– I don’t watch this show, it’s mostly staged.
– Please, look at this segment, it is very convincing. The applicant has already completed 4 rounds of interviews.
Chris played the video and the professor watched it.
– Well, are you impressed? I was amazed. How did he do it?
– Not everything that is shown should be believed. I’m currently finishing work on a book: “The Age of Blockchain, or Belshazzar’s Feast.” Based on declassified materials, I described the origin and development of this project. In the fifth chapter you can read about how the image of Satoshi Nakamoto was created and where this name even came from.
– I look forward to the release of your book, professor!
Mr. Graves once again went to the window, wanting to make sure that none of the students were arrested, and said:
“Chris, hurry up to get checked so that you don’t have problems with the guards later.”
– They check those who have a low, medium or high level, and I have the highest, fifth.
– It is rarely given to anyone. How did you manage that?
“My father was a guard and besides, I never did anything illegal.” Only once did he cross the street in the wrong place to save a cat. The drone, which lost control, fell and could have crushed her. After that I had no problems. In addition, I take piloting courses, and all pilots undergo very thorough testing, so the level of trust is high. I try to live in accordance with the laws prescribed and controlled by Artificial Intelligence, Kronos, which has replaced the constitution these days. And I have no complaints about the government – they care about the Continent and ordinary citizens.
The professor did not try to convince Chris, realizing that he sympathized with the authorities, and did not reveal his connection with the rebels. Mr. Graves himself did not at all share the student’s naive opinion, especially in light of incoming information that the ruler wants to amend the Code in his new term. According to Mr. Graves, the only correct decision was to remove Demian Roskhald from power, the sooner the better. But he didn’t want to get rid of himself at all, and there was no need to become a prophet in order to predict the outcome of the upcoming elections…
Mr. Graves sighed heavily. He was terribly tired, and lately he had felt like he was being chased behind him. For members of the rebel movement, danger lurked everywhere. The trap is about to close its steel jaws, but the stake here is not just the life of an ordinary professor. The stake here is happiness and freedom from the dictates of the power of the inhabitants of the Continent, and for this you can pay the highest price.
“Chris, you are one of my best students,” the professor smiled. – Keep studying and you will come to the truth. You shouldn’t be absolutely sure of anything. As they said in ancient times, if you believe that you have learned the truth, then you have not understood anything. This is such a vessel: when you try to hold it, it will definitely slip out of your hands and leave you with nothing.
Wanting to demonstrate to Mr. Graves his knowledge of not only the laws prescribed in the Artificial Intelligence of the Continent, Chris said:
– Professor, did I tell you that my mother is from Luz? For this reason, I am well acquainted with their legislation. It differs from ours in being more conservative, so the Council of the Continent, when creating the supreme ruler Kronos, rejected it, deciding to develop a more perfect system. Are you saying that they didn’t take everything into account and that there are shortcomings in Artificial Intelligence, our supreme ruler?
“I want to say that you should always be a skeptic and continue to search for the truth.” She will definitely open up to you if you make the path to her. Kronos was created after the disaster, and training was carried out hastily. The laws contained in it, which are also called “Code 282”, in my opinion, need significant improvement, but everyone has their own opinion on this matter.
After thinking about the professor’s words, Chris said:
– Mr. Graves, the topic of lawmaking has fascinated me for a long time. I continue to study the legal systems of past empires, starting with Roman law, as I plan to connect my future with the department that monitors the implementation of the laws of the Supreme Ruler Kronos on the Continent. I have the highest scores in almost all subjects, perhaps this will allow me to get a position in the Artificial Intelligence tower.
“Chris, you have a wonderful career ahead of you.” Sometimes I myself am amazed at your knowledge. You are familiar not only with your neighbor, but also with ancient and modern history, the myths of Ancient Greece, the Bible!
The student was pleased to hear such words from the professor’s lips.
– I spend most of the day in the library – I like to read historical books in paper versions. My mother works in the university library and helps me select the best books. And in the evening at home I study materials on electronic media. I don’t turn on the video camera on weekdays at all, only on weekends I make sure to watch the show “Apollo’s Arrow” and the ruler’s speech – I’ve never missed them before. Communication with peers is not particularly interesting to me, which is probably why during the four years of study I never made real friends.
– You’re doing great, keep working hard.
After thinking a little, the student asked:
– Professor, recently I have become interested in literature devoted to the interpretation of dreams. Perhaps you can recommend me a good website or book on this topic? There is a lot of information on the Internet, but I don’t understand what is reliable. Sometimes you can find dozens of different interpretations for one symbol.
The professor remained silent. Ignoring this, Chris continued:
– Since childhood, I often have a dream in which I make my way through the forest and mountains, and then a monster appears and I wake up. I just can’t understand its meaning and watch it to the end. It was the same thing this night.
– Try to figure it out on your own. Perhaps you are at a crossroads and have a choice to make. The monster is our fears that must be overcome in order to move on. It guards the Gate of knowledge – what a person strives for. I will send you useful books, study them at your leisure.
– Thank you! – Chris smiled widely. “I’ll try to read them as quickly as possible.”
– I assure you, there is no rush. I won’t need them anytime soon. I’ll let you know when they are needed. “After a pause, the professor asked: “Do you know why Wilhelm wasn’t at the lecture today?”
– The guys said that on the eve of the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the founding of Vinland, he was detained by guards. – Mr. Graves changed his face and became thoughtful. Without attaching any importance to this, Chris continued: “Now many students are being tested for involvement in the resistance.” I think this is a misunderstanding and he will be released soon.
When the professor looked at his watch once again, Chris realized that Mr. Graves was in a hurry, and, saying goodbye, headed to the library, leaving the professor alone in the classroom.
Chapter Three
Continent of Vinland, 2073
The Supreme Ruler of Vinland, Demian Roskhald, after listening to the ministers’ reports on the state of affairs on