That was to cross dimensions again!
He roughly assessed the Temporal Power in his body. Although the lack of taste indicated it was not at full capacity, it was far from being in a "starving" state. Therefore, one more dimensional jump was entirely feasible!
However, he couldn't do it here. He couldn't confirm the time flow rate between the two worlds. If he stayed in the other universe for a period, and a lengthy time (ten days, half a month, or even a year) passed here, his secret would be instantly exposed!
The safest method was to temporarily leave this base! Fortunately, he was currently confined due to the accident. Theoretically, he was required to stay within the base and couldn't leave or go to the Research Institute. But if he communicated properly with his mentor, Dr. Otto Octavius, he might be able to secure a relatively long leave of absence.
Why not just resign? The answer was simple: it was not an option. Not only was Dr. Otto his graduate advisor (and this job was tied to his degree), but the things most relevant to him were still here. The spider that bit him and the suspicious, possibly artificial, stone slab were both located inside this base. If he left, he would lose all opportunity to access them. He might permanently lose the chance to uncover the secret of his own powers!
Action followed thought. Peter took out a notebook and pen and meticulously wrote the characters for "Application for Leave":
I, Peter Parker, intern researcher, due to improper operation, caused severe sample contamination recently... I hereby request temporary leave from the base for a period of one month. Requesting approval.
As an excellent, high-achieving student, Peter hadn't written many leave requests in his life. He struggled for a while before finally completing it. He tore off the page, intending to give it to Dr. Otto after the professor returned from the Institute that evening. Peter was about 70% confident he would approve the leave.
He had five or six hours until Dr. Otto returned. Aside from a few specialized devices, most equipment in the base couldn't connect to the internet. So, during this time, Peter decided to rewatch all the Spider-Man movies he had downloaded onto his hard drive!
He set the speed to 1.5x. His enhanced brain could easily keep up with the pace. His mind was noticeably more agile than before. At this speed, he could process and translate the dialogue simultaneously without needing subtitles.
In one afternoon, Peter watched Tobey-Spidey's2 and 3 and Andrew-Spidey'sAmazing Spider-Man 1. He then closed the laptop, opened his door, and waited for Dr. Otto to return.
Dr. Otto's room was diagonally across from Peter's. Despite his immense reputation as a veteran in the field of astronomy, the professor was one of the notoriously hardworking older generations. His living conditions were barely better than Peter's intern quarters. Only minimal concessions were made for the harsh climate.
However, Peter waited for several more hours. It wasn't until around eleven at night that Dr. Otto returned to the Dormitory Block with a group of other researchers.
"We are definitely going to have a major breakthrough this time!" one middle-aged researcher exclaimed. "Yes, the similarity between the Martian soil composition and Earth soil is incredible! There might truly have been life on Mars..." another researcher speculated aloud.
But when the group saw Peter standing at the doorway, they all immediately fell silent. Dr. Otto looked at Peter, motioned for the others to return to their rooms, and beckoned Peter over.
Peter followed him into Dr. Otto's room. After the door was shut, Peter handed over his application for leave.
Dr. Otto took it, read it for a few seconds, then slapped it onto the desk. His voice, though old, was powerful: "Are you acting out of spite?"
Peter shook his head: "I know, Professor, that you were doing what was best for me. But I am genuinely restless staying at the base all this time, and I just wanted to go out and clear my head..."
Peter's language was too weak, and Dr. Otto became more convinced that his highly favored disciple was angry at him. Because of his academic excellence and ambition, Dr. Otto had always favored Peter. For example: Typically, a leader in a field like Dr. Otto would not take on graduate students. Excluding Peter, his other students (his "senior siblings") were all in their thirties and already Ph.D. candidates! The relationship between a mentor and student is often like that between a boss and employee. The mentor holds the ultimate power over the student's graduation.
But if a student is talented, the mentor favors them. From a purely beneficial standpoint, no one overlooks value. From an emotional standpoint, who wouldn't prefer a capable subordinate? Furthermore, in a high-tech field, an employee without sufficient knowledge is useless.
Peter was that "capable subordinate," and in Dr. Otto's view, a "very promising one." He saw Peter as his successor. His high regard for Peter surpassed that of his other disciples, who were older and established professionals! That's why he was so lenient. Even though Peter accidentally destroyed a priceless Martian soil sample, he personally suppressed the incident. Two weeks of confinement was minimal compared to the potential consequences.
But Peter was choosing to run away! Dr. Otto's chest rose and fell sharply in anger.
Peter quickly rushed to support him, helping him sit down on the bed.
"Professor, please drink some water."
Dr. Otto took the cup and drank it down. He looked at Peter's solicitous behavior, his tone showing his frustration: "Did such a small setback defeat you? Do you know what I went through in my youth? I was summarily dismissed, sent to the countryside to raise cattle—for over ten years!"
Peter remained silent.
"You've wondered about my left hand, haven't you?" Dr. Otto lifted his left hand, revealing the missing sections of his ring and thumb fingers. "A cow bit them off during that time!"
Peter looked at Dr. Otto's scarred hand, still not speaking.
Dr. Otto's voice softened, becoming earnest: "As scientists, we must not only possess a spirit of inquiry and truth but also be resilient. Only then can you go far in research! Do you understand?"