"Death..."
The old man glanced at Andy, then looked away and said lightly, "Kid, eternal life... is perhaps the most painful torture in the world!"
These words again...
Andy had heard these words often before, and he felt a little dismissive: "Have you lived long enough?"
"Not yet,"
The old man said, "But I can accept death with an open mind."
Andy rolled his eyes. "You don't know what it's like to live a long life, and yet you claim that eternal life is a painful torture. Don't you think such a claim is a bit absurd?"
Survival is the instinct of all living things.
Some people would rather beg for food than die. Others would rather end their lives than suffer.
What is considered suffering and torture depends on the individual.
The old man sighed, "Watching friends and family members slowly disappear one after the other, and then having to live alone in the world, avoiding the outside world and not daring to make contact… Isn't this torture?"
At this, the old man sighed again, "Forget it, everyone has their own beliefs. Looking at you, I know I can't persuade you."
Andy raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, "If death is inevitable, I hope my death is the result of my own decision, rather than the result of the actions of others or the result of time, ageing or illness."
"I don't want to die by some sudden whim of a stranger. For example, a stranger suddenly pushing you in front of a train from a station platform."
"This is very important for me!"
Andy knew what the old man was trying to say.
Is it painful to live alone?
Maybe it is!
Take Nicolas Flamel, for example. If he hadn't chosen to live in hiding, countless people who wanted to live forever would have swarmed around him, trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, his knowledge and wealth.
So he had no choice but to become a recluse.
For a long time, he just lived to stay alive.
He had no ideals or goals. Every day, all he had to do was get up, eat, have some fun, and go to bed.
Day after day, year after year.
After a long time, death became a relief.
So, Nicolas Flamel chose death.
Choosing death and being doomed to die are two completely different things.
Andy longed to attain the freedom to choose.
Without further ado, Andy asked, "You haven't answered my question yet. What is your understanding of death?"
"Oh, Death..."
The old man sighed, "Death is the end of life, but not the end of existence."
"At least..."
"For you, it is not the end!"
Andy instantly understood.
Perhaps due to his identity as an Unspeakable, there are some things this old man could not say outright. But the old man's words also confirmed Andy's guess.
Not everyone can maintain a clear self-awareness in the death dimension.
Taking a deep breath, Andy did not pursue the matter further.
The room fell silent.
To this day, Andy has learned many secrets.
Some people believe that this world may be just a simulation.
This statement is not entirely wrong.
Perhaps, for a higher dimensional reality, the world Andy is in is a 'virtual world'.
But for those living in this world, this world is real.
"Interesting..."
Andy suddenly let out a light laugh.
In his previous life, humans created the online and virtual worlds.
And with the rapid development of the internet, it has penetrated into every aspect of life, affecting everyone in the world.
Human labour has gradually been replaced by artificial and mechanical intelligence.
In Andy's past life, AI robots have already been capable of doing many tasks.
So...
Is it really impossible for a lower-dimensional world to overrule a higher-dimensional world?
It's not impossible, right?
Take Andy's past world as an example. If artificial intelligence develops rapidly and super artificial intelligence like Ultron appears, robots ruling over humans will not just be a film plot.
It will happen in real life!
'So...what am I now?'
Andy was curious.
'To those higher dimensional beings, am I now...an out-of-control 'artificial intelligence'?'
Maybe he is!
Thinking like this, Andy asked curiously, "Sir, am I now out of control?"
"I don't know!" the old man said.
"Can't you tell?" Andy was a little disappointed.
"It's not that I can't tell; it's that I really don't know."
The old man shook his head and said, "Humans will never be able to understand things beyond their cognition."
Andy nodded slightly on hearing this.
That's true.
The old man looked at Andy and continued, "Collins, have you thought about it? If your guess is true, then... what will happen to you next?"
"Are you trying to scare me with death?" Andy laughed.
The old man was taken aback and then burst out laughing. "Yes! For most, there is nothing more terrifying than death."
Since it was inevitable that he would die sooner or later, Andy, of course, would continue with his research.
After a pause, the old man suddenly asked, "Did you come here tonight just to see the Brain Room?"
"Of course not."
Andy gave the old man a sideways glance. "Unfortunately, you are an Unspeakable and cannot say much. I couldn't find the archive room of the Department of Mysteries, so I came here to have a look."
"Hmmm…"
"By the way, I am currently looking for magic to make the body immortal. Do you have any suggestions?"
The old man laughed at this.
"Actually, before I came to see you tonight, I was thinking about whether or not to reveal some secrets."
The old man turned his head and looked at Andy. "After seeing you, I think it's a bit early."
Andy was surprised and said, "An Unspeakable is forbidden from revealing secrets, isn't he?"
"Yes! You have to pay the price with your life," the old man sighed.
Andy: "…"
"Why?" Andy raised an eyebrow.
"Collins, you would fit in well in the Department of Mysteries."
The old man sounded a little tired. "Most people here are like you, trying to figure out the secrets of the world."
"But magic depends so much on talent."
"Without talent, you can only wave your wand like a troll."
"We know a lot, but we can only do so little."
At this, the old man looked at Andy with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Collins, you are different!"
"You are the most talented wizard alive today."
"In the records of the Department of Mysteries, no one is better than you."
"More importantly, you are curious about everything!"
Andy: "…"
"Until now, I felt that you were a man of few words."
Andy said calmly, "I just hope everything you said is true."
The old man didn't care about Andy's doubts. He turned his head and continued, "Come back next time! If you still don't want to join the Department of Mysteries, I'll tell you some secrets."
"As for your question... I'm sorry, that's not my area of expertise. But you can start from the Philosopher's Stone. That thing can make people live forever."
The Philosopher's Stone...
Andy's eyes twitched.
Indeed! Nicolas Flamel is the only known immortal in the world today.
The Philosopher's Stone is definitely worth studying!
After a moment's thought, Andy suddenly asked, "After joining the Department of Mysteries, is it possible not to come to work?"
The old man: "..."
----
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