Should Neo-Divinity Be Supernatural?

Chapter 3: An Opportunity

The three university students—Li Hao, Zhou Tianyi, and Zhuang Xiaojun—stepped into Professor Wang Jianguo's office, their excitement palpable. On the professor's desk, three packages immediately caught their attention. The matte, dark gray metallic boxes were sleekly designed, with the words "Project ELICIA" printed prominently in the center. Beneath the logo, a smaller line of text read: "FOR AUTHORIZED TESTERS ONLY."

A month earlier, the three had received an email from Professor Wang inviting them to participate in testing an artificial intelligence project called ELICIA. The email was brief yet captivating, detailing not only the substantial rewards for participation but also including a link to ELICIA's official webpage.

When they first accessed the webpage, ELICIA appeared similar to other generative AI systems at a glance. However, its performance set it apart: its output was faster, more versatile, and capable of generating files in highly specialized formats like TIFF, DAT, and AVCHD.

Since 2020, the stagnant job market had left every soon-to-be graduate anxious about their prospects. For students like Li Hao, Zhou Tianyi, and Zhuang Xiaojun, the email's promise was irresistible—it stated explicitly that select testers could join the ELICIA project team. Such an opportunity would not only provide invaluable research experience but also add a prestigious highlight to their resumes.

Li Hao, whose academic performance was unremarkable, saw this as a rare chance. Being part of a cutting-edge project like ELICIA could not only strengthen his graduate school applications but also open doors to the tech industry.

Zhou Tianyi, a standout in computer science, had a deep passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Often confined to his room, immersed in algorithms and code, he was the quintessential "stay-at-home techie." Quiet and reserved, his relentless curiosity for emerging technologies drove his every decision. Despite his typically indifferent demeanor, he was the most impatient of the three as they awaited the response to their application.Today, that response had finally arrived. When Zhou Tianyi, unusually dressed in something other than his thick cotton loungewear, told Zhuang Xiaojun to grab the car keys, Li Hao immediately guessed—they had been selected as testers.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Professor Wang stood up, smiling as he handed each of them a package.

"Inside, you'll find the latest model of mixed reality glasses," he said, his tone a mix of mystery and warmth. "With these, you'll be able to interact directly with ELICIA and access the project's foundational archives at any time." There was an unmistakable confidence in his voice, as though he fully trusted these three students to rise to the challenge.

Zhuang Xiaojun casually turned the package over in his hands, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He wasn't the studious type, nor was he particularly invested in research. His main focus was finding quick ways to make money. The generous rewards mentioned in Professor Wang's email were the primary reason he'd signed up for the project—and, of course, he'd been itching to try out the latest mixed reality (MR) glasses. For him, the test was a win-win: earn some money and play around with cutting-edge tech. Why not?

The professor's voice broke their thoughts, bringing them back to the moment.

"Your task is simple," he explained. "Spend some time using the glasses to interact with ELICIA, get familiar with its capabilities and features. Once the time is right, you'll move on to the next phase."

Hearing this, Li Hao and Zhuang Xiaojun eagerly unwrapped their packages, revealing the glasses inside.

The glasses were sleek and modern in design, with a smooth, jet-black lens covering the entire front frame. Tiny reflective sensor points glimmered faintly on the surface. The glossy, mirror-like lens caught the light at subtle angles, adding to its futuristic appearance. Minimalist lines adorned the sides and connectors, and the lightweight frame felt almost weightless in their hands. The arms of the glasses, made from a flexible material, gently curved to fit snugly behind the ears.