Chapter 381 Colin, the "Stealer"
Professor Hector Lane's office was filled with the dry smell of ancient parchment and aged ink as always. The towering bookshelves almost touched the carved dome, filled with all kinds of books and files, neatly arranged to the point of being paranoid.
However, the solemnity and tranquility that once belonged to this holy land of academia were now completely shattered by an anxious atmosphere.
The owner of the office, Professor Hector, who held a high position in the Great Sage's Tower, paced back and forth anxiously like a lion trapped in a cage.
His dark blue wizard robe, which symbolized the Source Law School, created gusts of breeze due to the movements of its owner, blowing the piles of documents on the desk, making a slight "rustling" sound, like a countdown to death.
When Luo Yan pushed the door open under the guidance of assistant coach Corgi, what he saw was such an "anxious" scene.
"Professor, Professor Colin is here." Corgi reported cautiously, then immediately bowed and retreated tactfully, gently closing the heavy oak door.
Hector turned around almost instantly, his eyes fixed on Luo Yan.
The pair of eyes that usually seemed calm and composed now lacked the composure of a platinum-level warrior.
"What's wrong, Professor Hector? What's the matter that makes you so anxious?" Luo Yan walked into the office as if he had returned to his own home, and sat on the sofa with a smile.
Seeing His Highness Colin's calm and composed appearance, Hector didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The anxious anger in his chest seemed to have hit cotton.
He sighed heavily, walked quickly to the desk, grabbed the "Sage's Newspaper" which still smelled of ink, hurried back to the coffee table, and stuffed the newspaper in front of Luo Yan.
"See for yourself!"
Hector rarely spoke to him in such a serious tone, especially since he began to dream of inheriting Virtual Realm No. 440 from him.
Luo Yan raised his eyebrows in surprise, reached out to pick up the newspaper on the coffee table, and his eyes naturally fell on the front-page headline.
The huge title is in bold font to highlight the authority of its content——
"Risk Warning on Regulating Virtual Reality Interference Research"
The wording of the article was as rigorous and obscure as ever. It began by citing the "serious accident" that had occurred in Virtual Realm No. 178 not long ago as an argument, emphasizing that in order to "protect the limited virtual realm resources of the school state", the Sage Council had a long and careful discussion and finally made a decision.
This is not news.
It is the decision of the wise men.
Luo Yan had no interest in those preparatory statements, so he tried to extract the core content of the article.
First, the Council decided to "temporarily restrict" the magic towers of various schools except for a few special cases, and adopt a radical "guided" interference strategy in the virtual realm.
The second is to provide additional explanation for the “few special cases”.
The notice clearly stated that as the pioneer of this research model, Corinta's research project can continue as an exception, and the Board will re-evaluate the risks and benefits of this strategy based on its subsequent results.
Implications
If Corinta's research does not progress smoothly, or if no further progress is made for a long time, they reserve the right to take back Virtual Realm No. 440.
After reading this, Luo Yan couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth into a playful smile.
Although the council implicitly put pressure on him, from another perspective this is actually a good thing.
Virtual Realm No. 440 is still in the "CD cooling period". What his subordinate Miller is most worried about now is that others will follow their research ideas and be the first to discover the results that they could have discovered themselves.
This researcher's vision is still too narrow, and he has even begun to regret publishing his research results too early.
Now that the Council has issued a resolution restricting other mage towers from using the research strategies of Virtual Realm No. 440, this guy should be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Of course, Luo Yan himself doesn’t care.
What does a demon king need academic achievements for?
What he wants is for the "scientific" school to flourish in the Holy City and for the name "Prince Colin" to become the sun on the snowy plain!
He pointed in a direction towards the future, and it would be the same for him no matter who walked this path.
Luo Yan gently folded the newspaper and threw it back on the coffee table. His leisurely attitude formed a sharp contrast with Hector, who was facing a fierce enemy.
Looking up at the professor who had an anxious look on his face, he asked in a relaxed, almost teasing tone.
"That's it? I've finished reading it, and then what?"
Hector was so angry when he heard this that he almost laughed out loud.
Looking at Colin's handsome and "innocent" face, he sighed heavily, as if he was exhausted by a younger generation who was ignorant of the world.
"Your Highness, my Prince, I don't know if you did it on purpose or if you really don't understand... This resolution is not just a resolution, it's also a gesture!"
He hurriedly walked to the coffee table and sat down, stretched out a finger to point at the headline of the newspaper, and began to "interpret" it word by word in a tone of regret.
"In Xuebang, 'special cases' are not a gift, but a shackle called 'gift'! On the surface, you don't have to worry about this resolution, but in fact... everyone is waiting for you to make a mistake!"
“Even if it’s just one small slip-up or just a period of not making progress, your mistakes will be put under the microscope and scrutinized over and over again.”
"Perhaps you think it's nothing and just let them talk, but for those who oppose you, this is enough! They can immediately use today's resolution to take back your control of the virtual world and prove to everyone how far-sighted their 'caution' today is and it is definitely not robbery in the name of right!"
Luo Yan looked at Professor Hector who was studying the newspaper with great interest, picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip.
This little trick certainly did not escape his eyes, and he was not interested in Professor Hector's roundabout analysis.
He was interested in Professor Hector himself.
The old professor interpreted every word in the newspaper word by word, and his analysis was very logical. His flattering look was as if he was sucking his master's spoon, tasting the saltiness of the leftover food, and then guessing what kind of shit his master would shit tomorrow.
Although he was completely unaware that this was a kind of "flattery", he instead regarded it as a great "wisdom".
Of course, Luo Yan did not laugh at Hector. After all, the wisdom of survival is also a kind of wisdom, and it was not Hector's fault.
For a long time, Xuebang has been using artificially created resource shortages and unequal opportunities to systematically produce these obedient and honest tools, and Hector is just a leader who has stood out from this system. Those "Milos" who have not stood out are everywhere in the tower where sages gather.
This is also the soil in which the Demon King's "corruption" can take root and sprout. Strictly speaking, he should thank them.
Light needs shadow to set off.
Seeing that Hector was about to continue his long speech, analyzing the far-reaching impact of this matter on the School of Elementals and even the entire radical camp, Luo Yan finally raised his hand and gently interrupted him.
"Professor, I am not interested in the feelings of the sages, just like they are not interested in my ideas and theories... There is no point in you telling me this."
Hector's impassioned speech came to an abrupt halt, and he stared at him blankly.
Luo Yan paused, then suddenly changed his tone to one of interest, and picked up the newspaper that Hector's index finger was pointing at.
"But... I am very interested in this 'serious accident' mentioned in the newspaper."
As he spoke, his slender finger accurately pointed at the inconspicuous number - "Virtual Realm No. 178". The Sage Newspaper used it as an argument to prove that the success of Virtual Realm No. 440 was just an accident. But in his opinion, the failure of this virtual realm was only due to the stupidity of the experimenter himself.
In the end, that guy only cared about his own interests and what he wanted, but he never asked what the other side behind the virtual world wanted.
This is not called "communication".
If there was any revelation that Virtual Realm No. 178 gave to Mentor Merck, it was nothing more than using the history of the Grays to warn him - their own ending!
Or the ending of "Arrogance"...
"… Mr. Merck's experiment failed. That world is said to have turned into an 'irreparable wasteland'? I'm curious, what kind of wasteland is it, specifically?"
This abrupt turn completely blocked Hector's train of thought. He was stunned by this strange focus, nodded subconsciously, and answered along the way.
"Yes, as for what it is like... it is said that the civilization there has completely collapsed. The Grays, unable to bear the sacrifice, killed their savior, so that the back of the virtual world has become a dead land without faith and soul. It is even worse than the previous ruins with smoke and miasma. It is no longer worth studying or developing..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Luo Yan slowly raise his hand.
At that moment, Hector saw a light in the young prince's eyes that he had never seen in the eyes of other scholars.
It was a look that was a mixture of curiosity and absolute confidence, as if a sailor sailing in unfamiliar waters had discovered new treasure.
"Really? But I don't think so." Luo Yan's voice was filled with a hint of laughter. "Maybe I can try and see if I can...save it."
The office fell into deathly silence.
Hector sat on the sofa in amazement, as if he was in a mess in the cold wind on a snowy field, and he was completely unable to understand the other party's jumping ideas.
He originally wanted to warn a lamb that was about to enter the wolf pack, reminding him of the dangers and plots ahead, but he didn't expect that the gaze of this "lamb" would from the very beginning bypass those grinning wolves and go straight to the scorched earth that all the wolves avoided.
His Adam's apple moved and he squeezed out a word with difficulty.
"That's probably difficult... Void Realm No. 178 is a resource owned by Mentor Merck. Even if... even if it has become a wasteland, no mentor would voluntarily give up his own Void Realm unless the Council deprives him of his ownership."
This is an irrefutable unspoken rule within Xuebang.
Every virtual realm, no matter how barren or rich, is a symbol of a mentor's status and qualifications. Especially for a "young and promising" but inexperienced scholar like Merck.
He didn't need to guess to know that there must be someone standing behind this person, but he just didn't know which senior official it was.
However, after listening to Hector's words, Luo Yan just smiled and shook his head, and said calmly.
"You're right. Virtual Realm resources are valuable, but that was when Virtual Realm No. 178 still had value... As for now, it's more like a nuisance that we can't get rid of."
Of course, he could also guess that there must be a professor or a sage standing behind Merck, and the ownership of this virtual world resource could never be controlled by a young mentor without any background.
But it was precisely because of this that he had the opportunity to use the research rights of No. 440 Virtual Realm as a bargaining chip to negotiate terms with the person standing behind this young mentor.
Aren't you waiting for me to make a mistake?
Now is the chance.
Luo Yan didn't need to know who this person was. It was enough to know that the other party was interested in the virtual world resources in his hands.
certainly--
There is no need to tell Hector this.
After all, in Hector's opinion, Virtual Realm No. 440 is already in his pocket, and he would never agree to gamble on a chance with "low chances of winning".
Even though Virtual Realm No. 440 had never belonged to him.
"…Go ahead and give it a try, Professor Hector. Just say that it is me, Prince Colin, who wants to take over this mess and help the school. I think Professor Merck will be happy to do me a favor. And I promised him that if Virtual Realm No. 178 produces any results, his name will be on the paper."
He returned the newspaper to Hector, patted the latter's shoulder gently, then smiled and stood up from the soft sofa.
"I am waiting for your good news."
After saying that, he turned and left the office, closing the heavy oak door.
The office returned to silence.
Looking at the newspaper in his hand, Professor Hector was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and was troubled by the fact that His Royal Highness the Prince had given him another difficult problem.
"What on earth does this guy want to do?"
Could it be that he is really addicted to studying the virtual realm? !
Hector muttered softly and put down the newspaper in his hand.
At this moment, he suddenly came to his senses. When His Highness Colin spoke to him just now, he seemed to have used the tone of a superior assigning tasks to a subordinate.
When he realized this, he felt both angry and amused, and for a moment his face showed a helpless expression.
This prince really never treated him as an outsider, and used his subordinates as his own people, and now even he has become his own? !
"Saint Sith, please... please send this guy somewhere else to cause trouble to other people!"
…
Professor Hector's prayers were destined to be in vain.
After all, he even got the wrong person to pray to.
Regardless of how much of a headache this "honest" professor had because of His Majesty Colin's orders, Luo Yan was in a good mood as he strolled back to the laboratory.
Instead of hindering his plan, the meeting of Xuebang’s top leaders provided him with an opportunity to increase the stakes.
If he can resolve the "crisis" of Virtual Realm No. 178 and prove that it is not a mistake in the route but a problem with the people, his prestige in this tower will undoubtedly reach a new height.
As for what happens if you fail...
To be honest he didn't really care.
Again, this is someone else's bicycle after all.
Pushing open the door of the "Magical Science" laboratory, Luo Yan felt as if he had stepped from the gloomy winter into the bustling summer.
This "holy land" with a strong academic atmosphere is as lively as ever, and has not diminished due to his brief departure or return.
Young apprentices were gathered in groups of three or five, arguing over their respective topics, and the air was filled with high enthusiasm.
Luo Yan was very pleased.
Although his mentality is no longer young, he still believes that this is what young people should be like.
His eyes subconsciously turned to a corner of the laboratory, which was the teaching scene he had "arranged" before leaving.
I saw Ilana sitting at an oak table, patiently writing something on a piece of manuscript paper.
Beside her, Miss Castellón was leaning forward with unprecedented concentration, staring closely at the movement of the pen tip, afraid of missing any details.
It can be seen that she is really convinced.
“…Therefore, we cannot directly think that infinitesimal is zero, but we must understand that it is a ‘process’, a trend that is infinitely close to zero.”
Ilana's voice was clear and steady. She used the end of her feather pen to gently tap a symbol on the manuscript paper. "This symbol 'lim' is a tool used to describe this 'process'. You see, when x approaches a infinitely, the value of this function approaches L infinitely..."
Considering that Ophelia had missed too many classes, she explained in great detail, almost starting from the most basic part and breaking it down and feeding it to her.
Teacher Colin rarely explains things in such detail.
His courses are imaginative, just like the way he used a prism to dissect the holy light in the first class, giving people a shock that goes straight to the depths of their souls.
Rather than telling his students the secrets, he prefers to lead them through a door and stimulate their desire to explore and learn.
But to say that his lectures are very in-depth, that's not the case. It still depends more on the students to figure it out on their own after class.
It is almost impossible to understand his theories just by listening to his lectures.
Rather than a lecturer who preaches and answers questions, he is more like an inspiring enlightener.
"I see……"
Ophelia let out a sigh of sudden realization, her sapphire eyes sparkling with enlightenment.
"I couldn't figure it out before because I thought it was a fixed number! Turns out... it's a 'state'!"
She raised her head and looked at Ilana. There was no longer any awkwardness or reluctance on her face. Instead, there was genuine admiration.
At least in this minute, the proud Duke's daughter seemed to have forgotten the dignity of her social status and was completely conquered by the light called "wisdom".
Looking at Ophelia, who was immersed in the ocean of academics and even forgot her own existence, Luo Yan, who was standing in the distance, nodded approvingly.
very good.
It seems that she has gradually realized the pleasure of immersing herself in the ocean of knowledge, which makes people feel extremely excited and unable to stop.
The devil's biggest worry -
-
1!
…
It was late at night, and the professors and students of the Great Sage's Tower had all returned to the dormitory tower. Only a furtive figure took the elevator straight up to the upper floors where few people went, and hurried to a study room deep in the corridor.
In stark contrast to the bright and vibrant atmosphere of the "Magical Science" laboratory, this is clearly a study, but the light here is surprisingly dim and depressing.
The air was filled with a scent of rare ebony mixed with some strange incense. The thick velvet curtains blocked out all the light from the outside. Only a few wall lamps powered by magic illuminated the low-key and luxurious furnishings in the room with their faint light.
This place doesn't look like a scholar's study, but more like a secret room where a powerful person weaves conspiracies.
A middle-aged wizard with an elegant appearance and deep eyes was sitting leisurely behind a huge ebony desk.
This person was none other than Professor Ariste Thorn, the boss behind Mentor Merck and the president of the Thorn Society, which controlled the shadows of the entire tower like a spider web.
At this moment, he gently shook the crystal glass in his hand, tasting the blood-red liquid in the glass, looking comfortable, as if all the troubles in the world had nothing to do with him.
Although he spent most of his time meditating in the meditation room and practicing the "breathing technique" he learned from the Void Realm, he would occasionally take out some time to imitate the nobles of the Kingdom of Rhodes and enjoy life.
"professor."
Coming to the desk, Merck bowed his head deeply in respect, not even daring to look directly at Professor Ariste who was leisurely tasting wine.
There was an imperceptible tremor in his voice, and after getting permission, he continued in a low voice.
"Just now, Professor Hector found me..."
He did not dare to hide anything and repeated Hector's purpose in detail.
The popular Prince Colin wants to take over Virtual Realm No. 178 which has reached its end!
Hector came here this time to seek the opinion of his "person in charge", hoping that he could give it up to satisfy the curiosity of His Royal Highness the Prince - anyway, that virtual world is no longer useful to him, and now someone is willing to "take the blame" for him.
Merck's heart was pounding as he whispered Hector's request.
As for the reason, it was naturally because of excitement.
Having messed up everything, he had already made plans for the worst, and perhaps he would never be able to enter the Void Realm in this lifetime. However, just when he had lost all hope, things took a turn for the better... An arrogant imperial noble planned to take over the mess he had made.
He wanted to agree to Professor Hector's request immediately, but unfortunately he was only the nominal person in charge and had no power to act on his own.
He could only let Hector go back and wait for news on the grounds that he needed time to think carefully, while he immediately rushed here to ask for instructions from the real master of the virtual world.
Upon hearing this unexpected news, Professor Ariste's leisurely wine-tasting action paused slightly, his cloudy pupils narrowed slightly, and a surprised and amused expression appeared on his face.
Take over Virtual Realm No. 178?
This was truly... a development he had not expected.
He gently placed the goblet back on the table. The bottom of the goblet made a slight crisp sound when it hit the ebony tabletop. He looked at Merck, who lowered his head and dared not speak, and fell into thought.
The ink on the risk warning notice issued by the Sage Council has not yet dried, and the words between the lines are hinting at the huge risks inherent in the "radical strategy" adopted by His Highness.
However, he pretended not to see it. Instead of restraining himself in his research on Virtual Realm No. 440, he turned around and took over Virtual Realm No. 178, which had become a problem?
"Interesting, haha... Really interesting."
What arrogance this is!
How stupid is that?
Ariste had a mocking smile on his face.
His Royal Highness seemed to be completely unaware that the Great Sage, by granting him “special” immunity on the surface, was actually putting him on the spot.
Everyone was waiting for him to make a mistake.
As long as he makes a small mistake, the conservatives in the tower will be able to immediately seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and take Virtual Realm No. 440 away from him!
Thinking of this, Ariste's eyes became deep, and a hint of greed emerged behind his turbid pupils.
For him, No. 178 Virtual Realm was already a completely failed investment, and it was useless to keep it. Prince Colin was willing to take this "hot potato" on his own initiative, which was a hundred benefits and no harm to him!
As long as Colin fails in Virtual Realm Project No. 178, Virtual Realm Project No. 440 can legitimately be used as "compensation" to mentor Merck!
As for Colin being successful… that’s hardly going to happen!
According to Merck's research report, the civilization behind Virtual Realm No. 178 has completely abandoned spiritualism and become extreme materialists.
Not only do they have no faith, but they also regard the mysteries outside the domain as evil spirits, and even regard those of their kind who have awakened extraordinary powers as traitors and purge them.
There is not the slightest possibility of salvation for this civilization, and the collapse of the virtual realm channel is only a matter of time!
Time can be accelerated, but it can never be reversed!
He raised his eyes, looked at Merck who was still in a state of panic, and made a decision in an unquestionable gentle tone.
"Merck, you did a good job. You were right not to agree on the spot."
He first said something soothing to relax Merck's tense nerves a little, then changed the subject and gave the final order.
"Go tell Professor Hector that you have thought it over again and again and believe that His Highness Colin's enthusiasm for helping the academy is precious. For the overall benefit of the academy, and in order not to let the enthusiasm of such a genius go to waste, you agree to give him your opportunity."
"but--"
“You need to participate in the research and witness the experiment, rather than just wait outside for the results.”
Ariste paused, the smile on his face deepened, and he added slowly:
"Remember, you need to be more noble. Make sure he sees... the sweat you put into Virtual Realm No. 178 and your feelings for that world."
"Yes! Professor!"
Merck felt as if he had been pardoned, and his tense body instantly relaxed. He bowed deeply and respectfully, and when he turned around and left, his steps were much lighter than when he came.
Silence returned to the study.
Ariste picked up the crystal wine glass again and gently shook the scarlet liquid in the glass. A cold smile slowly spread across the corners of his mouth.
He was looking forward to seeing how this naive yet arrogant prince would walk into the trap he had carefully woven...
At this moment, his hand holding the wine glass stiffened slightly.
The muscles on half of that elegant and handsome face suddenly twisted unnaturally, as if he had suffered a stroke.
That was clearly not a stroke.
One side of his lips twitched nervously, and he uttered a hoarse whisper with a strange tone that was completely not his own.
"You did a great job...get that dangerous guy out of here! I can't stand his smell, he just makes me sick."
That voice from the unknown sounded in my mind again.
And it seems not just in his mind!
Ariste's eyes suddenly condensed, and a trace of madness and struggle flashed across them, but he suppressed it forcefully. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words.
"Shut up...I'm not doing this for you!"
"besides--"
"Get out of my head!"
The closed curtains move automatically without wind!
Ariste vaguely saw a black shadow through the window glass. Like a panicked spider, it slipped into the gap between the curtains and crawled into the bottomless night...
The strange feeling disappeared instantly, and his distorted face returned to normal, as if everything that had just happened was just an illusion.
In the study, the only sounds were Ariste's slightly rapid breathing and the increasingly enchanting scarlet color in the cup.
Everything is like an illusion.
Whether it was the voice in the dark or his crazy soliloquy...
(End of this chapter)
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