Chapter 414: I Overestimated Him After All

The research on the 178th Void Realm continued until late at night. Under the efforts of the researchers in Kelin Tower, the time behind the Void Realm was pushed forward by a full fifty years.

However, the progress of the research was not smooth.

As time passed, apart from the Void Realm channel itself becoming weaker, nothing else happened.

The Gray Man civilization behind the Void Realm seemed to have no new insights that could be shared with their "Creators".

And the latest progress they made in technology was no longer something the researchers of the Academy could understand. Even the omniscient new god "Kelin" began to gradually fail to understand the scene that came into view.

This is an inevitable thing.

Every father will have such a day, gradually failing to understand what his child is thinking, and what he is doing.

For the researchers in Kelin Tower, the only obsession left was probably that blue world. They wanted to know the follow-up of the "Spirit of the Universe Foundation", wanted to know whether those suspected human creatures still believed in "Kelin", and... whether they could cross the 178th Void Realm and establish contact with them.

This is not only the obsession of the researchers, but also the thought that Luo Yan indeed has, although he didn't say it clearly.

Although he knew that it might not be his old home, he was still very curious about what the situation of Earth on another timeline was, and how the himself living in that world was doing... if there was one.

However, it is regrettable that in the past fifty years, the Gray Man civilization did not conduct any new Void Realm exploration.

And that blue world disappeared from the sight of the researchers in Kelin Tower.

All signs indicate that the two worlds are drifting away. Whether it is the blue world and the Gray Man's world, or the Gray Man's world and the world where the Academy is located.

A "bad" premonition arose in the hearts of all mages—

The scene they are seeing before them at this moment is probably the final "grand finale".

The history of the Gray Men is still moving forward, and the exploration of the Void Realm is just a small episode in their colorful memories.

They did not persist in exploring the Void Realm like the Suolipuxi people, but became "ordinary people" like their father, continuing to walk in the universe composed of matter with awe for spirit, soul, and void.

In this new chapter, "Kelin" is no longer the protagonist of their story, but has become a symbol with Jon, as a page in the doctrine of the "Spirit of the Universe" sect.

Like all fathers who are reluctant to let their children leave, the "gods" in Kelin Tower are equally reluctant to part with the Gray Men of the 178th Void Realm.

Just then, a teaching assistant suddenly suggested.

"They will forget us sooner or later, why don't we choose another god-messenger from among them while we can still exert influence on them?"

This suggestion was recognized by many researchers.

However, some researchers believe that the failure of the "Spirit of the Universe Foundation" has already predicted the future of this choice.

For example, Miller.

With the longing for the incredible unity and cohesion of the Gray Man civilization, he clearly raised an opposing point of view.

"... I object! If we are unwilling to let go, we will eventually repeat Moke's mistakes! Now there is still some Source Power on our Void Realm channel that can be used, by then I'm afraid even this little bit of Source Power won't be left!"

This is not the real reason in his heart.

But compared to the illusory longing and satisfaction with the current happiness of the "children", this practical reason is easier for other "gods" to accept.

The debate in Kelin Tower lasted for a long time, but no one could convince anyone.

In the end, everyone cast their gaze on Prince Kelin, waiting for this true "Creator" to make a ruling on the fate of the Gray Men.

Facing those expectant gazes, Luo Yan thought for a long time, but gave an answer that made most "fathers" feel disappointed.

"It's enough."

Looking at those faces that couldn't be relieved, he said in a gentle tone.

"Any new god will eventually become an old ancient god one day."

"Our 'children' have already become their own gods, entering an era where everyone is like a god, we continue to hold their hands tightly and not let go, which is too unromantic."

"Jon is already dead."

"Let 'Kelin' go with him."

A few days passed after that.

As the research on the 178th Void Realm came to an end, the research of the researchers in Kelin Tower on the Void Realm also turned from the original theoretical exploration to the development of existing resources.

They no longer use Source Power to accelerate the passage of time behind the Void Realm, eagerly heading to the distant future, but let time flow naturally, cherishing the last bit of time for the two worlds to share insights, and striving to obtain more inspiration from the present of the 178th Void Realm.

Just like what they are doing in the 440th Void Realm.

Because there was no work that needed to be directed personally, Luo Yan left Kelin Tower for a while during this time, and put his main energy into arranging "aftermath".

For example, the preparation of the Void Asset Restructuring Committee, for example, the arrangement of the Magic Science Laboratory, and the curriculum arrangement of the science class, etc.

Office of the Void Asset Restructuring Committee.

Compared to the study of traditional scholars, this place is more like an orderly archive. The towering bookshelves reach the ceiling, and the files marked with different Void Realm numbers are neatly stacked on them.

Behind rows of desks, clerical staff are meticulously copying reports submitted by various Mage Towers, and organizing them one by one.

Teaching assistants and masters shuttle between them, walking in a hurry, occasionally stopping before a project board, discussing something in a low voice.

The air is filled with the dry smell of old parchment mixed with ink.

Because the division of labor is clear and the responsibility is clear, everyone here is focused on the work before them, without having to worry about trivial matters outside of work.

At least for the time being.

Luo Yan is very satisfied with everything here, and this is another precious "legacy" he left for the Academy after the thought of "science"—

He designed a more "scientific" resource allocation management system for the Academy's Void Realm research by referring to modern academic project management experience!

Here, the exploration of every Void Realm is managed as an independent project.

Some people are responsible for preliminary risk assessment and resource review, some people are responsible for following up project progress and material allocation, and all projects entering approval resources need to go through strict registration and value assessment, and then uniformly transferred to the seminar for review and interview procedures.

Any scholar who has objections to the distribution of resources can apply to attend the seminar as an observer, and issue inquiries during the Q&A session.

This system to a certain extent ended the chaotic era of the past where resources were monopolized by a few scholars, and research results and risks were entirely dependent on the scholar's personal conscience.

Of course, whether to continue using it depends on the Academy itself.

The rules of any game are just rules, and the factors that truly determine whether a game is a quality game or an entertainment game are ultimately the "players" themselves.

If that dear "Alisite II" replaces all the cleaners in this office with his own the day after he leaves, then even if he introduces the management technology of the Suolipuxi people, it will be a decoration.

Of course.

If that guy really did this, it might not be a bad thing, after all, any beautiful thing needs shadows to set it off.

Sitting behind the desk in the deepest part of the office, Luo Yan leisurely tasted tea, admiring this work he completed with his own hands.

At the same time, Miller, who had just completed the filing of the 178th Void Realm research data, was reporting the progress of the paper to him with eyebrows dancing.

"Highness! Our harvest far exceeds expectations! Although it is a pity that we couldn't see the story of the 'Gray Man' civilization to the end, our output in the 178th Void Realm has completely exceeded the 440th Void Realm!"

"We not only found a more efficient and stable mining method than the rough 'harvesting' of Master Moke, but also consolidated the channel of the 178th Void Realm more firmly than ever before! Although we haven't thought about what to get from the Gray Men for the time being, the huge Source Power resources piled up in the Void Realm channel are enough to turn the Void Realm into a long-term and high-quality meal ticket!"

He took a deep breath, his excited mood calmed down slightly, but the admiration in his tone did not decrease at all.

"... As for the progress in theory, it is even more amazing. Whether it is the 'spiritual network' of the Gray Men, or the 'Void Realm within a Void Realm' phenomenon we discovered during exploration, any one of them taken out alone is a major research discovery enough to make the front page of the 'Sage Newspaper'!"

Salvaging Void Realm resources is the Academy's old business.

Although it is impossible to directly salvage "technology" that does not exist on the Aosi continent, those rare materials that can be used to condense souls and manufacture powerful magic devices are temptations that even Sages cannot refuse.

Luo Yan was gratified that Miller and his team could quickly regain their spirits, but looking at the appearance that the other party couldn't wait to publish the paper, he still kindly reminded him.

"Well done. However... recently you guys had better not make things difficult for the editors of the 'Sage Newspaper', it's okay to write the paper slowly."

"Why?" Miller looked at the master who suddenly poured cold water on himself, surprised and said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We will redefine the mode of Void Realm research, and no one will be able to doubt that we are doing a useless thing—"

"After I leave, you will understand." Luo Yan looked at this young man and smiled, his tone calm and waveless, as if talking about a small matter unrelated to himself.

Miller was stunned, and only then reacted to the astonishing information revealed behind this sentence, and the excitement on his face instantly froze.

He lowered his voice, tentatively asking.

"You... you are going to leave?!"

"Yes." Luo Yan nodded frankly.

Miller looked blankly at this respected Highness, and for a time he was speechless.

Even though he had thousands of words in his heart to persuade him to stay, those words were blocked in his throat, and finally only squeezed out a bitter and hoarse word.

"... Why?"

He is a smart person.

Although he didn't show enthusiasm for the power struggle above the Gao Ta on weekdays, it didn't mean he couldn't see anything.

Recently, all signs indicate that the Great Sage who is thousands of miles away is intentionally supporting Professor Uliyer of the Holy Energy school to check and balance the Science school advocated by Prince Kelin, and many scholars who were originally close to the Prince have begun to re-align.

Diluting Kelin's positive role in the "Labyrinth Trial Incident" is a typical sign.

Although the three thousand apprentices and hundreds of teaching assistants who experienced that incident all knew that it was Prince Kelin who ended Professor Alisite who was corrupted by Chaos, the "Sage Newspaper" pointed the honor to Aofeiya and others who blew up the Labyrinth core through the method of avoiding the heavy and taking the light.

This is the second means of the upper levels of the Gao Ta.

They not only want to support a new faction to replace the Thorne Society and fight against the "Science" school, but also want to support another mountain head within the Science school, thereby dividing the influence that originally belonged to Kelin personally, and provoking the contradiction between the two mountain heads.

This may not be an order issued by the Great Sage himself.

But those who live in this tower are top-level smart people, they only need a look or a cough from the Great Sage, and they can naturally taste the overtones in the spit.

Then, all these layouts will be automatically completed under the behavior of collective unconsciousness.

The Gray Men of the 178th Void Realm connect each other's hearts with a spiritual network, and the Sages of the Academy can easily do this without the help of magic power.

Miller originally thought the Prince would be an exception. If it were a noble person who was indisputable, he should not have to experience these, but the result was that he thought too much

It is the same for anyone who comes here.

"Why leave... I can tell you there are many reasons for that question."

Luo Yan set down his teacup, stood up, walked to the window that overlooked the entire snowfield, and continued with a smile.

"But if I have to say it myself, I would rather tell you the most poetic one... some birds are destined for a wider sky."

He turned around, looked at the reluctant Miller, and smiled gently.

"No need to be so dejected. We are not separated by an impassable Void; we all live under the same starry sky. If you miss me one day, write me a letter, or... coming to the Jana Continent to find me is also fine."

A strong impulse surged into Miller's heart.

At this moment, he even wanted to abandon everything at the Academy, leave this cold snowfield that had imprisoned countless geniuses, and follow in the footsteps of this Prince to see that wider sky.

However, there were simply too many things he could not bear to part with.

He thought of the colleagues he worked with, the thirsty young apprentices in the Magitech Laboratory, and the countless research projects on the wall that had just begun and were still waiting for them to complete.

Some things, once you leave the Academy, can never be done again.

Perhaps, one day in the future, he would make a choice.

But for now, he wanted to stay here and inherit the spark of "science" that this Prince had brought like a fleeting glimpse of a swan.

Perhaps this high tower might change something one day in the future because of his insignificant efforts.

If not...

It would not be too late to make other choices then.

Having figured this out, Miller took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked at Luo Yan with unprecedentedly firm eyes.

"Your Highness, I will not beg you to stay, but I request that you please notify me the day you leave. At least allow us to stand by the window to see you off; do not just leave silently..."

"That is a certainty."

Luo Yan smiled, a hint of playfulness in his deep eyes, and said in a gentle tone.

"I flew here from the sky, so when I leave, I will naturally use the 'flying' method to fly away from this snowfield."

"By that day, it will be hard for you not to see me."

In addition to a scientific Void resource management system, Luo Yan also prepared another "gift" for his young apprentices.

It was neither a powerful magitech device nor a magic tome filled with obscure incantations, but something more valuable than both.

The next day, at the Magitech Laboratory, he gathered his students and announced a decision that seemed plain and unremarkable.

"The Sages have their journals, so we shall found an academic journal of our own." Luo Yan announced with a smile, "Let's call it *Science*."

As he spoke, Luo Yan cast his gaze toward James Wali.

"May I entrust the job of editor-in-chief to you?"

"No problem, Your Highness, but... am I really capable of it?" Hearing this astonishing decision, James's face was filled with being flattered, but there was also a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

He believed Prince Kelin chose him out of trust, but he felt doubtful about his own qualifications and authority.

Could a Silver-tier mentor really shoulder such a heavy burden?

Looking at the unconfident Mr. James Wali, Luo Yan smiled and gently dispelled his concerns.

"Of course you can; rather, I should say... you are the most suitable candidate."

He paused and continued.

"Our journal is different from *The Sage*; you do not need to consider the interests of the Tower of Great Sages, nor even the interests of the Academy. Your focus is solely on the academics themselves. As long as there is a groundbreaking paper, regardless of whether the author is a preparatory student or a Sage, you should give it the necessary scrutiny, and after confirming it has a certain academic value, find the most outstanding scholars in that field to conduct a double-blind review of the manuscript."

Orphia asked in confusion.

"... Double-blind?"

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"Simply put, it means covering the names of the submitter and the reviewer. Until the manuscript is published, only the editor-in-chief knows whose manuscript is on whose desk."

Orphia's eyes lit up.

"That idea is fantastic!"

Not just Orphia, everyone nodded one after another, full of praise for this groundbreaking concept.

Although with the development of technology and the increase in specialized fields, double-blind would gradually lose its anonymity function, and those in the know could guess who wrote the paper just by glancing at the beginning, at least this idea was still somewhat groundbreaking in the current era.

The content of the inaugural issue of the journal was determined after discussion, and everyone unanimously agreed that Ilana's "Path Optimization Equation," which had been ruthlessly rejected by *The Sage Report*, was the most suitable choice.

Not just because of its inherent academic value, but because of *The Sage Report*'s almost rude reason for rejection—

They wanted to highlight the difference between *Science* and *The Sage Report*!

Bain and Hard intended to write a conceptual paper on the "Explosive Thermobaric Bomb" as the journal's first "Applied Science" article.

As for the printing of the journal, Luo Yan entrusted it to Alberto, the reliable shopkeeper on Craftsman Street, who occasionally took on jobs printing books.

With the efforts of the many apprentices and teaching assistants at the Magitech Laboratory, they soon printed the first batch of publications.

This *Science*, with its simple appearance and no official background, was thus born on an unremarkable afternoon.

Subscribing to this journal did not require being on the Academy's payroll; even a shopkeeper on Craftsman Street could subscribe as long as they had an address.

One only needed to send a letter to the Magitech Laboratory, enclosing a 1-silver coin subscription fee and the delivery address, and the editorial department would mail the latest issue to the subscriber's dormitory, office, or mage tower at the beginning of every month.

The appearance of the *Science* journal did not shake the authority of the Sages, but it triggered an unprecedentedly fierce debate among the young apprentices and teaching assistants.

"This is simply whimsical! Magic is the art of communicating with Source Power, a sacred gift! How could it possibly be defined by cold mathematical formulas?" An elderly teaching assistant in the lounge looked at the journal in his hand with disdain.

He would never admit it was because he could not understand it.

"But it can explain 'Magic Energy Conservation'!"

Hearing that disdainful slander, another young teaching assistant immediately retorted.

His eyes flashed with excitement as he looked at his stunned colleague, and he continued in an agitated voice.

"Especially that path optimization equation! Saint Xisi above, I discovered for the first time that the design of magic arrays and incantations could be so concise and beautiful! Is pursuing higher and more powerful truth not our ultimate goal as mages?"

"This is a desecration of tradition! It is an open challenge to the Sages!"

"No! This is the original intention of the Academy's founding—to explore the unknown!"

A fierce debate about "traditional magic" and "mathematical axioms" was quietly ignited in every corner of the Academy.

No one knew where this spark of thought would lead this high tower, but it had indeed brought a possibility that no one had ever imagined to this cold, unchanging snowfield—

The wisdom of mortals is not entirely worthless.

Quite unlike the calm around Prince Kelin, Professor Uriel Akelai of the Tower of the School of Sacred Energy had been seeing his career flourish recently.

With the downfall of Alistair Thorne, he, as another "Great Sage Candidate" strongly pushed by the conservative faction of the Sage Council, almost logically took over most of the political legacy left behind by Alistair.

Driven by those with ulterior motives, everyone regarded him as another rising academic star after Alistair.

Uriel was indeed proud of this honor that had fallen from the sky, and the countless praises and pledges of allegiance greatly satisfied his vanity. However, beneath his gentle and compassionate scholar's mask, there also hid a hint of imperceptible anxiety.

He knew very well that he was merely a pawn pushed to the front by the Great Sages to balance that Imperial Prince.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it was also accompanied by deadly danger.

He had to walk every step of his chess game carefully!

This day, he was in his private laboratory, admiring a treasure he had just obtained from the Void. It was a green crystal that radiated incredibly pure power; just by gazing at it, one could feel the nourishment coming from the depths of the soul.

A look of intoxication appeared on Uriel's face, and he was just pondering going to the meditation room to test the effects of this thing.

However, just then, an apprentice knocked and entered, reporting to him in a panic about the journal called *Science* circulating among the students.

This was Uriel's instruction.

Anything regarding Prince Kelin had to be reported to him in minute detail.

"A privately founded journal?"

Uriel stopped what he was doing, his gray-blue eyes narrowing slightly, "And it published that paper rejected by *The Sage Report*?"

The apprentice nodded and added.

"Yes, Mentor! Now all the apprentices in the entire mage tower are discussing this matter! You know, that Prince is very popular among the young apprentices and teaching assistants..."

He did not dare mention Prince Kelin's name in front of Professor Uriel, so he could only use "that Prince" as a substitute.

Uriel's heart sank, and a sense of tension gripped him, but his face remained calm as he looked at the apprentice and said.

"You may withdraw first."

"Yes..."

The apprentice withdrew respectfully.

As the laboratory door closed, Uriel's expression immediately darkened. He paced back and forth in the room alone, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

What did Prince Kelin want to do?

He subconsciously linked this matter to Prince Kelin's conspiracies, suspiciously guessing the other party's motives.

Was this "beating the grass to scare the snake"?

Or was it a declaration of war against the faction behind him?

Or perhaps... aiming the sword at himself?

The more Uriel thought, the more anxious he became, and fine beads of sweat even seeped from his forehead.

After all, his own past was not entirely clean, especially since the forbidden research on "Soul Weaving" involved too many things that were inconvenient to speak of clearly.

What if Kelin used the influence of *Science* to shake out his old dark secrets; what would he do then?

He was, after all, not Professor Alistair, who was used to great storms; until a month ago, he was still the "Crown Prince of the Crown Prince," and he had never imagined that the position of "Sage Candidate" would one day fall to him.

Not daring to be negligent, Uriel immediately used his network to obtain a copy of the inaugural issue of *Science* from another lower-year apprentice.

He locked himself in his study, carefully opened the journal that looked unremarkable, and read it word for word, trying to find hidden traps or vicious insinuations between the lines.

However—

He was disappointed.

Did it really seem to be just an ordinary academic journal?

Except for Ilana's genius paper, the remaining few articles were just interesting concepts, without any aggression.

It was even cleaner than *The Sage Report*; after all, *The Sage Report* often had to publish some news or official opinions, but this journal was truly just a journal.

Uriel was stunned.

He leaned back in his chair, feeling as if the punch he had loaded with all his strength had landed solidly on a ball of cotton.

That tension of facing a formidable enemy now seemed incredibly ridiculous.

"Could it be... that I overthought it?"

He muttered to himself, feeling a sense of bewilderment and annoyance for wasting so much inner drama, but soon that emotion turned into disdain.

Taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Uriel's face regained its triumphant smile, and he said to himself with a mocking tone.

"I overestimated him, after all."

(End of chapter)