From Idler to Tech Tycoon: Earth

Chapter 149: Meeting Old Bloodlines
Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Meeting Old BloodlinesThe ancestral mansion of the Marcos family in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, exuded an air of old-world grandeur mixed with modern power. Sunlight filtered through tall, arched windows, illuminating polished hardwood and antique furniture. Richard Santamo, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, stood calmly, a faint silver aura almost imperceptible around him. Beside him, Lina, a vision of composed perfection, held a sleek, featureless briefcase.

As they entered the main receiving hall, Senator Bongbong Marcos, Imee Marcos, and Imelda Marcos, the late wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, rose to greet them. Imelda, despite her advanced age, retained an imposing presence, her eyes sharp and assessing.

”Mr. Santamo,” Senator Bongbong Marcos began, extending a hand, his smile practiced and warm. ”A true honor. Congratulations on your phenomenal business ventures. Your company, Bytebull, truly helps our developing economy. And now, to hear that our country is on the path to becoming the leading manufacturer of carbon nanotube transistors, solid-state batteries, and environmentally friendly electric vehicles... it’s inspiring.”

Richard returned the handshake, his smile natural and polite. ”Ahh, thank you, Senator. Thank you. I also deeply wish to see our country become the leading technological innovation hub in Asia, and hopefully, the world.”

Imee Marcos, ever direct, chuckled. ”You’re too humble, Mr. Santamo. With your ingenuity, we already are. I only wonder what could compel a man as busy as yourself to grace us with a visit?”

Richard’s smile widened. ”Well, before the most important matters, I want to discuss traditionalizing renewable solar energy in our country, starting right here in Ilocos Norte. My company will soon open new ventures in telecommunication and energy generation. I believe we can push for the future a little more, and we can truly traditionalize a clean, energized future.”

He paused, then added, ”But there’s something else I want to show you.”

Lina stepped forward, placing her briefcase on a nearby side table. With a silent motion, it opened, revealing a stack of schematics and intricate blueprints. These were Lina’s designs for revolutionary energy systems.

Richard gestured to the first schematic document. ”Our company has developed the Quantum-Durable Photovoltaic Array (QDPA). This highly advanced solar panel system represents a significant leap in solar energy capture and longevity. The QDPA utilizes quantum dot technology embedded within a self-healing polymer matrix, allowing for 55% conversion efficiency across the solar spectrum and extreme durability. Its design minimizes degradation, drastically extending its operational lifespan to at least one hundred years, compared to conventional panels.”

Bongbong Marcos leaned in, his eyes widening as he examined the holographic projection of the QDPA. ”Fifty-five percent conversion efficiency?” he murmured, a genuine note of shock in his voice. ”And a lifespan of a century? Mr. Santamo, that’s... that’s revolutionary. Our current solar farms struggle to hit twenty percent and need replacement in a couple of decades. This would transform our entire energy landscape.”

Imee Marcos, usually composed, tapped a finger against her chin. ”And self-healing? That addresses so many maintenance issues. The cost savings over a hundred years alone would be astronomical. This isn’t just an improvement; this is a whole new era of energy generation.”

Imelda Marcos, ever the pragmatist, merely observed Richard, a flicker of deep interest in her eyes. ”A century. That’s a legacy that our descendants can look upon.”

Richard then brought forth another blueprint. ”And this one,” he continued, displaying a new holographic projection, ”the Aerodynamic Resonance Harvester (ARH). This innovative design captures wind energy through a series of oscillating, non-moving aerodynamic surfaces. It generates power from ambient air currents using resonant vibrations, resulting in silent operation, minimal visual impact, and high efficiency even in turbulent or low-wind conditions. It represents the future of localized wind energy generation.”

Bongbong Marcos let out a low whistle. ”Silent operation? Minimal visual impact? That eliminates the biggest public objections to wind farms entirely. No more complaints about noise or eyesores. This would be perfect for urban integration, not just rural areas.” He gestured to the blueprint with renewed excitement. ”Imagine these deployed throughout cities, generating clean power right where it’s needed, without disturbing anyone.”

Imee’s eyes lit up. ”And efficient in low-wind conditions. That’s a game-changer for many regions that aren’t ideal for traditional turbines. This could truly democratize wind energy, making it accessible everywhere.” She smiled, a rare, genuine expression of delight. ”Mr. Santamo, these technologies are truly... visionary.”

Imelda Marcos simply nodded, her gaze fixed on the ARH schematics, a profound satisfaction slowly settling on her face. ”Indeed. Visionary, and incredibly practical. The future of energy, delivered.”

Richard looked at the Marcos family, his gaze earnest. ”If you help me convince the government to fund this project, money itself is not the problem. The challenge is the normalization and the bypass of any bureaucratic movements that will hinder the progress. We need swift, decisive action.”

Bongbong Marcos and Imee Marcos exchanged amazed glances. The scope of Richard’s plans, combined with the groundbreaking technology, was truly astounding. Imee, ever curious, asked, ”Why Ilocos, Mr. Santamo? While we appreciate the honor, why specifically here?”

Richard smiled, a deeper, more profound light entering his silver eyes. ”Ilocos Norte is already heading for a renewable energy future, so it would make perfect sense for me to start here.”

He then reached into his suit jacket, his fingers brushing against something cool and smooth within an inner pocket. His hand emerged, carefully revealing a small, intricately carved jade seal. It was dark green, almost black in places, veined with lighter jade, and pulsed with a faint, almost imperceptible warmth against his palm. He held it for a moment, letting its weight settle, before gently placing it on the polished mahogany table.

For a moment, the Marcoses were confused. Bongbong leaned closer, his brow furrowed, trying to decipher the ancient script etched into the jade’s surface. ”What is this, Mr. Santamo?” he inquired, his voice uncertain. ”Some kind of... ancient artifact?”

Imee frowned, picking it up for a closer inspection. She recognized its archaic beauty, the masterful craftsmanship, but its true significance remained just beyond her grasp. ”It’s beautiful, but I don’t recognize the symbols. Is it from a particular dynasty?” she asked, turning it over in her elegant fingers.

Then, Imelda Marcos gasped, a sharp, sudden intake of breath that cut through the polite murmurs. Her eyes, usually shrewd, widened in a mixture of awe and profound shock. Her hand trembled as she reached out, not to take it, but to hover just above the jade, as if afraid to touch something sacred. ”This is... this is the Tallano Family Royal Jade Seal,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, laced with an almost reverent disbelief. Her gaze snapped to Richard, sharp with a sudden, intense skepticism. ”But... how did you have this? No one outside our immediate circle, and the Circle of Truth members, would even know of its existence, let alone possess it. It was lost for generations.”

Richard met her gaze, his smile unwavering. ”Grandma Maria gave this to me,” he said simply. ”She said I was a descendant of the royal family bloodline, or whatever that is. To be honest, I wouldn’t have believed her if I hadn’t experienced something profound.”

Imelda’s eyes, were still fixed on the jade seal. Her fingers, delicate and trembling, traced its ancient carvings. ”It’s genuine,” she murmured, a profound certainty in her tone. ”It matches the records. But the texts... the ancient texts that prove your lineage, your direct connection... they have long disappeared. We don’t have much to prove you really are who you think you are. Not definitively.”

Richard followed her gaze. On a nearby antique cupboard, almost hidden amongst various curios, sat a simple, unadorned white stone. His eyes narrowed slightly. He felt a faint, familiar pull from it, an echo of the knowledge crystal in his hand. ”How do you have that?” he asked, pointing to the stone.

The Marcoses looked at it, then back at Richard, puzzled. ”It’s just an old family heirloom, Mr. Santamo. A pretty rock,” Bongbong offered.

”I’m sorry,” Richard said, his voice urgent, a strange intensity in his eyes. ”But can I check it out?”

Imelda, still reeling from the jade seal, nodded slowly. ”Of course, Mr. Santamo. Please.”

Richard walked over, picked up the white stone, and held it. As his fingers closed around it, the stone immediately responded. It shimmered with an inner light, shifting through all the colors of the rainbow, then settling into a brilliant, radiating white glow.

The energy emanating from it was unmistakable, pulsing with an ancient, profound power. The Marcoses gasped, stepping back, their faces a mixture of shock and profound awe at the phenomenon.

Richard smiled, a deep, knowing light in his eyes. ”You don’t need a text. What you need is this.” He held up the glowing stone. ”Come on. Let me show you.”

He walked back to the center of the room. ”Hold my hand,” he instructed, extending his left hand to them. Hesitantly, but with a growing sense of wonder, Bongbong, Imee, and Imelda each placed a hand on his. Richard closed his eyes, focusing his psionic energy, creating a conduit, a bridge between his mind and theirs. He then brought the glowing white crystal to his forehead.

A blinding flash of light enveloped them. Their physical bodies remained in the Marcos mansion, but their consciousnesses were instantly transported, plunged into a vibrant, immersive vision. They were no longer merely observing; they were there.