Science Gone Mad I(Wuthering Waves)

{message} Ronan:

Get over here, quick! We just got a motion update from Miracle One!

{message} Ronan:

The kind of speed we're looking at, it's not hopping, it's full-on sprinting! It's definitely gone through some kind of super evolution!

{message} Ronan:

Aniko says it's almost certainly a mutated specimen. We're going after it. Meet us at the library!

{message} Rover:

Who are you?

{message} Ronan:

Huh? Did I send this to the wrong person?

{message} Rover:

Yeah, you did.

{message} Ronan:

Then you're in luck, my friend. Want to come and witness a miracle in the making?

{message} Rover:

A miracle?

{message} Ronan:

That's right. We've found a miraculously evolved Kronapuff.

{message} Ronan:

This chubby bird that normally just hops around is now running faster than any rabbit!

{message} Ronan:

Aniko's already gone ahead with a net. We're going to corner it!

{message} Ronan:

Meet us at the library. Be there or be square!

You close the message and pause for three seconds to mull it over.

—Go to class, or go catch a hyper-evolved bird.

The choice is obvious.

By the time you arrive, a diffusion of failure and awkwardness hangs in the air.

Ronan:

That's a... ahem... very good question.

Aniko:

Well, in a nutshell: our research has, uh, moved onto the "metaphysical" stage.

Milo:

To be more precise, Miracle One is currently...

Milo:

...Being irreversibly reclaimed by nature.

Ronan:

Why don't we make this into a Q&A? Make it more academic.

Ronan:

Here's the question: Our tagged Kronapuff's movement data shows its average speed today skyrocketed from 0.6 m/s to 6 m/s.

Ronan:

Question: What caused this astonishing speed boost?

Ronan:

Uh, I really wish I could go "Correct!"... but the answer is C.

Aniko:

Upon arriving at the coordinates, we found only a few leftover violet feathers. Miracle One's signal is still active, but further analysis shows that its movement speed matches that of a large carnivorous animal.

Ronan:

Correct. What we're tracking now is, in fact, Miracle One's... successor.

Milo:

From an evolutionary perspective, energy has indeed been transferred.

Ronan:

Miracle One has continued its scientific significance in a new form! Your presence as a witness is also deeply meaningful, Rover.

Ronan:

Thanks for coming!

{message} Ronan:

Hey, what's up, Rover?

{message} Ronan:

Any plans for today? Got some free time?

{message} Rover:

The way you're asking... I have a bad feeling about this.

{message} Ronan:

Well, yes, I indeed come with another invitation.

{message} Ronan:

We're heading out to the research outpost today to work on a brand-new research topic. Want to come and take a look?

{message} Rover:

What is it this time?

{message} Ronan:

This time—plants.

{message} Ronan:

It's more on the unique side… And we could use some extra "firepower."

{message} Ronan:

So naturally, the first all-purpose solution that came to mind was you.

{message} Ronan:

Come on over, we'll be waiting at the research outpost! Aniko and Milo already have everything set up.

{message} Ronan:

Oh, right, don't forget to bring your motorbike!

Rover:

(I still have no idea what they're up to... Guess I'll find out when I get there.)

Ronan:

Hey, Rover! You got here quick.

Ronan:

Welcome aboard, the testing site for the "Plant Spore Release Efficiency Under High-Velocity Airstream Disturbance"!

Aniko:

We're studying the dispersion angle, density, and energy distribution of plant spores in high-speed air currents. Rover, you didn't forget to bring your motorbike with you, did you?

Aniko:

Perfect. It just happens that we can't afford a proper wind blower.

Milo:

Since we don't have funding, we've decided to harness the powers of humans and motorbikes to create wind all our own for the Academy.

Ronan:

Well... You drive the motorbike, use its exhaust to blast a high-velocity airstream, and we'll conduct our recordings and observations in quick succession!

Ronan:

It'll be fine, have faith in us, Rover. We're about to witness another miracle! Let me just strap these plants onto your bike first...

The three move in swift motion, quickly fastening several potted plants to your motorbike's exhaust.

Ronan:

All set. Time to hit the road, Rover! We're ready to collect data when you are!

By the time you finished your ride and came back around, you see them all coughing and frantically wiping spores off their faces.

Ronan:

*Cough*, *cough*, *cough*, *cough*, *cough*, *cough*... All right! All right! That's good enough!

Milo:

D-Did we... get anything?!

Aniko:

Not sure... All I could see was green...

Ronan:

Let's see here... *cough*... Looks like we managed to capture plenty of data!

Ronan:

Thanks, Rover! You were a huge help!

{message} Milo:

Hello. Umm, is this Rover? My name's Milo.

{message} Milo:

You remember me, right? I'm the one who got a face full of spores last time.

{message} Rover:

I remember you.

{message} Milo:

Ah, that's a relief.

{message} Milo:

I actually got your contact info from Ronan.

{message} Milo:

He's been pretty busy lately, seems he's writing a paper on a Kronapuff evolution model.

{message} Milo:

He asked me to deliver a formal invitation on his behalf.

{message} Rover:

An invitation?

{message} Milo:

Yes. We've recently formed an official small research-interest and mutual-aid group called the "Anomalies and Scientific Fantastics Joint Research Group."

{message} Rover:

Doesn't really roll off the tongue.

{message} Milo:

You can call it the AnomSci Group for short.

{message} Milo:

Ronan came up with the name. He said it sounds like something that would attract some funding.

{message} Milo:

We're hoping you'll join us, as an honorary member, maybe?

{message} Rover:

I'll join... I guess?

{message} Milo:

Awesome! When you have a moment, come to the back entrance of the library.

{message} Milo:

Ronan and Aniko have prepared something new they'd like to give you in person.

Ronan:

Hey, if it isn't our future honorary member!

Ronan:

Hahaha, Rover, check this out!

Ronan offers you a metal badge. Its surface is engraved with a strange winged creature that gleams in the sunlight.

Ronan:

Behold, the AnomSci Group emblem. It is the symbol of curiosity and a refusal to simply obey. Fits you, doesn't it?

Aniko:

Don't oversell it. It's literally all just 3D-printed.

Ronan:

Ahem, anyway—take it. Consider it your official member's token. If anyone asks, just say you're with AnomSci. Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?

Ronan:

Hmm... technically speaking, including you, that makes four of us. Yep, all members accounted for.

Ronan:

Oh, don't make that face! We gotta start somewhere...

Milo:

We're planning some fun research topics later on. Things like spore resonance frequencies, Exoswarm parasitic structures, and... dreamland catalyst experiments.

Ronan:

I also want to run a campus-wide quiz event and use the questions to find people whose minds think a little differently. You know—geniuses like you.

Ronan:

Haha, then it's settled! Welcome aboard—"Anomalies and Scientific Fantastics Joint Research Group"!

Aniko:

Just call it "AnomSci". Stop saying the full name.

Milo:

Well, welcome, Rover.

Ronan:

Hey, Rover is here.

Ronan:

Our AnomSci Group finally managed to secure a small amount of research funding, but only on the condition that we prove the project "has practical social value."

Ronan:

Aniko, Milo, and I each submitted a proposal. Want to guess which one was approved in the end?

Ronan:

A: The effect of motorbike speed on student punctuality. B: The correlation between campus coffee-machine sales and final exam pass rates. C: The difference in Blubbin Puffin movement speeds on sunny versus cloudy days.

Ronan:

Sadly, that's not the right answer. That was Aniko's idea. He tried to test it himself, couldn't stop the motorbike in time, and went straight into a wall... which is why he's not here today.

Ronan:

I'll give you another shot, the correct answer is closer than you think.

Milo:

Oh, Rover! What a coincidence, here to check out my new experiment?

Milo:

I've been trying to build a "plant signal transmission model” to see how potted plants react to different acoustics.

Milo:

I just played different sounds to three plant samples. Guess which pot reacted the most?

Milo:

Hmm... That's what we thought, too. But it didn't give any reaction at all. It's completely quiet, might even be asleep.

Milo:

Conclusion: The potted plant may lack interest in fine art.

Milo:

See? Pretty interesting, right, Rover? I like to think the potted plants are enjoying their own little campus lives, too.

Milo:

Drop by the AnomSci Group whenever you have time, maybe it'll give you some new inspiration.

Milo:

Sure. You're always welcome.