Research needs funding.
And sotis, that funding can be terrifying in scale.
There are tis when a project that seems utterly insignificant today might require massive financial backing to even get off the ground.
As for the ones who provide the money—Benedict was more than willing to call them "dad" if it got the job done.
As long as he could secure enough resources to complete his research, then everything would be worth it.
And if the person funding that research also happened to be soone he deeply admired? Then Benedict's excitent would only multiply.
"Mr. Takayuki, I've admired you for so long! It's your gas that opened up a whole new world for !"
On a video call, this was Benedict's first chance to speak directly with his idol, Takayuki.
Not an easy opportunity to co by.
...
"Thank you for the kind words—and for loving my gas," Takayuki said calmly. "But let's skip the small talk. I need your help building a trained AI model."
"That's right up my alley! Mr. Takayuki, just tell what you need—I'll have my students do everything they can to deliver it."
Of course, just don't forget to fund us when we're done.
"Good. Here's what I'm thinking..."
Takayuki laid out his request. Benedict responded almost instantly:
"No problem. That's actually pretty simple. Just to clarify—are you planning to apply this to video gas?"
"Exactly. But my people still don't fully understand how AI can work in a gaming context. I just need a basic demo for now."
Benedict was delighted by Takayuki's confirmation. Being able to bring AI into gaming—his field of passion—felt like a dream co true. Even if the direction was slightly different from his own, he was all in.
"Alright. I'll get my students working on it right away. It's not that hard. We should have sothing demo-ready... maybe by tomorrow morning, or early afternoon at the latest."
He originally ant to say afternoon, but training the model itself would take so ti, even if the coding was done quickly. He needed at least a half-day to get the AI to a basic functional state.
"Thank you. I look forward to your update tomorrow," said Takayuki. "Oh, and the initial $5 million in funding will be processed through your school's channels shortly. In the future, I hope your team can share the tech you develop with us—or at least grant us usage rights."
"That's no issue. Whoever pays naturally has the louder voice. Of course, the patent will remain under our school's na, but—"
"That's fine. I just need access to the tech. If you ever run short on funds again, co find . I can afford it."
Benedict's eyes practically lit up with joy.
That was the exact sentence he wanted to hear.
Half of what he said earlier about admiring Takayuki was sincere—the other half? Well, that was just bait to reel in this golden whale.
When the call ended, Takayuki turned to his still-dazed team and said:
"Alright, today's eting is adjourned. Focus on your current work. Tomorrow morning we'll have another eting—not just your Fourth Developnt Division, but also the First, Third, and Ninth Divisions, plus the engine team and VFX leads. I'll be showing you sothing... different."
The team dispersed, while Ayano looked at Takayuki with an unusual expression.
He noticed and smiled.
"Why're you looking at like that?"
"Feels like you've stumbled on sothing huge again."
"Again?"
"The last ti you acted like this was when you explained the smartphone market to Bob. And the ti before that, it was when you pushed him to launch the video platform."
"Whenever you're like this, it ans you're about to revolutionize another industry."
Takayuki chuckled.
"Don't exaggerate. I just see things a little differently."
"So... this ti with AI, are you planning to invest long-term?"
"That's for the investnt departnt to decide. I don't manage that. They'll assess the market and potential. Matsubashi will make the final call. ? I'm just using AI for gas."
Ayano crossed her arms.
"Then I'm really curious—how exactly do you plan to make your ga a reality?"
"Heh. Just wait. This might be the mont that changes the industry all over again."
Though truthfully, Takayuki wasn't entirely confident this ti.
Still, after so many smooth successes, he felt it was finally ti to make a bold gamble.
Worst-case? He loses so money.
But for soone like Takayuki, that wasn't a big deal anymore.
"Alright, I'll wait for your good news."
—
anwhile, at Benedict's AI Lab in the U.S., he delivered the news of their funding windfall to his students.
The mont they heard it, the room erupted in cheers.
With money, anything was possible.
"But don't celebrate just yet," Benedict cautioned. "The funds will take a while to arrive, and tonight... we're pulling an all-nighter. This is the first ti your professor is officially begging for your help."
"Huh? All night?!"
The students froze.
"Our new backer didn't give us money for nothing. He has one goal—to help him build a working demo of our product."
One student raised his hand.
"Professor... is it too late to switch labs?"
"Ha! You want to lose your credits?"
"Are you even human, Professor?!"
"This month, every one of you will get an extra $5,000 in stipend. All I'm asking is one all-nighter."
"Professor, please don't treat us like re mortals. Talking about money is so vulgar. We're doing this for the dream! One night? Try ten, twenty! We're young! We're unstoppable!"
"Great! Then let's get started. Here's what our new sponsor wants..."
"Wait, professor—I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Who exactly is this sponsor?"
"Oh, right—I forgot to say. You'll be thrilled. It's Takayuki—head of Gastar Electronic Entertainnt. The God of Gaming."
The students exchanged looks.
And then... their eyes ignited with fire.
"Professor! Let us work like oxen tonight!!"
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