Chapter 394: Prince Kelin, Who Is as Fair as the Sun

It is not just the apprentices who need the care of the Demon King, but also those scholars who are waiting to be fed.

Although arranging resources for the restarted Void is nominally "two-way selection," in a situation where supply and demand are unbalanced, the selection opportunities of the Reorganization Committee are obviously far greater than those scholars who are eager to share the dividends of the Void but are troubled by having no door to enter.

Scholars eager to participate in this feast of Void redistribution have already lined up in long lines, and application letters have filled the committee office like snowflakes, even crowding into the Magic Science Laboratory and even Luo Yan's dormitory.

And what Luo Yan has to do is to ensure that these resources are distributed to people worthy of his investment.

In the way of "fairness" that these roll-kings crave most.

He doesn't need to use this favor to do anything, or let those mentors and professors do things for him.

He only needs these people to miss the time of "Prince Kelin" in the Academy repeatedly when they encounter unpleasant things in life and studies.

This is almost certain to happen.

After all, no matter how high they climb, Heketuo is their ceiling.

Just looking at Heketuo's attitude toward apprentices, you know that this guy must have a belly full of evil fire that has nowhere to release in his work.

By then, even if only one-tenth of the scholars with ideals run to the Jiana Continent to join him, their wisdom will be enough to support a brand-new mage tower.

Dusk.

In a seminar room dedicated to the "Void Asset Reorganization Committee," the atmosphere was solemn and solemn. The huge black oak long table and rows of high-backed chairs symbolized the supreme academic authority of the committee, pressing on the hearts of all those waiting.

Dozens of mentors and professors who are usually highly respected in front of students are now sitting upright in the waiting area like apprentices waiting for the final assessment.

They have different expressions, some rubbing the magic staff in their hands nervously, some closing their eyes to rest, and some whispering to those beside them, exchanging uneasy glances.

"What is the Great Sage thinking, handing over the future of the Academy to an outsider..."

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"Too young... this is not a good thing; I would rather let Alisite Suoen choose, he may not be fair but at least he has enough weight."

"I don't know, but I think... a committee is not enough to be related to the 'future of the Academy,' perhaps the Great Sage has his own plan?"

"Sometimes I really don't understand him."

"That's normal; if you understood, you would be a sage."

"..."

The scholars present are the backbone of the Academy, most of them are silver-level and gold-level, and among them are even a few rare platinum-level mages.

However, at this moment, all their fates are hanging by a thread, waiting for that young man named Kelin to choose...

A mentor named Rockwell held his life's research notes tightly in his arms, his palms already soaked with sweat.

He has studied Void theory for thirty years, but has never had the opportunity to host a project independently because he is not good at socializing. This is the only opportunity in his life, and he can feel his heart beating wildly in his chest.

In stark contrast to the tension and oppression of the room is the calmness on one side of the long table.

Luo Yan did not sit on the throne high above like a tyrant, but sat at the table with an approachable posture.

He was bowing his head and talking softly with the teaching assistant beside him, occasionally flipping through the candidate files in front of him, his expression focused and calm.

The more relaxed he was, the more nervous the scholars waiting around were.

This invisible contrast is far more prominent than any majestic ceremonial guard in highlighting the absolute power he holds, although he has never deliberately shown off this glory.

Finally, he closed the first file in his hand, raised his head, and his gentle gaze swept across the audience.

The room instantly quieted down.

"Gentlemen," Luo Yan's voice was clear and steady, temporarily soothing the anxiety in everyone's hearts, "Thank you all for coming."

"Time is precious, let's start directly."

Luo Yan signaled to the teaching assistant beside him, and the latter immediately read out the first name loudly.

"The first one, Professor Kamirel."

A middle-aged professor with a slightly fat figure and an arrogant expression stood up from the waiting area.

He tidied up his master's magic robe embroidered with gold edges, walked forward with steady steps, nodded casually to Luo Yan, and went straight to start his statement.

As a platinum-level powerhouse, he didn't need to deliberately please this Prince. And Luo Yan didn't care whether his attitude was humble or not, just listening patiently to him continue.

"Regarding the decay problem of Void No. 100..." His voice was loud, full of unquestionable confidence, "I must point out that the situation at that time was extremely complicated. We were very unfortunate to encounter rare void energy fluctuations, leading to serious plane law exclusion phenomena. In the final analysis, the root of the failure lies in the Council's serious lack of investment in resources at that time..."

What is void energy fluctuation?

The scholars in the audience looked at each other, obviously not expecting this guy to talk nonsense as soon as he came up.

Professor Kamirel didn't care, still talking, while using complex academic terms and his own qualifications to suppress people.

Although he didn't write arrogance on his face, his words still revealed his contempt for Kelin, this "young executive chief."

At the end of the statement, he cleared his throat and added seemingly inadvertently.

"Regarding the accident back then, even my mentor at the time, Professor Alisite Suoen, felt deeply sorry... I implore the Prince to give me another chance, I will definitely not let you down!"

He believed that bringing out his teacher's name was enough to make this imperial prince, who had once received the favor of Professor Alisite, give him the respect he deserved.

He had heard that the reason why this Prince Kelin could get Void No. 440 and Void No. 178 was all due to Professor Alisite's tacit approval.

Relying only on Heketuo's face, nothing could be done.

Luo Yan listened patiently to his entire statement, and no expression could be seen on his face. He didn't make any evaluation immediately, just flipped through the research files just handed over by Vilichi.

A moment later, he raised his head and looked at Kamirel calmly.

"This Professor Kamirel, I noticed... your report mentioned that the channel decay was because of 'accidental disturbance of energy tides,' I think this should be the 'void energy fluctuation' you mentioned?"

Professor Kamirel's expression was happy, thinking this was the step Prince Kelin gave him, so he nodded in agreement.

"Exactly!"

That was something that happened nearly ten years ago; if it weren't for the Academy's high-level thinking of this Void, he would have almost forgotten about it.

Luo Yan smiled, and his voice suddenly became sharp.

"Then my question is, since you had already detected high-risk energy disturbances, why did you still order to continue extracting the 'tide crystals' behind the Void? Can you explain it?"

Professor Kamirel's confidence instantly froze, and because he was completely unprepared for this question, a layer of fine cold sweat seeped out on his forehead.

"That... that of course was... to reduce losses!" He defended himself calmly, while cursing in his heart.

This kind of meeting is just a formality, right?

Why be so serious!

The corners of Luo Yan's mouth hooked into a playful arc, telling the thoughts he had in his heart nine years ago.

"Before the Council formally ordered the withdrawal of your research permission for the Void... I'm sorry, I am not satisfied with your explanation."

His voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the dead-silent seminar room.

"You didn't even realize where your decision back then was wrong, and what I actually wanted to hear was this part of the content. It's a pity, I can't give this opportunity to you, although it could have belonged to you."

Ignoring the shock on Professor Kamirel's face, Luo Yan looked at the teaching assistant and said in a calm voice.

"Next."

Not the type he likes, reject directly.

In the complicated gazes of the crowd, Kamirel was speechless, his face turned from white to red, and finally turned around angrily, retreating in a sorry state.

The entire seminar room was silent.

Including the teaching assistant sitting beside Kelin, everyone was stunned by Prince Kelin's strictness and straightforwardness.

They didn't expect that he wouldn't give Professor Alisite any face at all. This kind of practice of not leaving any face was extremely rare in the Academy.

The atmosphere in the waiting area became even more tense than the cold wind in the north.

Mentor Rockwell held the notes in his arms even tighter, and the sweat in his palms almost soaked the old paper.

However, what was fortunate was that it wasn't his turn yet.

The teaching assistant sitting beside Kelin cleared his throat and said nervously.

"Next, Mentor Rukolo."

Following the teaching assistant's singing of the name, a mentor who looked shrewd and capable walked forward quickly.

Unlike the arrogance of the previous one, his face was full of humble and enthusiastic smiles, and as soon as he came up, he bowed deeply to Prince Kelin, putting his posture very low.

This might be because his strength was only silver-level, and his teaching qualifications were still shallow.

However, considering that he was still young, it was not impossible to break through to the gold level before the age of forty and enter the Void research sequence as a collaborator.

Of course—

It would be even more perfect if he could get a Void that belonged to him!

He could use this as a springboard to win over mentors who had extraordinary power and academic ability above him, but were troubled by having no Void research opportunities, to become "collaborators" to make up for his academic shortcomings.

Facing the teaching assistant who walked to him, Rukolo presented a beautifully bound plan book gentlemanly and launched an extremely inflammatory speech.

"Respected Executive Chief Prince Kelin! After reading your masterpiece published in the *Sage's Report* and having the honor to listen to a few of your public classes, I have been deeply inspired!"

His voice was ups and downs, full of flattery for Kelin and "deep understanding" of the "scientific" school, but that posture of bowing before and being respectful after made a crowd of teaching assistants widen their eyes—

It turns out that mentors also have times when they have to lick other people.

They thought only apprentices and teaching assistants needed to do this...

"... Your revolutionary theory on Void interference has pointed out a brand-new direction for scholars like us who are trapped in old paradigms! I studied it all night and cleverly applied the calculus tools you taught to the modeling of Void exploration, and had the honor to achieve breakthrough results! All this depends on your grace and wisdom!"

"Please allow me to thank you for your work again! Your arrival is the best gift Saint Xisi has given to scholars like us who are sticking to the bitter cold!"

He applied for a Void No. 466 with great potential, trying to catch the express train of this reform and seize the opportunity.

Luo Yan listened while flipping through the other party's files casually, but couldn't help but feel funny in his heart.

This guy probably didn't even know that Void No. 466 was a "primitive forest sea" dominated by complex ecosystems, and he was still talking there about what "optimal solution for rune matrix."

Did this guy take the wrong script?

Luo Yan listened to the mentor's entire statement with a smile, and that gentle look made Mentor Rukolo's confidence increase greatly.

It seems he licked this Prince comfortably.

"Mentor, thank you for your wonderful statement." Luo Yan closed the file and asked with a smile, "Before discussing your plan, I am very curious... how exactly did you use 'calculus' in exploring the Void?"

To tell you the truth.

He hadn't figured out how to round this big cake himself, although this actually wasn't very important.

The smile on Rukolo's face instantly froze.

This question hit his soft spot directly.

Clearly, he was just mechanically applying Prince Kelin's scientific theory without truly understanding its core, or even getting started at all.

But then again...

Why is this Prince so serious?!

Rukolo stammered for a long time, sweat beads sliding from his forehead, took out a tissue and wiped it again and again,

Teaching Assistant Weiliqi, sharp-eyed, stepped forward to take the tissue from him.

However, this overly eager display of "tact" made Lukoro, who was looking for a chance to stall for time, feel awkward.

"Uh, that... that was a great attempt! We... by deriving the source power function, found its... critical point of change... and thus..."

"Oh?" Luo Yan looked at him in surprise and said in a gentle tone, "May I have the honor of knowing what this source power function is? To tell you the truth... my students and I only recently figured out the 'Optimal Path Equation,' and this is already the only mathematical achievement we have currently produced using functional tools in the field of source power... By the way, it has not been published yet."

The scholars in the waiting area showed expressions of shock, exchanging looks with one another and whispering in low voices.

"Optimal Path Equation? What is that?"

"I, I don't know..."

"Incredible, he has already applied those mortal knowledges to magical theory?!"

"But... aren't there only apprentices in his laboratory?"

"Perhaps it was him who did it, and he just brought those apprentices along for the ride. I remember this Highness seems to love adding names everywhere; the previous few papers were all..."

If Professor Hektor was stingy to the point of being a miser, then this Prince was generous to a fault.

However, who actually did the research was not important to outsiders.

Compared to the results of this clumsy performance, these scholars were more curious right now about what that Optimal Path Equation actually was and what its function was.

Although Prince Kelin's "science" had not yet played a significant role in Labyrinth research, some professors had already put the tools he provided to use in lower-tier magical research fields.

"Alright, that will do, Mr. Lukoro."

Luo Yan gently interrupted the stammering Professor Lukoro, but the words he spoke carried not a hint of warmth, "Your proposal is excellent, but it lacks the most indispensable soul. I need pioneers, not a parrot."

He was not afraid of offending anyone at all.

After all, he was a Prince of the Empire; even if aristocratic authority didn't hold weight on the snowy plains, he had the "privilege" to ignore all interpersonal relationships and carry out his own will to the end.

Or rather, this was his persona.

Lukoro's face instantly turned the color of a pig's liver.

He packed up his proposal without a word and, amidst the oppressive silence of the room, retreated quickly with a flushed face.

After a moment of silence, a wave of whispers broke out again in the corner of the waiting area, and the mentors who had come here hoping for a stroke of luck had already begun to lose their nerve.

"Saint Xisi above, even Mentor Lukoro was rejected..."

"It seems flattery is useless; this Highness is for real!"

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Mentor Rockwell's already nervous mood sank into the depths of despair.

He looked at the plain and unadorned research notes in his arms, his heart feeling gray and desolate, completely at a loss for what to do.

After all, in terms of strength and qualifications, he was far inferior to Mr. Kamireer, who had once studied under Professor Alister, and in terms of emotional intelligence and the ability to climb the ladder, he couldn't compare to a single hair on the leg of Mr. Lukoro, who had become a mentor at thirty-five.

He was just an honest man with no background; how could he possibly gain the favor of that Highness?

Unfortunately, he did not know that his respected Prince Kelin liked honest people the most.

These were all high-quality assets.

"Next, Mentor Rockwell."

Hearing his name, a mentor nearing fifty with a thin build shuddered violently. He clutched the thick research notes in his arms, took a deep breath, and walked to the long table with stiff and hurried steps.

He was too nervous to look up and spoke with a stutter: "Ch-Chief Excellency. I... I am applying for research permission for Labyrinth No. 247."

A light chuckle came from the waiting area. Although the sound was faint, it was piercingly harsh to Rockwell, who was tense all over.

"I know, Mr. Rockwell, let's get straight to the point." Luo Yan casually reassured him, then opened his proposal.

This proposal was not beautifully made, but the format was standard and the content was detailed.

Rockwell nodded hurriedly, without any extra flattery, simply stating his research philosophy and his views on the subject of his application as if reciting from a book.

After stating his ideas, he placed the thick, yellowed, and dog-eared notebook he had been holding in his hands onto the table.

"This... this is all my research from the past twelve years regarding 'the mental fluctuations of dormant individuals'... My experience is very compatible with the situation of Labyrinth No. 247. Please give me a chance; I will definitely not... let you down."

Hearing this strange research topic, the scholars sitting in the waiting area whispered among themselves. Among them were rational discussions and mocking laughter.

"Mental fluctuations of dormant individuals... what is that? Does it need twelve years of research?"

"Sounds like a topic for the Spirit School, why did he come to the Source Law School?"

"Studying the dreams of a vegetable? What's the point of wasting time studying this? If the guy can't wake up, just let him sleep."

Luo Yan's gaze fell on the file in his hand.

Labyrinth No. 247, a cold world composed of countless metal cubes.

He speculated that it was likely a highly advanced civilization similar to a "brain in a vat," and the reason the passage was on the verge of collapse was likely because the previous researcher had stupidly stolen several "batteries" that served as energy cores, causing a massive power outage in the entire life-support system.

Of course, this was just his guess; perhaps it was some other more exaggerated situation.

Rockwell was clearly limited by the constraints of his era and could not see that far, but he still proposed a genius concept in his proposal.

"... I believe those metal cubes might be similar to... a vampire's coffin," he tried to explain his theory, "The mental fluctuations we detected do not come from the 'coffin' itself, but from the living beings sleeping inside. The reason the last research failed was likely because the previous professor took away the magic crystals that maintained the 'coffin's' operation, causing the creatures inside to die in large numbers due to a malfunction in the magic array."

He looked up, and for the first time, a light that only appears in the eyes of an explorer ignited in his own.

"Therefore, I propose that we should no longer try to interact with those 'coffins'; if we don't know their function, don't touch anything. We can try to enter the dreams of those sleeping creatures directly, and then we will be able to understand what they are experiencing!"

He lowered his head sincerely, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Chief Excellency, I do not ask for any honor, I only hope to have the opportunity to personally verify the theory of my life... even if, just this once!"

The seminar room was filled with whispers.

Professor Kamireer, who had returned to the venue at some point, curled his lip in disdain, crossed his arms, and sneered sarcastically.

"A vampire's coffin? Is this a joke... where would there be vampires in a Labyrinth? Could it be that there are also Demon Gods and their lackeys there?"

His voice was not loud, but it still reached Rockwell's ears clearly, causing him to bury his head in shame.

The seminar room was silent.

Luo Yan did not answer immediately, but signaled for the teaching assistant to fetch his notebook.

After taking the notebook, he flipped through the messy but inspired notes, looking at the dense text on page after page and the imaginative deductions within, a hint of undisguised appreciation appearing in his eyes.

This guy is a talent.

But not a talent in the magical sense, nor a talent in researching mental power, but a talent in the field of "psychiatry"!

In this dark age where medicine was still stuck in empiricism, he was the only mage Luo Yan had encountered so far who had jumped out of the framework of the soul to study the brain.

It seems that overly abstract transcendent power had indeed distracted the geniuses of the Os Continent too much, preventing these extremely intelligent people from using their talents where they should be used.

Luo Yan closed the notebook, looked up, and delivered his verdict in a gentle and clear voice.

"Mr. Rockwell, your persistence over the past twelve years is admirable. I appreciate your research and theory, and I approve your application on behalf of the committee."

Having said that, his gaze shifted from the stunned Mentor Rockwell to the equally stunned Teaching Assistant Weiliqi beside him.

"Weiliqi, make a note: approve an additional batch of startup resources for Mentor Rockwell's project. I hope to see these notes become reality; this will be of great benefit to our world."

"O-okay, Mentor." Weiliqi quickly came to his senses and hurriedly noted it down.

Rockwell looked up abruptly, his bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief. He opened his mouth, but could not say a single word.

Finally, this old scholar nearing fifty, restraining the excitement in his heart, bowed deeply to the man before him who was far younger than himself.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome, Mr. Rockwell," Luo Yan smiled and said in a gentle tone, "You did not get this opportunity through my charity, but through your own scholarship that moved me."

Those resonant words made the entire seminar room go quiet.

Hearing these words, as warm as a spring breeze, Rockwell could no longer suppress the emotion in his heart, and tears streamed down his face.

Saint Xisi above—

He had actually seen the light of fairness on this snowy plain where the strong were respected!

Lukoro stared with wide eyes, his expression full of disbelief, his mouth hanging open, unable to say a word.

Rockwell?!

This fifty-year-old antique?

On what grounds!

As everyone knows, if a mage in an academic nation is still a mentor at fifty, he basically has to stay in that position until retirement.

Yet this Prince from the Empire didn't play by the rules at all and simply ignored this unwritten rule.

He looked around in a panic, hoping someone would come out to remind this Highness.

However, everyone present was a smart person, all hoping for someone else to step forward; who would stand up and speak at a time like this?

Except for one person—

"What a farce!" Professor Kamireer, who had previously returned to the seminar room, cursed and left the venue in anger.

This was his second time leaving in anger.

He had wanted to see who exactly met Kelin's standards, but he hadn't expected that the one chosen after him would be a clown!

Kamireer sneered in his heart.

Just wait and see!

Once this messy committee finished squandering the legacy left for future generations, the Sage Council would eventually realize how stupid it was to choose this reckless guy as the Executive Chief!

By then, Professor Alister Thorne would naturally step in to clean up the mess!

Unlike Kamireer, who left in anger, and those Lukoros who were suppressing their dissatisfaction.

Just as they were complaining and even cursing in low voices, the fire of hope ignited in the eyes of those scholars in the waiting area who were truly talented but lacked background.

A true crown is never tarnished by the incompetent rage of clowns; the fact that the bugs feel the sky is falling precisely means the sky is brightening for ordinary people.

They finally understood that this young Executive Chief was not simply being strict or intentionally making things difficult for them, the "commoner scholars."

He was a chosen one truly bathed in holy light!

He was fairly selecting the scholars truly suited for each precious Labyrinth resource!