For most of the seminar, Professor Lorraine was comparing things I already knew about the world we currently lived in with the pre-integration era. Our world contained no violence, which held implicit meanings—but primarily that there was no conflict or anything that segregated humans from each other. Humanity at this time understood that everyone’s thoughts and desires benefited both the collective and the individual who conceived it. Once this seeped into everyone’s mind pre-integration, love was a natural consequence.

"Technology and occupations have also changed drastically—especially how scientists viewed the world. The primary usage of science in the past was for extraction and control – which evolved into a concerted effort with nature rather than against it."

“Life itself is the foundation of everything, and all technologies and occupations are designed based on this idea,” Professor Lorraine said. “We have attempted to defy Mother Nature with technology due to our immaturity, but realized too late when our attention returned to the sanctity of our planet.”

I expected him to detail the consequences of humanity’s immaturity, but it was not entertained; reminding me of the time my parents could not respond to my history questions. Not only my parents, but every adult that lived through the integration phase to whom I posed a question to was unable to talk about their past.

When I asked for their reason, they could not answer me. All of them, without exception, seemed to be unable to recall past events, especially anything related to the pre-integration period. Their responses were always along the lines of, “I can only remember bits and pieces, otherwise the memory is quite fuzzy and far away.”

The bits and pieces were general concepts like violence – which is a common theme among their experiences – and mental and physical illness. Maybe mental illness remains in our time, but there was nothing from my experience to compare to. With failure to contemplate an answer, I retuned my ears back to the clear, baritone voice projected through the speakers.

Professor Lorraine pointed to new technologies developed throughout the past forty years on the wall behind him—a basic form of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, a free energy generator that appeared to be a larger-than-human crystal, smaller crystals used as energy siphons, and a new grid system for cities that allowed for levitating vehicles on the road.

“These are the elementary technologies necessary in our daily lives which replaced the old, inefficient technologies. As a result, power plants and many buildings and infrastructure were culled; allowing the space to be used for nature reserves and other purposes. In most cases, the space was unneeded, therefore, the natural ambiance was restored,” the professor said.

“There was a time when country borders and territories existed, but during the integration phase, governments collapsed because the people realized its outdated structure and stopped supporting them. Countries no longer exist, though we still use their names in our daily lives to refer to a location, similar to how we use the names of continents.

“Without governance, people formed smaller communities instead and supported each other through exchange of services. As you already know, there is also a universal economy known as the Credit System that was adopted by everyone on the planet, which is unnecessary but for the people who found comfort in an economy. I know some of you use both depending on what communities and people you interact with, while others only trade within their small, self-sustaining communities.

“However, the greatest change in my perspective is the cessation of the use of logic in most aspects of life due to the arrival of using the heart for loving and integrative action. It is not that we have become incapable of logic. It is simply more limited than what the heart can provide. Where you need to hear a thousand words, the heart can understand in an instant.

“Logic is uncommon in our time because it is reserved to only a small population who take up their careers in the few sciences that remain. So with that personal perspective, it is time for your dismissal. Happy Integrative New Year!”

As Professor Lorraine said that, applause erupted once more as I sat there pondering. So that was why there were only a few seats in my classes.

I recalled his mention of removing old technology and infrastructure, which implied that fewer structures needed maintenance in our time. This allowed students with basic engineering knowledge to go into any sector and make repairs. Even then, my attendance in energy engineering was for the purpose of satiating my desire to create, not for maintenance.

Energy was the source of all appliances, and there was no need to maintain the crystals generating the power because they remain intact. They rarely get chipped or damaged, but even then, a replacement would be needed, meaning an opportunity to get my hands on another beauty to craft.

Now, energy engineering seems too simple and unchallenging if all it takes is a crystal that generates energy from thin air. I admit that I was attracted to the crystals when I was a child because they were colorful and shiny and pretty. Also the symmetry. No words can articulate the beauty of what my eyes locked onto. However, that reason alone no longer motivates me to continue it as a lifelong pursuit.

Though the seminar was appealing, it revealed to me the simplicity of what was needed to supply the whole planet with electricity. Once that is done… then what? Sure, it is challenging for my mind to follow the steps described in my classes, but following footsteps was unsatisfying.

What is satisfying is hearing about the heart having the ability to understand instantly. Intuition and heart… something feels missing. Is there a bridge connecting these two? Why am I drawn to the Integrator more than my classes?

The thought of going back to class after this was not what I looked forward to. To think that the Integrator’s disciple would trigger this repulsion in me was unexpected. If not an engineer, what would be my path in life? When all my effort was put into university and now there is an option to derail because it may not be what I want, I can only see a path of confusion.

My focus broke as I saw Ruyo standing on my left, with most seats now emptied in the lecture hall. “What are you contemplating this time?”

“… Life.” I stood from my seat and ascended the stairs to the room’s exit.

“I feel your confusion leaking—maybe stop thinking, yeah?” Ruyo suggested. “You should go home and not harm me and others beholding your presence.”

I smiled and nudged him with my elbow. “I will get you one day.”

Ruyo gave a wink before running off into the crowded hallway and disappeared. Strange man.

 I unlocked my apartment door with a key and let myself in. Looking down, an almost square-shaped envelope lay on the entrance mat. I picked it up and rotated it with curious observation—the exterior was white without a single blemish and the paper was thick enough so the content’s imprints didn’t reveal in the light. A personal message?

After removing my shoes and winter coat at the entrance, I sat at a square table in the living room and incised the flap of the envelope with my fingers to reveal a folded, sturdy paper card. It was also white, but the front was inked with “Laizen Sommer” in neat cursive.

Holding the card up by the edge of the crease with both hands, I scan the text, curious of its sender because I only knew my parents and the prankster Ruyo. I stopped at the last few lines and stared with mouth agape and still. Heat crawled up my spine. When the heat reached my head, I focused more intensely at the handwritten signature that seared into my mind.

The Integrator.

Branches of cold and hot propagated on the surface of my heart – a burning passion igniting and dying simultaneously. A spontaneous visualization of me jumping for joy with arms flailing coursed through my mind, yet my excitement remained contained as my body stood stiff with pulsating passionate heat.

Arms jittering in self-contained laughter and tears welling up in my eyes, I read to myself.

To Laizen Sommer,

Is the winter treating you well? I bet so! It is the New Year after all, and many people are celebrating it along with its secondary holiday, Integration Day. In any case, I have news for you, and you may take it however you like.

After careful deliberation and waiting, I have decided to nominate you as one of six candidates for the Explorers Project, something I have personally planned for many years meant to train candidates to be highly perceptive, keen, and resilient for the purpose of being the spearhead of humanity’s evolution. This means you will be under my disciples’ tutelage – whom I have taken extensive care of – and will be provided with all necessities during the period of training, including room and board.

Do not worry about your family; I have notified them through physical mail as well. They only know that you will be tutored by me and will be gone for a while. If it makes you feel any better, you will be able to contact them once you arrive here.

As the Explorers Project is not public knowledge, I trust that you will not go about spreading this information, regardless whether you accept this invitation or not.

If you do accept, there will be designated officers picking you up in front of your home two days from now on January 3^rd at 07:00 in your time zone. They will only wait for half an hour maximum before departing in the case you refuse. You can pack clothes, food, toiletries, and personal belongings if you want, although unnecessary.

Afterwards, more details and specifics will be revealed in regards to what you will actually be doing.

I will be waiting,

Integrator