Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 142
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 142
38. Sticker
“Yahoo!”
“Kyaah!”
April, when the warm wind began to blow.
Throwing their bodies toward the blue ocean of Santa Monica.
An escape from daily life.
The wind of freedom blowing into their embrace swept away all stress.
Splash!
“Ah, nice… blub blub blub!”
“Hold him down! Kill him!”
“No! Don’t come! I’m not waterproof… kyaaah!”
“Who needs sunscreen applied!”
“Me!”
Bob bob!
‘This is good…’
The heartbeat transmitted through ears submerged in water.
The sensation of rolling waves.
A quieted world, the feeling of what had weighed down his body under the blazing sun disappearing.
‘So then.’
“Die.”
“Gwaaaaah!”
Flash and Mason approaching with sinister smiles, getting dunked head-first.
Johann, who had been laughing as if it were ridiculous, soon had his head grabbed by Flash’s hand and toured the underwater world together.
They glared at each other, demanding the other let go first.
“…Puhaaa!”
“Gasp! Huk! I thought I was going to die!”
“Kyah! Ma, Mason! Breathe! Breathe!”
“Who wants a beverage!”
“Me!”
“Let’s go together! We’ll buy tubes and a ball!”
Johann and his friends smiled warmly watching the girls run off.
“We’re dead tomorrow, right?”
“Absolutely.”
A whopping 16 students had skipped class.
No matter how much it was a credit system with different lectures each period, they were bound to get caught.
Moreover, they were the ones called the Family on campus.
With those paparazzi over there too, they might have already been caught by now.
“It’s fine! Anyway, the one getting in trouble will be tomorrow’s me!”
“Oh, that sounds plausible? Where did you learn that?”
“I thought of it myself.”
“Pfft! Where did you get such nonsense.”
“But there are a lot of tourists.”
People who clearly looked like tourists were walking along the beach, looking enviously at them in the ocean.
“Why aren’t those people coming in?”
“No time? Too cold?”
“No time, one vote.”
“Two votes.”
“Hey! Boys!”
When they turned their heads, Emily was far away on the surface, waving both arms and looking at them.
“Race me back to the beach! Last place buys snacks!”
“…Ha!”
There was no need to discuss whether they’d listen to such words.
When it was time to determine rankings, they absolutely had to do it.
Even Mason got into position, and Emily quickly lowered her raised arms.
Swoosh!
The swimming race of eight boys began.
“Ugh, so sweet.”
“I’ll eat well, Mason.”
“Grr! Next time I’ll definitely…! I’ll definitely beat you, Joy!”
“Huh? Mm-hmm.”
‘Oh, Mason does act when he needs to?’
While giggling at Joy’s face turning red for the first time in a while, Johann noticed Emily tapping her mobile phone with a serious expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Membership registrations are surging.”
“Wolfie?”
“Yeah.”
Wolfie had only 50,000 members just a few days ago.
But it was already about to exceed 300,000.
The number of Instory followers had also increased nearly tenfold.
“What?! …Oh.”
It was true. The number of members was about to exceed 300,000.
Johann’s complexion turned deathly pale.
‘I have to prepare 250,000 gifts?’
And it didn’t seem like this would be the end of it.
“Pfft. Good luck, honey.”
Johann, startled, looked at Emily.
Emily’s face turned red with surprise, as if she hadn’t been conscious of it.
“…Say it again.”
“…Ho, honey.”
Thump!
‘Ah.’
He had thought wrong. He thought it would be awkward if she used words like honey or baby, but it wasn’t.
The feeling of something that hadn’t meshed together finally clicking into place.
His chest ached enough to stop his breath and his mind went blank.
Not knowing what to do, he gazed hotly into her eyes before covering her lips.
“I love you.”
Smooch!
“Hey! You! Turn on your blinkers!”
“Let’s do it too!”
Smack!
“Show some consideration for the mood, you idiot!”
After a brief commotion, Emily, who had been hiding her flushed face lying on Johann’s legs, suddenly lifted her head.
“But what’s this important appointment today?”
“I have to go to San Francisco.”
To be precise, it’s Stanford University.
“Huh?”
“With that friend.”
A chubby boy with red curly hair approaching hesitantly, Aaron.
“What’s with that geek?”
“A friend who might become a great scientist?”
“…Huh?”
Friends looked back and forth between Johann and Aaron.
“Ah, hello?”
Aaron forced the corners of his mouth up and raised his hand.
That appearance was really geeky too.
* * *
“It’s about time he arrived….”
The main gate of Stanford University.
Neurology Professor Richard Marx looks at his wristwatch.
“Professor!”
“Oh!”
‘He’s grown up tall and handsome.’
About 5 years ago, the young genius Johann who surprised many people with an incredible performance as if possessed by Richard Wayne Penniman at California Evening.
That small boy who had an extraordinary brain has now grown enough to be believed as an adult.
“Have you been well? How’s your research?”
“Research? Heh heh!”
Professor Richard Marx is conducting research on ‘the effect of music on treating neurological diseases accompanied by cognitive function loss’.
After appearing on California Evening, one day someone requesting anonymity sent him various herbs, soil, water, and fruits.
From long ago, a village where all residents lived long lives without getting dementia according to legend. They were gathered from near that now-disappeared village.
“But!”
Veins bulge on Professor Richard’s neck.
“Substances that prevent brain nerve aging were discovered in those things!”
Substances that were created only when several herbs and fruits were consumed together.
Not only that, but substances affecting cellular aging were also discovered.
After years of research, they could finally identify the components of the two substances, and they’re scheduled to be announced to the academic world soon.
“Oh? Really?”
‘It seems to have been delivered well!’
When Johann met Professor Richard at California Evening, he had remembered about that village.
He hired people online to gather and send those things, but since Professor Richard hadn’t published anything during this time, he thought the village members’ longevity without dementia was just coincidence.
“Congratulations!”
It might be years or decades from now, but the moment these substances are commercialized, humans will live longer while maintaining intact memories.
“Aren’t you going to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Chemistry?”
“Uh ha ha!”
He’s been hearing this lately anyway, and it makes him laugh like this every time.
“Ahem. But who’s this?”
There are more people than the number Johann mentioned.
“Ah, these are my friends.”
When he said he was going to Stanford University, they all followed along.
“These guys just came to hang out, and the friend with business is this one.”
“Ho? He has the appearance of a researcher.”
“Yes, yes?”
Aaron’s face reddened at the sudden compliment.
Professor Richard smiled and turned around.
“Then let’s go.”
They headed to the Engineering College.
“All A-pluses?”
“He’s first in the entire school!”
“Uh heh heh. Really?”
Professor Richard is surprised by Emily’s answer.
“You must have been very busy with broadcast filming and sacred music restoration….”
“Huh? How do you know about my activities?”
“There are many fans of yours in our medical school too.”
“Oh?”
That’s unexpected.
Medical students and doctors have a strong image of being study bugs.
“Oh my. You still have such prejudices! The students who party the most among all Stanford departments are probably our medical school!”
A medical school that studies when it’s time to study and definitely parties when it’s time to party.
“Our medical school has the highest attendance rate at campus festivals and always ranks first!”
That’s a lie.
The medical school’s festival attendance rate is as low as the Engineering College’s, and their ranking is always at the bottom.
“Hmm. Is that so…?”
Since Professor Richard had no reason to lie, Johann briefly thought about college admission, and Professor Richard twisted his lips inwardly.
‘Yes. Think about it like that and enroll in our medical school! Not some engineering school!’
How surprised he was when he heard the news that Johann sold the possibility of Starlight, a dream insulation material, to Boeing.
“Think about it slowly. There’s still plenty of time!”
“Ah, yes. I’ll do that.”
‘Medical school… hmm.’
“We’ve arrived.”
Professor Richard stands in front of a research lab door in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and takes out his mobile phone.
“Nalse. Open the door.”
Knocking on research lab doors is prohibited.
Because the sound could startle someone and cause mistakes.
After a moment, the door opens and a sharp-featured white man in his 50s appears.
He looks over Johann and his friends.
“Who are they?”
When everyone is confused by the sudden question, Johann pushes Aaron’s back.
“Eek?”
“…Is it you?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Are you the one who researched mealworms?”
“Th, that’s… uh… uh….”
Aaron shrinks back at the sharp appearance and high-handed tone.
However, the man ignores that.
“How far did you research?”
“Uh uh uh….”
“….”
Silence falls in the corridor.
The man quietly looked down at Aaron, and his friends’ expressions soured at that pressuring appearance.
But Johann is different.
‘He’s waiting.’
For Aaron to be able to speak.
Johann patted the shoulder of Aaron, who had turned pale with fear and couldn’t speak.
He nodded toward Aaron, who turned around in surprise.
Aaron gathered a small bit of courage from that reassuring gaze.
“We, we researched that mealworm saliva and intestinal di, digestive enzymes break down pla, plastic and styrofoam…”
“Intestinal digestive enzymes?”
“I, I think it might be bacteria.”
He suspected that special bacteria unique to mealworms might completely decompose plastic.
“The sa, saliva secreted from the mouth and the bacteria in the mouth too!”
Even humans don’t rely solely on stomach acid when digesting food. Saliva and bacteria in the mouth also affect digestion.
“Like amylase that breaks down starch!”
“What stage is your research at?”
“We extracted saliva and digestive enzymes and got to the stage of dissolving plastic…”
“How old are you?”
“Sixteen years old…”
“Accepted.”
“Excuse me?”
“Isabel!”
“Yes, Professor!”
The assistant professor rushed out urgently.
“Show this student around the research lab.”
“What?”
“He researched mealworms. A sixteen-year-old. You did it at home, right?”
“Yes, yes. But, but…”
“…Ooh.”
The assistant professor’s eyes suddenly sparkled as she smiled brightly and grabbed Aaron’s hand.
“Gasp!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Isabel, assistant professor to Professor Craig Criddle here. And currently… I’m researching mealworm digestive substances.”
The function of intestinal bacteria was discovered in 2009, and currently they had discovered that mealworms convert half of the styrofoam they consume into carbon dioxide for excretion and excrete the rest as feces.
“Re, really?!”
Disappointment flashed across Aaron’s eyes.
He had thought he was the first to discover it.
But soon his gaze changed completely.
‘How far have these people researched! I want to know!’
He wanted to know the end of this curiosity, the end of this fascination.
The assistant professor grinned widely, recognizing Aaron’s desire.
“And in this feces…”
“No styrofoam was found! Instead, components beneficial to soil were discovered?”
The surprised assistant professor looked at Professor Craig.
Professor Craig sent an even more intense gaze at Aaron’s words than before.
“Did, did I say something wrong?”
“…No. That’s correct. May I ask how you knew that?”
“I sprinkle mealworm feces and such on Mother’s flower pots.”
Mother raised sensitive plants that would wither or get sick whether they lacked or had too much water, nutrients, or sunlight.
Annoyed that she poured more affection into them than her child, he had mixed in mealworm secretions as a way to vent his anger, but the plants’ condition remained the same as usual.
They didn’t seem sick, and actually felt slightly more vibrant.
“So I guessed that might be the case…”
“Amazing. Excellent! You’re truly a man born to become a scientist. I really like that kind of man.”
“What?! Re, really? Hehehe.”
“Would you like to see our analysis of what those components are?”
“Co, could I really?”
“Specially because it’s you. Come in.”
The assistant professor, who had been fondling Aaron’s hand, led him into the research lab, and Professor Craig extended his hand to Professor Richard.
“Thank you for bringing such an excellent… talent.”
Professor Craig glanced at Johann and the others, then changed his word. The word “slave” mumbled and disappeared in his mouth.
“How about a cup of coffee?”
“Heh. So you’re saying you’ll buy coffee. But you should give that thanks to this friend here.”
It was Johann who introduced Aaron.
“Hmm. Really? Thank you for bringing your friend.”
“It’s nothing.”
Since it was a research topic with limitations for a high school student, he had simply tried to connect him with an adult who might be interested or have related knowledge.
He hadn’t known that research was actually being conducted.
When Johann added this explanation, Professor Craig looked at Professor Richard with surprise, and Richard glared as if to say Johann was his.
Seeing this, Johann’s eyes lit up.
“More importantly, does this research receive external investment? I understand that university research sometimes receives external funding.”
“Hmm?”
Everyone looked at Johann.
“If it’s alright, I’d like to invest. One million dollars per year for a total of 10 years.”
Thud!
Professor Craig looked at Johann with a surprised expression.
Emily urgently spoke up.
“Wa, wait. You’re attracted enough to invest?”
“Yeah. If we can commercialize this digestive enzyme, we can develop biodegradable plastic based on it. Or we can reduce the half-life of plastic decomposition. You know what this means, Emily?”
“…We could monopolize the plastic market?”
“Correct.”
Professor Craig, this America would dominate the plastic market.
It might take years or decades, but it was a topic worth investing in. ‘Investor Leicester Barber’ who he had absorbed and read, politicians, and other scientists had all been shouting the same thing.
“…Johann. Sorry, but bioplastic has already been commercialized!”
“I know. But the unit cost is high.”
The price was inevitably high due to the nature of the raw materials.
Not only that, but there were countless other disadvantages.
So mealworms were definitely worth researching.
“Even if we just develop a complete plastic dissolution substance, it would change the landscape of the waste disposal industry.”
‘Among other things.’
“And this must have been your research goal. Isn’t that right?”
Shiver!
A cold chill ran through people’s bodies.
Professor Craig’s expression turned cold.
“So that was your reason for bringing Aaron.”
“Of course.”
If not, would there be any reason to go to such trouble for someone he wasn’t even that close to.
“And I’m sorry, Professor Richard. I should have said this right after greeting you earlier…”
“No. It’s fine. There’s no need to mention such things.”
“No. I want to invest in your research too, Professor. One million dollars per year. A total of 10 years, ten million dollars. I’d like to invest in Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment research. If you accept investment, that is.”
This was the true purpose of coming to Stanford.
“…Hah!”
Professor Richard’s mouth gaped open.
“Please contact me when you’ve organized your thoughts. In the meantime, we’ll be touring the school.”
His gaze said he wouldn’t leave until he heard an answer, whatever the decision.
“…Could you lend me one graduate student, Craig?”
“Sure. Benson!”
“Yes! Professor!”
“They’re future underclassmen.”
Talents who could become your underclassmen.
“Show them around the campus.”
“…Wow. Understood. Friends, shall we go?”
The two professors looked at each other.
‘What kind of monster did we bring here?’
‘Seriously.’
Now even he didn’t know.
* * *
“Ha. That geek….”
“Damn, I’m jealous.”
Friends speaking quietly in case their girlfriends might hear.
Flash also recalled the beautiful assistant professor without makeup from earlier.
But Johann was different.
‘Graduate school is scary.’
Johann had seen it.
The secretive glances exchanged between Professor Craig and the assistant professor.
The greedy gleam in those two people’s eyes.
‘To seduce an innocent kid like that….’
A trap that any man would inevitably fall for, the honey trap.
‘Is graduate school a place that requires going that far….’
“I definitely shouldn’t come.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Hmm… Ah, but does it really seem promising?”
“It would be a medium-term or long-term project of over 10 years, but if development succeeds, the market will be restructured.”
Though the possibility of failure is high.
“So you guys think about it too. It’s a gamble, but a gamble with big returns.”
Of course, this is only possible if they accept us.
“…Got it.”
When Johann’s friends made serious expressions, their girlfriends were surprised.
The serious demeanor of their boyfriends and difficult conversation topics they had never seen before.
Suddenly their boyfriends, the original members of this family, seemed like adults.
“This is Arizona Garden. We call it Cactus Garden! And here’s Stanford Stadium.”
“Set! Hut! Hut hut!”
Crash!
Stanford Stadium where human weapons, the Stanford Cardinals football players, collide.
Next to it, cheerleaders were practicing.
“Wow. There’s a stadium on campus?”
“There’s also a baseball field, tennis court, women’s soccer field, and track!”
The sports area centered around Stanford Stadium.
A place to practice and compete in almost every sport currently popular in America.
“Especially football, baseball, tennis, and swimming are the best on the West Coast!”
“Ooh.”
“And concerts are often held in that concert hall over there!”
Passing the concert hall and walking down, a wide green garden, Stanford Oval, welcomed them.
“Pascal’s sacrifice-.”
“Oh? That’s your song.”
People playing acoustic guitar and singing, people sunbathing in just bottoms, people typing on laptops on their knees while biting into apples.
‘So free.’
As the college life romance they had vaguely imagined unfolded before their eyes, the children’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“Wasn’t Stanford famous for science?”
“Oh. Science is famous too! Basically, Stanford’s motto is freedom.”
Creativity emerges from freedom.
So students.
Work hard, and play freely.
“Wow….”
‘Got them.’
It seemed like the first stage of slave recruitment was successful.
“Then shall we tour the cafeterias next? Since Stanford is a place where international students gather from all over the world, the variety of food is also….”
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Kyah!”
Perhaps because he was only looking at Johann’s group.
The graduate student fell down after bumping into an approaching woman.
The hooded woman likewise fell together, dropping the books she was holding in her arms.
“Ow…sorry. Are you okay?”
“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m, I’m fine! Just, wait a moment, my leg!”
Friends also approached the woman to help her up, but the woman waved her hands dismissively and hurriedly gathered her books first.
As if they were precious treasures.
Understanding the situation, the friends quickly picked up books and handed them to the woman.
“There’s also one here… Huh?”
Johann paused while picking up a notebook that had fallen open at his feet.
‘…Well, look at this?’
His slowly blinking eyes began to shine.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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