Ezra: Hello, I'm here to check in. I made a reservation over the phone a couple of days ago.
Assistant Curator: Mr. Theodore, right?
Ezra: Call me Ezra.
Assistant Curator: Go straight down the corridor, and you'll find the room at the end on your right. The director has been waiting for quite some time.
Director Ryan: Hello, young man.
Ezra: Hello, Dr. Ryan.
Director Ryan: I've read of the impressive things you've accomplished in the papers, from the "Reincarnator" to the Uluru Games.
Director Ryan: This is something most humans cannot achieve. I believe you're qualified to be the curator of the Laplace Museum.
Ezra: Thank you for your confidence, doctor.
Ezra: But... I'm not sure I'm ready. I'm only a researcher; I don't have any experience in management…
Director Ryan: Don't worry, my boy.
Dr. Ryan stepped out from behind the desk and led Ezra to a bookshelf.
Director Ryan: From the first row here to the last volume at the end of the shelf—these will be all the experience you need.
Ezra: ... Notes on management?
Director Ryan: Yes, precisely. Every note taken from the very first day of the Laplace Museum until this very day is kept here.
Director Ryan: You'll have plenty of time to dive into them, get familiar, and gain that experience—but not right now.
Director Ryan: Now, you must put into practice on your own.
Ezra: ... So, I'm to take charge of holding an exhibition, right? I caught wind of it through the Laplace liaison.
Director Ryan: Exactly that, my boy.
Director Ryan: You might organize an exhibition focused on your Australian fungi or perhaps bring that long-researched story on the "Reincarnator" into the spotlight. Both very worthy of showcasing.
Ezra: No, Dr. Ryan, not those.
The young man shook his head slowly but firmly. Then set about expressing his own idea.
Ezra: I want to put together an exhibition centered around "The Ecology of Snowy Alpine Mountains."
Director Ryan: Snow mountain?
That's somewhat unexpected.
Ezra: Snowy mountains, yes.
Ezra: I intend to climb the Alps—the Matterhorn, to be precise—from the north, collecting plants and minerals to bring back to the museum for display.
Ezra had made a checklist; he came prepared.
Ezra: I've got here an itinerary, a distribution of exhibit items to be found in the Alps, and a climate comparison for this month with previous years. Take a look.
Director Ryan: Hmm...
Director Ryan: This is a worthwhile plan. You've thought through the potential dangers and avoided the trickiest approaches; it all seems feasible. But... why?
Ezra: I don't understand. What do you mean by "why?"
Director Ryan: Why pick "The Ecology of Snow-Capped Alpine Mountains" as your exhibition's theme?
Director Ryan: You've spent years on Australian fungi and a gripping story in the "Reincarnator.". Why would you propose this instead?
Ezra: Director Ryan, I know how I've been portrayed in academic journals and other written sources—the mycologist from Australia.
Ezra: I'm happy to share my mycology research with my colleagues to show off the results of my years of work.
Ezra: But this time is different. My choice of exhibition theme holds a special meaning to me.
Ezra: Trust me, my decision to go with the "Snowy Mountains" theme was carefully considered.
Director Ryan: ......
Director Ryan: As director of the Laplace Museum, I wouldn't recommend taking on such a challenge for your first step.
Director Ryan: But... my time in that role has already passed.
Director Ryan: The decision-making power for your exhibit lies in your hands now.
Director Ryan: The young take risks, revel in adventures, and we need that boldness.
Director Ryan: As for an old gentleman like me, risks lie in my past. Ahead, a peaceful life and quality time with my granddaughter.
Mesmer Jr.: ......
Mesmer Jr. stood outside the office door, clasping her hands together, taking deep breaths as if trying to calm herself.
Mesmer Jr.: Don't worry, it's all done now... You can finally relax.
Mesmer Jr.: ......！
An unexpected visitor entered.
Ezra: Oh, sorry. Did I startle you?
Mesmer Jr.: Why are you here? And who brought you?
Ezra: Another Laplace researcher. They told me I could wait for you to finish your work here...
Mesmer Jr.: If you wanted a consultation on Artificial Somnambulism, you should have gone through the proper registration process and waited for your appointment ... rather than slinking into my office without a word.
She stood in the corner, not budging an inch. Around her hung an air of sharpness accented by disinfectant.
But Ezra was accustomed to diffusing tense situations.
Ezra: Apologies for my abruptness, Miss Mesmer Jr.
Ezra: I'm Ezra, the new director of the Laplace Museum. I've been waiting for the chance to ask for a favor.
Mesmer Jr.: Ezra...? I think I've heard that name before...
Mesmer Jr.: Yeah... "Ezra of the Uluru Games." I've read about you in the reports. A mycology researcher, and... a pure-blooded human?
Ezra: You've got me.
The girl nodded cautiously where she stood.
Ezra: Sorry, did I disturb you? If you would like, I can provide emotional reassurance and counseling.
Ezra: I did this sort of thing back at the Australian branch. I'm here to help, if you're open to it.
Mesmer Jr.: No, no ... I'm fine. Don't worry about me.
Her stance relaxed a bit, and she moved to the sofa before taking a seat in the corner.
Mesmer Jr.: So, what's this favor?
Mesmer Jr.: I'm afraid I don't know much about managing museums, nor planning exhibitions... I'm not sure how I could be of much use to you.
Ezra: Ah, no ... Miss Mesmer Jr., I'm actually seeking your expertise in "magnetism," or more specifically, the "magnetic field".
Ezra took off his backpack and pulled out a divining rod.
Ezra: This is my divining rod. Thanks to Laplace's tech, it can sense the magnetic fields of organisms and fungi nearby and guide me to traces of their activity.
Ezra: It's been my trusty sidekick through rainforests, reefs, and valleys.
Ezra: But I've found that in high-altitude, its accuracy starts to drop, making my work more challenging.
Ezra: I thought dear you might help me figure this out?
Mesmer Jr.: I'll do my best.
Mesmer Jr. extended her left hand, waving her electrically calibrated glove beneath the divining rod.
On the edge where her glove met the cuff, there was a small red scratch clearly visible.
Mesmer Jr.: ...The wavelength diagram looks complete.
Mesmer Jr.: Now, let's change the parameters to simulate low-pressure conditions... Hmmm- Yeah, you were right. Malfunctions might occur during changes in altitude.
Mesmer Jr.: ......
Mesmer Jr.: It's not a serious issue; a simple magnetic field enchantment would properly calibrate it.
Mesmer Jr.: I can contact Evan from Laplace's Laboratory No. 2 to sort this out for you.
Mesmer Jr.: ...Ezra, are you listening?
Ezra: I... I am! Sorry, I got a bit distracted...
As if a student called on by the teacher, the boy straightened up, refocusing his attention.
Ezra: Will the enchantment be stable if I were to climb further, say to ultra-high altitudes, above 3,500 meters?
Mesmer Jr.: Ultra-high altitudes? Where are you planning to go?
Ezra: The Matterhorn.
Mesmer Jr.: You're climbing ... the Matterhorn?
Ezra: Yes, I'm aiming to collect specimens needed for the upcoming exhibition.
Mesmer Jr.: That... isn't a wise plan, Ezra. I know humans have stronger physical endurance than arcanists, but...
Mesmer Jr.: ... So many foreseeable risks; altitude sickness, snowstorms, avalanches, native beasts, or critters ...
Mesmer Jr. tugged at her sleeve, her hands itching.
Ezra: Yes, the journey will undoubtedly be very challenging.
In contrast, the boy had a calm and determined demeanor.
Ezra: That's why I came to seek your help. I must be prepared for everything to make this "crazy" plan a reality.
Ezra: It's worth the risk for me.
Mesmer Jr.: Then no one can stop you... You're determined to climb that mountain... right?
Mesmer Jr.: I have a hard time understanding people like you ... risk-seekers ... But, I can't stop you.
She lowered her head, taking a deep breath.
Mesmer Jr.: ...During the journey, if you're lucky enough, you might find a deep red, reflective metallic vein in the granite bodies on both sides of the mountain ridge.
Mesmer Jr.: That's Rutile, natural titanium dioxide. Once processed its surface can enhance its sensors, solving the thorny problem you face.
Mesmer Jr.: With it, the sensing range of the divining rod will be significantly expanded, even capable of penetrating thick snow cover and complex rock layers.
Mesmer Jr.: It will be your guiding star in finding those rare specimens.
Ezra left, and Mesmer Jr. turned off the lights in the room after him.
There in the darkness, she stared at the sickbed, as if examining an invisible patient.
Mesmer Jr.: Quiet down, ok? Stop talking or laughing.
She shook her head forcefully, as if attempting to throw off some tainted mark.
Mesmer Jr.: Where did I put the disinfectant?
