The Genius System-Chapter 74: An odd request

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Lassen was slouched in a plush armchair, his feet resting on the coffee table, a book in hand "Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project" Yet, judging by his far-off gaze, he seemed closer to dozing off than deeply engaged in reading. As always, the system in his head didn’t miss the chance to comment.

[So, this is how a genius operates? Lounging like a teenager in existential crisis, surrounded by chips and books about guys playing with atoms? Inspirational.]

Lassen smirked without even glancing up "The difference is, I can do all this simultaneously. Relaxation, reflection, and a bit of nuclear history. You should try it sometime,it’s therapeutic."

[Oh, excuse me. I’m just an omniscient system stuck in your head. My version of relaxation? Listening to your inner monologues while hoping you don’t start an international incident before noon.]

Lassen chuckled softly, theatrically turning a page "That’s adorable. You’re worried about me."

[Worried about me, actually. If you blow up this kingdom, guess who’s stuck dealing with the fallout in your mind?]

"Fair point" Lassen admitted, placing the book on his chest and staring pensively at the ceiling "Tell me, system, what do you know about Oppenheimer?"

[Oh, just that he’s the father of the atomic bomb. Brilliant guy, really. But why are you so interested? Planning to add ’Destroyer of Worlds’ to your list of titles?]

Lassen sighed exaggeratedly "You always make everything so dramatic. It’s not the destruction I’m interested in, it’s the ingenuity. Those people unlocked colossal power at a time when science was stumbling in the dark. And they managed it all without your sarcastic commentary."

[Yeah, and look where it got them. Arms races, diplomatic crises, and countless anxiety-inducing documentaries. They should’ve just invented a toaster instead.]

Lassen burst out laughing, shaking his head slightly "You could be more optimistic. Nuclear energy, when used right, could be an incredible power source. Imagine what we could achieve with it."

[Oh, I don’t have to imagine. You, on the other hand,I know you. If you built a nuclear reactor, in three weeks you’d be figuring out how to turn it into a particle accelerator just to see what happens.]

"You know me so well" Lassen replied with a wry smile. After a moment of silence, he added, as if it were obvious "But I’ve always been curious to see a nuclear explosion."

The system hesitated sarcastically before responding [I have a feeling this curiosity isn’t going to end well.]

"Call Alex" Lassen ordered suddenly, sitting upright in his chair.

[Why?]

"I’ve got something to ask him" Lassen replied nonchalantly.

A few seconds later, the library’s holographic screen flickered on, revealing Alex, impeccably dressed as usual. He raised an eyebrow "What now?"

Lassen made an exaggerated pout "Not even a ’How are you?’ You’re slipping, Alex."

Alex sighed, already annoyed "If you’re calling, it’s because you’ve got one of those ideas."

Lassen rolled his eyes "Fine, fine. Tell me, after Nova 1, we still have contacts in the Chinese and Russian governments, right?"

Alex’s brows furrowed slightly "Yes, why?"

"Do you think they’d lend me something? Just temporarily."

Alex stiffened, suspicious "What exactly do you want?"

The system, unable to stay quiet, interjected [He wants a nuclear bomb. Just to watch the mushroom cloud. That’s all.]

Alex froze, his eyes widening "You’re joking."

Lassen shook his head, perfectly serious "Of course not. Imagine the spectacle. A perfectly controlled explosion. Purely scientific, obviously."

Alex stared at him, dumbfounded, before taking a deep breath "No one... absolutely no one... is going to lend you a nuclear bomb. If you want to destroy the world, build your own. But don’t count on me for that."

And without waiting for a response, Alex cut the connection, leaving Lassen alone with his system.

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A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by the faint rustling of the book’s pages as Lassen pretended to return to his reading. He shrugged, appearing utterly unbothered, as if Alex’s curt refusal was nothing more than a fleeting breeze in his kingdom of audacious ideas.

In his mind, the system spoke again, incapable of holding back in the face of Lassen’s unnerving calm

[Well, congratulations. The one person patient enough to tolerate your absurdity just refused to help. A major win for rationality and the survival of humanity.]

Lassen smirked, sliding a finger between the pages to hold his place "Alex is pragmatic; I’ll give him that. But he’ll change his mind eventually. He can’t resist me. No one can."

[Oh really? Because your irresistible charm also works on geopolitical crises and weapons of mass destruction? Remind me again, who’s been likened to an eccentric genius capable of turning the world upside down before breakfast?]

Lassen sank deeper into his chair, crossing his legs and resting the book on his chest

"Listen, system, who needs a borrowed bomb when you have a brain like mine? I could probably build one smaller, sleeker, and, maybe... even more beautiful."

A dramatic silence filled his mind before the system responded, incredulous

[Oh no. No, no, no. I forbid you from going down that road. You know what? Fine. I’ll just sit back and watch this idea spiral into an international crisis. It’ll be like watching an avalanche in slow motion.]

Lassen burst into laughter, his voice echoing in the library. He snapped the book shut with a flourish and carefully set it down on the coffee table "Oh, stop. You know that everything I do, I do with style. If I’m going to trigger a crisis, it’ll at least be elegant."

[Oh, absolutely. With you, even the apocalypse would have Broadway-worthy lighting effects.]

Lassen straightened slightly, his fingers tapping idly on the armrest. He turned his head toward one of the large windows overlooking the majestic skyline of Macro. His expression grew more thoughtful, though the ever-present smirk remained at the corner of his lips "You know, system, that’s the thing about me. Whatever I want, I get. Maybe not immediately, but sooner or later, I find a way."

[And sometimes your ’way’ involves dragging me into schemes that should, theoretically, be outlined in a manual titled ’How to Avoid Ending Up in History as a Madman.’]

"Ah, but that’s the beauty of it" Lassen replied, rising from his chair" History is exactly where I want to be."

The system sighed in a way that seemed almost human

[One day,... one day, someone’s going to show up at your door with very pointed questions. And on that day, I’ll be here, ready to say, ’I told you so.’]

Lassen shrugged with a self-satisfied grin. "Maybe. But until then, let me dream a little. That’s what makes all of this fun, isn’t it?"

He turned and left the library, leaving behind an air of lightheartedness laced with barely concealed excitement. In his mind, the system continued to grumble, unable to remain entirely silent in the face of its host’s unpredictable brilliance.