It still remains a wonder how everything in the universe is connected into a motion of evolution, though with different end outcomes. The Sun despite being the hottest star in the solar system, exudes the solar energy that sustains life in the planets as they orbit around it. It was truly a sight to behold staring at the solar plane that I've created in the Extended reality just by my thought.
Nonetheless, seeing that no announcement arrived from the AI however, I figured that there was more to be done to complete this test phase so I roamed about the space of the extended reality, looking for any other task that seemed obvious enough to do so as to end this test phase. I didn't know how much time had passed outside but I reckon it couldn't be more than few hours at most.
'Are there any lives in other galaxies, just as ours?' I pondered to myself in contempt. It was only plausible that since life exists in the Milky way, there should be life in other galaxies as well. Even though none had travelled that far enough to confirm this objective, less couldn't be said that it was a reasonable concept that only lacked in evidence to prove it, but then, the lack of evidence of something's existence doesn't guarantee the evidence of inexistence. Just as it isn't clear if there were life anywhere else in the universe, it isn't resolute if there aren't either.
More importantly, there are also thousands of planetary systems in the Milky way Galaxy; which is only a galaxy amidst billions of others by the way, leaving one to the imagination of the probability of there being lives existent out there in the same galaxy as us (inter-stellar), not to mention inter-galactic grounds. Infinite numbers of extraterrestrial lives, however, if that truly existed, why haven't they contacted Earth yet?
Perhaps, just as Earth faced a major problem of venturing into space with enough material and element to fuel enough speed to travel in light years within short time, and a durable material to withstand the radiation, they as well faced the same. It seemed the only plausible reason afterall, what else could be stopping them from reaching to other lives in the universe just as themselves?
'As though the universe doesn't want us to expose it's secrets' I had funny thoughts; the reasons that extremely religious people would give when these questions are raised.
As I surfed through the space, without giving concern as to whether I'd drift away and get lost or the stellar radiation evaporating my being into nothingness, I caught glimpse of a massive star forming and the thought of confirming a doubt that I've always had occured to me. I made it evolve into a red supergiant star through several processes that only involved my thoughts and made it collapse in on itself at the center, turning it into an absolute opposite of a supernova.
Boom!
Although it exploded into fragments that now coursed through the space, just like supernovae would, there was something different about the phenomenon this time. Right at the center of where the star had been just a moment ago, a hole so dark that it seemed distinguished from space itself formed in a swirling motion that caused a suction process. The mass of the star had been so great that space not being able to withstand the gravity, was distorted when it collapsed, causing the star to evolve into something else entirely- A black hole!
A huge spherical void that spun so slowly with great suction force like a worm was left behind at the mass of the previously existing star and all the previous fragments that were floating aloof in space were drawn back into the wormhole slowly. Even I was slowly pulled in, considering the fact that I wasn't too far out enough to escape the grasp of all that transpired. However, I noticed that the fragments stopped as they reached the edge of the black hole which greatly confused me since the black hole was supposed to be a vacuum that swallowed anything in its surrounding, just like the sinks in a bath but more of a distortion of space and time.
'Wait, time?!'
I exclaimed in shock internally. I could feel my eyes trembling and my heart racing as the realization struck me like a thunderbolt. As I got closer to the surface of the black hole, I realized that it only seemed as though the fragments stopped as I observed from far outside the black hole but now that I was at a closer range, I saw that the rate at which it moved in a swirl into the center of the hole was tremendous. This is simply due to the fact that light couldn't reflect on a black hole, and thus, it seemed distorted from afar contrary to being at a close range.
My eyes widened in shock and utter disbelief as the answer to all of my problems had been before me for so long but I couldn't see it, and now that it occured to me, It was simply a turn-up for the book. It was so simple that I overlooked it, not any different from having sight but bring blind and oblivious to the 'truth'.
'Time and space!' Yes, both worked the same, there was no time without space. My head spun fast and different theories formed in my mind as I was slowly pulled into the mouth of the dreary black space monster that more or less opened my eyes to the answer that I've been searching for quite ironically. Quite unconcerned about my prior objective of figuring out whether a black hole truly led to another dimension, though I knew that the extended reality was programmed to only project the latest findings and theories on spatial concepts.
Ding!
The sound that I've long anticipated finally resounded once again.
"Congratulations, you have completed the training sessions... disconnecting in 10, 9, 8..." I was brought out of my thoughts by the sudden AI announcement that though lacked emotions did well enough to bring me relief. However, giving it a concise thought, it wasn't until now that I realized something. It only made sense now that I didn't see any of the primordial black hole that had been said to form at the beginning of the universe when I started this training phase. The AI simply wanted to test my knowledge on this field afterall.
"...3, 2, 1..."
Everything around crumbled in an instant following the AI's countdown and the next minute, I opened my eyes and proceeded to remove the device from my head. I had to squint my eyes a little when the light from the outside world hit my face and a little moment after, I met the sight of the previous room that I along with the other co-trainees had entered before the test started, although now different. I subconsciously sat up on the chair and I looked around to see few co-trainees standing and discussing on the farther corner in the larger room, and I thought that they were probably waiting their turn to start the test; the thought that they could have finished with their test never crossed my mind since I didn't get to see everyone else start the test the same way I did. It wasn't until I looked to my side and I saw several others lying in the same position that I'd been just few seconds ago with the extended reality device equipped as well as the vacant seats that I simply drew out the conclusion that they were still amidst their test and that those standing in the corner had already finished with their test. My perception of them changed into that of accorded respect, even though the tests we had might be different.
I observed them for a while and I noticed that most had their gazes on me and withdrew as soon as we made eye contact.
I slowly stood and I walked towards the others in the corner as well, to join them since my test has been concluded. My body was covered in sweat from the tight-wrapped space suit that I donned and I would have removed it if it weren't for the fact that I saw that the others were still in dressed in it. I caught glimpse of the cocky guy from earlier standing at the corner and leaning on the wall as well with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed, seemingly still as indifferent as ever.
Nevertheless, I joined them in waiting for the whole training to conclude at the corner and noticing that their gazes were mostly fixated on a spot, I switched my gaze towards there as well.
'Scoreboard?' I furrowed my brows in confusion at first, seeing the heading of the HUD board but then I relaxed afterwards realizing the situation.
However, my eyes widened in shock at the sight of my ID being at the top of the training scoreboard list with an 83.42 percentile. I didn't even have to search too hard and it caught me bare feeted seeing my position on the list, it was simply outrageous and unprecedented. A smile formed on my face subconsciously and I couldn't help but look around to see if anyone knew if that was me, and as expected they did. I was the last to join in the rank of those that had finished and a new ID suddenly appearing at the top of the list was too much of a coincidence afterall. Several gazes were on me and I did as much to stare back as much as I could as well. I saw respect, disdain and curiousity in the eyes of many but all that I gave in return was a wry smile. It was an unexpected result afterall, and though I was happy, I didn't know how to react to it.
Soon enough, the other guy that had been indifferent since the beginning stood from the wall where he was leaning and directly walked out of the room. Seeing that SM Jerry just stared without saying anything to this, I realized that we weren't waiting for the test to conclude, most were just waiting to see there final place in the score board before leaving. Moreso, it didn't seem like it was all of those that came in here that were still present as few of them had left as well. Following the cocky guy, others started to leave as well and just when I was about leaving too, the last of the co-trainees finished their test and joined us shortly after observing the situation in the room just as I did earlier.
"This marks the end of the training. Now, you have until next week to leave this vicinity and after then we shall be forced to use compulsive means. As regards to your employment status, you shall be informed soon enough" SM Jerry informed afterwards with a solemn expression on his aristocratic face.
"Yes sir" few of us managed to respond in unison and we all dismissed ourselves from the room, each to pack our belongings and to leave this place. More didn't have to be said to make us realize this afterall.
Chattering sounds of discussion were made from those that had managed to make friends within the short time as we swarm out of the test area to our various rooms. I didn't fall too far behind them as well as I didn't want to be the last one out of the room. I got quite a lot of glances from them but if only looks could do any harm.
Sigh!
Arriving in my personal space and not too much of a surprise to me, Refuart was no where to be found further confirming my thoughts as to why she was here in the first place. Nevertheless, I put her matter aside and I lay myself to rest on the bed. I figured it was quite late into the day so I decided to leave the next day.
...