Matthew, a relative novice in the virtual network, unexpectedly became the only member under fifty in the "Twinkle" team. His joining was purely coincidental. At that time, as a fledgling newcomer, he stumbled into the "Twinkle" discussion room by chance. However, the members there—mostly elder experts—seemed not to notice his arrival; they were either engaged in lively discussions together or immersed in their own studies.
Yet Matthew's curiosity was piqued by an intense debate about the design of the photon armor engine conduit. Standing quietly on the sidelines, he listened to the heated arguments of two elders, gradually becoming deeply engrossed in the topic himself.
As the debate reached its climax, Matthew suddenly had an epiphany. Combining the engine schematic he had just seen with his own insights, he proposed a completely new perspective. In an instant, the entire discussion room fell silent. The elders, who had been arguing incessantly, now looked at this young man who had suddenly emerged with astonishment, as if he were a miraculous arrival from the heavens.
Matthew's unexpected contribution forged a bond between him and the elders. Shortly thereafter, one of the elders proposed formally inducting Matthew into "Twinkle," a suggestion that surprisingly garnered unanimous support. Thus, Matthew, unprepared as he was, became a member of this unparalleled team.
However, after joining "Twinkle," Matthew felt a pressure unlike anything he had experienced before. He had thought he had mastered most of his father's techniques and had some confidence in mechanical modification. But here, he realized his insignificance. Every member of the team was a standout in their respective fields, and their knowledge and experience made Matthew feel inadequate.
Yet Matthew did not despair. He knew his shortcomings and understood that only through continuous learning and effort could he catch up. So, he embarked on a arduous journey of study. Guided and assisted by the elders, he continually deepened and expanded his knowledge base, gradually narrowing the gap between himself and the team members.
Matthew's talent and hard work soon gained recognition from the elders. They found this young man not only possessed a solid foundation and astonishing learning ability but also harbored a thirst for knowledge and courage to face challenges. This led the elders to place even higher expectations on Matthew, and they eagerly shared their knowledge and experience, hoping to help him grow faster.
Today, Matthew has become an indispensable member of "Twinkle." He is not only the team's only apprentice but also the object of attention and cultivation for all the elders. Whenever he enters the discussion room, he inevitably stirs up a lively commotion. The elders vie with each other to exchange insights and discuss problems with him, as if they see hope for the future in him.
Entering the discussion room, all the old men immediately crowded around.
"Hey, look who's here? Isn't this our little apprentice, M? Long time no see, how have you been lately?" One elder greeted him warmly, his eyes twinkling with affection for Matthew.
"Hello, Grandpa." Matthew responded respectfully, "I've been facing some challenges in my studies lately, and I'm working hard to overcome them."
"Oh? Facing challenges? Come, come, tell grandpa which equation is giving you a headache." The elder asked enthusiastically, as if he had returned to his own academic research days.
However, before he could finish, another elder interrupted: "Hey, hey, hey, old buddy, don't scare the kid off with tough questions as soon as he arrives! M, don't mind him, he's been obsessed with those heavy academic topics his whole life. Come over here, let me see if you've made any progress lately."
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the warmth of the two elders, Matthew awkwardly smiled, not sure which one to respond to first. At this moment, another elder walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Child, you're the apple of our eye here, and these old guys all want to snatch you up! Haha!"
"Who said that? M was the one I spotted first!" The first elder protested indignantly.
"Alright, alright, you guys stop arguing." Another elder waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down, "M, don't mind them, they're always like this, always vying for superiority. Although we're old, when we see young people like you with potential, we're happy. If you have any questions in the future, just come and ask us. We may not have any other skills, but we can still help you with guidance and direction."
"Yeah, yeah, M, you must come to us more often in the future!" Other elders chimed in one after another. They surrounded Matthew, chatting away as if they were back at a youthful academic gathering. And Matthew gradually relaxed in their warmth and affection, beginning to enjoy this rare love and warmth.
In a lavishly decorated room, Jason's face contorted, transforming from that of an elegant nobleman to a terrifying demon in an instant. His inner rage was uncontrollable as he thought about how his vanity had been seen as nothing but a clownish performance by the other party, fueling his anger. The accumulated dissatisfaction and frustration over the past few days reached its peak at this moment, and Jason could no longer bear it. He violently grabbed the virtual network connector in his hand and smashed it onto the intricately patterned carpet, sending fragments flying.
The thought of that despicable fellow masquerading as a weakling almost drove Jason insane. In his mind, he cursed that damned MX countless times with the most malicious curses. He would not allow his noble soul to be trampled upon by such a vile individual; he wanted the other party to pay the price, even considering killing them. Jason's eyes flashed with a crimson light as he imagined the scene of his opponent begging for mercy beneath his sword, unable to suppress a mad laughter, his voice tinged with a hint of neurosis.
Several minutes later, Jason gradually regained his composure and once again displayed his usual noble and calm demeanor. He picked up the communicator on the table and called the steward with a commanding tone. A smart and competent young man stood respectfully before Jason; he was the steward of his household.
Through gritted teeth, Jason ordered, "Steward, I want you to thoroughly investigate a registered name called MX in the mecha consciousness training base. I want all of their information, remember, all of it!" A glint of cunning flashed in the steward's eyes, knowing that this playboy was up to no good again. He was well aware of Jason's character; apart from his handsome appearance, he was worthless, spending his days idly causing trouble, and with a narrow mind and a strong vengeful streak. Those who offended him often met unpleasant fates.
Sighing inwardly, the steward wondered who would be unlucky this time. But he still respectfully agreed to Jason's request; he didn't want to offend this spoiled brat and lose his job. Dealing with such people was actually quite easy; all it took was superficial compliance and flattery. In comparison, the eldest young master was truly difficult to handle; his deep and inscrutable gaze always made him feel apprehensive.
Jason was satisfied with the steward's attitude, once again finding his sense of superiority from him. He gracefully waved his hand to dismiss the steward, then picked up a glass of 250-year-old vintage natural red wine to savor. The wine refracted an ever-changing color under the lamplight, emitting a deadly allure. Jason's eyes sparkled with unpredictable light, as if plotting some conspiracy. He secretly vowed to make that MX, who had offended him, pay the price.