A.E.T.H.E.R Labs.
When people hear that name, one quote often comes to mind:
"Tomorrow cannot be predicted, but we can anticipate the future by advancing the present."
That iconic line, and the groundbreaking institution behind it, are both credited to the legendary genius, Dr. Sebastian Wand.
Founded in 2004, A.E.T.H.E.R Labs was born from a vision shared by Sebastian and his wife, Nora Blake, who served as the Co-Director. Together, they sought to create a research facility that would push the boundaries of science, technology, and humanity's potential.
Tragically, Nora passed away in 2006, just two years after A.E.T.H.E.R's founding. Even so, her death didn't mark the end of their dream. In fact, according to Dr. Wand himself, it only strengthened his resolve:
"Everything I do is to fulfill her vision. She wanted a world not only more advanced, but safer and kinder. Through A.E.T.H.E.R, I'll make that world real."
Needless to say, there were always skeptics; people who couldn't quite grasp the magnificence of science. I can't entirely blame them; after all, it's natural to be wary of things you don't fully understand.
Take magic, for instance.
But here's the thing: there's a vast difference between science and magic.
Science is the language we use to explain the world, our tool for peeling back the layers of mystery, testing theories, and revealing truth. Magic, on the other hand, is a label we assign to what science hasn't yet explained.
By that logic, the entire universe could be considered magical. We still don't fully understand things like anti-matter, dark matter, or tachyons and those are just a few examples.
So in a way, science and magic aren't opposites.
Yes, magic is just a form of science. It's truly nothing like the sorcery, witches, or wizards you'd find in a fantasy novel.
That said, humanity has always feared the unknown.
And change is the greatest unknown of all.
It can't be predicted. It often comes without warning. And yes, sometimes, it feels chaotic. But not all change brings destruction.
Sometimes, it brings growth.
Maybe things get worse before they get better. Maybe progress is slow, and the world feels like it's teetering on the edge for a long while.
But eventually, we move forward, adapt and evolve.
And in time, the world becomes something unrecognizable…
and maybe even peaceful.
That's what I believe. Wholeheartedly.
"Hey brat! Can you stop pushing me with your body?!" Grumbled an elderly man besides me.
"Ah, sorry."
In my groggy stupor, I apologized without thinking.
The air inside the train felt thick and suffocating, and sweat clung to my skin. I couldn't help it. Beyond 8 a.m, the carriages were always packed.
Every seat was already taken, forcing the rest of us to stand. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones, gripping the safety pole as the train swayed.
Maybe if I had moved faster, I could've snagged a seat. But no, the real reason I was standing was simple: I got to the station late. By the time I arrived, the crowd had already poured in.
Honestly, I was lucky to have boarded at all.
The train doors had been seconds away from closing when I squeezed myself inside. To be more specific, the distance between me and the train when the doors were about to close were approximately six meters.
Obviously, I had no choice but to run like a madman. Fortunately, thanks to my daily gym training, I managed to cover that six-foot distance in just three strides. And lucky for me, the train doors take exactly thirty-five seconds to close, just enough time for me to dive in right before they slammed shut behind me.
And now here I am. Crushed between sweaty strangers, swaying like seaweed in a storm.
What a way to start the day.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I awkwardly fished it out with one hand while clinging to the pole with the other.
[New Message – Uncle Vince]
"Need you here ASAP. Dr. Wand is already in and wants to run final diagnostics before the demonstration. Don't be late."
I sighed.
No pressure, right?
Just the most anticipated scientific unveiling in Metro City's recent history. The launch of the Particle Accelerator, A.E.T.H.E.R Labs' revolutionary energy reactor. Theoretically, it was supposed to redefine how the world powered itself.
And I'd get to witness it up close.
Uncle Vince wasn't just bringing me along for the tour. I was officially listed as a junior assistant on the diagnostics team. Sure, it was a glorified title, and I probably wouldn't be doing anything more important than monitoring numbers on a screen and handing over tools… but still.
Cassius Cain. On-site. At A.E.T.H.E.R. Labs.
At the heart of history. Just thinking about it was enough to raise my spirits.
I smiled faintly, despite the man behind me breathing down my neck like an unholy beast. Whatever. Today was going to be worth it.
Even if I had to suffer a little now.
With nothing else to do, I pulled out my smartphone and started chatting with my friends online.
Thanks to months of saving the allowance my mom gave me, I had finally managed to buy the latest Samsung model: the Galaxy SS Razor.
The phone itself was rectangular in shape with a fully transparent screen. It looked more like a slab of polished glass than a smartphone; sleek, ultra-thin, and featherlight.
When inactive, it was nearly invisible. But the moment I tapped the side, the interface bloomed to life with vibrant holographic overlays, floating icons, and gesture-sensitive menus that responded instantly to touch.
Along with its appearance, its specs was insane.
The phone came with 512GB of storage, a quantum-hybrid processor that made boot times basically nonexistent, and a holo-core display capable of projecting 3D visuals up to ten inches above the surface.
It also had triple-layered biometric security like face ID, fingerprint scan, and retinal verification, plus an AI assistant named Nyra who sounded uncannily human. She could answer questions, track my vitals, translate languages in real-time, and even help with homework (not that I'd admit to using her for that).
For the camera quality, it had 108-megapixels, low-light enhancement, 12x zoom without quality drop, and a 360° panoramic lens. Basically, it could make a blurry bus stop look like a cover of National Geographic.
And lastly, the phone also charges fast unlike my previous phone.
Amidst the shifting noise of the train carriage and the soft murmurs of passengers, I instinctively raised my head and scanned my surroundings.
Always pay attention to your environment. This is a natural law for any scientist. I'd practiced it so much that it had become second nature.
As I looked around, I spotted a hunched-over grandma clutching a grocery bag, a young boy fiddling with a grasshopper catcher, and a man in his mid-twenties absorbed in a digital novel on his smartphone.
Seriously, does everyone read novels on trains these days?
"...?"
Glancing around, I eventually noticed a strange girl. At a glance, she looked like she was in her early twenties, perhaps younger. Her short black hair with slightly blunt bangs stood out along with her smooth, pale skin and slim body. From my position, I couldn't quite see her eyes, as she was facing the window and scrolling through her phone. There's a considerabe distance between us as well.
Even so, her outfit caught my attention. She wore a black top that revealed her shoulders beneath a sleek leather jacket. Tight-fitting dark pants hugged her legs, and she had on simple white sneakers.
What kind of combination was that?
No matter how I looked at it, her appearance felt... provocative. Which brings me to my next point: her figure.
As a species, humans came in all shapes and sizes. That's an obvious truth, be it in terms of physical appearance, personality, or demeanor. And when it comes to attraction, different men are drawn to different body types. That said, in Metro City, the trend is unmistakable. Most men here seem to prefer slim women with large busts. It's not just a preference, it's practically a city standard. Even the younger girls, those who'd just entered adolescence, seemed to fit that mold.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if half the visitors came to Metro City for that reason alone.
But this girl was different.
Her chest was modest... average, at best, especially by Metro standards. But what truly set her apart were her thighs and butt. They were massive. Even compared to popular models or adult stars, hers stood out by a mile.
Let me think... what was her type again? I believe it was called 'pear-shaped.'
Wait, what am I even thinking? When did I become a pervert? I'm definitely not a pervert... but that girl was just too captivating.
Come to think about it, she didn't even look like she was from around here. A foreigner, maybe? But from where? And what was she doing in Metro City of all places? Could it be because of the potential particle accelerator reveal?
Needless to say, it's not unusual for outsiders to visit Metro City for all sorts of reasons. Still, the number of people pouring into the city had skyrocketed lately, far more than in previous years. After all, the human race was about to enter a new era. In such a situation, tourists wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to witness something great and life-changing.
There were even rumours that the president would be attending this grand occasion.
Hehe. I can't wait... ^^
Suddenly, my body froze, and the excitement vanished.
The girl — the mysterious girl I had been watching — turned her head and stared straight at me.
It was a cold gaze.
And within that gaze, I finally saw her eyes.
They were purple.
She had a pair of beautiful, unnatural purple eyes.
It was strange. Was it even possible to have purple eyes?
Eye color is determined by the amount and type of melanin in the iris. Variations in pigmentation create different shades such as brown, blue, green, hazel. Genetics, too, plays a significant role, though it's complex and involves multiple genes interacting in ways science still struggles to fully explain.
But purple?
Was that a real eye color?
I didn't know.
It shouldn't be possible… right?
A strange feeling stirred in my chest.
I noticed her beauty again, but this time, I began to question it.
She was 'too' beautiful.
And suddenly… I felt afraid.
What was this feeling?
Under her gaze, it felt like my heart was being squeezed tight by an invisible hand.
It was the same sensation you get when standing before someone vastly superior. Or the raw tension of being surrounded by a group of il-jins (delinquents) who know they have the number advantage.
She narrowed those unnatural eyes and for a split second, it looked like she smiled. A smile that revealed… fangs.
And just for a moment, I swore her skin flickered grey.
What was that?
It couldn't be…
I blinked several times, trying to process what I just saw.
But before I could question reality any further, the train slowed and reached its destination.
A few seconds later, all the doors opened with a soft ding.
The crowd flooded out and the girl vanished from my sight.