The lab was silent, save for the faint hum of Viktor's machine as he carefully adjusted the components of his latest creation. The engine was coming together perfectly—every gear, every circuit, meticulously crafted to function seamlessly. He worked with a practiced ease, his hands moving in smooth, efficient motions as he double-checked the placement of each part, his mind consumed entirely by the task at hand.

Outside the lab, the sounds of the bustling campus seemed to fade away, as though the lab itself existed in a separate world. The sterile white walls, the clutter of tools scattered across the workbenches, and the steady flicker of fluorescent lights were all that mattered in this space.

The door creaked open, though Viktor didn’t immediately acknowledge the intrusion. He was too focused, leaning closer to the engine as he muttered to himself under his breath.

"Perhaps the torque ratio needs adjusting… or no, maybe the thermal dispersion is off—if I could just…" He trailed off, his sharp amber eyes narrowing in frustration as he reached for a wrench.

A soft call came from the doorway, but Viktor didn’t flinch. His focus didn’t waver, his fingers still moving with methodical precision.

“I swear, if one more thing is misaligned…” he mumbled, almost to himself, twisting a bolt into place with deliberate care.