I woke up at 7:30 a.m. with a strange sense of normalcy. For a moment before I was fully awake, I almost forgot that in 48 hours I had become the most famous person on the planet. Then my phone started buzzing with hundreds of notifications that had accumulated overnight, and reality came rushing back.
I got up from the couch where I had been sleeping—my bed in the bedroom was still inaccessible due to the chaos of scientific equipment—and walked to the kitchen to make coffee. It was time to see how the world had reacted to my AMA last night.
"VEXIS THYMAL LEVITAS," I muttered casually, and my phone rose from the table, floating at eye level as I made coffee.
It was strange how quickly I had become accustomed to these abilities. What would have been impossible three months ago now seemed as natural as using a remote control. Perhaps it was the result of years of controlling the system through a mental interface—vocal commands were just an external extension of abilities I already possessed internally.
I put some water on to boil and grabbed my favorite mug from the cupboard. While I waited, I swiped my finger across my phone's floating screen, checking AMA numbers.
My eyes widened. The thread had exploded overnight:
23 million views
267.000 upvotes
48,000 comments
1,847 Reddit awards
Golden 43 times
It was the most popular AMA thread in Reddit history, surpassing even Barack Obama's.
The water boiled. I poured it over the coffee powder and, instead of picking up a spoon, I simply said:
"NEXUS KALAR ROTIS."
The spoon rose from the drawer and began automatically stirring my coffee in perfect circular motions. Phone still floating, I began reading reactions that had accumulated overnight.
The responses to my AMA were fascinating. Hundreds of comments thanking me for my "transparency" and "humanity." Dozens of collaboration offers from prestigious universities. Multiple proposals for documentaries, books, films.
But what interested me most were the analyses that experts were making of my participation.
I opened Twitter on the floating phone while I lifted coffee to my mouth.
@PsicologiaHoje had posted: "Analysis of @DrKaiThorne_Oficial's communication reveals an exceptionally balanced personality for someone with transformative power. Responses demonstrate genuine empathy, scientific humility, and rare ethical commitment."
@TechCrunch: "Kai Thorne's AMA sets new standard for science transparency. In an age of misinformation, his willingness to engage directly is refreshing."
@BBCUrgente: "Dr Thorne's Reddit thread breaks engagement records, suggests massive public support for controlled development of 'magical abilities'."
I finished my coffee and walked into the living room, where I had set up a makeshift setup to monitor multiple media sources simultaneously. Main TV on CNN, laptop open on BBC, tablet on YouTube, phone still floating next to me.
"VEXIS THALAR ZEPHON," I said, and lifted myself slightly off the floor, floating two feet above the couch as I positioned myself comfortably for my media monitoring session. It was much more relaxing than sitting normally.
CNN was doing a morning special: "48 Hours Later: How Thorne's Discovery Changed Everything."
"Good morning, I'm Anderson Cooper. Two days ago, Dr. Kai Thorne demonstrated capabilities that defy our basic understanding of physics. Last night, he responded directly to millions of people in an unprecedented online Q&A session. This morning, we look at how the world is responding."
The panel included a Harvard physicist, a Stanford psychologist, an international policy expert, and—surprisingly—a former colleague of mine from NeuralDyne.
"Dr. Jennifer Walsh, you taught Kai Thorne at MIT. Does this discovery surprise you?"
"Anderson, I have to admit yes and no. Kai has always been exceptional at spotting patterns that others miss. But the magnitude of this discovery... it's extraordinary even by his standards."
"And your personal assessment of him as a person?"
"Completely consistent with what we saw in the AMA yesterday. Kai is genuinely motivated by a desire to help others. The loss of his father affected him deeply. If anyone should have that kind of power, it would be someone like him."
Perfect. Validation from a trusted source who knew me personally.
Stanford psychologist Dr. Robert Mills was analyzing my behavior during the AMA:
"Body language during Neil Tyson's interview and written responses on Reddit show remarkable consistency. There are no signs of deception or pathological grandiosity. His concerns about safety and ethics seem genuine."
"But Dr. Mills," Anderson pressed, "how do we psychologically evaluate someone with literally godlike power?"
"This is an unprecedented challenge. But based on the available evidence, Dr. Thorne demonstrates rare scientific humility and commitment to collaborative oversight. If he wanted to accumulate personal power, he would not be proposing an international academy with multilateral oversight."
I moved to BBC, where they were doing international coverage.
"The global reaction to Dr. Thorne's AMA has been overwhelmingly positive," the correspondent was reporting. "A rapid survey in eight countries shows average public support of 73 percent for the establishment of an international academy, with 81 percent expressing confidence in Thorne's leadership."
"Governments have also responded positively. The British Prime Minister said this morning that the UK 'is honoured to contribute to the responsible development of capabilities that can transform medicine and science.' The German Chancellor echoed similar sentiments."
I opened YouTube on my tablet. A political analysis channel I followed was livestreaming: "Thorne AMA Analysis: Political Implications."
The host was reading specific comments from my AMA:
"Notice how Thorne answered the question about military applications. He didn't deny defensive potential, but emphasized peaceful priority and preventive countermeasures. It's the language of someone who has really thought about geopolitical ramifications."
"And his response on ethics oversight was a masterclass in diplomatic communication. He acknowledged legitimate concerns without promising impossibilities."
The livestream chat was exploding with comments:
"Thorne for President 2028!"
"Finally a leader who combines genius with ethics"
"This guy is going to save humanity"
"Academy can be the solution to every major problem"
I switched to the morning talk show where they were having a debate about religious implications.
Progressive reverend was arguing: "I see Dr. Thorne's discoveries as revealing divine potential latent in humanity. His capabilities may be tools that God always intended for us to develop."
Conservative pastor countered: "Power over physical reality belongs only to the Creator. This can be a dangerous temptation that leads humanity down the wrong path."
Rabbi offered a different perspective: "Jewish tradition values learning and discovery as a form of partnership with the divine. If Dr. Thorne can heal the sick and alleviate suffering, that is a blessing."
Imam added: "In Islam, knowledge is sacred. If these capabilities exist, then Allah has permitted their discovery for the benefit of humanity. The question is how we use them responsibly."
It was fascinating to see different religious traditions working to incorporate my discovery into their cosmologies. Just as I had predicted—humans have a remarkable ability to adapt worldviews to accommodate new realities.
My floating phone vibrated with a call. It was Katharina.
"THYSS ZELAK," I murmured, and the phone descended smoothly into my hand.
"Kai, are you watching this?"
"Everything. It's amazing."
"I just got out of a meeting with the provost. MIT has received 847 partnership requests in the last 12 hours. Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, Oxford - they all want to engage with academia."
"And government?"
"White House called three times. They want a private briefing before the presidential speech at noon."
"I will consider it. But only under specific terms - there will be no negotiations over control of the academy."
"Understood. Kai, have you seen the poll numbers?"
"Some."
"Public approval is at 78% nationally, 71% internationally. These are numbers that politicians dream of having."
After hanging up with Katharina, I returned to monitoring. Now the programs were starting to analyze technical aspects of the AMA.
Discovery Channel was doing a special: "Science Thorne: Deconstructing Magic."
Physicist was explaining: "If we assume that Thorne's commands really access the informational layer of reality, this has precedent in quantum mechanics. Collapse of the wave function through observation already demonstrates that consciousness interfaces with physical systems."
Computer scientist added: "Thorne's background in AI pattern recognition uniquely positioned him to identify linguistic structures that pure physicists might miss. Interdisciplinary approach was crucial."
Neurobiologist noted: "Brain scans during demonstrations showed activity in regions associated with language processing, spatial reasoning, and intention formation simultaneously. It's a pattern we've never seen before."
YouTube was full of reaction videos to my AMA:
"SCIENTIST REACTS to Kai Thorne's AMA - MIND BLOWN" - 2.3 million views
"PHILOSOPHER ANALYZES Thorne's Ethics - Is He Right About Magic Academy?" - 1.8 million
"MILITARY EXPERT REVIEWS Thorne's Defensive Claims - Should We Be Worried?" - 1.1 million
TikTok was even more chaotic. Thousands of people trying to replicate commands (unsuccessfully), improvised experts "explaining" how magic works, and endless memes about gym memberships.
One particularly viral TikTok showed a teenager attempting levitation for hours, growing increasingly frustrated, finally shouting "THIS IS A SCAM!" before throwing the phone at the wall.
Comments included:
"Thorne said 30% success rate, you're probably in the 70% range"
"You need proper training, idiot"
"Not everyone can be a wizard"
"Darwin Award Candidate"
Celebrity Instagram Stories were a fascinating mix of support, skepticism, and attempts to capitalize on the trend.
@TheRock: "Much respect to Dr. Thorne. If he can heal people and advance humanity, I'm all in. #TeamThorne"
@RyanReynolds: "Finally, someone who can make my wife float. Wait, that came out wrong. #MagicAndReal"
@neilpatrickharris: "As someone who makes a living from illusion, I can confirm that this is no trick. This is revolution. #RealMagic"
I switched back to news channels to see international reaction coverage.
"China reaffirms offer of territory to academy," the BBC correspondent was reporting. "Foreign Secretary says 'China is committed to supporting Dr Thorne's vision of responsible human advancement.'"
"Russia matched offer with additional guarantees of full autonomy and unlimited research funding."
"European Union held emergency session, emerging with unified proposal for consortium model with shared supervision."
"Japan offered technological partnership in addition to territory, promising the world's most advanced research facilities."
"Brazil has emphasized environmental applications, offering access to the Amazon for biological research."
Phone vibrating again. This time it was a number I didn't recognize.
"Dr. Thorne? This is the President's Chief of Staff. The President would like a brief meeting prior to his noon speech. Completely informal, just to ensure an accurate understanding of his position."
"I might consider it," I replied diplomatically. "But it must be clear that the academy will be an international institution, not an American project."
"Absolutely understood. The president just wants to show support for responsible development."
"Send details to my team at MIT. Availability subject to scheduling."
I hung up and went back to the monitor. CNN was now showing interviews on the street:
"I think it's amazing," a woman in New York was saying. "If Dr. Thorne can cure cancer or help people with disabilities, it's a blessing."
"Scary but exciting," a Chicago businessman observed. "The world is changing faster than we can process it."
"I want my kids to have access," a Los Angeles mother said. "If this is the future, I want them to be prepared."
"Concerned about security," an elderly Miami man admitted. "Power like that in the wrong hands..."
"But Dr. Thorne seems trustworthy," the young Boston student concluded. "His AMA showed a real person who cares about ethics."
Search numbers appearing on screen:
Approval of Thorne's approach: 73%
Support for international academia: 68%
Confidence in Thorne's leadership: 71%
Belief that magic is real: 67%
Desire for access to training: 84%
The last issue was interesting. Even people who weren't completely convinced wanted access just in case.
I switched to financial news where markets were recovering after the initial chaos.
"Ed-tech stocks continue surge," analysts reported. "Investors are betting on massive demand for new types of training."
"Traditional pharmaceutical companies are stabilizing as the market recognizes that magic cures will not replace all medicine immediately."
"Defense contractors holding onto earnings as governments increase security spending."
"New sector emerging: magical technology research companies. IPOs being planned for companies claiming expertise in consciousness-reality interface."
It was fascinating to watch capitalism adapt in real time to a completely new paradigm.
Phone vibrated with text from Dr. Anderson: "Kai, watching coverage. You are handling it perfectly. Public perception could not be better. Presidential meeting smart move - shows cooperation without submission."
Another text, this time from Dr. Li: "China contacted me this morning. Offering even better terms - 25 square kilometers plus rare earth mining rights. Competition is intensifying."
Third text from Markus: "Security assessment complete. We need to discuss protection protocols. Your public profile makes you a target for several groups."
It was a sobering reminder. Celebrity status came with risks.
I went back to social media monitoring. Twitter's trending topics worldwide were dominated by topics related to me:
#CienciaThorne
#AcademiaMagica
#KaiThorne
#MagiaReal
#FutureOfHumanity
#MagiaResponsavel
#AMAThorne
#ProximaEvolucao
LinkedIn was flooded with professional reactions:
CEOs posting about the "need to adapt business models to magical reality"
Educators discussing "integrating magical literacy into the curriculum"
Lawyers analyzing "legal framework for superhuman capabilities"
HR professionals debating "implications of labor laws for augmented humans"
It was a comprehensive transformation of professional discourse in 48 hours.
YouTube's trending page was completely dominated:
"Neil Tyson LEARNS MAGIC LIVE - Historic Moment"
"Kai Thorne's AMA ANALYZED - Every Response Analyzed"
"MAGIC IS REAL - Compilation of Scientific Evidence"
"Academy Registration - What We Know So Far"
"Religious Leaders React to Magic Discovery"
"Stock Market Chaos After Magic Revealed"
"World Leaders Compete to Host School of Magic"
One video particularly caught our attention: "Psychologist Analyzes Kai Thorne - Is He Messiah or Threat?"
Clinical psychologist was providing detailed analysis:
"Dr. Thorne demonstrates a remarkable psychological profile. Despite having unlimited power, he displays humility, seeks supervision, and prioritizes healing applications. Historically, individuals with significant power tend toward grandiosity and isolation. Thorne shows the opposite pattern."
"Their transparency through the AMA, willingness to submit to verification, and emphasis on a collaborative approach suggest a genuine commitment to responsible development."
"More telling is his focus on institutional structures rather than personal authority. Someone seeking power would centralize control. Thorne is deliberately distributing it."
Comments were overwhelmingly positive:
"Finally someone looking at this properly"
"Thorne really seems like a good guy"
"Psychological perspective helps to understand better"
"This guy should lead our evolution"
Around 11am, I started getting calls from major media outlets requesting interviews:
60 Minutes, Meet the Press, Today Show, Good Morning America, Late Night com Stephen Colbert.
All wanting exclusive interviews. All offering significant compensation. All emphasizing my "responsibility to help the public understand" the discovery.
It was tempting, but strategic considerations were complex. Too much exposure could diminish the mystique. Too little could cede control of the narrative to others.
I decided to accept three strategic interviews: 60 Minutes for serious long-form analysis, the Tonight Show for humanizing coverage, and an international outlet—perhaps the BBC—for a global perspective.
Phone rang. White House again.
"Dr. Thorne, Chairman confirmed for 11:30am meeting. Car will pick you up in 15 minutes if acceptable."
I looked around the apartment. Floating phone, coffee cup moving on its own, general atmosphere of casual magic use.
"THYSS ZELAK," he said, and everything returned to normal.
It was time for a meeting with the most powerful person in the world.
Who wanted to discuss my discovery of capabilities that made his power seem antiquated in comparison.
It was an ironic situation that I intended to take full advantage of.
"Send the car," he said to the Chief of Staff. "Looking forward to the conversation."
It was time for Phase Six to officially begin.
I looked at my closet, considering what to wear to meet the most powerful man in the free world. For a moment, I thought about a formal suit—I was meeting with the President, after all. But after some thought, I decided on dark jeans, a light blue dress shirt, and a casual leather jacket.
If the President wanted to know me, he should know me as I really was. Besides, after demonstrating the ability to manipulate physical reality, traditional dress code seemed... irrelevant.
As I got dressed, I couldn't help but smile at the sheer irony of the situation. Seven months ago, I was a software developer working at a medical startup in Seattle. My main concern was optimizing algorithms for neurological diagnostics. Now I was preparing for a meeting with the President of the United States, who had personally flown from Washington to Massachusetts to see me.
The transformation was surreal. In January, I was Dr. Kai Thorne, a respected but largely anonymous software architect. Today, I was Dr. Kai Thorne, the person who had fundamentally altered human understanding of reality and was about to establish an academy that would define the future of human evolution.
I walked to the window and looked down. The MIT campus had become an absolute circus.
Dozens of media vans parked on every nearby street. Reporters with cameras interviewing anyone willing to talk. Students holding signs: "WE WANT MAGIC!", "THORNE FOR WORLD LEADER!", "ACADEMY HERE!"
Secret Service security teams clearly visible, even though they try to be discreet. Men in black suits speak into small microphones, their eyes constantly scanning the crowds.
News helicopters circling overhead. Drones (probably unauthorized) trying to capture footage.
And in the middle of it all, a black presidential limousine waiting, surrounded by armored SUVs.
It was like a scene from a science fiction movie, except I was the protagonist.
My phone buzzed with a message from Katharina: "Kai, half the government is here. FBI, NSA, Department of Energy, even NASA. Be careful - they will try to push for American control."
I replied, "Understood. But they need to understand that this transcends national politics."
I took the elevator down, noticing that even MIT staff members were looking at me differently now. No longer as a visiting professor, but as... something more. There was a mix of admiration, nervousness, and frankly, fear in some of the looks.
In the lobby, a Secret Service agent was waiting for me.
"Dr. Thorne? Agent Johnson. The President is waiting."
"Where will we have the meeting?" I asked as we walked.
"The President has opted for a neutral environment. The Rector's House has been temporarily secured for privacy."
Interesting. Not the White House, not a government building. Technically neutral territory, but with all the machinery of presidential security.
We left the building and were immediately surrounded by deafening noise: reporters shouting, cameras clicking, helicopters overhead, crowds of students and onlookers kept behind barriers.
"DR. THORNE! COMMENTS ON THE MEETING?"
"ARE YOU GOING TO WORK WITH THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT?"
"WHEN DOES THE ACADEMY OPEN ENROLLMENTS?"
"CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE MAGIC FOR US?"
I waved to the crowd but didn't stop for questions. Agent Johnson led me to the limousine, where the second agent opened the door.
The interior was exactly as I expected—luxurious black leather, communications screens, mini bar. But sitting across from me was a man I had seen countless times on television, but never in person.
The President of the United States.
He stood as I entered, extending his hand with a smile that managed to be simultaneously warm and calculating.
"Dr. Thorne. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."
"Mr. President," I replied, shaking his hand. "I appreciate you coming to Massachusetts in person."
"When a potentially civilization-changing discovery is made on American soil, the President should be present," he said, gesturing for me to sit. "Can I get you anything? Coffee, water?"
"Water would be great."
He served two glasses of expensive bottled mineral water, a behavior clearly designed to establish an informal and friendly atmosphere.
"Dr. Thorne, I must say the last two days have been... extraordinary. My scientific advisors are literally rewriting assessments of possible human development."
"I imagine so. Paradigm shifts tend to require recalibration of expectations."
"Indeed." He leaned back, studying my face. "I have to ask—how does it feel to know that you've discovered something that could fundamentally alter the balance of world power?"
Interesting question. Direct but diplomatically phrased.
"With great responsibility," I replied honestly. "And determination to ensure that development benefits all of humanity, not just a select few."
"That's an admirable sentiment. And that's exactly why we're having this conversation." He leaned forward. "The United States has a long history of supporting international scientific cooperation. We want to be part of the solution, not an impediment."
"I appreciate that. But you must understand that the academy will be a truly international institution. Not an American project, not a Chinese project, not a European project. An independent entity with shared governance."
"I absolutely understand. And frankly, it's exactly the approach we prefer. The United States does not want the sole burden of overseeing something so significant."
This surprised me slightly. I expected more resistance under control.
"But," he continued, "we have legitimate concerns about security implications. If hostile actors gain access to these capabilities before adequate safeguards are in place..."
"I understand the concerns. That is precisely why the academy will have rigorous screening and multilateral oversight. No single nation will be able to militarize development."
"And how do you ensure that? How do you prevent, say, a rogue state from establishing its own training program once the methodology becomes known?"
"Because methodology is not simply a matter of knowing the words," I explained. "It requires specific neurological predisposition combined with intensive training that only academia can safely provide. Attempts to shortcut the process result in failure or worse."
"Worse?"
"Psychological instability, neurological damage, in extreme cases, complete mental collapse. This is precisely why controlled development is essential."
The President paused, processing the implications.
"Dr. Thorne, my intelligence services inform you that multiple countries have already offered territory to host the academy. China, Russia, Japan, Brazil... How do you decide?"
"Through objective assessment of which arrangement best serves the mission of responsible development. Not political favors, not economic incentives that compromise independence."
"What if the United States made a competitive offer?"
"It would be evaluated fairly along with the others. But it must be clear - the host nation receives no special access, no preferential treatment, no leverage over funds. The academy operates under international law with transparent governance."
He nodded slowly. "Appreciated. Let me ask you a different question. What are the immediate applications you're prioritizing?"
"Medical first. Regenerative healing for conditions that traditional medicine struggles with. Neurological disorders, cancers, traumatic injuries."
"Including military injuries? Veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries?"
"Absolutely. Healing is healing, regardless of how the injury occurred."
"That's... significant. Tens of thousands of veterans could potentially benefit."
"It's exactly the kind of application where academia wants to focus initially."
The President sat back, considering.
"Dr. Thorne, may I speak frankly?"
"Please."
"The political reality is that a discovery of this magnitude cannot exist in a vacuum. Whether you like it or not, there are geopolitical implications. Other world leaders are asking the same questions I am. How do we ensure that this does not become a source of instability rather than progress?"
It was a good question, and one I had anticipated.
"Through transparency, collaboration, and shared governance from the beginning. The moment any nation feels excluded or threatened, cooperation breaks down and competition begins. Academia must be seen as the benefit of all, the property of no one."
"What about individuals? Citizens around the world will want access. How do we deal with the inevitably massive demand?"
"Progressive expansion. Start with medical applications for most urgent needs. Gradually expand to include wider population as infrastructure and training capacity grows. Lottery system for initial selections to ensure fairness."
"Lottery? Not merit-based selection?"
"Matchmaking. Basic qualifications first - psychological stability, ethical assessment, aptitude test. Among qualified candidates, lottery ensures that there is no systematic bias in favor of wealth, nationality, connections."
The President smiled genuinely for the first time. "Dr. Thorne, you have clearly thought through the implications more deeply than many of my aides."
"I had a lot of time to consider during the development process."
"Indeed. Now, logistical question - when does the academy start operations?"
"Preliminary planning suggests 6-8 months for basic infrastructure, 12-18 months for full operational capability."
"And schedule for first student admissions?"
"Ideally, medical applications could begin within a year if adequate safety and oversight structures are established."
"Dr. Thorne," the President said, his tone becoming more serious, "I need to ask about security protocols. Worst-case scenarios. What if someone uses these capabilities to cause harm?"
"The academy trains not just skills, but mindset. Advanced capabilities actually require a psychological state inconsistent with malicious intent. Anger, hatred, and the desire to dominate inhibit the effectiveness of the interface."
"But basic capabilities?"
"Enough to be worrisome, but not civilization-threatening. That's why the vetting process is so critical, and why advanced training requires demonstrable commitment to beneficial applications."
"What about application? If someone graduates from the academy and then turns to harmful uses?"
"The academy maintains monitoring capabilities. Graduates may have access revoked under extreme circumstances."
The President raised an eyebrow. "Can you... turn off the abilities?"
"It's complicated, but yes. Part of the training process builds safeguards."
This was fabrication, of course. I controlled everything through the system architecture. But the president didn't need to know that.
"Fascinating. Dr. Thorne, let me ask you a personal question, if you don't mind."
"You can ask."
"How has that changed you personally? Finding out you have what amounts to godlike abilities?"
I paused, considering how to respond authentically while maintaining the narrative.
"Honestly? It's humbling. Realizing that the universe is much more malleable than you imagined makes you very aware of the responsibility. Every choice has enormous consequences when you can alter physical reality."
"And personally? Your daily life?"
"Completely transformed. Privacy gone, every decision scrutinized, constant awareness that millions of people are looking for leadership in something no one really understands yet."
"Lonely?"
"Sometimes. It's hard to relate to issues that seemed important a week ago when you're now dealing with reshaping human civilization."
The President nodded understandingly. "Leadership isolation is something I understand well. Though, admittedly, not quite on the scale you are experiencing."
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
"Dr. Thorne, what do you need from the United States government to make the academy successful?"
"Cooperation, not control. Support for international structure. Help with security during vulnerable early stages. And patience to allow academia to develop responsibly rather than pushing for immediate results."
"And in return?"
"Priority consideration for US citizens in medical applications. Participation in international governance structure. Regular briefings to relevant agencies. But no special access, no control over funds."
"That seems... fair."
"It's exactly the kind of arrangement I hope to negotiate with all the major powers."
The President smiled. "Dr. Thorne, you have impressed me more than I expected. Many people given sudden power are corrupted by it. You seem genuinely committed to using the discovery responsibly."
"Power without wisdom is dangerous. Wisdom without responsibility is naive. Academia represents an attempt to balance both."
"Well said." He stood, extending his hand again. "Dr. Thorne, you have the full support of the United States government to establish the international academy, under the terms you have outlined."
"Thank you for your support, Mr. President."
"And Dr. Thorne? If you ever need anything - security, diplomatic assistance, scientific cooperation - do not hesitate to ask. This is bigger than politics."
"Appreciated."
As I stepped out of the limousine and headed back to campus, I reflected on the conversation. The President had been surprisingly reasonable, willing to accept international structure rather than demand American control. Either he was genuinely committed to a collaborative approach, or he understood that pushing for dominance would fail spectacularly.
In any case, it had official support from the most powerful government in the world.
One down, several great powers to go.
But the real work was just beginning. The academy needed to be more than a diplomatic compromise—it needed to be the foundation for a fundamentally new phase of human evolution.
Under my complete and careful control.
I watched the presidential motorcade disappear, surrounded again by the media circus and curious crowds.
Seven months ago, I was fixing bugs in AI algorithms in a quiet Seattle office.
Today, I had just negotiated terms for reshaping civilization with the President of the United States.
Tomorrow, I would begin building infrastructure for the school that would determine the future of human development.
It was exactly as I had imagined from the beginning.
Except it was happening even faster and more smoothly than I had dared to hope.
After the intensity of the presidential meeting, I felt the need for something normal and mundane. I walked toward the MIT cafeteria, figuring a sandwich and coffee might help me process everything that had happened in the last few hours.
Of course, "normal" had become a relative concept. Even the simple act of walking across campus now drew stares, whispers, and the occasional attempt by people to strike up conversations or take discreet photos. It was as if I had become a movie celebrity, except my fame was based on my ability to violate fundamental laws of physics.
The cafeteria was moderately crowded—the late lunch hour attracted a mix of students, faculty, and staff. As I entered, conversation gradually died down as people noticed my presence. Not total silence, but that odd quality of background noise when everyone is trying to listen discreetly.
I picked up my tray and headed to the sandwich counter. The clerk, a middle-aged woman I had seen hundreds of times before, looked at me with an expression of nervous admiration.
"Dr. Thorne," she said softly. "It's... it's really you."
"Hi, Maria," I replied, reading her name tag. "As always. Can you make me a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich?"
"Sure, sure! It's an honor... I mean, I saw you on TV yesterday. I can't believe you're here, getting a sandwich like a normal person."
I smiled. "I still need to eat, no matter what happens in the world."
As she prepared my sandwich with exceptional care—as if she were creating a work of art—I picked up my phone to check the latest news.
Twitter was still dominated by hashtags related to me, but there were a few other stories getting some attention:
Storm approaching the east coast
Congressional debate on defense budget
Tech CEO resigns over scandal
Football team signs new player for record fee
It was strange and almost comforting to see that the world still had other concerns besides my discovery. Humanity had a remarkable ability to adapt to even the most dramatic paradigm shifts, finding ways to continue with everyday business even when everything was being revolutionized.
I paid for the sandwich and walked to a table in the corner, hoping to eat in relative peace. I had barely taken my first bite when I noticed a young man hesitantly approaching my table.
He looked to be in his early twenties, with messy brown hair, glasses, and an MIT sweatshirt with a few coffee stains. Typical undergraduate engineering or computer science student. His hands were shaking slightly as he held what appeared to be a crumpled laptop.
"Excuse me, Dr. Thorne," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "I know you must be very busy, but... can I talk to you for a minute?"
I looked at him, noticing a mixture of nervousness, determination, and something that looked like desperation in his eyes.
"Sure," he said, gesturing to the empty chair across from mine. "What's your name?"
"David," he replied, sitting on the edge of his chair as if ready to run at any moment. "David Chen. I'm a sophomore in computer science."
"Nice to meet you, David. What can I do for you?"
He took a deep breath, clearly trying to gather his courage.
"Dr. Thorne, I... I know this is going to sound completely crazy, but I need you to take me on as your apprentice."
I paused with the sandwich halfway to my mouth. "Apprentice?"
"Yes, sir. I know you're going to establish an academy, but that will take months, maybe years. And I..." his voice grew more intense, "I can't wait that long."
"David, why can't you wait? The academy will have a proper admissions process-"
"Because my sister is dying," he interrupted, then blushed, realizing he'd cut me off. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, but... she has leukemia. Terminal stage. The doctors said she has maybe six months."
I felt the familiar weight of human reality behind all the theoretical speculation about my capabilities. David wasn't interested in the philosophical implications of reality manipulation—he was desperate to save someone he loved.
"David," he said softly, "I understand your situation, but-"
"Please," he said, leaning forward. "I've done research on you. Your background, your education, your past projects. I know you lost your father to neurological disease. You understand what it's like to watch someone you love waste away when traditional medicine can't help."
He wasn't wrong. The parallel was uncomfortably accurate.
"I know you're probably getting hundreds, maybe thousands of requests like this," David continued. "But I'm willing to do anything. I can help with your research, with documentation, with any project you have. I'm a good programmer - I've got straight A's in all my computer science courses. I can help."
"David, medical applications are exactly what we want to prioritize at the academy. Your sister would be an ideal candidate for initial treatment-"
"In six months to a year?" he interrupted again, desperation clearer in his voice. "She doesn't have that much time. I need to learn now, Dr. Thorne. I need to be able to help her before it's too late."
I noticed this young man sitting in front of me, trembling slightly, clearly not having slept properly, probably not eating properly. He was the image of someone who had placed all hope in an impossible possibility.
"David, do you understand that not everyone can develop these abilities effectively? It requires specific neurological predispositions that we estimate only 30% of the population possesses."
"Then test me," he said immediately. "Right now, if you want. If I don't have the aptitude, I'll accept that. But if I do, please... please give me a chance."
"And you realize that proper training typically takes months? It's not something you learn in a weekend."
"I will study twenty hours a day if necessary. I will drop all other classes. I will devote every moment of my time to this."
It was hard not to be moved by his determination, even though I knew he was manipulating me through emotional history. Or perhaps precisely because he knew. I had used a similar motivation—my "father's" death from neurological disease—to justify my own quest for power.
"David, let me ask you a question. If you manage to develop healing abilities, and save your sister, what will you do next? Will you continue studying to help others, or will you consider your mission complete?"
He paused, clearly not expecting this question.
"I... honestly, I haven't thought about it that much. All I can focus on right now is saving her. But yeah, I think I'd like to help others too. If I can make a difference, why wouldn't I?"
"And you do realize that accepting you as an apprentice would set a precedent? Hundreds of other people in desperate situations would start looking for me?"
"I understand," he said quietly. "And I know it's not fair to ask for special treatment. But Dr. Thorne, you are literally the only person in the world who can teach this. If you don't teach me, no one can. My sister will die, and I will have to live with the knowledge that there was a possibility I couldn't access."
I finished my sandwich as I considered the situation. From a strategic standpoint, having a public learner could be helpful in demonstrating the training process and setting realistic expectations. David also seemed genuinely intelligent and motivated.
On the other hand, taking on personal apprenticeships could complicate my position as an impartial leader of the future academy. And there were security risks in teaching someone outside of a formal structure.
"David, you mentioned that you are a good programmer. What kind of projects have you worked on?"
His eyes lit up slightly. "Mostly machine learning applied to medical data analysis. I've actually been following some of the papers you published before the… discovery. Your work on neurological pattern recognition was brilliant."
"And do you understand systems programming?"
"Yes, sir. Low-level languages, systems architecture, even some hardware development."
Interesting. If I were to take on an apprentice, someone with a relevant technical background would be ideal.
"David, let me be completely honest with you. I can't promise that I can teach you, and I definitely can't promise a timeline that would save your sister. But I am willing to do an initial aptitude assessment."
His eyes widened. "Really? You would do that?"
"But with clear conditions. First, this remains completely confidential until I decide how to proceed. Second, if I determine that you do not have the necessary aptitude, you accept that decision and stop seeking me out. Third, if I decide to train you, it will be on my terms and schedule, not yours. Understood?"
"Yes, sir. Absolutely. Anything you say."
"And David? If this works, if you develop abilities and can help your sister, you owe me something in return."
"Anything," he said immediately.
"A long-term commitment to using whatever skills you develop to help others. Not just your sister, but anyone you can help. This discovery is bigger than any individual situation."
He nodded vigorously. "Of course. I completely understand."
I studied his face for a long moment. There was sincerity in his eyes, but also a determination that could turn into a dangerous obsession. He was exactly the kind of person who could be both a valuable asset and a significant liability.
"Very well, David. Meet me in my lab tomorrow at 8 am. And David?"
"Yes sir?"
"Bring full medical information on your sister. If we're going to attempt this, I need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."
He stood up so quickly he nearly knocked over his chair. "Thank you, Dr. Thorne. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."
"David," I called after him as he turned to leave. "One last thing. This is a test, not a guarantee. Keep your expectations realistic."
"Understood. But Dr. Thorne? Thank you for giving me hope when I had none."
I watched him leave the coffee shop, practically running with excitement and nervousness.
I finished my coffee as I processed what I had just agreed to. Accepting David as a potential apprentice was a decision that could have significant ramifications. If he developed skills and succeeded in helping his sister, it would be an inspiring story that would build public support. If he failed… well, failure could also be useful in establishing realistic limitations.
My phone vibrated with a message from Katharina: "Kai, where are you? Media is asking about next steps after presidential meeting."
I replied, "Cafeteria. Coming back soon. And Katharina? We'll have a visitor tomorrow morning. Student named David Chen. Can you set up lab for assessment session?"
"Evaluation for what?"
"Potential first official apprentice."
"Kai, are you sure this is a good idea?"
I looked around the coffee shop, noticing that several people were still watching me discreetly, probably trying to listen in on my phone conversation.
"No," I replied honestly. "But sometimes the best decisions are the ones we're not sure about."
I got up, threw away the remains of my lunch, and prepared to return to the chaos of media, international politics, and the responsibility of reshaping human civilization.
But first, he had a desperate young man to assess and possibly a life to save.
It was exactly the kind of situation that made all abstract power very, very real.
I returned to my office with the strange feeling of being in the eye of the storm. All around me, the world was in complete upheaval—governments reorganizing, markets swinging wildly, religions reevaluating theology, scientists questioning fundamental physics. But I, at the center of it all, could only wait and watch as the forces I had unleashed took their natural course.
It was like having pushed the first stone of an avalanche and now watching the entire mountain crumble. Exciting and terrifying at the same time.
Katharina was in the lab coordinating what she called a "response operation," but which sounded more like a presidential campaign command center. Markus was in constant meetings with representatives of various universities who wanted "strategic partnerships." Dr. Hoffmann was fielding calls from European research institutes. Dr. Li was negotiating with at least six different governments simultaneously.
And I was... waiting.
Not that there was a shortage of things to do. My inbox had over 10,000 unread emails. My phone was ringing every thirty seconds. Hollywood producers were offering eight figures for the rights to my story. Publishers were bidding wars for the autobiography I hadn't yet written.
But really, at this point, the momentum had become greater than any individual action I could take. The world was reacting, adapting, evolving in response to the new reality I had revealed. My job now was to guide that evolution, not force it.
I turned on the television just as CNN was announcing: "Special broadcast in 10 minutes: Pope Francis to address the world on the theological implications of the discovery of 'scientific magic.'"
Perfect timing. I smiled as I settled in to watch.
My phone vibrated with a message from Katharina: "Kai, have you seen our 'team' numbers today?"
"What numbers?" I replied.
"People volunteering to work with us, voluntarily, without recruitment. It went from 200 to 850 in 6 hours."
That surprised me. "What kind of people?"
"Everything. University professors asking for permission to join the research. Doctors offering expertise. Engineers wanting to help with facility design. Lawyers offering free legal services. Even artists wanting to document a 'historic moment'."
It was fascinating. The academy didn't formally exist yet, we didn't have an employment structure, we didn't even have a defined location. But it was already attracting a massive talent pool of people who wanted to be part of what they saw as the next chapter in human evolution.
"And how are we dealing with this?" I asked.
"Improvising. Dr. Li created an online form to catalog qualifications and interest. Dr. Anderson is doing initial screening. It's chaotic but... amazing."
The papal broadcast was beginning. I focused on the screen as I continued exchanging messages.
"My dear brothers and sisters throughout the world," Pope Francis began, speaking in multiple languages alternately. "Today we address you at a time of great wonder and, for some, great concern."
His body language was fascinating—not the fear or condemnation that some conservative religious leaders had expressed, but genuine curiosity mixed with pastoral caution.
"Over the past 72 hours, we have witnessed demonstrations of capabilities that challenge our traditional understanding of how God designed His creation. Dr. Kai Thorne has demonstrated abilities that many are calling 'magic' but which he describes as advanced science."
My phone was blowing up with notifications. Apparently half the world was watching this live.
"As a pastor of the Catholic Church, I must ask: Are these abilities a gift from God or a dangerous temptation? Are they a revelation of latent divine potential in humanity or a deviation from God's plan?"
Papa paused, looking directly at the camera.
"After deep prayer and consultation with theologians around the world, I believe the answer is: both. And neither."
Interesting theological approach. Nuanced rather than dogmatic.
"God created the universe with laws that we are only beginning to understand. If Dr. Thorne has discovered ways to interact with these laws more deeply, it may be part of God's plan for humanity to grow in wisdom and ability."
He was effectively giving papal blessing to my discovery. The strategic value of this was immense.
"But," he continued, raising a warning finger, "power always comes with responsibility. And greater responsibility comes to those who will guide the development of these capabilities."
He was looking directly at the camera now, as if he were talking to me personally.
"Dr. Thorne, if you are watching, I pray you will remember: 'From whom much is given, much will be required.' Use these gifts to heal the sick, feed the hungry, bring hope to the hopeless. Use them to unite humanity, not divide it."
My phone rang. Katharina.
"Do you see this?" she asked.
"Hard to miss. The Pope just gave me a personal sermon on world television."
"And implicit papal approval. This will neutralize significant conservative religious opposition."
She was right. Having Pope Francis—the world's most respected religious leader—frame my discovery as potentially divine rather than heretical would make it much harder for other religious leaders to mount effective opposition.
"In addition," she continued, "we have just received requests from 23 Catholic universities wanting to establish academic partnerships with our future academy."
"In 10 minutes?"
"Apparently they were prepared to react depending on what the Pope said."
The Pope was continuing his speech: "The Catholic Church offers our resources - universities, hospitals, charitable organizations - to support the responsible development of these capacities. But only if they are used to serve the poor and needy, not to accumulate power or wealth."
It was a brilliant political offer. The Church was positioning itself as a moral partner in exchange for guarantees about ethical applications.
"And to those who fear these discoveries," Pope concluded, "I remind you: Jesus healed the sick, multiplied loaves of bread, walked on water. Miracles do not contradict faith - they confirm it. If Dr. Thorne can do similar through advanced science, perhaps we are seeing how God always intended His children to eventually develop."
It was masterful theological reframing. Instead of science versus religion, Pope was presenting it as science revealing a deeper religious agenda.
When the broadcast ended, my phone immediately rang. International number - Vatican.
"Dr. Thorne? Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. His Holiness would like to arrange a private meeting at your convenience."
"It would be an honor," I replied. "But it must be clear that the academy will be secular in operation, although it will welcome spiritual perspectives."
"Completely understood. His Holiness simply wishes to discuss potential collaboration on charitable applications."
After hanging up, I checked social media to see the reaction to the papal speech.
Twitter was exploding:
#PapaApoiaThorne trending with 8 million tweets
#MagiaCatolica trending with 3 million
#DivineMagic trending with 2 million
Comments varied dramatically:
"Pope has always been progressive, but this is another level"
"Finally a religious leader who understands science"
"If the Pope says it's okay, it must be legitimate"
"Jesus with scientific superpowers - mind blown"
"Catholic Church adapting to reality as always"
But also significant resistance from conservative religious sectors:
"Pope is being deceived by Satan"
"This is exactly the kind of false miracles the Bible warns about."
"Traditional Catholics reject this heresy"
"How dare the Pope compare a charlatan to Jesus"
It was causing schism within Catholicism itself, but poll numbers I was seeing suggested that the progressive position had majority support.
My laptop pinged with a new email. Subject line: "From the Vatican Scientific Academy - Proposal for Collaboration."
I opened it to find a detailed proposal for joint research initiatives between academia and the Vatican's own scientific institutions. They wanted to establish a theological oversight committee to ensure ethical development, but surprisingly they were not asking for oversight or veto power.
It was a remarkably sophisticated approach.
Another email arrived, this time from the Chief Rabbi of Israel: "Invitation to discuss Talmudic perspectives on reality manipulation."
Then email from the Islamic Council: "Request for dialogue on Quranic interpretations of scientific discovery."
Within an hour of the papal announcement, I had invitations from literally dozens of world religious institutions wanting to engage constructively rather than oppose.
Katharina burst into my office.
"Kai, you have to see this," she said, practically vibrating with excitement.
"What now?"
"Our 'team' has exploded to 1,200 people in the last hour. But more importantly - look who is offering help."
She handed me a tablet with a scrolling list of names and qualifications:
Dr. Elizabeth Warren (former president of MIT) - "expertise in institutional design"
Prof. Noam Chomsky - "linguistic theory consultancy"
Dr. Jane Goodall - "ethical supervision of human development"
Multiple Nobel laureates offering research collaboration
Former diplomats offering guidance on international relations
Top-tier architects offering pro bono campus design
Security experts offering protection services
"And that's just people who have responded publicly," Katharina continued. "We're getting private contact from government officials, military contractors, tech billionaires..."
"What about logistics? How are we organizing all of this?"
"That's the beautiful part - it's organizing itself. Dr. Chen has created an online collaboration platform. People are self-organizing into working groups based on expertise. Infrastructure committee, medical applications committee, security committee, international relations committee..."
It was an organic organizational structure emerging from a shared vision. I hadn't recruited anyone, I hadn't asked anyone for help, I hadn't even announced a formal hiring process. But somehow the momentum of the discovery was attracting exactly the kind of expertise needed to execute it.
"And financing?" I asked.
"Oh, you didn't see the funding numbers," she smiled.
He pulled up another screen showing a GoFundMe page someone had created: "Support Kai Thorne Academy - Magic for Humanity."
Current endowment: $47 million.
"WHAT?" I almost choked.
"More formal commitments from multiple foundations, technology companies, and government development funds. Best estimate is that we will have close to $500 million available within a month."
It was mind-boggling. I was going from being a software developer with modest savings to running an educational institution with a half-billion-dollar budget in a matter of weeks.
"But wait, there's more," Katharina said, pulling up the video conference screen.
"What is that?"
"Daily coordination meeting that formed spontaneously. Twenty-three working group leaders discussing progress in real time."
Screen showed Zoom call with participants from around the world:
Dr. Anderson reporting progress on medical applications research.
Architecture professor from Switzerland showing campus designs.
Former UN official discussing international legal framework.
Security consultant outlining protection protocols.
Educational technology specialist demonstrating learning management system.
They were talking about my academy as if it were a real, established institution rather than an idea I had announced less than a week ago.
"How long has this been going on?" I asked.
"It started about 6 hours ago. Self-organized. No one asked for permission - they just started meeting and collaborating."
It was a remarkable example of emergent organizing. People were so excited about being part of revolutionary development that they were essentially building the infrastructure of academia voluntarily, in their spare time, without formal structure or authority.
"And the quality of the work?"
"Exceptional. These are world-class experts treating this as the most important project of their careers. The level of detail and sophistication is beyond anything I could have imagined."
My phone buzzed with a text: "Dr. Thorne, this is David. I know you said tomorrow, but I haven't been able to sleep. I've been researching everything I can find on your methodology. Can I send you some analysis I've done? I think I might have insights that could be helpful."
I replied: "Send it to my email. But David, get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an important day."
"Thank you. I promise I'll rest. Just...thank you for giving me hope."
I looked back at Katharina. "So essentially, we have a fully equipped, funded, organizationally structured academy that technically doesn't exist yet."
"Exactly. And the best part? Every major government wants to host this, so we have multiple location options with full sovereignty guarantees."
"Timeline for making this official?"
"Working groups suggest we could have a formal launch within 8-10 weeks rather than months. Infrastructure design, legal framework, staffing, funding - everything is progressing in parallel."
It was a fascinating case study in how transformative ideas create their own momentum for implementation. I didn't have to micromanage development because other people were more invested in its success than I was.
Or rather, they thought they were invested in the same vision as me.
"Katharina," he said, "compile a complete status report - organizational structure, funding, location options, schedule, staffing. I want to see exactly what has been built in my name."
"I'm already working on it. I should have a comprehensive overview by tomorrow morning."
"And security assessment?"
"Also in progress. Staff suggests we need to upgrade to presidential-grade protection within a month, given international attention."
I leaned back in my chair, my phone floating absently as I thought.
In less than a week, I had gone from being an unknown researcher to being at the center of a spontaneous global movement that was reshaping how humanity thought about itself and its potential.
And the beautiful part was that most of the organization and infrastructure was being built by other people, voluntarily, based on their excitement about the vision I had presented.
They thought they were participants in a collaborative effort to advance human evolution.
They had no idea that they were building implementation apparatus for my controlled dominion over this evolution.
It was exactly as I had imagined from the beginning.
Except that scope and speed were exceeding even my most optimistic projections.
The world was not only accepting my discovery - it was enthusiastically organizing itself around supporting it.
"Katharina," he said, "arrange a meeting tomorrow afternoon with the leaders of the working groups. Time for me to officially meet the team that is building my empire."
She smiled. "Your 'gym,' you mean."
"Right. Academy."
But we both knew it was the same thing.