Chapter 376 The Seedlings of “Science” Are Thriving
Regardless of what outrageous dreams the Zeta people who were reincarnated as meat-eating lizards had, the players from another world continued to make sharp comments on those imaginative assignments.
At first, they just participated in the official event for fun, intending to see what new things the artificial intelligence of "Catastrophe OL" could come up with.
As a result, when they picked up the NPC's "homework" and took a look, they found that there were quite a few talented people among these NPCs!
Could it be that the game has been secretly updated again?
One shot destroyed the server: "Fuck! Look at the homework of Apprentice No. 1753! Use wind magic to create a pressure difference at the front end of the stone bullet, thereby reducing the energy loss during the flight of the stone bullet! Did our Demon King teach aerodynamics to the magicians of Xuebang?!"
Hardcore non-African: "Awesome! This idea is quite cool! I feel like the game has been secretly updated. How come the NPCs have suddenly become so smart?"
Orthopedic specialist: "And this Apprentice No. 2578, this big brother actually thought of using the principle of 'echolocation' to improve the 'detection technique'. He said that in a maze and other dimly lit environments, it is more useful than the wizard's Eagle Eye technique!"
Hu Wan: “6666!”
Brick Moving Knight: "This is an awesome assignment! Using the lever principle to improve the 'Rock Hammer', it is said that bronze-level spells can produce destructive power that is no less than that of fine steel-level spells! Is this true? Has anyone tried it in the game?"
I rushed in first: "I'm going to try it in the maze right now! Wait for my brothers!"
The King of Arguments: "The idea of this 'Rock Hammer' doesn't seem as good as the 'Stone Arrow Monroe Effect Armor-Piercing Projectile' on the forum. That thing can allow a fine steel puppet to be directly penetrated by a bronze magic. Is this the magician of Xuebang? It feels a little lacking."
The Rational Guest: "Well, you can't compare the imagination of NPCs with that of us players. I think the earth magic of Apprentice 0005, 'Summon Coal Balls', is pretty cool. It's the first time I've seen NPCs outside of the cemetery use magic like this. It's like using magic to open up advanced productivity."
The posts are built higher and higher.
Looking at the increasingly outrageous homework, the players on the forum were amazed and surprised as if they had discovered a treasure.
Due to the daunting spellcasting threshold of this game, most players are not good at casting spells, and most of the time they can only rely on the night elf NPC to practice their imagination.
However, the night elves are not always easy to use.
These pointy-eared creatures are often more stubborn than humans, and the key is that their imaginations are often impossible to understand.
However, the magicians in these academies are different. Not only are they proficient in magic, but their thinking is surprisingly flexible. They are even as good at courting death as the players!
Unfortunately, Xuebang, as a faction in the background of "Natural Disaster Online", cannot be used as the player's initial faction during the closed beta period. Not to mention faction selection, it is still a mystery when the teleportation array in the northern wasteland will be opened.
Professional Passerby A: "Damn, the quality of this NPC is too high, right? The planners are finally willing to spend money on AI?"
Gou Shi: "The logic is reversed. I feel more like the idiot planner is using players to train the AI. In fact, Yikou has tried many things... Although he is not good at magic, most of them are trial and error. (Funny)"
He drank the chemical pool in one gulp: "Damn! Now that you put it that way, it's true! I have actually tried to use the earth-calling technique to summon coal briquettes! (horrified)"
I'll form the head: "Stop doing these nonsense, and quickly open the new map of 'Xuebang'!!"
I will form the legs: "I strongly suggest that the Demon King open a labyrinth branch in the northern wasteland! How can such promising young men not be corrupted? (Funny)"
I will form the crotch: "I want to be a mentor too! Give me ten magic apprentices from the elves! I want to train them myself! (Sex) (Sex)"
“…”
…
At noon one day after the thesis controversy, in the apprentice cafeteria of the Great Sage's Tower, the apprentices who were eating at the long table were chattering.
"Have you heard? This assignment is not easy!"
"What's so difficult about it? Don't you get credits if you hand it in? I even suspect His Highness Colin might not even read it..."
"Who told you that? If you really believed it, you'd be in big trouble!"
"What's the meaning……"
"All the apprentices who scored 90 points on their last assignment were recruited by him into his Magic Science Laboratory, the one listed in the section of the Corinta paper's partner institution! Compared to this reward, those credits are nothing!"
“Oh my god—is this true?!”
"How could this be false?! That was what his lab assistant said himself!"
"Damn it! If I had known I would have written it more carefully!"
Noisy discussions filled every corner of the cafeteria, some people were shouting excitedly, while others were sighing regretfully.
Barrett was still chewing the bread like the whirlwind, not wasting a single moment on the plate, and was ready to finish his meal quickly and go to grab a seat in the classroom.
Coors, who was sitting at another table, stared at the empty bowl with a deathly pale face, looking distraught, as if he had lost his soul.
Ilana completely ignored him. Science had lost its meaning to him, and even the entire snowfield turned gray.
Finn sat next to him hesitantly, unsure whether or not he should comfort him, let alone how.
He really couldn't understand what was wrong with this senior. He was obviously quite accomplished in magic, but he became an idiot when it came to emotional issues.
"Senior Coors, are you still going to the science class in a while?" Finn asked tentatively in a low voice, and at the same time secretly glanced at the wall clock. It was time for him to go to the classroom to grab a seat.
Coors looked up and sighed sadly.
"No, Finn, go ahead...that doesn't make sense to me anymore."
Finn: “…”
Not far from the dejected Kurth, two senior bronze-level apprentices were also sighing listlessly, worried about the assignments they had handed in a few days ago.
They regretted their assignment on "using secondary explosion of fireball to create suffocation effect to kill the target" not long after they handed it in.
Especially now, the more they thought about it, the more they felt that the "fantastic" idea was ridiculous. It was probably already being spread around privately by the teaching assistants as a joke.
Thinking of this, even the frosted bread tasted bitter.
"Thinking about it, our homework was written too casually," Bain poked at the bread weakly and said dejectedly, "We even assumed a 'monster that is not good at jumping'... How could I come up with such a stupid assumption."
"Ha, indeed," Hader sighed and said dejectedly, "Now that I think about it, it was indeed stupid. It's also my fault for not stopping you at the time. I should have known you were a fool after knowing you for so long."
"What do you mean, man?!" Bane looked up suddenly.
"Okay, Bain, don't worry about this little thing," Hader waved his hand and said in a tone of despair, "Compared to what I mean, I hope that His Royal Highness will not see our homework."
"No, I think you need to explain what you just meant!"
Just when the two were about to start arguing, a rhythmic voice suddenly sounded beside their table.
"Ahem! Excuse me, are you Mr. Bane and Mr. Hard?"
The two of them looked up at the same time, first saw the assistant instructor badge on the collar, and immediately stood up.
"It's me...we are."
Bane stammered his reply, but Harder, who was standing next to him and obviously had a much higher emotional intelligence, quickly replied enthusiastically.
"Mr. Assistant Teacher! What can I do for you?"
"Just call me Mr. Corgi. Relax, it's a good thing!" Corgi smiled and patted the two men's shoulders enthusiastically. Then he solemnly handed over an envelope with the exclusive seal of "Magic Science Laboratory". "This is a letter from Professor Colin to you. The details are all in it! I wish you a happy life. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first!"
The Corgi casually congratulated and then hurried away like a gust of wind to look for the next "lucky person".
The task that His Royal Highness Colin gave him was not an easy one.
There were more than eighty letters in total. In order not to affect His Highness Colin's "science class", he had to deliver them all before the class.
After watching the teaching assistant leave, Bain and Hader stared at the letter on the table in amazement, unable to come back to their senses for a while.
"For...for us?" Had pointed at the envelope in disbelief.
"It seems...right?"
The two looked at each other and saw the same shock and disbelief in each other's eyes, as if they were in a dream.
Hader reached out first and opened the envelope tremblingly.
When he saw the clear lines in the letter inviting them to join the "Magic Science Laboratory", he felt as if his heart had stopped beating.
Then he became extremely agitated!
"Saint Sith above..."
"We...were hired by His Highness Colin?! Laboratory!?"
"Had, punch me quickly - damn, are you really going to hit me?!" After being punched, Bane was not angry at all. Instead, he excitedly hugged his good brother.
Seeing the commotion here, the apprentices around cast curious glances.
And when they found out what had happened, those eyes suddenly turned into jealousy.
A familiar scene was played out in every corner of the cafeteria, pushing the students' enthusiasm for "science" to a peak.
Although many magic apprentices and even teaching assistants have different understandings of "science", at least in terms of results, this unfamiliar term has indeed been popularized.
And at an incredible speed...
…
Bane and Hader spent the entire day in ups and downs.
On the one hand, they were pleasantly surprised that His Highness Colin recognized their unremarkable talents, but on the other hand, they were worried that their bronze-level strength would disappoint His Highness's expectations.
After all, they were not powerful magicians, but just insignificant apprentices. Until this morning, no one paid much attention to them...
At dusk, the bells of the tower rang, interrupting the two people's chaotic thoughts.
After enjoying dinner in the cafeteria, Bane and Had did not follow the crowd to the crowded dormitory tower. Instead, they came to the legendary "Magic Science" laboratory with the precious invitation letter and a pilgrimage-like mood.
Compared with other laboratories in the Great Sage's Tower, both the personnel and facilities here seem a little shabby.
However, since when, this unremarkable laboratory has become an academic sanctuary in the eyes of countless magic apprentices and even teaching assistants.
To be honest, this place is more lively than they imagined.
The spacious hall was filled with apprentices as young as them.
Some of them were recording data in front of sophisticated brass instruments, while others were discussing intensely around a huge blueprint. Everyone was in a hurry, but their faces were filled with a light called "hope" that was rarely seen in other places in Xuebang.
This is actually a bit of an exaggeration.
After all, those rookies who have just entered the school are still full of hope, but most of them have their edges smoothed out after the preparatory period.
Once you become a mage, you are basically a qualified apprentice.
Just as the two were looking around, a young assistant teacher on duty noticed them and immediately walked over.
Seeing the teaching assistant walking towards them, the two were afraid that they would be misunderstood as having come to the wrong place, so they hurriedly took out the invitation letters they had just received in the morning.
"Sir, it was His Royal Highness Colin who called us here."
“Here’s our recommendation letter!”
"Bain and Hard, huh? Welcome." The assistant teacher's attitude was gentle and professional. He smiled and said, "I've heard Mr. Corgi mention you."
"Yes... yes!" Bane answered nervously, and Hader nodded. Although the two were not brothers, they sometimes understood each other like twins.
The teaching assistant couldn't help but smile and repeated to them His Royal Highness Colin's original words.
"Respected mentor Colin is very interested in your idea of 'using fire to exhaust the air, thus causing suffocation to kill the target'. He thinks it is a genius idea. As you know, the main enemy of the empire is Hell, and the demons of Hell happen to be underground... Although I am not sure whether this weapon is effective against demons, it is definitely effective against goblins."
Just this one relayed acknowledgement was enough to make the two young men so excited that their faces turned red and they became so nervous that they became incoherent.
"We will try our best!"
"That's right! I, we will never let our mentor down!"
Looking at the nervous boys, the assistant teacher smiled and gave them an encouraging look.
"I am very happy to see you are so energetic. Of course, I think the respected teacher Colin will be even happier!"
After a pause, he continued speaking, saying something that made the two boys so happy that their brains went blank.
"In addition, the respected Professor Colin not only approved your idea, but also personally gave it an appropriate name, called 'Thermobaric Explosive Bomb'."
"In addition, he has approved a research fund for your independent research project, five Oss Empire gold coins per month. Of course, this is not the full funding, but an amount that is 'free of application'."
"As long as it does not exceed this number, you can decide how to use the funds yourself without having to make additional declarations. If it is not enough, you can submit an application to the team leader based on the amount... As long as it is a reasonable use, no one will make it difficult for you. At present, the funds in His Highness's laboratory are still sufficient."
Five gold coins are not a small amount.
A general magic scroll only costs 10 silver coins, and common magic materials can basically be purchased from adventurers by offering a reward with silver coins.
When they heard that their "wild ideas" were not only recognized and named by their idol mentor, but also received independent project funding, they were so excited that they were speechless!
In Xuebang, for two unknown bronze-level apprentices, this is an honor that they dare not even dream of!
Bane and Hader were so moved that they looked at each other and saw the burning flames in each other's eyes.
They all knew what the burning flame was—
That is, no matter what, we must not let down His Highness Colin's expectations!
"Sir! Please tell His Highness that we will definitely spend the money wisely and will not waste a single penny!" Had took a deep breath and said solemnly to the assistant teacher.
Bane nodded quickly and added a sentence afterwards.
"That's right! We can swear to Saint Sis!"
Looking at the two energetic young men, the assistant coach said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll pass it on for you. But I think that gentleman probably doesn't care about this little money. In comparison, he might want to see your results more."
After a pause, he added.
"Besides, he prefers you to call him mentor or sir rather than His Highness."
With these last words, the teaching assistant led them to the empty oak table and then hurried to the door.
There were many new apprentices reporting today, and Bain and Harder were not the first, nor the last. They noticed that there were several young faces peering out of the door, one or two of whom seemed to be freshmen.
It seems that this prince really doesn't care about their level. As long as they have talent that he recognizes, he will gladly invite them into his laboratory.
After watching the teaching assistant leave, the two apprentices immediately threw themselves into the 'Thermobaric Incendiary Bomb' project with great enthusiasm.
In fact, they were discussing this last night, and continued until the lights were turned off in the dormitory and the other roommates fell asleep.
"Hader, I have a new idea. I want to hear your opinion." Bain picked up a blank piece of parchment and wrote the name of their project on it with a quill. "Instead of designing a spell, we need to clarify one thing first... How much magic power is needed to burn the air of a standard-sized room? And how long can the suffocation effect last!"
"Indeed," Hader calmed down and started thinking. "And I think the term standard-sized room is too general. We should further consider... quantitatively consider the ratio of room size and mana consumption, and further extend this empirical ratio to mazes, castles, and open areas, etc., and take factors such as weather and wind speed into consideration."
This sentence almost instantly awakened Bane. He suddenly thought of a sentence that Colin, the instructor, had mentioned in class before -
[Not everything that matters can be calculated, but the data that can be measured follows certain patterns at a certain scale.]
Although he could not fully understand the meaning of this sentence in class at that time, he felt as if he had suddenly been enlightened at this moment!
This feeling was just like when he accidentally caught a glimpse of the flickering light of the magic flame on the training ground yesterday, and it opened a window in his mind!
He further expanded on His Royal Highness Colin's point:
"There must be a formula for this, just like the function formula that His Highness Colin taught us!"
Bane looked at Hader with sharp eyes, looking into his eyes which were also brightening, and continued in an extremely affirmative tone.
"We just need to conduct a large number of experiments and record the data each time, and we will definitely be able to find this formula!"
"Then, it's about how to fill it with magic!"
…
Just as Bain and Hard were gearing up for their new project, the "veterans" of the laboratory who had joined Colin two months ago were also observing their new colleagues curiously.
"Ram, look over there," Jamie pointed toward the door while carefully assembling the parts in his hand. "A few new faces again... I feel like we don't know half of the people in the lab anymore."
Ram raised his head from a pile of precise brass parts and followed his gaze, a relieved smile on his rosy face.
"Yes, our laboratory is really becoming more and more lively."
Her words were filled with joy for this growing and thriving family, and it was joy that came from the bottom of her heart.
Although some apprentices may think that new apprentices will take away their opportunities, Ram does not think so.
Firstly, His Royal Highness Colin did not specify what they had to study, nor did he assign tasks to apprentices like other professors did. Instead, he encouraged them to study what they were interested in or good at, so there was no such thing as opportunities being taken away.
The more people there are, the more ideas there will be. As the "Magic Science" laboratory grows, they will have more opportunities than before.
Rather than competing with each other, fighting for food at the same trough, or vying for the tutor's favor, tutor Colin obviously prefers them to cooperate with each other, and will even take the initiative to bring them together.
Secondly, the Magic Science Laboratory has sufficient funding. Teacher Colin has said more than once that they don't have to worry about money. Even if Xuebang is unwilling to pay one day, he will use his own wallet to satisfy everyone's curiosity and desire for exploration.
Ram had no doubt that the prince was a truly noble man, much higher than those professors and sages who treated their apprentices as slaves.
He should be the real sage!
By the way, since the publication of Colinta's paper, Professor Colin's reputation has lived up to her expectations and has risen to the height he deserves.
Influenced by this, the status of the "Magic Science Laboratory" in the Great Sage's Tower has also risen, and there are even many magicians who come here from the distant Mage Tower.
In the past month, Mr. Colin has recruited a number of apprentices with outstanding potential and promising teaching assistants.
To manage this growing team, the gentleman recently announced a new organizational structure for the lab.
He divided the entire laboratory into two major departments, one is the "Basic Department" focusing on theoretical research, and the other is the "Application Department" focusing on applied technology development.
Under the two major departments, eight core research groups are divided according to the four basic categories of "mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology".
All apprentices are assigned to teams in their respective areas of expertise, and are responsible for specific project management and independent budget approval.
Although Ram did not understand the special features of this management model, according to Mr. Corgi, it seemed to be a very novel practice in Xuebang.
Few professors would adopt this management model. After all, most laboratories specialize in a single research project, rather than being "all over the place" like the Magic Science Laboratory.
Assistant Professor Corgi once implicitly stated that this did not seem to be something that should be done when setting up a laboratory, but was more like setting up a new school of thought.
But Ram didn't think so much.
Rather than looking at that prince with a worldly eye, she preferred to look at him as a "true sage".
Looking at the apprentices who were in a state of order in the midst of chaos not far away, Jamie couldn't help but sigh, "Now I finally understand why the mentor designed that new management model. It turns out that he had already planned to recruit so many people."
After a pause, he couldn't help but praise it again.
"But then again, thanks to the model he designed, there's not much chaos with so many of us here, and everyone has their own things to do."
He meant this from the bottom of his heart.
After all, His Highness Colin was not here, so there would be no benefit for him to praise him.
Looking at Jamie, whose face was full of admiration, Ram smiled and spoke softly.
"Don't you think this is actually quite similar to the style of that prince? Perhaps... this is also the 'science' he advocates."
Jamie nodded approvingly.
"I couldn't agree more with you, Ram."
Having said that, a sense of urgency quietly arose in his heart.
It wasn't out of jealousy of colleagues, or arrogance to step on others.
Instead, he suddenly realized that being selected by his mentor to enter this laboratory was just a beginning. It did not mean that his life had reached its peak and he could spend every day without worries.
The "Magic Science" laboratory will become even bigger in the future, and just as Assistant Professor Corgi imagines, one day they will become a new school on this snowy field.
If such a day really comes, there will surely be far more young talents than today, following in their footsteps and joining in.
Even if it was to avoid being left behind by his future juniors, he had to show some real skills——
He has to work harder than ever before!
Just when Jamie was full of confidence and ready to devote himself to the new job, Ilana suddenly came over from the other end of the laboratory holding a thick notebook.
She seemed to have encountered some difficulties, her pretty eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and she was still immersed in her previous thoughts and unable to get out of it.
After looking around, she didn't find the person she was looking for, but happened to notice Jamie and Ram, so she asked.
"Jamie, Ram, have you seen Colin, my tutor? I just have a question...about math that I want to ask him."
Jamie shook his head blankly.
"I...didn't see it."
Ram tilted his head, looked around, and his expression became a little confused.
"I don't know. The teacher was here just now... By the way, Mr. Corgi came here just now. Could it be that the teacher went to see Professor Hector?"
Everyone in this laboratory knows that Mr. Corgi is Professor Hector's assistant.
Although in the past three months, that gentleman may have served His Highness Colin longer than he served Professor Hector.
"What's the problem? Ilana." Hearing that Ilana had a problem, Jamie immediately became interested and said enthusiastically, "Tell us, we will help you think about it."
Ram also nodded with great interest: "Yes, yes, the wisdom of the three of us is definitely better than that of one person!"
Not only the two enthusiastic people, but also the apprentice sitting at the table next to them pricked up his ears with curiosity.
It is rare to find a math problem that can stump Ilana. After all, she is said to be an apprentice who has inherited the "true teachings" from her mentor.
Seeing her companions' eager eyes, Ilana shared her confusion somewhat embarrassedly. She pointed to a complicated equation in her notebook and said softly:
"I was thinking, the 'calculus' our instructor taught us studies the extreme value of a function at a certain point. But if...if I want to solve the extreme value of a 'function of a function', is there a more convenient way?"
The air became very quiet.
The ears that had pricked up because of eavesdropping then quietly retracted.
The warm smiles on Jamie and Ram's faces gradually froze and finally turned into a blankness, just like the snowy field outside the tower.
Function of a function?
What is that?
The two stared at each other, feeling that they and Ilana might not be learning the same "Calculus" but something from another dimension.
But in fact, this is not actually "calculus" but another branch of mathematics that His Highness Colin has not yet told them about.
Finally, Jamie sighed dejectedly, waved his hands, and completely gave up the idea of showing off his skills in front of the goddess.
"...You should ask His Highness Colin."
Ram asked in a low voice.
"Studying the functions of functions...what's the use?"
Ilana nodded slightly.
"A little bit... though that might just be me."
After a pause, she continued in an affirmative tone.
"The problem that Mr. James Wall-E cannot solve may be solved by finding the answer from the function."
…
While Ilana was struggling with the puzzle about the function, Luo Yan, who was far away in Professor Hector's office, was also troubled by an unexpected trouble.
The flames in the fireplace were burning, illuminating a delicate and beautiful face. The long golden hair passed over the white neck, like a noble and elegant tulip.
However, Luo Yan had no time to appreciate her beauty. Instead, he looked at the girl who was sitting on the sofa in a dignified and elegant manner with a headache.
At this moment, she was using her small lips to gently blow the hot steam in the cup over and over again, and then she took a cautious sip. Her movements were dignified and elegant, yet still cute as a girl of her age should be.
Maybe she was cold on the way here, or maybe the gaze from the opposite side was too "hot", her cheeks turned slightly red, and after moistening her throat, she did not put down the teacup, but hid her drooping long eyelashes behind the misty hot air.
Ofea Castellón, the most beloved youngest daughter of the Duke of Castellón in the Empire.
Luo Yan certainly didn't fail to recognize her, but to be honest, he didn't have a very deep impression of her. They only had a brief contact at the ball, danced together, and politely accepted the seahorse amulet she gave him when they parted.
Luo Yan remembered very clearly that at the outskirts of the Holy City, he had tactfully rejected her affection in front of her father.
However, he never expected that the Duke's daughter was so active that she could chase him all the way from the prosperous holy city to this bitter and cold northern wilderness.
What he didn't expect was that, not only was Miss Castellón crazy, but was the Duke of Castellón also crazy?
If you want to learn magic, why don't you just hire a tutor? Which powerful imperial noble would send his or her children to this damn place?
On the tea table in front of Luo Yan, there was a letter of recommendation stamped with wax.
The wax seal obviously could not have been stolen.
Professor Hector, who was sitting behind his desk, was watching the scene with great interest, with a smirk on his face. He seemed ready to watch a good show.
This old guy obviously misunderstood something.
But since this guy didn't ask, his unreasonable explanation would seem abrupt and make things even more obvious, so Luo Yan could only keep his mouth shut.
However, at this moment, the dignified girl suddenly put down the teacup in her hand and looked up at him.
"Hello, His Highness Colin," she said in a clear and pleasant voice, "We meet again."
(End of this chapter)
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