Autumn in Eden

The professor on the podium is a cold-looking woman.When she introduced this course, she said that psychoanalysis is a science that learns to convert human emotions and different thoughts into data, analyze them, and formulate a management plan for the entire society. The main purpose is to facilitate management.

"Put away your unnecessary emotions in order to learn this class well. Psychoanalysis is a class that digitizes emotions and thoughts that are least likely to be digitized, so once you have other emotions, it will interfere with you." Research." She said, "Remember, in this class, don't treat people as human beings."

There was a commotion under the podium.

"Quiet," said the professor, "You guys are like this every year. Don't you know how much this industry has contributed to social security? If we hadn't used data to measure the mental threshold, how could we have caught it accurately? Prisoners? On the contrary, if you don’t measure or make mistakes because you feel sorry for them, how much hidden danger will it cause to this society? You should have signed it, but every year there are students who are punished for falling in love. I hope you Be able to sacrifice yourself, focus on the overall situation, don't think about your own little things, and think about others. If you can become a psychoanalyst, you can talk to the president and formulate policies, with the highest level of authority. I think You won't reject these. These things have much more meaning than emotions."

Leonora felt that she agreed with the professor's words and joined in the applause.

After class, she walked into the restaurant as usual, and sat in the innermost single seat to eat silently.

But something is different today.

Perhaps it was because there was an afternoon ceremony today, and there were so many people in the restaurant.Leonora had just finished eating when a girl came up to her.

"This classmate, is it okay to sit here?" She asked politely.

"Of course, sit down," Leonora replied hastily.

Leonora, drinking lemonade, observes the girl sitting to her left.She ate very little, and seemed as absent-minded as if she had been thinking about a problem.

Leonora expressed concern. "Your complexion is not very good, is there something uncomfortable?"

"It's nothing, I'm not sick. I was just thinking about something. Today's class made me very uncomfortable."

"May I ask what college you are from?"

The girl looks at her. "It's the same as you, it's a school of psychoanalysis. Why, don't you remember your classmates?"

"I'm so sorry, I don't remember any of my classmates... My name is Leonora Evans, what about you?"

She smiled.

"I'm Ophelia."

☆、Chapter 4

Fate is a mystery to everyone.You never know who you meet and what kind of story will happen with that person.

Leonora met Ophelia at the age of 20, which may be the biggest turning point in her life.

Without the appearance of Ophelia, there would be no her 20 years later.

Leonora thought long afterward as she sat by the fire in the cabin.

Their meeting couldn't be more ordinary, but none of them are ordinary people.

At least not Ophelia.

One of the regular programs at the evening party held by the Capital University Student Union every year is to guess Ophelia's family background.

It is said that no one has guessed it so far.

Leonora naturally didn't know either.She also asked each other, but Ophelia did not answer.

And that mysterious background should be the reason why she did what she did later.

Leonora still remembered the conversation she had with her after she chose to change departments.

That day was in the school's Rose Garden Cafe, a lovely shop full of rose fragrance.

Leonora offered to speak to her, and she chose a place suitable for chatting.

Both ordered rose tea.Leonora's heart was shaking like a triangular teabag in water.

She is nervous.

It took a long time before she said it.

"I plan to transfer to the Alchemy Academy, what do you think?"

Ophelia was a little surprised, but she quickly accepted it.

"That's your business, you decide for yourself."

"My parents were against it. But I didn't really want to study psychoanalysis, I felt like it was trying to teach me something every day, and I was terrified."

"Don't worry about your parents, they can't live in your place forever. I hate psychoanalysis too, and I understand you."

Leonora was even more unclear about what the other party meant. "Why don't you leave? Won't you be miserable?"

"No." Ophelia said while poking the tea bag with a stir stick, "I only study them to find out their weaknesses. After all, my dreams are too big..."

Too big to be possible.She thought with a wry smile.

"I know a lot about psychoanalysis. My father used to be a psychoanalyst, but after working, he thought he couldn't adapt to the working atmosphere, so he resigned and became the head of the Ministry of Security. Maybe it was all influenced by my mother, we Everyone in the family is different."

Leonora was a little taken aback when she learned about her family. "I didn't expect that your family background is so good. You are really low-key. By the way, you once mentioned your mother to me. What happened to her that worried you so much, was that day?"

Leonora was talking about a week ago.Ophelia received a message that day, and she looked heavy afterwards, crying silently by herself, and kept saying the word "Mom".

"That matter... can I not mention it." She said a little embarrassedly, "Mom, she is more persistent than me. She has put it into practice... But even if she doesn't want to, she will understand that she has failed. Then , was locked up. Calculating the time, today she should officially undergo psychiatric surgery. But I can't do anything. My father pleaded with his former colleagues and didn't want her to forget the past, but those people, all People without feelings, all rejected my father... I really hate them, hate this discipline that shouldn't exist, but I force myself to learn it, find its weakness, maybe...in the future, I can succeed."

Leonora did not expect to hear such a story.

She feels ashamed.

"I learn everything for myself. I feel that you are so great, Ophelia, and you will learn for change. As long as I am still alive, I will be satisfied."

"I'm doing it for myself too. That's why I'm only telling you one person, I hope you won't tell it. If the academy knows what I'm thinking, it will send me to treatment too," she paused, fiddled with the vase in front of her Preserved flowers in.

"I really should thank the school for not installing a mental data measurement system to protect some special teachers. I am not the kind of person whose data is stable all year round. Leonora, you are someone I can trust, so you will not say out, right?"

"I have no reason to betray you."

"Chapter 3 No. 11 of the Citizenship Law mentions that anyone who reports a person with motives to cause harm to society can be rewarded according to his contribution. Don't you know?"

Leonora looked at her firmly.

"You don't have the idea of ​​causing harm to society. You won't have it. Even if you have it, it's just a momentary idea. I know you won't harm me, so you must not let this society be in danger."

Ophelia was stunned.

Yeah.She will never do that.This guy is really sure.

Originally, my purpose was only to reveal the truth and restore the family's reputation 200 years ago, so...in fact, there is really no harm.

"I'm grateful for your trust in me," she said.

Leonora smiled broadly. "Nothing. Let's continue talking."

The two drank the already cold tea, talked and laughed in the golden afternoon sun, and roses of various colors were arranged in the room.The boss played songs from a long time ago, and his lazy voice added an aesthetic atmosphere to the scene.

Soon, the two stood up and said goodbye to the boss.

On the way back, the two of them talked about the history of the Republic for some reason.

"I always find the textbooks in history classes a bit strange. The remarks made by the first president about the previous constitutional period make people feel that he is deliberately discrediting the Magdling family. My grandmother once said that in fact they Very good, there is no interference in politics, and there is no violation of the Constitution. At that time, no psychoanalysis system was installed, although it sounds very unsafe, but the president has no reason to slander them like this.” Leonora said to her, with a look A look of hope for approval.

She is still too obedient.Ophelia thought, but she was also smart enough to deduce their innocence from just a few words.

Why should such a person be imprisoned?

She's a genius and should do what's right for a genius instead of sacrificing her life for a useless cause.

Sure enough, she was right to want to change departments.

"So, you really think so? Many people agree with the definition of the textbook, but you want to say that they are not guilty."

"It's really innocent. If even helping others is considered a fault, then what kind of shadow are they living under?"

"That's great..." she said, and looked up at the sky.

Clouds towards evening are orange.In groups, floating in the sky.

Gentle and intoxicating.

"What's so nice?" Leonora asked.

"Finally someone agrees with me, I am very happy." She said to her with a smile.

Really happy.I always thought that I was alone.

In the future, I will reveal the truth about the nameless crimes my ancestors borne to the world.

"Speaking of which, thank you very much today. Without your support, I would definitely hesitate." Leonora said to her.

The girl's innocent smile made her temporarily forget her own sadness.What she wanted to say seemed to hesitate.

Although she finally said it.

"Leonora, how about I play you a tune to congratulate you?"

"Thank you so much. Can you play "Flower Burial", I like that song very much."

"of course."

Ophelia brought her violin, stood under the tree on the river bank, and played "Flower Burial" for her when night fell.

The starry sky that day was extremely low, as if the stars could be touched.Leonora was so intoxicated with the piece that she shed tears at the end.

"To the only person I think can match this tune," Ophelia said. "How do you like it?"

"Of course, it's the best version I've ever heard."

Ophelia approached her, saw her tears, and gently wiped them away with her hands.

"Don't cry. I'll make it difficult."

"Okay...ok...so, can you play me another one?" Leonora asked cautiously.

"Of course, I will do my best to meet your request, Miss Evans," she replied with a smile.

It would be the most beautiful night in Leonora's memory.No matter how much time has passed, that memory is as fresh as yesterday.

Even variables can't take away what she cherishes.

☆、Chapter 5

5.

(4470, Capital University School of Alchemy)

"The story between you is really special, Leonora. I didn't know that two completely different people could be friends."

"It's just that you don't know. But even friends have their own things to do, and we can't be together forever... Soon, she will leave just like I chose alchemy."

"People always compromise in front of their own interests. This is nature, and you don't have to blame yourself. Speaking of which, why did you choose this college with a very low graduation rate? We are all curious."

Leonora in the coffee shop looked at the man sitting opposite her, and stopped stirring in her hands.

It was a long time before she spoke.

"Because that is the root of all evil."

Franklin froze for a moment after hearing her answer, but he quickly understood and smiled.

"That's a good word, Leonora. Me, too." He said, staring at the log coffee table, his expression becoming serious.

"If there is no alchemy, we should still be living on the already overwhelmed earth. But after alchemy, human beings have launched incidents and wars again and again. Although we have been unified later, we have lost The original culture, all people are the same. What saddens me the most is that 200 years ago, the people who invented the mental data analysis equipment must not have thought about how they are used today, because it is not at all what we are The life that human beings should live. You know I grew up in St. Augustine, where it can really be described as the same. Everyone is the same, the same personality, hobbies, same thoughts, it is simply mass-produced I came out. I studied hard, just hoping that I would not be one of them. But when I was in the School of Psychoanalysis, what I saw was another St. Augustine. It was just shrunk. In my impression, apart from Augustine Philia, I have never met anyone with personality. So I always think that university should be a place to show my talent and personality, not a place to imprison people everywhere. So I decided not to follow the expectations of my parents I want to learn what I think is valuable. I have no family background, no wealth, no contacts, I can only be thankful that my intelligence level is lucky to be rated as A-level. I have no other way out except hard work gone."

Franklin looked at the girl sitting across from him talking about his past.He didn't realize they had been chatting for four hours until the desktop was dyed red by the setting sun.

"Your former classmates told me that after you came here again, you have changed a lot."

Leonora sighed.

"Yeah, of course I will change. This college is really too free, so free that it has a lot of books and materials that have been banned. I read a lot, and after reading it, I always start to reflect on myself...I always feel that I am really I'm too weak, I can't do anything, and I have to fight against the whole world. I want to give up, but I'm not willing... I can't be as determined as Ophelia. But I just want to use my strength to go Change alchemy so that it is no longer a discipline that creates evil."

"It sounds like your ideal is also very great. No matter what, I support you, you can do it. I am also a person who has the same idea, after all, I was born in such a place."

Leonora knew where he was referring.It was St. John's, a bustling city known as the "Commodity Bazaar of the Republic", but there was a residential area in which 100 million people were rated as E-level.

It was also Franklin's hometown.

He studied very hard in order to hope that people like his parents would no longer be hurt.

He said that the happiest time for his parents is when they know their assessment results.

They were so happy, so I wanted to save that moment so that they could be happy forever without worrying about being bullied, not having to do temporary jobs, not having to live in a certain area, not being treated special...

He will do his best to change all this.Because he loves them.

Like Leonora wishing to prove alchemy innocent.

"Suddenly there is silence." Leonora said with a smile, "Let's talk about what books I have read recently."

"What did you read...just revisited Shakespeare. How about you?"

"Ophelia recommended a lot. I only read "The Rebellion of the Masses". But that guy seems to be reading every day. It's really unbelievable. There are many classes in the School of Psychoanalysis. How did she do it?"

"You really always mention her, which makes me wonder if you are in love with her."

"Don't be kidding me, Franklin."

"Okay, I'm not kidding," he said. "Then tell me what's in that book. It sounds interesting."

"It's very interesting. It talks about the relationship between the elite and the masses, technology, barbarism and civilization. But it's very complicated, and I can't remember all of it. Ortega is a very thoughtful person. I recommend you to watch it. This one is not so hard to understand as the Phaedo."

"You have even read Phaedo, you are a well-read person."

"She has read more. And those books are not borrowed from the library of the college, they are her own collection."

"That's really strange, where did she get it?"

Leonora shook her head. "She said it was a collection of books at home. But I suspect that if she wasn't from an upper-class family, she wouldn't have so many paper books."

"But neither you nor I have the ability to ask her background, are we?"

Leonora was silent for a while.

"Background or something is not important to friends. As long as you can trust each other, even if it is a world of difference, I think I will accept it."

Absolutely.Because we are more than just friends.she thought.

She checked the time.It was six o'clock in the afternoon, it was late, so she decided to leave.

"Let's go. I remember you still have your paper on the rationalization of air composition due in five days, come on."

"Thank you for the reminder. This topic is very rare, and I haven't made any progress for many days."

"me too."

The two were suddenly silent because of thinking, and they didn't say anything else along the way.

The wind was strong in the evening, and Leonora covered her clothes tightly, looking up at the sky that was gradually being dyed blue and purple.

In the distance is still the picture of the main factory that destroys the scenery, but the pale transportation channel is actually incomparably beautiful under the afterglow of the setting sun.

The cloudless sky is as clear as a lake, reflecting the ocean.

The Academy, perched on a hill, always enjoys a rare view, every night.

I hope that in the future, it will be like this night.

☆、Chapter 6

The cities in the morning light are as gorgeous as diamonds, with a beautiful halo.Leonora put away her documents and walked out of her residence in the early morning.

Today is the day of her interview.If successful, she will become a technical researcher at the main factory.

The techniques of alchemy are widely used in the manufacture of air, but they are also extremely complicated.Especially the main factory, where there is a room with machines used to remotely control factories throughout the republic.

Leonora wasn't worried about whether or not she would get in.Because she will.

"After all, you are a person who has a rare graduation certificate and a special scholarship certificate from the School of Alchemy of Capital University. Even if you don't say a word during the interview, there is no problem, because graduating from Capital University is enough to show your ability. "Her tutor said, "Besides, you will definitely enter the general factory as a senior researcher or manager. You don't need to worry, you are very good. This college has not had a student like you for ten years. Everyone Proud of you."

The mentor's encouragement relieved her, who was worried about the interview.But she still went to Ophelia and asked her opinion.

Ofelia's interviews are over, and she's waiting in her one-person apartment to be admitted to the National Public Security Research Office.

She was not surprised by Leonora's visit.She had already guessed that she would definitely come.

For some reason, that guy always likes to ask his own opinion before he acts.Even the words of an authoritative person can't really make her feel at ease.

Perhaps only Ophelia can.

"So, that's why you came to me?"

Leonora lowered her head, a little embarrassed. "Yes... I'm really sorry. I have to consult with you every time. Did I bother you?" She paused, "But... without your guidance, I simply don't have the ability to believe in my choice."

"Are you going to rely on me to make decisions for you in the future?"

"When...of course not, I will try...just now..."

"Not now. You can't always be like this. People grow heads to think, not to be dominated by others. Don't trust me too much, Leonora. I will always make mistakes, and neither will you. Like some decisions."

Leonora sat on the chair opposite her with a disappointed expression on her face, unconsciously twisting the flounce of her skirt with one hand.

Really.Ophelia thought.Franklin said that this guy has changed a lot since he transferred to the Alchemy Academy.But to her, Leonora was still the little child who always hid behind her back.Even the tone of the conversation with her is completely different from others.

She did not understand what this distinction meant.She just got on well with her, treated her like a child, even for Leonora, who hadn't had a second best friend in years.

Franklin often said that she must have committed a professional taboo.But she knew it was impossible.

She will choose to bear the wind and rain for her friends, but she has no sense of sacrifice.She doesn't want to do anything for someone.

Therefore, she would never want to interfere in Leonora's life.All her major events should be decided by herself.

Ophelia thought so.

"From now on, don't come to me about decisions. Even if someone asks you whether to kill me, it's up to you to decide. As long as you think it makes sense, just do it. Don't care what others think. "

"Then...can I really choose...to kill you?"

"If I do something wrong, you can. I won't complain."

"Well, I'll change. Just like before."

Leonora is a person who is good at changing herself to adapt to the environment.The change she made four years ago was to adapt herself to that rigorous and rational academy.

So she is a genius.

"So, what have you been doing recently? It feels like I haven't heard you talk for a long time." Leonora asked suddenly.

"Me? Still work hard to complete that task, because it's a bit difficult."

"That's it. Then, would you like to tell me what you have been preparing to accomplish in the past few years?"

Ofelia got up from her chair and walked over to her.

"You don't want to hear it. I don't tell anyone easily. All I can say," she said, putting a hand on Leonora's shoulder, "is a secret that matters for the survival of the world." .”

"What anti-government operation are you engaging in?"

Ophelia laughed when she heard this.

"How is it possible. No, Leonora, don't worry, I won't let you be implicated."

Only then did Leonora leave with peace of mind to prepare her own materials.

After she left, Ophelia's face became serious.

"She's right. I do have this type of operation. But only on a small scale."

I don't want her to be disappointed in me.So we can only lie to each other.

She is someone who can still keep hope despite the darkness she has been exposed to.So, I can't touch her with my dirty hands.

Like other residents of the Republic, she can live happily every day.But she is different from those people.She has a mind of her own.

It's bad.Ofelia scratched her hair.

She didn't know what to do with her thoughts.She also didn't realize that she had disqualified herself as a psychoanalyst not long ago.

Leonora walked on the road, gradually remembering the story of the night before.Of course she doesn't know what Ophelia is worrying about, she just needs to complete today's interview.She went to check the interviewer's information and found that he was a person with good evaluation and easy to talk to.It's just that his name made her feel a little familiar, but she ignored it.

To her surprise, the old man named Saga Merton asked her such a question.

With a kind smile, the interviewer sat on a chair on a high step and asked questions.

"I want to ask, Miss Evans, can you explain to me, a layman, what alchemy is?"

This question was really unexpected.Leonora thought, but she still gave the perfect answer.

"It is a discipline based on the science and engineering and medicine of the previous generation, and it also combines logic and ethics. I can only say that it is very complicated, and it has many things to study. But all research has a purpose, It is to realize the transformation of elements. I think that the main factory should also be established by using this discipline."

"So, why did you study it? Your resume says you studied psychoanalysis, which is a major that many people are scrambling to enroll in. Why don't you continue to study?"

Leonora looked at the old man with a smile. "Is it wrong to follow your own hobbies?"

The old man narrowed his eyes.

"Miss Evans, don't forget that you are a minority among the few. You have the ability to follow yourself, but not everyone has the ability. You are a genius, so you can be willful. You are still too naive, Evans. It seems that living in such a university has had some bad effects on you."

"Whether you are a genius or an ordinary person, you should have the freedom to pursue your dreams." She objected.

The old man came down the steps.Footsteps sounded in the empty reception room, slow but elegant.

The old man was dressed in a snow-white robe and stood in front of her with his hands folded.

"I agree with your point of view. But I don't think it will work." The old man looked at her, "That's why I'm against you." Still smiling, he patted her on the shoulder lightly. "Then I ask you," he said, "do you agree with the present society?"

"No. Of course."

"Because of the existence of a psychoanalyst?"

"Yes."

The old man stared at her for a long time.

"No. You're not."

"Not what?"

"You agree with this society, and you also agree with the existence of psychoanalysts. What are you running away from? Let me think about it... Maybe it's a friend. Are you afraid that she won't agree with you?"

Leonora's eyes widened.

"How...how do you know about my friend?"

The old man smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "I don't know anything. You told me. You are not deeply involved in the world, and you don't know many things. If you meet other interviewers, you may not be admitted. From now on, you are here, the most important thing in the Republic factory, will feel all the shadows in this country. I hope you're ready to face them, because you've been hired, Leonora."

"That's it?" She couldn't believe it.

"What else do you wish for. But this is not the end of the assessment," said the old man. "In the first week of work, 60% of newcomers will be fired. You should prepare for the first week of assessment...those very Bad review."

"Thank you very much, but... why are you telling me this?"

"You are a rare talent, there are no less than ten companies want to hire you. But I want to keep you for this country, so that you will not hate it because you are frustrated. If you follow my advice, in the future work There won't be any mistakes." The old man said seriously. "So, you will be my student, but only for a month. After that, you will know how to face many things correctly." He stretched out his hand and straightened his collar, "Do you agree?"

"I ... agree, Mr. Merton. Please forgive me in future."

"Very well, Miss Evans. Then, on the first working day of next week, come here to report. I will be in charge of your training." Saga said. "You can leave now. I'm seeing the next one. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, sir. Thank you."

Leonora left here as if in a dream.Along the way, she wasn't very excited, instead she kept staring at the bricks on the ground in a daze.

"I... forgot what Ophelia said." She suddenly began to talk to herself, "Will she be disappointed?"

She looked at the sky near noon in late summer.The clouds on the sky flow slowly with the wind, the light of distant stars shines on the ground through the stratus clouds, and the shadows formed on the ground through the gaps in the leaves are like Picasso's graffiti.

The tall buildings of the main factory gradually moved away from her, and there were exquisite small villas on both sides of the road. Through the hedges, one could vaguely see the brick-red walls made of special solid materials synthesized by alchemy.

"This is the Eden District. Many students dream of living here. I don't know where I will live in the future. After all, housing prices in the capital are not usually expensive. But it is really beautiful here."

If I can live here with her in the future, I will be very happy.As she thought about it, the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

However, perhaps the idea always conflicts with the fact.Not only in the future, she will not be able to realize this wish in this life. As for the next life, it can only be said that it is far away.

The girl who doesn't know the future is intoxicated by the late summer breeze.A big storm is brewing in the clouds not far away, but I don't know when it will come.

Hope at least tonight is safe.

☆、Chapter 7

Ding----

The communicator rang.Leonora pressed answer annoyed.

The other party used a video call, and she didn't realize it was Ophelia until she saw it clearly.

"Long time no contact, Leona, how are you doing recently?" She smiled and asked the opposite girl who seemed to have stayed up late for at least three days.

"It's terrible. I want you to inform the students of the Alchemy Academy not to come and work here. This is not human life."

"My God, what have you been through?" Ophelia asked.

Leonora showed her her desk.There were about half a meter of straw paper piled up there, and they were all used to calculate a new formula, but there was no breakthrough.As a student of Saga, she has attracted much attention. The supervisor asked her to make a plan as soon as possible, but she had no clue.

"I really regret coming here. I'm resigning."

"It's the same for me. The workload of psychoanalysts is also very heavy. We need to operate many machines to analyze the mental indicators of the whole country, make analysis, and instruct the Ministry of Public Security to arrest specific people. Real-time monitoring is also very tiring. , to each other.”

"We are not the same. My colleagues are all laid-back, and I am the only one who is making plans. Can I do this just because I am a student of Saga Merton? It is really unfair." Leonora said angrily explain.

"Saga? Is that the one?"

Leonora nodded, "That's right, that famous official, he is my teacher. Do you know him?"

"It's not just that we know... Let's not talk about him. Okay. If you have any difficulties in the future, just tell me. But I may not contact you often. You know it too."

Leonora knew what she was talking about.

Psychoanalyst is a profession with limited freedom, can only live in a special building, can not contact anyone except relatives, and can only communicate with specific people in daily life.

Therefore, she had to use special means to contact her.

Ofelia had told her that reason later in their meeting, and one she would never forget.

"You are my family."

This has become her future memory.

But the days when Leonora first came to the main factory were the last thing she wanted to recall.

She entered the factory as a student of Saga, so she is highly anticipated.Everyone pays attention to her, and also enjoys a high status.

But many newcomers other than her were not so lucky.

She had witnessed the girl she shared an office with was fired for simply refusing an invitation from her superiors to live with her.She saw a shy boy who was ridiculed for not being able to speak, and finally resigned because he couldn't bear the pressure of those around him.she looks