Before this transformation, Asher had always struggled with complex mathematics. He'd attempted Olympiad-level problems and found himself thinking so hard his brain felt like it might overheat. More often than not, he'd give up on those challenging problems entirely, defeated before he even really began.
(TN: Olympiad math refers to a high-level competition that tests problem-solving skills, primarily for pre-university students. Competitions range from local and national to the most prestigious, the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The problems, while based on elementary math, can require creative thinking and sometimes the use of more advanced techniques to solve.)
But now, as Grey Matter, the tiny Galvan genius, everything was different.
Those same mathematical problems that once seemed impossible suddenly became child's play. He could solve them instantly, understanding not just the answer but the entire logical framework behind the mathematics. It was like seeing through a fog that had always clouded his perception.
Grey Matter's intellect went beyond simple problem-solving. He could draw inferences from single examples, extrapolating entire mathematical systems from basic principles. The patterns and relationships between numbers appeared as clearly as physical objects.
If he wanted to, Grey Matter could write the most complex mathematical formulas known to humanity on the floor right now, solving equations that would baffle Earth's greatest mathematicians.
That was the terrifying power of his enhanced IQ.
Ding!
"Signable object detected: Host's Omnitrix!"
"Extend the Omnitrix's transformation time through Grey Matter's wisdom to complete the sign-in!"
Another sign-in task appeared in Asher's consciousness. However, the content of this particular mission caught Grey Matter completely off guard. The system wanted him to directly modify the Omnitrix itself?!
The implications were staggering.
High intelligence didn't automatically mean comprehensive knowledge in every field. Just as scientists couldn't imagine complex formulas and physical principles out of thin air before studying physics and chemistry, Grey Matter hadn't been exposed to the Omnitrix's alien technology before this moment.
But the system wouldn't assign an impossible task, Asher had learned that much through experience.
"According to the system's consistent behavior patterns," Grey Matter reasoned, his enhanced mind processing the variables at lightning speed, "most sign-in tasks it assigns are within my capability to complete. It wouldn't send me into space to fight Vilgax or anything equally outrageous."
His tiny fingers tapped thoughtfully against the floor as he analyzed the situation.
"That means, in the system's calculation, I have a genuine chance to extend the Omnitrix's transformation time!"
The logic was sound. If he focused on just extending the duration rather than attempting comprehensive modifications, it should be achievable.
Grey Matter's large eyes snapped open with newfound determination.
"Ben, Gwen, find a mirror somewhere in this room and position it behind me," he commanded. Despite his diminutive size, his tone carried unmistakable authority and confidence.
"Okay, I'll look around."
Ben searched the room quickly and soon found a suitable mirror, which he carefully placed behind Grey Matter as instructed.
"What's the mirror for?" Gwen asked, her face showing obvious confusion.
"You'll see soon enough."
Grey Matter positioned himself sideways, turning his head backward to its maximum range. The Galvan's flexible neck allowed him to crane around far enough to see the Omnitrix symbol on his back through the mirror's reflection.
His tiny hands reached directly for the Omnitrix pattern, pressing down with deliberate pressure.
Biu~
Sure enough, the Omnitrix's transformation symbol was interactive. Under his touch, it emitted a unique mechanical sound!
Whoosh!!
The Omnitrix suddenly flashed with brilliant green light, energy fluctuations radiating outward in powerful waves!
Ben and Gwen immediately stepped back several paces, raising their hands defensively. The entire small room flickered with pulses of emerald illumination, the energy so intense it seemed almost alive!
The terrifying light nearly engulfed Grey Matter's small body entirely!
But there was no turning back now.
Even though the situation was becoming dangerous, Grey Matter continued rotating and clicking the Omnitrix interface with practiced precision. The light cycled through different colors, reddish, then greenish, then dark green, as the energy fluctuations shifted with each adjustment!
Several times, the scorching energy made his small body feel genuine pain, the heat almost unbearable!
The Omnitrix was approaching critical overload!
"I understand now!"
At that crucial moment, Grey Matter's enhanced perception detected the peculiar pattern in the energy signatures. After one final click, he adjusted the settings to an even stronger energy state than before. Then, without hesitation, he threw himself backward!
BOOM!
His back, with the Omnitrix symbol, struck the floor hard. The impact of his entire body weight pressed the Omnitrix interface completely down!
The brilliant light instantly retracted into Grey Matter's body!!
The energy storm vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"What... what just happened?!" Ben gasped, still recovering from the intense light show. "That energy fluctuation felt like the watch was about to explode or something!"
"It reminded me of descriptions of uncontrollable energy in science fiction novels," Gwen added, her voice shaky. "That was terrifying!"
Both of them remained frozen, still processing the energy storm they'd just witnessed.
"Uncontrollable energy, you're not entirely wrong," Grey Matter said calmly, his genius mind already organizing the explanation. "I've only made preliminary adjustments to the Omnitrix's basic settings."
"Adjustments?!"
Ben and Gwen stared at the tiny alien in complete disbelief, their minds struggling to comprehend what they'd just heard.
This was alien technology far beyond Earth's comprehension. How could Asher possibly understand how to modify it?! Even the smartest scientists on the planet couldn't begin to unlock the Omnitrix's mysteries!
"Think of it this way, have either of you used a smartphone?" Grey Matter asked, choosing his words carefully to make the explanation accessible. "If the Omnitrix is like a mobile phone, what I just did was open the system settings and find the performance mode controls. Essentially, I switched it from power-saving mode to performance mode!"
The analogy seemed to help them grasp the concept, though their expressions still showed amazement.
"There are other functions I could potentially access, like free-switching between alien heroes or triggering evolved forms," Grey Matter continued, his tone becoming more serious. "But I didn't dare adjust those settings. The energy levels in this device are incredibly dangerous! If I'd tampered too much, it could have triggered a self-destruct sequence that would cause a massive crisis!"
The weight of that statement hung in the air. A catastrophic Omnitrix explosion could potentially threaten far more than just the three of them, the entire universe could be at risk.
Ding!
"Congratulations to the host for successful sign-in!"
"Reward: Green-level ability..."
The system confirmation appeared in his consciousness, but Grey Matter's attention was entirely focused on the Omnitrix's new configuration. Whatever reward he'd earned could wait, for now, he needed to verify that his modifications had worked correctly and hadn't compromised the device's stability.
His enhanced intellect was already running diagnostic scenarios, checking for any potential issues with the adjustments he'd made.
The transformation time extension was just the beginning. With Grey Matter's genius-level understanding, the Omnitrix's true potential was slowly being unlocked, one careful modification at a time.
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