"CP 1765, September 18. 67 days have passed since landing. Local time: AD 2016, October 23."

  "If you ask me whether I support Min attending the private science discussion meeting? Of course I do."

  "Though I've attended many academic conferences before, this is my first on an alien planet. Unfortunately, I can only imagine what the actual scene will be like. After all, I can't participate. In this regard, it's practically racial discrimination. Or to be more precise, species discrimination?"

  "..."

  "Politics, terrifying politics. The protector of rights, yet also the freedom-crushing machine. Ample evidence proves that wherever complex, class-based life forms exist, 'politics' inevitably emerges to some degree. Along with it come derivative phenomena: political regimes, power struggles, governmental systems... and ideologies."

  "I'm no expert on the subject, but anyone without intellectual disabilities can see the ideological conflicts here are particularly severe. Perhaps what I described in the previous diaries seems exaggerated, but this is in fact an ameliorated outcome. If my understanding is correct, their situation fifty to seventy years ago was countless times more intense than it is today."

  "I have no authority to judge political matters, including those here — that's for the people who study statecraft. But as an observer, one can't deny that some political artefacts are quite fascinating. Especially certain propaganda pieces..."

  "What kind of ideology makes them believe they can grow a creature weighing a dozen kilograms into one weighing several tons without genetic engineering? Even with genetic engineering, it would be laughably impossible. Even if it did reach several tons, basic mathematics shows that it could not possibly feed dozens of people for over 100 days. Best not to elaborate further."

  "Still, based on my expertise, I can somewhat understand their divisions. The ocean is a natural barrier between land-dwelling species and the ultimate tool for severing national borders. Unlike us, they scattered and settled across every continent of this planet back in the ancient time when they were still smashing animal skulls with rocks. In that sense, they possess a peculiar passion for migrating to new places. Judging by the time and scale of this behaviour, it doesn't seem to be rooted in culture or custom — more like an instinct deeply embedded in their genes. Perhaps this is another difference between us and them, though a more subtle one..."

  "..."

  After typing the final words, Xi P leaps from his chair and yawns deeply. Today is the day when Min goes to the PSDM. If he were not genuinely unable to attend, he would have attended too. Now, the only thing left to look forward to is the video recording. From Xi P's experience, secretly filming such a semi-formal gathering is not a big deal even when the host disapproves. The method is simple: just place a recording device, like a phone, in a corner of the room upon entering. Not even needing to hide it deliberately.

  If the phone has a covert recording mode, that would be even better, making detection nearly impossible. Yes, Xi P has done this many times before. His purpose, however, was always just for personal recollection or as a memo. This time, although it is not his own experience, it would still make for a decent keepsake.

  He even lent Min his phone for this recording and showed him how to use it. This device incorporates decades of advanced imaging technology and far surpasses any competitor made on Earth in terms of performance. It excels at reducing ambient noise during recording and boasts imaging capabilities with a 170-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, as well as supporting holographic photography. In reality, however, the lens is so small that the holographic effect is practically negligible. Not to mention a whole host of other cutting-edge technologies whose names he couldn't even begin to recall.

  He does recalls the interesting finding that took place when he lent out his phone, though:

  "Is it just me, or is this phone screen giving me a headache?" Min rubs his eyes.

  "Probably. It is not made for human eyes."

  It appears that even though the visible spectrum ranges roughly match, their equipment is not particularly compatible with each other's.

  ***

  After nearly an hour of anxious waiting, Min finally returns from the PSDM.

  He casually hands the phone back to Xi P, but doesn't speak to him right away. Instead, he walks into the kitchen and blends a glass of juice — all that talking has left him thirsty. Then, strolling back leisurely to the living room, he asks Xi P: "So?"

  Xi P has drawn all the curtains and turned off the lights, making the room much darker. He is projecting images onto the wall using his phone's front-facing display, giving the room a slightly sci-fi vibe. Spotting Min return, he waves dismissively before refocusing on the wall.

  They sit down together. Min has no interest in watching the footage — he experienced it firsthand. He cannot quite fathom why Xi P is so fascinated by it; after all, it's just an informal gathering of scientific enthusiasts. Hmm... Huh?

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Suddenly, he turns to stare at Xi P, startling him so much that his neck recoils in a manner impossible for humans.

  "Did you use the kitchen juicer to blend meat?"

  Xi P nods and mumbles in confusion: "Tastes bad?"

  "Worse than bad — utterly disgusting!" Min walks back to the kitchen and pours out the juice, looking revulsed, "Remember to clean the machine next time!"

  Xi P nods in agreement, but another question arises: Don't they always eat vegetarian and meat dishes together? Why does this one make him feel nauseous? Isn't this also a combination of the two?

  Shaking his head, he decides not to dwell on it. In this regard, at least, the two species are completely separate, unable to communicate or understand each other. For now, he should focus on the scientific discussion meeting.

  This video does hold some commemorative value. Just imagine: "Live footage of the first close encounter with alien scientific symposiums after arriving on another planet." It sounds incredibly high-stakes. He is genuinely curious about the academic world here — even the paper he has been preparing is intended to familiarise him with how things operate locally. If only he could attend the symposium himself...

  He restarts the video. The image flickers and shakes before settling into a steady perspective. As Xi P instructed, the camera is placed on a chair in the corner, offering a full view of the entire room and even the walls on both sides. However, the autofocus hasn't been calibrated properly, and the lens isn't wide enough to achieve a full focal range, making the entire image appear slightly blurry.

  Despite the blur, Xi P can make out the layout of the room. It looks... far worse than he had imagined.

  A scientific discussion meeting — while rarely featuring experimental equipment for on-the-spot research — should at least maintain a semblance of formality. Even a multidisciplinary one ought to project some professionalism. Yet this space resembles nothing more than an oversized living room, sparsely furnished with drinks and snacks. Had Min called it a party, Xi P might have believed him.

  At the very least, they should have prepared projectors and tools for sketching diagrams. Even a stack of paper in the corner would have been better than nothing. But now?

  However, Xi P soon realises he is overthinking it. Moments later, a figure appears at the edge of the video, carrying a large whiteboard into the room. Others have pulled down a projection screen and are adjusting the projector. Instantly, the living room takes on a more serious air. Honestly, this scene feels strangely familiar to Xi P; decades ago, many academic lectures in Lierus unfolded in much the same way. Even today, it's still similar except that the whiteboard and projector have merged into one and multiple projectors are used for 3D projection.

  Nevertheless, when the supposed host starts speaking, Xi P feels as though he has been transported back half a century, even though he wasn't born then.

  The speeches themselves aren't particularly noteworthy. Though he can't understand much, they essentially follow this formula: "welcome remarks — individual introductions of specially invited guests — thoughts on the symposium — closing remarks." It's so standard that it borders on cliché, prompting Xi P to think, with a touch of dark humour, that if he replaced the faces and handshakes in this video with those of his kind, and labelled it 'Opening Address at a Foreign Language University in 1715', no one would bat an eyelid.

  Clearly, these invitations aren't handed out to just anyone. Those present all seem to possess a certain level of decorum. During speeches, they sit quietly in their seats, listening attentively. When applause is called for, they clap in perfect unison — most even timing their applause to exactly three seconds flat. The moment the opening speech ends, a wave of murmurs sweeps through the video feed. Many people immediately start chatting with those around them, six or seven groups spontaneously forming in minutes. Usually, these would be organised by academic field, but with only six groups formed so far, the categorisation is rather broad. Those discussion seminars with hundreds of participants often naturally split into dozens of distinct groups by field...

  Xi P fast-forwards the video. The crowd surges and the atmosphere seems lively. Midway through, people take turns to climb onto the stage and project and draw diagrams. Xi P recognises some of the diagrams, such as a right triangle. It seems that two mathematicians are competing to recall more proofs of the Pythagorean theorem... Mathematicians are weird.

  But then things start to take a strange turn. About ten minutes into the video, the noisy crowd gradually quietens down. Two voices in the centre grow clearer. Judging by their tone, it sounds like they are arguing.

  "What were they arguing?" Xi P asks Min.

  Comfortably reclining on the sofa with a glass of freshly squeezed juice, Min turns towards the wall at Xi P's question. His expression twists into something peculiar when he sees what Xi P is talking about: "They're arguing about... um, quantum theory."

  Xi P, however, asks again in confusion: "What does 'quantum theory' mean?"

  'How exactly am I supposed to explain this to you?' Min suddenly feels like crying. This really isn't the simplest concept to explain. He wants to explain it, but he can't find the words at Xi P's level of comprehension.

  With no other option, Min resorts to explaining it indirectly: "Atoms… waves… randomness...", bringing his hands together as he speaks.

  Min has no hope that this vague explanation will work. Surprisingly, however, Xi P seems to grasp it, reacting in an unexpected way: first, he looks suddenly understanding, then he shudders sharply as if recalling something terrifying. He turns his head back to the wall stiffly and unpauses the video.

  Min does recall a bit of what those two at the PSDM were arguing about. They were debating quantum media for quantum computers — one insisted on ions or something, while the other something something. This disagreement sparked a heated debate, and they soon launched into relentless attacks on each other.

  Although he knows nothing about quantum theory, Min recognised that these two men are from competing companies researching quantum computing. Perhaps personal conflicts were involved, too. People really can start arguing in the strangest places...

  Min can't help but press his hand to his forehead and sigh as he watches Xi P slowly open his mouth, stick out his tongue and gaze expectantly at the wall. Honestly, he still can't fathom why Xi P is so eager for this kind of scene. Is this a cultural difference?

  ***

  Fast-forwarding, the video finishes playing in just a few minutes. Xi P turns off the phone projection and collapses onto the sofa. He doesn't move, but instead closes his eyes as if savouring the previous scene.

  Having finished his juice, Min sits down beside Xi P and, seeing him lost in thought, ruffles his fur and asks softly: "What are you thinking about?"

  Xi P swats Min's hand away hurriedly, glaring at him fiercely first. Then he sighs, gathers his thoughts and replies: "I was thinking, how much better if, no, would have been, if I'd been part of the things, you were at back then."

  "Huh?"