Note : I got the contract for this novel, and I''m really happy. Thanks to everyone who supported me, and I hope you''ll continue to do so. I won''t let you down.

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    Elias''s lab buzzed with anticipation. After weeks of relentless work, the team was on the verge of completing their first processor prototype. Delicate components, assembled layer by layer, formed a technological marvel at the center of their workstation.

    Wearing a white lab coat, Elias monitored the main screen, where lines of code and simulations scrolled rapidly. Clara carefully adjusted connections with precision tools, while Yann kept a close eye on temperature and electrical parameters.

    "We''re almost there," Elias said, his tone calm but charged with anticipation.

    Clara glanced at him. "I hate to say this, but... everything''s working perfectly so far. No short circuits, no smoke. It''s suspicious."

    Elias smirked. "That''s what happens when you follow my instructions to the letter. Keep calibrating the voltage. We''re about to run the final test."

    The processor, dubbed "NOVA-1," featured a modular architecture capable of dynamically adapting its circuits based on computing demands. Instead of relying solely on traditional silicon designs, Elias had incorporated advanced semiconductor materials, including graphene and carbon nanotubes.

    This design provided several advantages:

    Faster Processing: Improved electrical conductivity boosted speed.

    Lower Power Consumption: High performance with minimal heat dissipation.

    Self-Diagnostic Capabilities: Built-in firmware detected and isolated failures in real time.

    Yann tapped nervously on his keyboard. "Simulations show it''s 30% more efficient than top-tier chips on the market. If these numbers hold up, we''ll send shockwaves through the industry."

    Clara nodded. "This chip could power not only VR headsets but also complex AI systems and even military projects. Do you realize what we''re building here, Elias?"

    Elias looked up from his instruments. "We''re changing the world. But not before we validate this test."

    Taking a deep breath, Elias gave the signal. "Power up. Activate the central module."

    Clara pressed the button, powering up the prototype. LEDs lit up one by one, and Yann monitored every fluctuation on the graphs.

    "Voltage stable. Temperature nominal. Power consumption within limits," Yann reported.

    A series of automated tests began, pushing each section of the processor. Compression algorithms, complex 3D simulations, and cryptographic calculations ran seamlessly.

    "Everything''s stable," Clara said, a smile forming on her lips.

    Yann raised his eyebrows. "It''s holding up. No errors. No alerts. I... I think we did it."

    Elias leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It''s official. NOVA-1 works."

    "Oh, we all know that''s never going to happen."

    Feigning offense, Lassen left the room, leaving Elias and his team exchanging nervous smiles.

    ---

    In the days that followed, the lab became a scientific battlefield. Intense tests pushed NOVA-1 to its limits—overheating, voltage surges, and electromagnetic interference simulations. Every result was documented, and every anomaly studied in detail.

    Clara spent sleepless nights calibrating thermal systems, coffee in hand and dark circles under her eyes. Yann worked like an automaton, darting between terminals to monitor the firmware''s performance.

    During one final test, the team watched as NOVA-1 completed a quantum simulation in record time.

    "It just beat the top processor on the market by 45%" Yann said, stunned. "It''s a monster."

    Elias smirked.

    "It''s a start. But it''s not enough. We need at least 50% to justify industrial production. Increase the load parameters."

    Clara groaned. "You''re worse than Lassen."

    Elias laughed. "No, he just reads while we work. I make sure we succeed."

    As the final phase approached, Alex made an unexpected visit to the lab.

    "How''s it going?" he asked, arms crossed.

    Elias turned, tired but confident.

    "Everything''s ready for production. Tests exceeded expectations. All that''s left is scaling up."

    Alex nodded.

    "Good. I''ve already started looking for facilities to mass-produce the chips. But tell me—how secure is this technology?"

    Elias''s expression turned serious.

    "It''s secure. Each module has advanced encryption, and we''ve built-in software kill-switches for unauthorized access. These chips won''t be easy to copy."

    Alex seemed satisfied. "Good. Keep it up. But remember—once production starts, the whole world will be watching us. Be ready."

    Elias nodded. "We already are."

    As Alex left, Elias looked at his team.

    "Take a break—you''ve earned it. But don''t get too comfortable. We''ve still got a long road ahead."