Later that evening, Theron returned to his room. His mind buzzed with ideas for his mate detection device. He settled at his desk, Rex transforming into its compact mecha form to assist him. Blueprints and failed prototypes were scattered everywhere, but Theron was determined.
Kael's earlier lecture echoed in his mind: "No invention is worth sacrificing your health for, Theron. You're no good to anyone if you collapse."
Theron sighed, muttering, "I'll sleep later." He pushed on, testing new configurations and recalibrating the device.
Over a month passed. Theron's work consumed him, but progress was frustratingly slow. Each trial ended in failure, the device either short-circuiting or producing inaccurate readings.
Kael checked in frequently, dragging Theron out for meals and breaks. Each visit came with a new variation of the same lecture. "You're not invincible, you know," Kael would say, his tone exasperated yet concerned.
Theron's stubbornness didn't waver. "I'm close. I can feel it," he'd insist, though the dark circles under his eyes told a different story.
The device was proving to be more complex than Theron anticipated. Still, he refused to give up, determined to unlock its secrets.
Theron's room was a shrine to chaos and creativity, a testament to the mind of an inventor who valued ideas over organization. Wires dangled from the ceiling like jungle vines, and the walls were plastered with blueprints, some marked with hastily scribbled notes and others with coffee stains that spoke of late-night brainstorming sessions. The floor was a battlefield of abandoned prototypes, half-built gadgets, and crumpled snack wrappers, while the air carried a faint metallic tang from countless soldering sessions.
Theron himself was no less chaotic. His hair stuck up in all directions, defying gravity as though it had a mind of its own. His lab coat was too big, the sleeves unevenly rolled up, and his hands were smudged with ink, grease, and the occasional scorch mark. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, his green gaze burned with unyielding focus. His small stature, barely over four feet, made him look like a child playing scientist, but his intense expression erased any doubt about his genius.
Hovering beside him was Rex, his AI companion in its compact mecha form. Rex was sleek and futuristic, with a metallic sheen that reflected the soft glow of the desk lamp. Its arms were equipped with a variety of tools—a miniature welder, a tiny wrench, and a laser pointer—all of which moved with mechanical precision. Its robotic voice was monotone yet oddly endearing, a mix of helpfulness and programmed patience.
"Master Theron," Rex said, extending a tool toward him, "you are exhibiting signs of excessive fatigue. May I recommend a break?"
Theron waved a hand dismissively, his voice muffled as he leaned over the mate detection device. "Not now, Rex. I'm in the zone. Pass me the flux capacitor."
"Correction: It is a microcapacitor," Rex replied, placing the tiny component in Theron's outstretched hand. "And you have not consumed sustenance in approximately six hours, 32 minutes, and 18 seconds."
Theron grunted in response, his attention fully on the intricate device before him. It was a wristband-like gadget with a sleek silver casing, etched with glowing blue runes that pulsated faintly. The table was littered with tools and materials—miniature circuit boards, delicate wires, and shards of crystal that hummed softly with latent energy.
The process of building the device was nothing short of grueling. Theron soldered connections with surgical precision, the tip of his tongue poking out as he concentrated. Rex hovered nearby, handing him tools and occasionally offering advice.
"Master Theron, the energy distribution is uneven," Rex pointed out, adjusting the device with a precise movement of its robotic arm. "Recalibration is required to prevent another explosion."
"It wasn't an explosion," Theron muttered defensively. "It was a minor... combustion event."
"The scorch marks on the ceiling suggest otherwise."
Theron groaned but adjusted the wiring as instructed. Hours passed in this manner, with Theron and Rex working in tandem. The room grew quieter as their focus intensified, the only sounds being the soft hum of machinery and the occasional spark of electricity.
Finally, Theron placed the last component into the device, holding his breath as he powered it on. The runes flared brighter, and the device emitted a soft, steady hum. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, with a flicker, a holographic screen projected into the air above the device, displaying a pulsing signal.
Theron froze, his eyes widening. "It's... it's working."
He stared at the device for a full second before leaping to his feet, arms flailing. "IT'S WORKING! REX, IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING!"
"Confirmation: The device appears operational," Rex said, its monotone voice uncharacteristically warm. "Congratulations, Master Theron."
Theron spun in circles, clutching the device like a trophy. "Do you know what this means? After all those failures! All those sleepless nights! I DID IT!" He grabbed Rex and hugged it tightly, nearly crushing the poor mecha.
"Master Theron, I am not designed for physical affection," Rex protested. "Please release me."
Theron let go, still bouncing on his toes. "Kael! I have to show Kael! Wait, no, I have to test it first! Or—maybe I should calibrate it more? What if—no, no, I'm telling Kael!"
He bolted for the door, only to trip over a loose wire and land face-first on the floor. Rex hovered above him, its eye blinking in what could only be interpreted as robotic amusement.
"Observation: Your excitement is inversely proportional to your coordination."
Theron sat up, his face red but his grin undiminished. "Minor setback. Nothing can ruin this day!"
He scrambled to his feet, clutching the device like it was the greatest treasure in the world. "Kael's gonna flip when he sees this. Rex, this is the start of something big. Something monumental. Something—"
"Something you should probably test before announcing to the world," Rex interrupted.
Theron nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm undeterred. "Right. Testing. But first—celebratory snacks! Come on, Rex, let's raid the pantry!"
As Theron darted out of the room, Rex followed, its monotone voice trailing behind. "Reminder: Consuming sustenance is an advisable course of action. Perhaps also consider sleep within the next 24 hours."
Theron's laughter echoed down the hall. "Sleep is for quitters, Rex!"