[Flashback -]
The Enigmasphere, a marvel of intricate craftsmanship, is one of the most complex artifacts ever to be made by the humans of the Museum.
Forged by those with unparalleled expertise, it is the latest addition to an exclusive bundle of instruments.
At first glance, the metallic sphere appears unassuming—its smooth, reflective surface gives no indication of the fiendish puzzle that lies within. Yet, its true nature is revealed only to those bold enough to attempt to solve it.
The sphere is marked by two small, seemingly innocuous holes on opposite sides, but these are the entry points to a vast, ever-shifting labyrinth of interlocking mechanisms.
Each layer of the sphere's interior is more intricate than the last, a maddening maze of gears, cogs, and levers in constant motion, driven by a mysterious, energy.
The internal components are not static; they evolve with every interaction, reconfiguring themselves in response to the slightest touch.
What truly makes the Enigmasphere insurmountable is its defiance of the very laws of geometry. When held and turned, the sphere undergoes a transformation that seems to violate reality itself—it spins like a cube.
As it rotates, the sphere momentarily folds into a perfect cube, only to seamlessly revert to its spherical form in an endless, fluid motion.
This transformation is more than just a physical change; it reconfigures the internal mechanisms in unpredictable ways with every spin.
"That's surprising. They've really upped their game with that," Lydia remarked, watching closely as Luca tried to solve it.
Each time the Enigmasphere is rotated, the intricate mechanisms within shift their positions, creating an entirely new configuration.
The changes are not random but governed by a complex, cryptic code etched into the surface of the sphere.
These symbols are constantly in flux, changing with each rotation, offering the solver only fleeting glimpses of their true meaning.
The symbols serve both as a guide and a barrier, their meaning obscured by the continuous transformation of the object.
"I've recognized the pattern," Luca said slowly, his entire focus drawn into the puzzle.
"You'll need to synchronize the rotations," Lydia suggested, her eyes sharp on the sphere.
"Each spin makes it reset. I recognized the pattern, but the sequence… is changing rapidly," Luca muttered.
"I can help," Lydia offered, her tone confident.
"I don't need your help; I can do it myself. Thank you," Luca replied curtly.
"Alright then," Lydia said, withdrawing.
To solve the Enigmasphere, one must decipher these ever-changing symbols, align the shifting mechanisms, and navigate the labyrinth within—all while the puzzle itself actively works against the solver.
The slightest mistake in one configuration can reset the entire puzzle, forcing the solver to start over from the beginning, with a completely new set of challenges.
Luca carefully inserted his fingers into the two holes at precise intervals. Within the sphere, complex mechanisms had to be manipulated in tandem with the external rotations.
"Another Rasvian puzzle? They really upped their game. This… this is Genesis Rasvian," Luca noted, smirking as he recognized the challenge, even as Anita, observing quietly, seemed tense and drenched with sweat.
"The patterns shift to the sequence, shift to the internal puzzles… It requires double fingers... Click* click*... Beep*..., is that also changing? I'll need to decipher the… hmm," Luca paused, holding the sphere, trying to visualize its inner workings.
"Fascinating."
"Right, left, bottom, shift… and… now," he murmured, inserting both thumbs into the holes. "Now let's see if I can…"
He fell silent, his mind racing to envision the multi-dimensional puzzle inside. But after a moment, he sighed.
"I don't think I can solve this."
"Need help now?" Lydia asked.
"Fine," Luca admitted.
"The mechanisms are similar to the older model—the Enigmascope. If it's like that, hand it over," Lydia said, extending her hand. Luca reluctantly passed the sphere to her.
"Oh, it is hard. I thought you were just dumb, hahaha," Lydia teased.
"Hahaha," Luca replied dryly.
"External rotations… it uses Genesis Rasvian. That's unusual—implementing it this way is amazing!" Lydia continued, more to herself than anyone else.
She paused, as did the other heirs, when they noticed Leonardo decline the Sage's offer for the Unwritten Skill.
"Is he well? He just got himself on a list he shouldn't have been on if he had only accepted," Lydia mused, unable to understand Leonardo's decision.
"He's amazing," Anita muttered, her gaze following Leonardo as he left the blue spiral, with Aymara following to receive her Unwritten Skill.
The woman wore a long black robe cinched at the waist with a thin, simple belt, creating a stark contrast with the voluminous white wimple that enveloped her head and shoulders.
The fabric of the wimple was draped elegantly, its folds cascading around her face, giving her an air of serene grace.
In her hand, she delicately held a string of prayer beads, the soft colors of the beads complementing the purity of her attire.
Her expression was calm, almost contemplative, as if she were lost in a quiet moment of reflection, embodying both humility and quiet strength.
The ensemble, with its careful blend of austerity and grace, suggested a woman deeply rooted in tradition, perhaps of noble or religious significance, yet exuding an aura of gentle authority.
"That boy…" Henri muttered, his smile broadening. "HAHAha, well, they picked a rule breaker," Henri said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
"I can help," Anita offered quietly. "What if we break the principles?"
"Are you out of your mind?" Luca snapped.
"You're not functioning," Lydia added, sharing Luca's disbelief.
"If we use their past works as a foundation, they could only expand on the former," Lydia reasoned.
"I think understanding it first is crucial. What do you mean by past works? If someone solved it, they would obviously revamp it. That's the whole point of the company," Luca argued.
"Realistically speaking, they wouldn't. Resources and other factors come into play," Lydia countered.
"We're trying to solve something, not discuss the financial situation of the company," Luca grumbled.
"The mechanisms blend advanced mechanics and Genesis Rasvian," Anita noted.
"That much is obvious," Lydia replied, her gaze shifting to Alain, who seemed to be in pain.
"The puzzle could involve more than just 3D movements. I think it requires the solver to think in terms of additional dimensions, such as time—sequencing moves in a specific order or timing them precisely—or even abstract dimensions like emotions or memories that correspond to certain moves," Anita said, clutching the white wimple.
"You are right. The last object did use minor dimensions like space," Lydia acknowledged.
"I did notice a few movements abstract to said 3D," Luca added.
"Another thing—the last one involved a few elements. Each spin or move gives subtle feedback. The puzzle 'learns' from the solver's actions, adapting or evolving in complexity," Lydia continued.
"Meaning it gets harder…" Luca muttered, hardly believing that a mere company in the skies of Ghent could create such an incredibly complex system of movements that requires someone to think in multi-dimensional terms. "It hurts to even think about it," Luca admitted.
"Requiring an ability to shift perspectives and tactics rapidly," Anita concluded.
"That's where I come in…" Anita said, her voice firm. As they continued, they realized that this puzzle was unlike any other, a creation that pushed their minds to the limit and beyond.