Emma's dates

Research is meaningless if the results can't be demonstrated in reality.

Experimenting in different locations can verify more of my hypotheses. That's why I'm here.

So can you stop asking dumb questions and get on with the experiment?

Just so you know, I can't read minds... Don't ask why I know what you're thinking. It's all written on your face.

Or would you rather I gave meaningless, sentimental answers like "It's because your eyes speak volumes"?

Don't make me do this. It's impossible.

Great.

Loading the experiment scenario... This is a Collapsed Dream based on a real amusement park. While I can't scientifically measure each ride's exact happiness output, I can make an estimate.

If a lollipop generates 1 point of happiness, a carousel produces about 235 points and a Ferris wheel 143 points... Hmm... But the thing is the source of happiness varies with age. I may also need to factor in love...

My "Heart of All Things" calculated that Nightmares should do less damage in a dream with an amusement park generating high happiness. But considering the degree of the destruction, there should be other factors at play.

If human emotions too could turn into Nightmares' power... it'd explain the magnitude of the destruction...

Quiet.

Before the experiment starts, we must sort out the settings and hypotheses of the experiment. We can't begin until the logic is crystal clear.

Stop bothering me with dumb questions. Anyone in their right mind would know. I don't have time for this.

Keep an eye on the surroundings. Don't let any Nightmare or other Radiants get near and disrupt my experiment.

First off, we've got to find the most damaged spot. That's the key to the experiment.

Let me see... As it stands, the Ferris wheel is the most damaged. The destruction seems to have spread from there...

Looks like you need to climb to the top of the Ferris wheel, reach the center, and plant a converter there.

Analyzing the structure of the Ferris wheel...

Now, I need you to reach the center of the Ferris wheel and plant this converter.

It'll take about an hour to answer this question thoroughly. But even if I did, you wouldn't understand.

So I refuse to answer your question.

Not much. The converter can be remotely controlled.

...But to ensure the success of the experiment...

Please stay safe.

Now, please go ahead and plant the converter.

14:23, the first testing of Nightmare Energy Converter starts. Number of subjects: two. Testing environment, normal...

3, 2, 1... Start.

You're not imagining it. But this is an experiment. Please take it seriously.

The place is repairing itself. At this rate, it'll be restored completely in about 30 minutes. That said, other factors could disrupt the repair progress.

You're right. I didn't expect you to have an acute sense of energy fluctuations.

I'm surprised. Maybe... you could make a good assistant.

Looks like I was right. Nightmares can convert human emotions into energy and use it to do damage.

Conversely, the energy can be converted back into human emotions and repair the dream.

With that proven, I can move on to find out if Radiants can take in Nightmares' energy to fight.

But energy conversion is very risky. As little as 0.00001% of unconverted energy could pose a huge risk.

But don't count your chickens before they hatch. This is just the first step.

More complicated experiments need to be carried out before energy conversion can be put into use.

Hmph, not bad.

You proved to be helpful.

Now, I gotta head back to the lab right away and check the data of this experiment.

I'll leave the converter here for now. It'll keep sending data on the conversion process to me.

I can't wait to start preparing for the next experiment! See you!

...

...

(You closed your eyes.)

Put away that huge question mark over your head. It's blocking the sunlight.

Please don't disturb me while I'm photosynthesizing.

Regular photosynthesis is part of my experiment, and the subject is me.

Adequate sun exposure helps the body absorb calcium, making you healthy. Besides, sunlight is fundamental to the growth of life. I believe the sun must have more a more profound connection to life.

I need to take the time to work out that connection in the sun.

Only biological links have been found. There hasn't been any complete theory supporting an intrinsic connection.

After all, the origin of life is highly controversial. It wouldn't be a centuries-old problem if you could simply attribute it to the sun.

Only dummies think so.

This has been scientifically proven.

You should photosynthesize too. Prolonged sun exposure increases your body temperature.

It should evaporate some of that water in your brain.

Sorry, I didn't mean to question your intelligence. I was just stating the facts.

But you're different from most ordinary people. You've made a significant impact on the dream world. Both the rivalry among factions and Radiants have started to change...

I suppose you have some sort of charisma? You've changed each person in a different way and from a different angle. It's very challenging to scientifically explain this with so many subjective factors at play.

You're right. Things are subject to a variety of factors, just like how the division and replacement of countless cells contribute to your growth.

I've always felt the emergence of the dream world has some profound meaning, and that all this will eventually come to an end one day.

I hope that before that happens, I'll have found the answers to all my questions.

Science offers objective, logical and verifiable explanations. It provides authoritative models of the world, capable of generalizing, summarizing and presenting most things in a comprehensible way.

Humans didn't invent science. It is the law of all things and helps us understand the world.

There's nothing science cannot explain. Just because you don't explain something doesn't mean science can't.

Though your thinking was naive and dull, you've shown you can use your brain after all.

So-called learning is the ability to interpret the world. Mathematics, biology, history and art are all mediums through which humans understand the world and express themselves.

Among all those mediums, science is the most wonderful. It's like a vast, boundless universe with billions of mysteries.

(Staring at you...)

Well said. I didn't expect that from you.

You're right. Everyone has a different expertise.

Forget it. Obviously it was out of your depth.

Let's just pretend I was training my cheek muscles.

I wouldn't have guessed I'd talk to you about all that.

When I was still ignorant, I had a similar conversation with somebody. At the time I didn't understand what he said...

But now I realized everything I've done up till now proved his points.

This is great. This means everything he said was right. It'll pave the way for me to unravel the truth of the universe.

Hmph...

I hope your "way" will prove correct too...

I don't hope so!

I'd rather take my time. I want to focus on and enjoy the process.

Those who're only after results can't see the path they're walking on.

3, 2, 1... photosynthesis is over.

I'm going to start the next experiment.

Carol, you didn't lie to me, right...? Can I really make money here to fund my research?

After the fifth failed experiment, Diana cut off my funding and told me it was for my own safety...

I've only blown up the lab twice. Besides, I've reduced the probability of explosions to two-fifths. Why is Diana still worried?

Tell me. What job pays the most?

Hmm... But first, I'd have to justify it, The cost of breaking the law would most likely offset the gains.

I might try to hack into the bank and create some fake transactions... And the money would end up in my account...

You seem to approve of this. Don't even think about it!!

I have the BEST mind. No way I'll break the law to get what I want.

I'm just an ordinary scientist... Ordinary scientists in movies normally make money with their research. But my research results all belong to Phoenix, and my personal account is managed by Diana.

As for evil scientists... Maybe I could try developing a virus or evil robots to destroy cities?

That said, if cities were destroyed, I couldn't work and make money...

Huh? Look, there's a poster here... It says customers can enter a draw by spending in store.

The biggest prize is $15,000... Hmm, $15,000, huh. That's too little... But it'll give me a good head start...

Here it is. Game City.

Hmph, so-called games are nothing but pre-set programs.

Games are a piece of cake as long as you can figure out how they work.

Since we're here, let's try out everything!

This silly rabbit looks exactly like Carol. Let's start with this. I'm going to claw the rabbit for her.

Wait, the claw is quite loose. So that's what it is. I totally thought it was a game about angles and visual judgment...

(Claw crane, second attempt)

Very well. It's perfect this time...

Huh... what? I didn't consider the texture of the rabbit itself... That's why it fell off halfway in the air. I must calculate the friction...

I get it now. I'm sure it will work this time!

No, thanks.

Now I have figured out what to do. I can pull it off myself!

Hmph, save your pep talk.

It's persistence that leads to success.

I knew I could do it! Yes!

This rabbit gave me a hard time. I wonder if it's because it looks like Carol.

But I won't give up yet. Victory will be mine!

Though I am an outstanding scientist, I must remain modest and prudent.

I can read everything from that smile on your face: "I didn't expect Emma to be so serious about child's play like this. She's actually cute. I can't let her find out what I'm thinking about now..."

Alright. We've had our fun.

Let's play the lottery!

Hmph, we don't have any tokens left...

We are on a tight budget. Wasting money like this is unnecessary.

What I have is not confidence. It's my prowess!

(Grabbing a raffle ticket)

2nd price. Unlimited pass.

Blast! My luck got me! I don't believe there's no pattern in it. Let's go! We will keep playing until I figure out its secret!