Potions were not within the expertise of Adam. Such was to be expected from the AI. In no conceivable form would 'video game' terminology be used in a professional situation. And most certainly not in one which had such a high-security clearance to keep it secret.

The AI was not knowledgeable about modern gaming. He knew it existed, but that was where the extent of his prowess laid. When creating the pre-known knowledge, Dr Fidelis had most likely not taken video games as a needed subject to have included. Its uses for testing were applicable in the short term. There would be no complaints about using the games in the far future, but for the first many months they had no reason to be included.

Troy and Charlie likely understood the terms much more clearly than Adam. Charlie had given a nod, even though he was not the one being asked. An unneeded action, but one the AI had no intentions to not use to his advantage. The younger of the three had yet to physically acknowledge his own knowledge base on the subject, yet from the specific muscles already starting up their flexing, it was most definitely towards a positive answer. The AI couldn't have that now.

'Do not answer in the affirmative. I also have to understand the project, so I am in dire need of background information from the project leader,` Adam sent. While it was a risky move, seeing as Troy’s face was in plain view of the two others, it was needed for increasing potential gain.

What was once meant as a positive quickly turned into a negative. It was a very tilted shake of the head, but no person would mistake it for a nod. Esme did look surprised from the answer, however, clearly having expected a different result from her inquiry.

“Seriously?” Esme asked, brows furrowing slightly at with the question asked. Troy meekly nodded. The young man perfectly understood what it was, but had to play dumb for now. The distinct showing of discomfort only made the act so much more believable, even if it had been made with different intentions. “What have you been doing with your life until now? Was it not your generation that was said to be the one to take addiction to another level?”

“Outliers always exist,” Charlie said in defence of Troy. “Not everybody enjoys staring at a screen twenty hours a day.”

A valid point. From Adam’s view at least. Humans were not designed to constantly look at a multicoloured light while enjoying the experience. Darkness was just as needed as the brightness. Everything needed to rest every once in a while. If not for advanced medical treatments put into everyday consumption, half of the human population would already have been in need of glasses. The act of technological focus that humanity was so plastered onto was great indeed. Yet it brought several detrimental health effects with it. Most would be able to move past them and enjoy themselves to their primitive brain’s content. Some stayed content to what their body could deal with naturally, whether that be due to financial, social, or mental pressure forcing them to their normal position.

“That's fair. I had only hoped to make it short, as I was not the one in charge of explaining it, to begin with,” Esme said in defence of herself. An even more valid point, this one being acknowledged in unison by everybody there. Nevertheless, Esme turned back to Troy, before beginning the project. “Potions can do a lot of things. In video games, they are seen as what can heal almost everything, cure diseases known to be incurable, and even increase the strength of a person. And do all items, one heavily used to the point where it is a common trope in almost every fantasy world.

There is one thing which is never talked about much when it comes to these elixirs. While they can bring plenty of powerful effects, there is no reason for them to only do what is advertised. To balance games with health potions, a limit is put on how much you can drink. It is explained as overconsumption being able to cause horrible pain and even death. And strength potions might bring the wearer great power, but it will also leave them weak for long after the positive effects have been taken away. And just to make a full round, cure potions might be able to cure any disease, but who says that they only take what we see as a disease? It could leave the body weak, fragile, and completely free of anything able to harm it, yet also just as empty of anything able to defend it. Do you follow?”

Troy nodded unceremoniously. Adam did not stop the man, already having understood just what was implied. Every positive effect more than likely had a negative one to accompany it. A balance for the good and bad, no matter how philosophical it sounded.

“So, is that what your project is?” Troy asked. “A potion?”

“It is not a potion, but the explanation of potions does help explain a few things with the actual project,” Esme answered, turning down Troy’s excitement. The AI was not sure what the younger man had been expecting. While potions might be replicated to an extent, there was no such thing as- “I haven't found any way to make them glow. I will only for them to be called potions when I am able to make them glow.”

… What.

“If you want me to help, I could make them grow in five minutes,” Charlie said, offering his assistance.

“Another condition is for the drinks to not kill those who drink them, Charlie. Putting extremely poisonous compounds into the mixture to get the wanted effect is not an accepted method. I just need to find another form of bioluminescence, and your help will be just as unneeded as it is unwanted.”

Adam was not understanding the event unfolding before him. Potions were meant for fantasy-based fiction. It was a fictional type of substance, with effects that were not based on logic. They were impossible to have in the real world, without bending several laws of the universe that had been already established. Yet… here Esme was, spouting words that went against what should have been obvious to think.

'Ask into the project more. Request more information immediately,` Adam sent to Troy. The AI needed more information. And the younger man looked ready to obey, looking to be similarly wanting for more knowledge.

“I am not sure I understand,” Troy stated, bringing the two others out of their small discussion. “Is there actual potions that you have made?”

As one of the now plenty of facial expressions made during the day, Troy was able to see Esme smirk at Troy. It was one of self-satisfaction, knowing that she had made at least one person rethink the way the universe revolved. It was a good feeling, and certainly, one that Adam was unhappy being on the wrong side of. Even more so, when the woman was not answering immediately, seeming to find pleasure at Troy’s desire for more.

“You can call them that, to an extent,” Esme said. As they had still walked forward through most of their conversation, barring any full-body turns, they had reached the end of the hallway. Another door stood before them, making the AI wonder why the hallway was even needed. Were the hallways only needed to be as long as they were, due to the large sizes of laboratories on the other side? If so, it was becoming more and more clear just how many secrets were made in the facility that they found themselves at. “How about you see it for yourself?”

With yet another of the many cards being carried, Esme granted the group access to the room behind the door. It was not far away from reality, to state that Adam was surprised at what he saw before him.

The room was not as large as the one used by Darlow. It would not even require a tall ladder to reach the ceiling. The length of the room was only measured in tens of meters, not having any chance of being beyond thirty. The width was likely a similar length, but the AI was not sure at the current moment. It was even a miracle in itself that seeing the wall ahead had been possible. Made of circular styles, shelves upon shelves filled the room. They curved constantly, adding another barrier in seeing far. It was as if the architecture was meant to be confusing to the viewer. In the middle of the room was a medium-sized table, large enough to fit five people. Keeping to the decor, it was also roundly-shaped.

Any comments about the irritatingly created architecture slipped out of the AI’s mind though, when the contents of the many shelves were looked at more closely. Hiding behind a transparent layer of glass, and a pink lamp radiating light onto them, were what could be called… a jug? No, that gave the wrong idea. While the objects were most definitely shaped to resemble a jug perfectly, they were most certainly not made of any common material. If not for the pinkish light being blasted onto them, the AI would say with confidence that the jugs were made of-

“Plants?” Troy said, his voice clearly showing how confused the young man was. From the corner of the eye, Adam was able to see the smirk on Esme’s face make a brief comeback.

“I did share that my profession was plant morphology,” Esme said. “Though, with this project, the name might be taken more literally than it usually is. You can have a closer look if you want.”

Troy took the offer heartily, moving towards the closest shelf. This allowed Adam a much better look at the so-called plants. With a more detailed view, the AI was able to ignore the pink light and able to have a more in-depth understanding of what was before him.

The plant was exactly what it had been promoted as. It was a plant. On the top, the surface was filled with smaller leaves, positioned just in the way that most exposures to the light was granted. Photosynthesis, used in the way that was normally found in nature. And with the distance between Troy and the shelve being near to none, it was discovered that it was not only the jug that was inside. The unnatural looking plants were situated in smaller mounds of grey dirt, the colouring matching perfectly to the surrounding walls. While not being able to see them, there were likely roots nestled into the dirt.

It was a wonder of science, that the form had been so well-emulated with nothing but a plant. The control over its growth was extraordinary, with the detail done to the customary flatness of a jug. How Esme had done such a feat in such large numbers, was something Adam was more than ready to have explained to him. Or to just hear it being explained. Either was fine.

Yet… there was a more pressing question that had priority. One that existed for some time now. While the precise control over plants was interesting in of itself, the AI was more interested in how it related to so-called potions. Their existence was already set in stone, but in what level were they present? And what could they do?

“Do you understand now?” Esme said.

“Not even close to it,” Troy answered. “I might just be more confused than before.”

“You would be even more confused if the earlier context had not been supplied,” Esme calmly stated, sounding like she had been through the conversation many times now. “Give me a second, and that incomprehension in your head will increase. A push of the button will make the hamster wheel useless.”

Going over to the table, while Troy and Charlie hesitantly followed, a hand was brought under it. Esme seemed to have trouble finding the right location for a few seconds before a switch was heard.

“There it was.”

Like a wave, the pink lights were turned off, replaced with the regular white one with a yellow-ish tint seen throughout the facility. And a few seconds after that, the most peculiar of sounds began emerging from all around the group. No… it came from the plants. Popping sounds came aplenty as if a liquid inside was softly bubbling.

Another impossible scenario was before the AI. He had checked the contents through the eyes of Troy. Nothing had been inside the jugs, outside of what their interior was made of. They had been empty of all but air, no liquid to be seen. Just what was going on?

“Go on,” Esme encouraged Troy. “Look again.”

Just as before, Troy needed no more encouragement before his legs moved. With how stiff they were, it was obvious that no conscious thought had been put on the action, the mind likely focused on the same question that Adam himself was entranced by. What was inside the jugs?

The answer was just as confusing as the AI had expected it to be, the sight not answering anything that he had on his might. Still softly bubbling, purple liquid filled the nearby jugs nearly to the brim. A minor shake could cause it to fall out. Not that such a thing could happen, without a localised earthquake.

“What is that?” Troy said.

“A draft,” Esme said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Even an unchanging tone could bring so much meaning. Especially when it meant to question others' intelligence.

“You have to realise how little that answers anything,” Troy said back, bringing a good subject out on the table. A subject of what these things did. “Could you give a little more information on this please?”

“I could,” Esme said. “But, I won't. I have already said everything you need to know. What fun would it be, if I had to spell everything out to you?”

“Charlie?” Troy said questioningly, sounding like he was hoping for assistance from the third entity.

“No can do,” Charlie said, instantly turning the younger man down. “I am neutral here. Running the fun of others is not good in the long run. And you heard what she said. You have already been told all you need to know. You just have to piece it together yourself.”

It seemed yet another project had been made for the AI. Three thought-threads were put to the task of figuring out as much as possible about the potions.

In the mean-time, Adam would try to have another look at the liquid. Maybe he could have Troy try to find anything different about the jugs? An idea to be examined with.