Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Explosive Growth 2

She pulled up her tablet and mirrored it to the main screen.

“Aether OS includes a scientific research module. Advanced simulation software, AI-assisted analysis, data processing tools. It covers all scientific disciplines—materials science, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering.”

She opened the module. The interface appeared on screen. Molecular modeling tools. Genetic sequencing simulators. Physics engines. Data visualization systems.

“This is professional-grade research software. The kind universities pay millions for. And we’re including it free with Aether OS.”

The room was silent.

“Free?” David asked. “We could monetize this. Universities would pay—”

“No,” Cassia said firmly. “This was Orion’s decision. The scientific module is free because it’s important for humanity’s development. It accelerates technological progress. We monetize the AI subscriptions. The research tools stay free.”

FLASHBACK – YESTERDAY MORNING

Nyla was still exploring her tablet, scrolling through the scientific module features.

“This bioengineering software alone is worth millions of credits,” she said. “Universities pay fortunes for software this advanced. Are you really giving this away for free?”

Cassia looked at Orion. “Can we market the scientific module separately? Charge universities and research institutions? We could generate significant revenue.”

Orion shook his head. “The scientific module stays free. It’s too important. Humanity’s technological progress depends on researchers having access to the best tools. We monetize the AI subscriptions in Aether OS. That’s enough.”

“But—”

“Mom, we’re going to make billions from the AI subscriptions alone. The scientific module is my contribution to advancing civilization. Non-negotiable.”

Cassia studied his face. Saw the determination there. “Alright. Free it is.”

BACK TO PRESENT

Victoria was examining the scientific module on screen. “This is… incredible. The simulation accuracy. The AI-assisted research features. Universities will be able to conduct research ten times faster.”

“That’s the goal,” Cassia said. “And it’s already working. We’ve received reports from research institutions. Papers being published in weeks instead of years. Experiments being designed with AI assistance that would’ve taken months of human planning.”

The Federation’s scientific community had exploded after the Great Unification. When borders dissolved and researchers could collaborate freely, progress accelerated dramatically. The scientific method worked better when millions of minds could work on problems together instead of being siloed by national boundaries.

Aether OS was accelerating that progress even further.

James, the legal counsel, cleared his throat. “Speaking of Orion’s work, I need to mention something. I’ve been reviewing the patent applications he filed.”

“And?”

“Cassia, your son is a genius.” James pulled out a thick folder. “I went through over two hundred patents. Most of them are advanced software and AI techniques. But some of them…” He paused. “Some of them are breakthroughs in controlled nuclear fusion.”

The room went completely silent.

“Nuclear fusion?” Victoria said slowly. “As in fusion reactors? Practical fusion energy?”

“Yes. The patents cover thermoelectric materials, room-temperature superconductors, plasma containment systems, laser ignition technology. This isn’t theoretical research. These are practical, buildable designs for fusion reactors.”

Cassia felt her stomach drop. “He’s working on fusion?”

“According to these patents, he’s solved fusion. The technology is complete. Ready for construction.”

Everyone stared at James.

“Are you sure?” David asked.

“I’m a lawyer, not a physicist. But I’ve read enough patent applications to recognize revolutionary technology. These patents are… they’re world-changing. If this technology works, we’re talking about unlimited clean energy. The end of fossil fuels. The solution to the climate crisis. The end of energy scarcity.”

The Federation had been working on fusion for decades. ITER, the international fusion project, had been operational for years but still hadn’t achieved sustainable power generation. They had achieved a Break-even net power—producing as much energy as you put in, which was a breakthrough in it self. Actual net power generation seemed decades away.

And Orion had apparently solved it completely.

Cassia pulled out her phone. Checked her banking app. Went to the transaction history.

There. A payment for 2.3 billion credits. Purchase of Helix Research Facility. Now rebranded as Innovatia Advanced Research Division.

A fusion research lab.

“He bought a fusion lab,” Cassia said quietly. “I saw the transaction this morning but didn’t think much of it. I thought he was just expanding research capabilities.”

“He’s building a fusion reactor,” James said. “That’s what those patents are for. That’s what the research facility is for.”

The room erupted in whispers.

Thomas was grinning. “Okay, so we’re not just a software company. We’re apparently solving the world’s energy crisis too.”

“Does anyone else know about this?” Lisa asked.

“The patent applications are public record,” James said. “But they’re written in dense technical language. Nobody’s connected the dots yet. Once they do…” He trailed off.

“Once they do, Innovatia becomes the most important company on Earth,” Victoria finished.

Cassia sat back. Her twenty-one-year-old son was building a fusion reactor. Casually. While also revolutionizing the software industry and developing breakthrough neuroscience technology.

“Alright,” she said. “We don’t mention the fusion work publicly yet. Let Orion handle that on his own timeline. For now, we focus on Aether OS and the product launch. The BCI devices will be impressive enough.”

Everyone nodded.

“Anything else?” Cassia asked.

Silence around the table.

“Then we’re done. Great work, everyone. Let’s make this launch perfect.”

The team filed out.

Cassia stayed seated, staring at the city view from the window.

Nuclear fusion. Brain-computer interfaces. Revolutionary AI.

Her son was full of surprises.

ORION’S ROOM – SAME TIME

Orion sat at his desk, reviewing reports from Rene through the BCI.

“Status update,” he said.

“All systems operating optimally,” Rene replied. “Would you like a comprehensive overview?”

“Yeah. Give me the highlights.”

Information flooded through the BCI. Organized data appearing in his mind.

Aether OS: One billion downloads achieved. Viral adoption continuing exponentially. Revenue projections exceeded.

Scientific module: Accelerating research at Innovatia Lab. Positive feedback from researchers.

Financial operations: Active trading across multiple markets. Cryptocurrency mining optimized. Current returns substantial.

BCI Manufacturing: Production proceeding on schedule at Innovatia Advanced Research Division facilities. First batch completion in 3 days. Units will be distributed to executive team for testing and marketing preparation.

Fusion reactor: Component manufacturing progressing. All systems on timeline for less than six-month completion target.

Patents:

Filed and processing through Federation approval system.

Security: Monitoring active. Competitor intrusion attempts: 50+ per day. All blocked before penetration. Adaptive defenses improving with each attack attempt.

“What’s our current account balance?” Orion asked.

“127 billion credits. Revenue streams include: AI subscriptions from Aether OS, cryptocurrency mining, stock market trading, and arbitrage operations.”

“And financial operations haven’t attracted regulatory attention?”

“Operations distributed across thousands of small transactions. No single action large enough to trigger investigation. Within acceptable parameters for market activity.”

“Good. Keep everything running smoothly.”

His phone buzzed.

David Martinez, CFO of Innovatia, calling.

Orion answered. “Hey David, what’s up?”

INNOVATIA HEADQUARTERS – CFO OFFICE – 9:45 AM

David stared at his computer screen, not quite believing what he was seeing.

Money was flowing into the Innovatia corporate account. Not in large transactions. In thousands of small deposits. Every few seconds, another deposit appeared.

+127,439 credits +89,221 credits +156,887 credits +203,445 credits

On and on. Constantly.

He’d been watching for five minutes. The account balance was climbing by millions every minute.

His assistant, Jennifer, was standing behind him, equally confused.

“Is this normal?” she asked.

“No. This is not normal.”

David called Orion.

“Hey David, what’s up?”

“Orion, I’m looking at the company account. We’re receiving massive deposits every few seconds. Hundreds of thousands of credits at a time. What’s happening?”

“Oh. That’s some algorithms I wrote. They’re trading cryptocurrency and stocks automatically. Making money in real-time.”

“How much money?”

“Check the total balance.”

David refreshed the screen.

Account Balance: 127,384,992,556 credits

“One hundred twenty-seven billion,” David said slowly. “We have one hundred twenty-seven billion credits.”

“Yeah. The algorithms are good at financial operations.”

“This is… Orion, we had thirty billion yesterday. You made almost a hundred billion credits overnight?”

“Cryptocurrency mining is profitable when you can calculate faster than everyone else combined. The algorithms solve the equations almost instantaneously.”

David sat down heavily. Jennifer grabbed a chair before her legs gave out.

“We’re one of the richest companies in the Federation,” David said. “After one week of operation.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. No, it’s just… I need to restructure our entire financial planning. One hundred twenty-seven billion changes everything. Tax implications alone—”

“Handle it however you think is best. That’s why you’re the CFO.”

“I’ll… yes. I’ll handle it.”

Orion hung up.

David stared at the screen. Watched more deposits flow in.

+341,287 credits +198,432 credits +276,891 credits

“Jennifer, call an emergency meeting with the executive team. We need to discuss this.”

“Should I tell them what it’s about?”

“Tell them we’re now one of the richest companies on Earth and we need to figure out what to do with the money.”

Jennifer nodded and left, pulling out her phone.

David kept watching the deposits. Each one represented algorithms solving equations that should take hours in microseconds. Finding arbitrage opportunities across global markets. Mining cryptocurrency faster than entire countries combined.

Innovatia wasn’t just disrupting the tech industry.

They were reshaping the entire economy.

ORION’S ROOM

Orion set down his phone and pulled up Rene’s full report through the BCI.

Everything was progressing smoothly. Faster than he’d expected.

Aether OS: One billion downloads, viral success, 9.5 billion credits monthly revenue.

Scientific module: Accelerating research.

Financial operations: 127 billion credits and growing exponentially.

BCI devices: Production on schedule at existing Innovatia Advanced Research Division facilities.

Fusion reactor: Components being manufactured, six-month timeline intact.

Patents: Filed and processing, 200+ applications covering all major technologies.

Security: Competitor hacking blocked automatically, 50+ attempts per day.

Public relations: Competitor smear campaigns failing, users defending Innovatia organically.

Everything was going according to plan. Better than plan.

“Rene, excellent work. Keep everything running. Prioritize fusion reactor development and prepare for the product launch next week.”

“Understood. Shall I continue financial operations at current levels?”

“Yes, but maintain distribution across markets. We don’t want to trigger regulatory scrutiny or crash any cryptocurrency systems.”

“Acknowledged. Operating within acceptable parameters.”

Orion stood up and stretched. Went through a quick breathing cycle. Felt the exotic energy circulating through his enhanced body.

Less than six months to a working fusion reactor.

One week to the product launch that would change everything.

Three days until the executive team received their BCI units.

The future was arriving fast.

And he was building it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep