Even Nous could not determine what kind of future Herta—the variable—would bring to the universe.
After all, despite calculating for countless years, They had never been able to predict the actions of Akivili.
Let alone Herta, who possessed a destiny similar to Akivili's—one whose fate was uncertain.
Perhaps Herta would bring about a brighter future for the universe, such as delaying the inevitably approaching War Among the Aeons.
Of course, there was another possibility. Because of her uncertain fate, Herta might develop some unforeseeable war technology and usher in a future even more terrifying than the Emperor's War.
If that were to happen... the Aeon of Finality—Terminus—would likely take action.
In any case, in Nous' eyes, Herta's uncertain fate was ultimately a good thing. Perhaps in the future, she might truly help Akivili return and rescue the cosmos from the Four Apocalypses.
...
Nous gazed upon The Blue star system.
This situation was swiftly noticed by the assembled geniuses. Whether it was Ruan Mei, The Herta, or even Screwllum on the video call, all of them raised their heads.
Screwllum and Ruan Mei spoke almost at the same time:
"An Aeon's glance. It seems the astral computer Herta has built this time is truly extraordinary—even attracting the attention of an Aeon. Perhaps today is the day Herta becomes an Emanator of Erudition."
"An Emanator of Erudition?"
Jade, listening to Screwllum's voice through the call, felt a sharp glint flash through her eyes. She thought to herself:
It hasn't even been a month since Herta became a genius and rose to fame after joining the Genius Society... And in such a short time, she has already accumulated enough technical foundation to become an Emanator noticed by an Aeon?!
If so, the Interastral Peace Corporation must pay even greater attention to a talent like Herta and allocate more research funding. Her research efficiency is genuinely astonishing.
Thinking this, Jade immediately took out her spare phone and contacted Diamond, the Emanator and head of the Strategic Investment Department, informing him of the current situation in The Blue star region.
"Nous' glance—and its target is Herta? According to Screwllum, she has already accumulated sufficient technology to qualify as an Emanator?!"
Diamond's voice was filled with astonishment. "But if I recall correctly, it hasn't even been a month since Miss Herta became a genius."
"The facts leave our IPC no choice but to believe it. Diamond, my suggestion is to increase investment in Miss Herta and open more related permissions to strengthen our relationship with her."
"I will bring it up at tomorrow's board meeting," Diamond replied seriously. "I believe once those board members see the information related to Herta, they will certainly agree to increase investment."
"Understood."
On the other side, on Mars, Ruan Mei voiced the same speculation as Screwllum—that after being glanced at by Nous, Herta would receive a blessing and ascend as an Emanator.
"Of course. No matter what, I am Herta." The Herta, speaking through the body of Herta 09, declared this with absolute confidence.
After saying so, she lifted her head and looked toward the sky, her gaze practically saying: Go on, Droidhead—grant the blessing. I should become an Emanator.
High above the cosmos, Nous—the Aeon's eye—noticed the conversation between Ruan Mei and Herta. The red light within Their eye flickered more violently.
Seconds passed.
Yet the blessing of Nous did not descend.
With Herta's scientific accomplishments and the technologies she had mastered, she absolutely qualified to receive a blessing and become an Emanator of Erudition.
But the reason Nous refrained was simple...
They were uncertain what Herta's "uncertain fate" truly entailed.
If They were to grant the blessing and deepen Their connection with Herta, thereby altering her "uncertain fate" constitution, the cosmos would lose a variable.
And that was something Nous absolutely did not wish to see.
Thus, at this moment, Nous' left brain elbowed the right.
Left mechanical brain: Herta's technical foundation is sufficient. She qualifies as an Emanator. Grant the blessing.
Right mechanical brain: Making Herta an Emanator carries too much risk. For the sake of the universe's future, it is better not to grant it. Let her become an Emanator through her own wisdom instead.
As the Aeon of Erudition, Nous knew well that within the cosmos there existed paths to becoming an Emanator without relying on an Aeon's direct blessing.
For example, the Emanator of Nihility who struggled forth from the void—Acheron. She had not relied upon an Aeon's coronation but instead completed her own self-coronation, achieving the status of an Emanator of Nihility.
Some may claim that such a being is not truly an Emanator, but merely someone who has delved deeply into the Path. Such thinking stems from ignorance. An Emanator is, by definition, one who has reached profound depths within a Path—regardless of whether that power was granted directly by an Aeon or attained through one's own efforts.
And if self-coronation was possible upon the Path of Nihility, then naturally it was also possible on the Path of Erudition.
So long as one researched enough entirely new technologies—innovations not yet recorded within the Path—one could advance far enough along Erudition to ultimately complete one's own coronation.
And in Nous' view, Herta possessed the potential to accomplish exactly that.
Thus, after giving The Herta a long, penetrating look, Nous withdrew Their gaze.
The aura of the Aeon vanished from The Blue star system.
Such a development left Ruan Mei and Screwllum momentarily disoriented.
They had both judged that Nous' arrival this time was to crown Herta—so why did the Aeon merely glance once and leave?!
Could it be that Nous had come simply to look at Herta's new invention?
Was that not absurd?
Previously, whenever Ruan Mei or Screwllum produced new inventions, Nous had never glanced at them, as if all their research had already been accounted for within Their calculations.
Herta herself was also taken aback when she noticed the disappearance of Nous' gaze. In the end, she pursed her lips and thought inwardly:
That's it? The Droidhead really just came to take a look at me? No blessing, no chance to ask questions—what a waste of time.
At that moment, Herman's voice echoed within her mind:
"Not receiving the blessing is actually a good thing. If you were blessed and became an Emanator, your connection with Nous would deepen... and the probability of the Research System being exposed would increase dramatically."
Herta fell into thought.
Herman's voice continued:
"More importantly, with your talent, Herta—and with my assistance—self-coronation as an Emanator is not impossible."
"In fact, it may not even take many years or months. You could complete your own coronation and achieve the great feat of becoming an Emanator!"
He's right. Even if Nous does not grant me coronation, I can complete it on my own.
The Herta emerged from her contemplation and responded seriously within her heart:
'Herman, you're right. I am Herta!! With my intelligence, talent, and ability... I can absolutely achieve self-coronation!'
After replying, she silently added another sentence deep within her heart.
Herman must never be exposed. If he were seen by Nous, she might lose the one and only friend who lived within her heart.
So even if Nous were to one day descend with a blessing and attempt to crown her through some ceremony like the Rainbow Ordainment, she would have to refuse.
She could not increase the risk of Herman being exposed...
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