Chapter 6

For some reason, Luo Zhen has always had a deep sense of dread towards Rief.

Although the person known as Professor is extremely popular throughout Chaldea, even Mash holds a bit of respect for him, Luo Zhen just can't bring himself to like him.

Because, even though this person always shows a straightforward and cheerful smile, Luo Zhen still feels a chill down his spine.

That feeling is like the other person is wearing a human skin mask on their face.

Behind that straightforward and cheerful smile, what is hidden, Luo Zhen has no idea at all.

Therefore, Luo Zhen has always been wary of Rief, even to the point of fear.

However, on the surface, Luo Zhen doesn't show any of this, and instead speaks with a forced smile.

"You're here too, Professor Rief."

Upon hearing this, Rief nodded, his smile not fading, and even squinted his eyes in a wider grin.

Then, Rief said:

"Although this isn't the first time you've conducted a simulation battle, the risk of a spirit particle transfer is still significant. If something goes wrong, you might not be able to return. Therefore, not only the technical staff of the entire facility, but I must also monitor the process at all times."

A spirit particle transfer is not something that can be done casually.

Converting the body into spirit particles and sending it to a completely different era means that the person no longer exists in the present, which can lead to the issue of the adaptability of the person's "existence" disappearing.

If the transfer is done directly, the person will effectively cease to exist in the current era, and attempting to return will result in rejection by the current era, making it impossible to return smoothly.

To adapt to the spirit particle transfer technology, starting from a short while ago, with Luo Zhen leading, all the adaptability candidates gathered in Chaldea conduct spirit particle infiltration simulation battles at regular intervals.

As the name suggests, this is a simulation test for spirit particle transfer.

By sending the adaptability candidates into a simulated world for training, the purpose is to gradually adapt to the burden of the spirit particle transfer and withstand the disappearance of their existence. This is one of the goals of the test.

Of course, as the name implies, in addition to the spirit particle transfer test, the adaptability candidates also need to conduct combat simulations.

To protect human history, the adaptability candidates must inevitably fight in various eras, which is also a good form of simulation training.

However, the ones truly fighting are not the adaptability candidates.

The adaptability candidates are merely "assistants."

Dealing with events that could erase human history is not something a mere human magician can accomplish.

The true power capable of reversing such a dire situation lies elsewhere.

The adaptability candidates are the ones who control this power, not the ones who actually fight.

Luo Zhen is very clear about this.

(Although I'm a bit reluctant to entrust my personal safety to Professor Rief...)

But there's no choice. In Chaldea, Rief is the highest-ranking technical expert. With him present, at least various situations can be handled.

Compared to the bad-tempered Ortega Marie, Rief is the most reliable person in Chaldea.

Even Luo Zhen has to admit this.

Moreover, besides Rief, Luo Zhen has someone he can trust absolutely and entrust his body to.

That person has just arrived.

"Sorry! I'm late!"

With a flustered voice, another man rushed in from outside the door.

He was a doctor wearing a white coat, tall and slender, with long orange hair tied in a ponytail, and exuding an air of irresponsibility.

The reactions of those present to this doctor varied.

"Dr. Roman."

Mash seemed relieved, as if she had received support.

"You're late too, Roman!"

Ortega Marie's anger flared up again, just as it had subsided.

"You two are really..."

Professor Rief seemed a bit helpless.

As for Luo Zhen, he couldn't help but laugh at the flustered doctor.

"I didn't expect you to be even later than me, big brother."

Yes.

The person in front of him was Luo Zhen's older brother—Roman.

"You... You actually arrived before me? Luo Zhen!"

Seeing that everyone was already present, including his younger brother, who was notorious for being late, Roman stopped his flustered steps, looking disheveled and somewhat resentful, and said with a forced laugh.

"I'm... I'm really sorry, everyone. I could have been on time, but I accidentally stayed up all night browsing an interesting website..."

It seems that a brother who is late is often accompanied by a brother who is also late.

"Doctor..."

Mash, who had just relaxed, was immediately speechless again.

As for Ortega Marie, she burst out in anger.

"Do you even realize the responsibility you bear!?"

At that moment, Ortega Marie shouted at Luo Zhen and Roman in a fit of rage.

"You are the first adaptability candidate in Chaldea, and you are the head of the medical department. To be so late on such an important day, do you really think my tolerance for you is endless!?"

Clearly, Ortega Marie's dissatisfaction with Luo Zhen and Roman had reached its limit.

And as she said, unlike Luo Zhen, who is an adaptability candidate, Roman, though not an adaptability candidate, is the head of the medical department, responsible for managing the bodies of the adaptability candidates who undergo spirit particle transfer. For adaptability candidates who may experience physical issues due to the spirit particle transfer, he is a very important figure.

However, unlike Luo Zhen, who often contradicts Ortega Marie, Roman cried out in fear.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry! I won't do it again!"

Roman bowed repeatedly, looking terrified.

This left Luo Zhen speechless.

"You're really disgracing our family."

Luo Zhen said this directly.

"This is called strategic submission!"

Roman, who was being criticized by his younger brother, immediately retorted.

Luo Zhen raised an eyebrow, not willing to back down.

"What kind of strategic submission? I've only heard of strategic retreat!"

"Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist!"

"But big brother, your situation is just because you're afraid, so you submitted, right?"

"Th... That's not true!"

"It is!"

"It's not!"

"It is!"

"It's not!"

The two brothers immediately started a very childish argument, leaving Mash and Rief speechless.

"Enough!"

Ortega Marie shouted, her anger flaring up.

"Everyone, get into position immediately! Start the simulation battle right now!"

In the midst of Ortega Marie's angry scolding, the childish argument finally came to a stop.

The simulation battle officially began.