The Genius System-Chapter 96: A vision, a mirage.

Weeks of rumors, theories, and orchestrated leaks had preceded this moment. The kingdom of Macro was holding its breath, and beyond its borders, the entire world was focused on a single event: Alex's press conference.

The scene unfolded in one of the capital's largest conference halls. A vast, dazzling white room framed by polished steel pillars and smoked glass. Cameras lined the aisles, journalists packed into their seats, microphones aimed at the stage, and the buzz of tense conversation filled the space.

At the center, a raised platform, modestly adorned with the emblem of the Macro government and the logo of Phontom, the parent company of all Lassen subsidiaries. Behind it, a large black screen. And to the right of the lectern stood a figure well known to global public opinion: Alex. Once the most discreet assistant, now the most scrutinized on the planet.

As he stepped onto the stage, an absolute silence fell. Not a word, not a flash, just anticipation. Alex calmly scanned the audience, adjusted his jacket, and in a perfectly composed voice, began:

"Thank you for coming. Today, I speak on behalf of Mr. X. And I'm here to talk about the future."

A chill swept through the room. He wasn't speaking for a government or a superpower, but for a man. One man. And yet, everyone listened, because whenever this man speaks, the world changes to match his will.

"For months, we've been preparing a project. A peaceful project. A civil project. A project for the future. We're going to build the first city entirely conceived by intelligence, innovation, and peace. A city unlike anything before it. A city that will embody harmony between science, nature, and society."

The screen lit up behind him. CGI images appeared: forests interwoven with urban landscapes, gleaming white buildings threaded with greenery, autonomous transport, cutting-edge research centers, schools, cultural venues, housing opening onto the sea.

"The project is called Eclipse. And in three years, it will be real."

In the room, awe and disbelief blended in a stunned wave. Some journalists scribbled frantically; others stared at the screen, spellbound.

"This project is not military, nor geopolitical. It's not a provocation. It's a demonstration, of what a nation unafraid of innovation can achieve. Of what humanity can become when it stops shooting itself in the foot."

Barely had Alex finished when a ripple of whispers surged through the crowd. His final words echoed still: "A project that will transcend nations, beliefs, and conflicts. Welcome to Eclipse."

The cameras kept rolling, flashes flickered, and already hands were raised, some journalists even rising from their seats, driven by the urgency to understand. Alex didn't flinch. He waited for the commotion to settle, then pointed calmly to the first question.

"Margot Yelin, Global Observer. Are you telling us Macro intends to build an entire city devoted to science and international cooperation?"

"Yes. A city designed from the ground up as a crossroads for progress. With no strict political affiliation, no military oversight. We've conceived it as a concrete answer to global tension."

"But who will fund this project?" another journalist shouted "Macro doesn't have the economic power of a superpower."

Alex smiled, as if he'd been waiting for that question.

"Indeed, neither Macro nor Mr. X has the capital to finance a project of this magnitude. But you're forgetting something I said at the start: this is an international city. That's why I have an announcement to make. To every person, government, or company wishing to take part in this project, you are welcome. Now is the time to come together for a better future."

Applause broke out, mixed with protests and a flurry of shouted questions. Alex raised his hand.

"We'll answer all your questions. But know this: Eclipse will break ground in less than four months. And by then, you won't be speaking of rumors anymore, you'll be speaking of a world that is changing."

He left the podium without another word.

________________________________________

The news of Alex's press conference spread like wildfire.

Within two hours, footage of the Eclipse presentation had taken over the front pages of every major news outlet, from Tokyo to New York, from Paris to Cairo. On social media, the word "Eclipse" went viral in less than ten minutes, igniting a wave of hashtags, theories, memes, and heated debates.

Some saw it as a technological utopia, a rebirth of the humanist dream. Others suspected a political Trojan horse, a way for Macro to gain outsized influence on the global stage without firing a single shot.

At the United Nations Security Council, an emergency session was called. The ambassadors of the major powers, still reeling, struggled to find common ground.

"We cannot allow a nation as small as Macro to redraw the world order without a response" the U.S. representative thundered.

"And yet, they haven't broken a single international law," replied his German counterpart calmly. "They're proposing a project of peace, innovation, and openness. Isn't that exactly what we all claim to want?"

China, for its part, adopted a cryptic stance. Publicly, it praised "a bold initiative for the future of humanity" but behind the scenes, it ramped up intelligence operations focused on Macro.

In Russia, state media downplayed Eclipse, calling it "a laboratory city doomed to fail," while several oligarchs quietly began investing in start-ups linked to the project.

But it was among ordinary people that the reaction proved most explosive.

In student forums, research groups, tech incubators, even in the poorest neighborhoods, the same question kept surfacing "What if it's real? What if this actually works?"

In Macro, the response was electric. Some citizens hailed Lassen and Alex as national heroes, ready to usher their country into a new era. Others, more skeptical, questioned the true purpose behind such a grand vision.

But one thing was now certain: no one could ignore Macro anymore.

At the royal palace in the capital of Macro, the king was sipping tea, admiring the view, when he was interrupted.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience" said a butler.

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"Have him come in" the king replied.

The Prime Minister entered with dark circles under his eyes, it was clear he hadn't slept much, buried in work. The king noticed immediately and didn't hesitate to tease him.

"Seems our national genius is keeping you rather busy these days."

The Prime Minister smiled "I see thet Your Majesty is in a good mood this morning."

"Hahaha! Good mood, you say? Oh yes, I'm in a very good mood. I just spent the morning speaking with Mr. X. Come, let's go to my office, I have a good story to tell you."

________________________________________

And while the world's powerful tried to figure out how to respond, elsewhere, in a quiet villa perched atop a hill, Lassen watched the news while sipping his tea.

[Looks like it worked, host. You've got them all hooked.]

"That was the idea. Now we just need to keep them chewing while we build the rest."

[You mean… while we move the real project right under their noses?]

Lassen smirked, his eyes still fixed on the screen.

"Exactly."