The atmosphere in Karess's workshop on Virelya was filled with an unprecedented excitement. Everyone was staring at the "dust" that had now formed into a complex structure, completely captivated. It was the "missing equation" they had been searching for.
"I have to admit it, Zen..." Karess was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "That 'crazy dream' stuff of yours... it seems it's not just nonsense after all." His voice had shifted from cold to palpably excited.
"It's not just 'interesting,' it's 'revolutionary'," Zaria added. "Dr. Aris has confirmed that its physical properties when coalesced show a strength and resistance to high energy several times greater than our best synthetic materials."
"Right now, we're still calling it 'Ore Sample RXD-001'," Lina, the data analyst, chimed in. "We should have an official name for it."
Everyone fell silent for a moment, thinking. Zen looked at the way the ore "resonated" with will and acted as a "nexus" between energy, runes, and belief.
"Resonance... Nexus..." he mumbled to himself. "What if we combine them? ...Resonexium."
Zaria smiled. "Resonexium... 'The Matter of Resonance and Connection'... I like that name."
"Resonexium Dust..." Karess repeated the name. "Good name... but right now, it's still just a hologram."
Zaria nodded in agreement. "Yes. This is only data we've analyzed and simulated. The real ore is still at the main Aegis research facility on Aerysia. It would be impossible to bring it here for a real-world test."
"Then let's do what we do best right now," Zen said with a determined gaze. "Let's create the most perfect 'blueprint' for the 'Runic Power Core'."
From that moment, the intense collaboration of the three geniuses began anew. But this time, their goal was clearer than ever.
Zen served as the provider of "vision" and the "spiritual principles" of the runes. Zaria served as the one who "calculated" and "designed the physical equations" to ensure stable energy flow. Karess served as the "architect" who took all the theories and designed them into a "real-world engineering structure," including the "inscription process" that required the utmost precision.
They worked together via the Holoform system for days and nights on end. Until finally... the perfect three-dimensional blueprint of the "Runic Power Core" appeared before them. It was a masterpiece born from the fusion of dream, science, and art.
"It's done..." Zen murmured, relieved. "Yes... we did it... but... this is still just a blueprint."
He turned to Karess. "Karess... you're the only one who can build this. You have to come to us on Aerysia and build it!"
Karess, who had been admiring their work, was taken aback. "What!? Are you crazy? So easy for you to say! This is Virelya, man! Not your next-door neighbor! Do you have any idea how far it is!? Even if Aegis Industries sent their fastest ship to pick me up right now, it would still take years!"
Everyone fell silent at that truth. The distance of over 2.1 light-years was their greatest obstacle now.
But then Lina, Zaria's data analyst, spoke up hesitantly. "Umm... Mr. Karess... there might be another way."
All eyes turned to her.
"From the travel network data in the Aetheryon System... although we don't have direct long-range warp technology yet, various transport and mining corporations have already established a 'Warp Relay Network' for transporting goods and personnel between the different planets in the resource belt..."
She projected a star map of the Aetheryon System again, but this time, small "routes" and "connection points" appeared between the various planets.
"You could use the warp stations," Zaria said, building on Lina's idea. "You might have to travel from Virelya to the nearest warp station first, then 'jump' from station to station. You might have to switch ships at some points... but it would be more than four years faster than flying directly here."
Karess thought for a moment... "My family... does have some connections for finding 'private flights' or shortcuts through that network..."
Zaria laughed softly. "Wow... your family really does sound mysterious. Like a secret organization in a movie."
A faint smile appeared under his Oni mask again.
"Alright then... sounds like fun... While I'm 'traveling' to you guys, you all get the 'stuff' ready. Especially... that Resonexium Dust."