Chloe Sinclair had just arrived in the classroom when a classmate told her someone was asking for her.

Chloe Sinclair was a little confused.

After all, she’d been busy researching high-temperature superconductivity lately, so she didn’t know any upperclassmen at Emberfall University.

But since someone was waiting outside, Chloe Sinclair felt she should go take a look, no matter what it was about.

So, she put down her book and walked to the back door.

"Junior Sister."

A man in a white lab coat suddenly approached her at the classroom’s back door.

The man was tall, and the white lab coat he wore seemed to accentuate his height.

Chloe Sinclair instinctively looked up and asked, "Who are you?"

’She mentally scanned the man’s face again and again, finally confirming that she had truly never seen him before.’

The man didn’t seem surprised. He introduced himself, "I’m Professor Quincy’s student, and your senior apprentice, Nathan Trenton."

Nathan Trenton said, extending a hand.

Chloe Sinclair immediately understood and replied, "Hello."

He was humble and courteous; even the handshake was just a light, brief touch of their fingertips.

After the introductions, Nathan Trenton explained the purpose of his visit.

"Professor Quincy sent me to bring you to the research lab. I’ve already arranged for your absence with the university."

Chloe Sinclair didn’t hesitate. She nodded and asked, "Are we leaving now?"

"Yes."

Nathan Trenton was visibly taken aback by her attitude.

Chloe Sinclair’s decisiveness took him by surprise. Joel Quincy had told him he was coming to pick up a new junior apprentice.

He had expected someone like the other researchers at the institute, who did nothing but bury their heads in data all day.

He hadn’t expected to meet such a delicate-looking young woman.

She was humble and polite, composed and graceful, and Nathan Trenton immediately took a liking to her.

"Are you free to go to the lab today?"

Chloe Sinclair replied, "I can go to the lab right now."

And so, Chloe Sinclair and Nathan Trenton went to the research facility located twenty kilometers outside the city center.

Joel Quincy’s research facility wasn’t as large as the lab Chloe Sinclair used near Emberfall University, but at least the equipment was comprehensive.

Chloe Sinclair entered a sealed chamber and carefully put on her radiation protection suit. Once she confirmed everything was secure, she followed Nathan Trenton into the main control room.

As they walked, he explained the current status of the experiment.

"The professor’s funding is in trouble. We don’t know when the higher-ups will approve the next grant. More importantly, the materials are incredibly expensive. At our current rate, the lab won’t be able to hold out for more than three months."

The term "controllable nuclear fusion" didn’t have a very good reputation in the public eye.

Incidents like the ones at Seraph Isle and Chernobyl had made people deeply skeptical of anything nuclear.

Chloe Sinclair, now bundled up in her protective gear and holding a data logbook, spotted the tallest person in the crowd and called out, "Professor."

Joel Quincy turned and nodded at Chloe Sinclair when he saw her.

"Chloe Sinclair, come over here and record data."

"You guys keep an eye on console twenty-four. Let me know the second anything happens."

"Number Three, watch the data changes on the screen closely. There can’t be even the slightest margin of error."

"Chloe, you’ll be recording for station three. If you don’t understand something, ask me."

With that, he hurried over to another console.

Chloe Sinclair knew Professor Quincy was busy, so she just nodded, her eyes fixed on the data sets in front of her.

"Wait, there’s a problem with this data set."