they did—a delivery truck pulled up in front.

A burly guy stepped out of the driver’s seat and gave me a once-over. I approached him and asked, "Got something for me?"

The man remained silent, not uttering a word. Instead, he walked to the back of the truck, opened it, and effortlessly pulled out a wardrobe.

My eyes widened in surprise.

The wardrobe appeared substantial and weighty, and to my amazement, it wasn’t disassembled. Yet, the man handled it as if it weighed nothing at all.

The man, still wordless, raised an eyebrow and gestured towards the house, silently asking, "Where?"

I snapped back to reality and exclaimed, "Oh! Come, come!" I led him to the entrance, which, at that moment, seemed like it wouldn’t be big enough for the wardrobe to fit through.

I turned to the man and asked, "So, how are we gonna do this?"

The man’s actions seemed to defy gravity. He effortlessly flipped the wardrobe, throwing it up and catching it horizontally.

Then, with a skilled finesse, he angled it in such a way that it smoothly passed through the door.

The sheer weight of the thing must have exceeded 200kg, and that didn’t even account for the technology that I knew was inside of it.

The man, after expertly maneuvering the hefty wardrobe, looked at me and straightforwardly inquired, "Upstairs or here?"

The man appeared devoid of emotion.

Deciding to take advantage of his strength, I asked him to bring the wardrobe upstairs. Without a word, he did so, leaving the wardrobe in its designated spot.

Afterward, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a USB, and handed it to me. Without uttering a single word, he left.

Choosing to let the wardrobe be for the time being, I turned my attention to the USB. As I checked its contents, I discovered a trove of information—86 files, each spanning at least 100 to 300 pages.

The initial files provided a partial overview of concepts I was already familiar with, offering insights into muons and the quark construction of elemental particles.

I realized that it wasn’t just muons; The files covered a broad range of particles, including but not limited to quarks, neutrinos, bosons like the Higgs boson, and exotic particles such as strange and charm quarks.

The first couple files were still within the understanding of modern quantum physics. However, that changed on file number 8.

I pulled out a bunch of plain white paper and decided it was time to roll up my sleeves and learn.

The files not only explained the particles I knew in a much more detailed way, but also detailed descriptions of new particles, each with its unique properties. Among them were:

Lumins: Particles that emitted a mysterious glow when subjected to certain conditions.

Aetherons: Carriers of a new force, which could be utilized as fuel, with the side effect of space warping.

Quasars: Exotic particles exhibiting quasar-like behavior, emitting radio-waves. Layer 5. Not much known about them, until the Separation Era.

The following files explain a groundbreaking method for observing quarks in unprecedented detail. The technique, known as "Quantum Lensing," involved utilizing specialized instruments that could peer into the subatomic world.

My assumption was that all of this would eventually lead to the proof of the leptogenesis theory.

At that point, a mere two hours of sleep sufficed. It was time to dive back into the grind.

...

Meanwhile, back at prestigious institutions like Princeton, the University of Oxford, and Stanford, brilliant minds were teetering on the brink of breakthroughs.

My earlier research, which had served as a stepping stone, was now propelling others into uncharted territories.