Chapter 142: New Avenue

There was no way. She looked no older than someone in their late twenties."How…?" The question slipped out before I could even think about it.

Liliana's eyes held a secret. "That is part of the research I mentioned. Healthcare and life-prelonging therapies and products. All of the research is based on scientific methods."

"Why not sell the products, then? Wouldn't people pay millions for access to therapies that could do that?"

"Well... Mr. Somnus, you said it yourself—millions... what's that? That's nothing. And even if the club could earn a lot more.

Let's say a few billion. It's still nothing compared to the influence it gains by keeping this information secret."

"Think about it." She continued. "If this research was made public, it would be commoditized. The people who buy it would get what they want, and the club would earn a finite amount. But by keeping this knowledge exclusive, we offer something far more valuable."

"Every member of the Freewinds can benefit from it. Lifelong advantages that keep them invested in the club and, in turn, extend the reach and power of the organization. The circle continues, and our influence grows."

She paused, studying my reaction. "Not only that, but the scientists who conduct this research gain much more. If not for the Freewinds, they'd be average scientists, working for a decent wage, maybe a 'good' one by most people's standards. But good isn't enough. These people sacrifice their lives for this research."

I relaxed in the seat and looked at the white ceeling for a few seconds, trying to grasp the scope of what she was saying. Then I looked back at her. "So... are these scientists the ones with the highest status in this club?"

"I can't say." She answered almost immediately. "After all, members' identities are private, even to other members. You can only get to know other members and their identities during the meetings."

I nodded slightly.

She continued, her eyes steady on mine. "But what I can tell you is that it was the scientists who started this research—right after the first world war—who thought about creating this club. They knew that by forming an exclusive group around their findings, they could ensure their work would continue, that it would be funded, supported, and expanded upon for generations."

I had a few thoughts going through my mind at that moment.

What were the contents of that first page? Was it just some garbage to throw at the peasants?

And also...

I met her gaze. "Can members remain anonymous during the meetings?"

"Interesting question... It's possible, yes. But requesting a 'favor' would usually reveal your identity. After all, the person fulfilling the favor would need to know who they're working with, don't you think?"

I thought about that for a moment, then turned my attention to García, who was still standing there quietly. "But Senator García already knows my identity."

Liliana's smile was back, calm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Mr. García will not speak out about new members. He understands the importance of discretion, just as everyone in the club does." she looked at the Senator. "Am I right. Mr.

García?"

"Of course, Lily," he answered.

I looked at Liliana. "So everyone calls you Lily?"

She smiled sweetly. "You thought you're getting some preferential treatment?" S~eaʀᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"No. Not really. Anyway... you said something about getting a page of that research."

Liliana reached over to one of the shelves behind her, pulling out a thin sheet of paper. She handed it to me with a casual smile. "I have many copies of this here, but don't get your hopes too high. There are some things in it that will help you slow down aging. But most of it is already pretty much public knowledge."

I took the page from her, glancing over it.

She didn't even give me a moment to fully absorb the information before she spoke again.

"The points reset already took place this year, after the November cruise. The next cruise will be in February, where new voting points will be assigned. Do you have any more questions, or can we part ways for today, Mr. Somnus?"

"How do you keep track of the voting points?"

"All transactions need to be confirmed by operators, just like me. We also know when a favor has been fulfilled, and only then will the points be transferred."

"Do all members need to become operators at some point?" I asked, curious about the structure of the club; she was supposedly a level XI member. Were all level XI members made operators?

She shook her head. "No."

"Are there any penalties in the club?"

"Penalties for what?"

"I don't know… harming other club members for example?"

"No such thing. " Her answer came quick and dismissive. "Anything outside of favors does not concern the club."

"Well… I don't think I have any more questions."

Liliana stood up, smiling politely as if we had just concluded a pleasant business meeting. "We will send a letter to your house or wherever you are at the time with information about the next meeting of the club. You can come to the church here anytime to ask about anything."

I stood up, the page still in my hand, glancing at it once more. "And you don't mind if I spread this?"

Her expression remained calm as she shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. This part of the research dates back to the Second World War. Academia has already reached the same conclusions a few years ago…"

I raised an eyebrow. 'A few years ago, huh? So they're… what? Sixty years ahead now?'

I took a step to the door and then stopped, turning around to face her again.

"Can members bring someone to the meetings?"

"Not without informing us beforehand."

I nodded, "Alright. See you in February, then?"

"Maybe," she said, with a smile.

I walked out through the door and Senator Rudy García followed behind me.

As soon as we stepped out, Senator Rudy García turned to me. "Hide that page in your pocket."

"Why?"

He leaned in closer. "Because those people downstairs think you've reached OT VIII the same way they're trying to. If they see you bringing something down, who knows what they'll do?"

I folded the page and slid it into my jacket pocket, just as he suggested and we continued downstairs.

Once outside, García led the way to the car, and the drive back to Gainesville was conducted in complete silence.

When they finally dropped me off at my house, I stepped inside, my mind still spinning a bit.

I closed the door behind me.

On the way here, I've been reading through the page.

It seemed almost... normal.

Too normal, considering what I had just learned.

Suddenly, Charlotte walked out of the bedroom, her eyes scanning me for an answer. "And?" she asked.

"Well... I will tell you later."

Her gaze shifted to the page in my hand. "What's that?"

"I'm trying to figure that out," I said, walking to my office.

She followed me in, "Can I look at it?" she asked cautiously.

"Sure. They didn't say I couldn't share it."

We sat down at the desk together, and I laid the page out in front of us.

Charlotte glanced at the page, her brow furrowing. "Are these... health recommendations? Did you go to a doctor or something?" She squinted at the list. "I see creatine, electrolytes—stuff I take—but there's a ton of other things here. Someone actually takes this many pills?"

"I got it from the club."

She paused, then rolled her eyes. "I knew it. It's a scam. They're just a bunch of health freaks trying to push some lifestyle plan."

"I guess," I muttered.

"Whatever. " She sighed, standing up from the chair. "I thought it was some crazy secret society for the rich or something." With that, she turned and left my office, leaving me alone with the page.

From the top, a list of supplements was given with specific doses per kilogram of body mass next to it.

Creatine for athletic performance and memory. TMG for reducing dementia and Alzheimer's risks, hydrolyzed collagen for skin and joints, NAC for skin health, multivitamins, electrolytes, hyaluronic acid, psyllium husk… and the list went on and on.

I turned on the PC and started searching for the supplements.

Most had solid research behind them—things I could easily find on fitness or health websites. Others were more obscure, with way less supporting research conducted.

Going back to the research page, after the list of supplements was a list of lifestyle recommendations.

Quick, intense bursts of exercise.

Intermittent and periodic fasting.

Uninterrupted deep sleep.

Avoiding the midday sun.

A diet low in calories, sugars, and protein but high in unsaturated fats.

What really struck me was the part about fasting. There was barely any credible research on intermittent fasting at the moment, at least not that I could find.

However, I knew from my other timeline that within a few years, fasting would be widely accepted as one of the major ways to extend one's life.

This paper is ahead of even the current publicly released research.

What now? Do I actually try any of this? I

Not too long ago, I've been thinking... What if I don't have enough time to enjoy everything I've worked for?

That... time is slipping away. That sooner or later, I'll have to leave this world.

But what if there is a way to live forever?

I thought, but then a dark thought crashed into me, and I shot up from my chair without thinking.

This club is gaining control over me.