LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 154: Chapter 153
Alex leaned back in his chair, the cool air of the room doing little to soothe his racing mind. It had been a transformative few weeks. His new connection to soul power was unlike anything he had ever experienced, but now it was time to take a step back from his inner world and refocus on the outside. He hadn't checked in on the world in a while, and it was about time to see how things were progressing.
"Eva, let's catch up on the latest developments," he said, his voice steady, though a part of him was hesitant. He had programmed Eva to monitor the global landscape, particularly those relevant to his own research and methods.
[Initializing media overview… collecting relevant events…]
The screen lit up, shifting between various data streams as Eva compiled and filtered the incoming information. Unlike most AI systems in the world, Eva was entirely hidden from public view. What the world knew as cutting-edge AI systems, particularly those rolled out by PowerGen, was a pale shadow of what Eva was capable of. Alex had intentionally released only a fraction of his research through PowerGen, enough to keep them at the top of the biotech and AI fields, but never the whole picture.
Eva's soft voice filled the room. [Presentation mode activated. Beginning with recent developments in technology and biotech…]
The screen switched to a polished promotional video from PowerGen, showcasing their latest breakthrough in smart systems—an AI designed to assist in their biotech advancements. The media hailed it as a game-changer, though Alex could see through the marketing gloss. This AI was nowhere near the level of sophistication Eva had reached. Still, the world didn't know that, and PowerGen had surged ahead as a biotech giant, introducing advances that people couldn't ignore.
One of those advances had been based on the research Alex quietly fed them—research on the hidden code within human DNA, partly enhanced by the rising cosmic energy that Earth was now experiencing. It wasn't enough to expose the full truth, but it gave PowerGen an edge that no other company had.
As the promotional video ended, Eva shifted to a series of news reports on the global impact of PowerGen's advancements.
[PowerGen has made strides in the biotech field, using a new AI-assisted system to decode elements of the human genome, identifying what they term as 'enhanced genetic potential.' However, their understanding of cosmic energy remains rudimentary.]
Alex smirked slightly. PowerGen had no idea just how much they were missing. Despite the rising cosmic energy, they were far from understanding the true potential hidden within human DNA, and even further from harnessing it.
The screen flickered, moving to a new scene—footage of a man standing before a crowd, his posture confident, his voice calm and measured. It was Arjun, one of Alex's old friends, but not in the way the world knew him now. He wasn't an ability user; he had never been able to tap into that cosmic potential directly. Instead, Arjun had become part of a rising movement—the Mentalists—a group Alex had indirectly helped create through his anonymous online persona, Stargazer.
[Arjun Kumar, now recognized as one of the leading figures among the Mentalists, has gained significant influence in both legal and mental development circles. The Mentalists, individuals who have cultivated their mental strength through techniques introduced by the anonymous 'Stargazer,' are making waves worldwide.]
Alex's cultivation methods had spread far and wide. What started as simple meditation techniques had evolved into a structured practice that far surpassed Dr. Carlisle's gene-enhanced soldiers, whose enhancements came at the cost of mental clarity. The Mentalists, on the other hand, had achieved a level of mental focus and strength that outclassed their gene-enhanced counterparts.
"Arjun," Alex muttered, watching the clip. His old friend had taken to the mental cultivation techniques naturally, quickly rising to prominence. He had an almost uncanny focus now, a sharpness of mind that allowed him to handle even the most complex legal cases with ease. No powers, no cosmic abilities—just pure, trained mental strength.
[Arjun's influence is growing rapidly, as his methods have proven more effective than Dr. Carlisle's gene-enhanced treatments, which continue to face criticism due to their side effects and the mental degradation of their subjects.]
"Smart guy," Alex commented, leaning forward. Arjun's rise was a direct result of the methods Alex had released online as Stargazer. It was a subtle way of giving people access to the kind of mental enhancement he had experienced himself, though without tipping them off to the full scope of cosmic energy or soul power.
The screen shifted again, now showing footage from a recent battle between two gene-enhanced soldiers. Their strength was evident, but the lack of coordination and focus in their movements made it clear that Carlisle's methods were deeply flawed. Alex shook his head, knowing these soldiers would eventually burn out—physically and mentally.
"Power without control," Alex murmured. "It's only a matter of time before it catches up to them."
Eva's voice chimed in again. [PowerGen has also increased its efforts in AI development, though their systems remain unable to detect or harness cosmic energy. The scientific community is beginning to acknowledge the increase in cosmic energy levels, but their understanding remains superficial.]
Alex nodded to himself. The remnants of the shard's power had begun to seep into the Earth's atmosphere, causing a rise in cosmic energy levels across the planet. People were starting to notice, but without the proper methods, there was no way for them to fully understand or utilize it. PowerGen's efforts, while impressive by human standards, were still leagues behind the truth of what was happening.
The next piece of footage caught Alex's attention—a media panel discussing the rising influence of the Mentalists. Clips of Arjun in court were followed by interviews with people who had practiced the techniques Alex had released. Their stories were striking—enhanced strength, focus, and mental clarity, all achieved without the use of gene manipulation or external enhancements.
"It's amazing what the human mind is capable of," one interviewee said, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. "These techniques have completely changed my life. I used to struggle with focus, with stress, but now… I feel like I'm in control of my own mind for the first time."
Alex smiled slightly, feeling a sense of satisfaction. His methods were helping people, and that was enough for now. He didn't need the world to know about his role as Stargazer. It was better this way—working from behind the scenes, guiding humanity's next steps without drawing too much attention.
As the news reports wound down, Eva's voice cut through once more.
[Would you like to continue monitoring global events?]
"Not right now, Eva," Alex said, leaning back in his chair again. "I've seen enough for now."
[Understood. System monitoring remains active.]
The screen dimmed, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. The world was changing—people were awakening to new possibilities, and cosmic energy was beginning to make its mark, even if most people couldn't see it yet. But for now, Alex was content to watch from the sidelines, guiding things in small ways through his research and his cultivation techniques.
"Arjun's doing well," Alex murmured to himself, thinking back to his friend. "The Mentalists are making waves. And PowerGen... they're still clueless."
As he sat there, his mind wandered to the future. Soul power was his next frontier, but there was still so much he didn't know, so many unknowns to explore. And while the world was busy grappling with its own challenges, Alex knew that his journey was only just beginning.
"Let them play catch-up," he thought, a small smirk forming on his lips. "I'll be miles ahead before they even know what's happening."
With that, Alex closed his eyes, letting the silence of the room envelop him. For now, it was time to rest. The world could wait just a little longer.