Chapter 2376: New Student Enrollment, Getting on the Right Track

The following events unfolded exactly as Dean Lisi had said; on the third day, the admission notice for Chixin University arrived. Afterward, Xia Duo went to the Mythallar Academy to register his identity and select his major, and then it was just a matter of waiting for the start of the term.

Of course, waiting did not mean doing nothing. Since he was entering Chixin University as an advanced student, he did not need to take the ten years of Universal Knowledge courses required before a normal university education, but instead started directly with professional courses, namely Myth Lock Design.

However, most professional courses were conducted in the form of specific research projects. If Xia Duo did not want to be at the bottom of the class right from the start, making up for the previous ten years of coursework was an inevitable choice.

……

Half a month later, on the day the new semester at Chixin University began, Xia Duo met his mentor and his classmates for the years to come.

The meeting was very harmonious. Perhaps because Dean Lisi had given a heads-up in advance, Xia Duo always felt that his mentor paid more attention to him than to the other students.

"I won't say much for the first day. There is a Citizen Deliberation regarding the development of Magic coming up. You should head to the venue as soon as possible and try to get everything handled today, so we can officially start classes tomorrow."

After Mentor Tuto briefly introduced the progress that needed to be completed in the first semester, he shooed all twenty or so students away.

Returning to his dormitory, Xia Duo took out his Badge to connect to the Mythallar for a remote Projection, and among the many categories, he chose the most prominent "Citizen Deliberation" option.

The next moment, he felt his consciousness arrive in the clouds—it truly felt like being in the clouds; he could even see the flowing cloud layers below and the occasionally dynamic earth.

It was just that this Projection had very few Perception dimensions and low precision; even while high in the sky, he could not feel much of the air Flow.

However, this was only the seaside venue for the Citizen Deliberation, so one could not ask for too much. Xia Duo cast his gaze to the side, where illusory bodies with blurred faces flickered in and out of existence in this sky.

Just then, he heard the voice of the host of this deliberation, the Second Executive—"Regarding Negative Energy research, if you have any further views, feel free to bring them up for everyone to discuss together."

At the same time, he saw a large amount of discussion content within the Mythallar. Depending on the professional weight, the existence time of each varied; the opinions of more professional individuals were ranked at the front and had existed for longer.

Xia Duo took a rough look. Currently, there were not many opposing opinions; most were fears from ordinary citizens regarding the potential serious consequences of Negative Energy research.

But under the explanations of more professionals, such fear was constantly being dispelled. Xia Duo could feel a force working hard to resolve the public's concerns; if nothing went wrong, it should be the Negative Energy Research Institute and other Negative Energy research institutions.

However, whether such professional explanations could truly convince the public remained a question mark. Just as Xia Duo was pondering, a question raised by an ordinary citizen was quickly pushed to the front due to the attention of many people. The question was simple, yet very sharp—

If major losses are caused by Negative Energy research in the future, who will be held responsible?

Professionals in this field were well-prepared for this, proposing standardized procedures, strengthening supervision, and other means to avoid experimental accidents as much as possible in advance.

But after all, it was research, and it involved Negative Energy with chaotic characteristics; it was impossible for everything to go according to the researchers' wishes. Once an accident occurred, various parties would appoint investigators to conduct accident investigations and divide responsibility, ensuring that no researcher who ignored norms or supervision would escape legal sanctions.

Furthermore, even if there were no accidents, various Negative Energy research institutions welcomed the public to organize their own qualified investigation teams to conduct investigations.

The debate seemed to have initially resolved all issues, but Xia Duo knew this was just the beginning. After all, this was only the first day. Later, not only ordinary citizens but also other research institutions—more professional ones competing for resources with Negative Energy research—might come to cause trouble.

As for what position Negative Energy research would eventually be placed in, Xia Duo could not say. After all, to reach the step of a national referendum, the controversy must be quite significant.

In fact, he himself could be considered a stakeholder. Negative Energy Encryption could continue to be researched even without support from above, but there was no doubt that with support from above, it would be possible to achieve results faster.

Therefore, after Xia Duo roughly understood the current situation, he chose to support it without hesitation. Of course, even without being a stakeholder, from a purely professional perspective, he would still make the choice to support it.

……

After casting his vote, Xia Duo left the venue. Just as Mentor Tuto said, he indeed did not have much time to waste on this. Others might be persuaded by various parties and go through multiple rounds of flip-flopping before the voting deadline, but he would not.

By around noon, Xia Duo received a Sending from Gelinqi. The two agreed to have a meal at Chixin University. This meeting would likely be the last time the two would see each other for quite some time.

Gelinqi had already joined the Negative Energy Encryption Project team at the Negative Energy Research Institute, just waiting for the results of the citizen resolution to go all out.

And Xia Duo still had ten years of courses to make up, so he would not have much time either; thus, both cherished this opportunity to meet.

For Xia Duo, Gelinqi was no longer just an old classmate from the Projection Avatar, but a friend who had guided and helped him. Perhaps there would be more cooperation in the future, so this relationship naturally needed to be nurtured with care.

During the meal, Xia Duo mentioned the situation he saw at the citizen resolution venue in the morning, "The view supporting Negative Energy research has already gained the upper hand. I really envy you for getting the support fund from above so soon."

"It's not that simple. Our entire institute spent the whole morning at the venue explaining and debating, and the public's attitude is very wavering. We can convince them now, but others can convince them just as easily. The last day is the key. For the time being, I have to stay at the venue to deal with unexpected situations at any time."

Gelinqi's face revealed a trace of fatigue, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. Participating in the citizen resolution not only allowed him to reorganize his past research but also to improve his Magic literacy through debates and discussions with the public.

It was just that such an experience was fine once or twice, but if it were like this every day, he would not be able to handle it.

……

After lunch, Gelinqi left in a hurry. Xia Duo received the Gumu and immediately took action as well, but he did not go to participate in the citizen resolution; instead, he went to the Library.

The next day, the 25 students of Class 04 of the Myth Lock Design major gathered again. Mentor Tuto was not late either, arriving at the same time as the students.

"Everyone, I have applied for an Experimental Demiplane from the academy. For the coming semester, you will mainly spend your time there."

"Mentor Tuto, what project are we doing this semester?"

"In such a rush? I tell you, you can have drive when doing research, but you must never be impatient. You must have patience; otherwise, it won't be you doing the research, but you being led by the project."

Tuto lectured with a straight face before introducing the teaching plan for this semester, "This semester, we will mainly work on the Demiplane Linkage Project. But you must be clear about one thing: the university professional study project is not the point; the key is to learn Knowledge and gain experience from it."

"Yes."