Chapter 1253 The New Century Prometheus
October 27th is a day that will be remembered in human history.
At 8 a.m., the heavily guarded Callum Science Centre welcomed four special visitors.
The Queen's royal carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the science center's gate, where Vincent and hundreds of researchers had been waiting for some time.
The attendant opened the car door, and the Prime Minister stepped out first, very gentlemanly helping the elegant and poised Queen.
To Vincent's surprise, the other two special guests were the German president and the president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at East Asia University.
“Young man, we meet again.” The German president stepped forward. “I went to great lengths to keep this from Minister Berg.”
Although the Chancellor holds real power in Germany, the President's arrival is enough to demonstrate their attitude.
Vincent was flattered and shook hands with him. "Mr. President, I thought you wouldn't accept my invitation."
The president smiled slightly and said, "This concerns the future of all mankind. We've had a pleasant exchange before, so of course I have to come and witness history with my own eyes."
Bringing three Tornado bombers to the highest center of power in Germany to surrender, offering compensation and agreeing to accept Muggle law, was indeed quite "pleasant".
The Queen and the Prime Minister had heard of this amusing anecdote, and it was truly hard to imagine that the young man chatting and laughing with the German President was actually the most wanted criminal in the magical world of both Britain and Germany.
Vincent politely received the four visitors, and in the laboratory, they finally saw the device that would change the fate of all mankind.
The Queen gazed at the white sphere suspended in the vacuum chamber. "Does it have a name?"
"Your Majesty, it is called Prometheus of the New Century."
In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods for humankind, bringing light, technology, and civilization.
This deuterium-tritium fusion experiment is like humanity "stealing" the flame that originally belonged only to the sun, foreshadowing a new era for civilization, with humanity as the Prometheus of the new century.
Top nuclear energy experts from across Europe and Tokyo University are conducting final commissioning work. The equipment is operating normally and the laser emitter can be started at any time.
“Let’s begin.” As soon as Vincent finished speaking, nearly half of the electricity in Oxfordshire was fed into the vacuum chamber through wires.
Dozens of laser beams precisely struck the Prometheus of the New Century, and in an instant, the deuterium-tritium fuel transformed into a miniature and incomparably hot sun.
The dazzling light lasted only a moment before being absorbed by the magical circuits lit up on the surface of the sphere, which were then used as energy to stabilize the entire fusion process.
Laser energy utilization efficiency has been increased to the theoretical limit. Magic circuits that shimmer with rainbow light have replaced bulky traditional magnets. Binding magic and spatial stabilization magic simulate the enormous pressure of a star's core, precisely confining plasma at temperatures of hundreds of millions of degrees.
The internal reactor of the new century Prometheus was "lit up" like the sun, burning steadily and emitting a light that was a mixture of dark blue and golden white, illuminating everyone in the laboratory.
"It's so warm." The Queen reached out her hand, feeling the warm light like the sun.
The British Prime Minister spoke quietly to the German President beside him, saying, "I can't believe I'm witnessing this historic moment."
The artificial sun's duration of confinement has exceeded the critical point. When the energy gain exceeds 1, the entire laboratory falls silent, with only a low hum remaining.
Deuterium-tritium fusion—successful.
One minute passed, two minutes passed,
After a full five minutes of silence, the laboratory erupted in cheers that had been suppressed for a long time.
The researchers hugged each other; despite the language barrier between them and the researchers at the University of Tokyo, their excitement was no different.
The German president took a deep breath: "My God...we really did it."
The dean of the National Institute of Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo said slowly in Chinese: "This is a victory for both human wisdom and magic."
Vincent smiled proudly, looking at the Flamel Ring on his hand. "Teacher, although it doesn't have any magical effects, wouldn't we say we've successfully created a Philosopher's Stone?"
He slowly shook his head. "It shouldn't be considered one yet. This is just a prototype reactor, and there are many areas that can be improved."
The new Prometheus in the vacuum chamber continues to release energy, igniting not only the flame of nuclear fusion but also a ray of dawn, a new era, a new era where technology and magic, Muggles and wizards coexist.
The success of the experiment naturally warranted a grand celebration, and during afternoon tea, Buckingham Palace's most prestigious banquet hall welcomed a distinguished group of guests.
The 36-meter-long hall features mirrored walls on both sides reflecting the giant crystal chandelier on the ceiling.
A magnificently carved long table sits in the center of the banquet hall, and every piece of silver cutlery on the Irish linen tablecloth is as exquisite as a work of art.
Vincent was unusually dressed in a simple yet subtly shimmering wizard's robe, which was specially made for him by the elders of the Order of the Presbyterian Church.
William, who followed behind into the banquet hall, was extremely nervous. In just two minutes, he had adjusted his collar and bow tie more than ten times, and he also adjusted his thick glasses several times.
Even more uneasy than him was Raymond, the leader of the research team.
A banquet hosted by the British royal family—a place countless people could never attend in their entire lives.
But today, this group of people who are usually unkempt and only know how to bury themselves in scientific research actually came.
The researchers were only able to believe they were in the real world when the Queen, dressed in a champagne-colored gown and wearing a replica of the Imperial Crown, entered the banquet hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the Queen said, raising her glass in a toast, "today, we stand at the crossroads of history and the future. Together we are igniting not only clean energy, but also a new era full of infinite possibilities. May this gift from the sun dispel barriers and illuminate our path forward together."
After a round of enthusiastic applause, everyone shouted "Cheers!" in unison, the clinking of glasses echoing throughout the room.
Although Vincent's attire was out of place, he was undoubtedly the most dazzling person in the entire banquet hall.
Because it was a private occasion, he was not as reserved as before.
“Your Majesty, I may be able to make the Kent roses in the Royal Botanic Gardens automatically adjust their fragrance and intensity according to the humidity, so that even during the rainy season in London, your strolls in the garden will always be pleasant.”
The Queen covered her mouth and chuckled. "An enticing proposal, however, Your Excellency Wayne, I must first have a meeting with my gardeners."
The German president approached, holding a wine glass, and said in a warm but official tone, "Mr. Wern, please allow me to once again congratulate you on this great achievement on behalf of the German people. We look forward to comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with you in the field of clean energy."
Vincent blinked slowly, a look of surprise on his face. “Mr. President, I am the number one threat in the German magical world. I think as soon as I get off the plane, I will see Minister Berg personally leading a large group of Aurors to the airport.”
The German president smiled meaningfully.
I've been here in Britain for so long, and I haven't seen the British Ministry of Magic make any moves.
“Mr. Wayne, I’m sure you’ll find a way. Besides, we are us, and the Ministry of Magic is the Ministry of Magic. Our government and the Magical Government are two independent entities with equal relations, aren’t they?”
Vincent chuckled to himself.
Germany is not a major oil producer, and its economy is highly dependent on energy imports. Rising oil prices directly impact industry and people's livelihoods.
Following the outbreak of the Gulf War, international crude oil prices surged by 250%, significantly impacting Germany's energy supply.
Two years ago, in 1993, German metals suffered a huge loss of $13 billion in crude oil futures trading, becoming one of the largest loss cases in the history of modern crude oil trading. Today's energy market is full of instability and risk.
Today, the success of the second deuterium-tritium fusion experiment means that more efficient, stable, and clean controlled nuclear fusion is no longer a pipe dream. For Germany, which is adjusting its energy policy, this is like a godsend.
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