Chapter 277: Thesis Evaluation

Luo En tore open the envelope and took out the parchment inside.

On the paper, lines of elegant silver handwriting flowed and shifted in the dim light:

"Respected Wizard Luo En Ralph:

This is to notify you that the academic thesis you submitted:

"Mobile Simulated Combat Device: A New Path for Combat Training Breaking Spatial Limitations"

has now passed the preliminary assessment by the Review Committee and is recognized as an excellent research achievement with significant academic value and practical prospects.

According to the assessment results, the thesis has automatically entered the second stage of review.

It will undergo in-depth scrutiny by three review committee members (at least at the Associate Professor level).

The first stage of review gave your research the following evaluation:

Innovation: 7.4/10

The innovative design of the energy circulation system demonstrates extremely high original thinking and cross-disciplinary integration capabilities.

Academic Rigor: 7.7/10

The experimental data is sufficient, the argumentation logic is clear, and the theoretical foundation is solid.

Practical Value: 8.2/10

Addressing actual needs, it solves the training space limitation problem that has long plagued the Wizard Realm, with broad application prospects.

Technical Feasibility: 7.5/10

The core technical path is clear, but there is still room for further improvement regarding the stability of soul fragments.

Based on the scoring, your thesis has initially obtained 1260 academic contribution points.

The final contribution value will be determined after the second stage of review, expected to fluctuate up or down by no more than 30%.

The School Alliance will reserve higher-priority funding support for you.

Specific sponsorship details will be explained in detail after the final review results are announced.

We look forward to your research bringing more breakthrough achievements to the School Alliance and the entire Wizard Realm.

Sincerely, Academic Review Office"

After reading the notice, the corners of Luo En's mouth lifted slightly.

1260 contribution points—even by the most conservative estimate, the final total would not be lower than 900 points, which already exceeded his expected goal.

At the Crystal Spire, usage rights for high-level laboratories, application qualifications for rare research materials, and even reading permits for certain restricted book areas all required sufficient contribution point support.

"Second stage of review... at least at the Associate Professor level."

The second stage of review is usually stricter, with domain experts conducting in-depth analysis of the thesis to explore potential flaws and potential.

But at the same time, this is also an opportunity.

If he can arouse the interest of a senior expert, it might bring more academic cooperation and resource support.

Luo En carefully put away the notice, and the weight on his heart finally landed.

Although he had full confidence in his research results, it was still gratifying to receive a positive evaluation in an environment teeming with academic giants.

"It seems that the retention of those core technologies in the thesis was just right."

He pondered, pouring himself a cup of tea:

"It displayed enough innovation and value without overly exposing key secrets."

After a brief moment of relaxation, Luo En's thoughts had already begun to turn toward tomorrow's "Ring of Rainbows" competition.

While preparing the thesis, he had not neglected the continuous practice and perfection of his bloodline modulation techniques.

Especially regarding the modulation technique for special creatures like the Crystal Lizard, he had already found a near-perfect operational process through repeated experiments.

He stretched his shoulders, which had become stiff from maintaining the same posture for a long time.

Although his spiritual power far exceeded that of ordinary people, more than ten consecutive hours of high concentration still brought obvious fatigue.

Outside the window, night had already shrouded the Crystal Spire.

The magic lamps in the city lit up one after another, like stars falling into the human world, decorating the entire city like a dream.

The outlines of the buildings on every floating island were draped with a layer of soft halo, and the distant cluster of high towers appeared exceptionally mysterious and magnificent in the night, like a miracle walked out of a fairy tale.

Luo En walked to the window, pushed it open, and let the cool night air brush across his face.

"It seems the master's thesis results are perfect."

Ailan's voice came from behind, her branches swaying gently:

"Daier has been very well-behaved today, constantly studying the small crystal ball you gave her."

The tree spirit continued to report, her voice as soft as a breeze brushing through leaves:

"She is particularly fascinated by those color-changing light spots, saying it reminds her of fluorescent jellyfish."

Luo En smiled, just about to respond, when the doorbell rang.

He raised an eyebrow slightly; he had not scheduled any visitors.

Walking toward the foyer, he could feel an unusual energy fluctuation outside the door.

Faint yet pure, like a powerful existence deliberately suppressed.

"It is Ms. Franka. Shall I open the door?" The tree spirit, utilizing plant scouts, had known the visitor a step ahead.

"Open it," Luo En said calmly.

The door opened automatically, and standing outside was a tall, half-dragon maid.

As usual, she wore that airtight long dress, her expression stiff and serious.

"Wizard Ralph, good evening."

She bowed, no emotional fluctuation detectable in her voice:

"Her Highness invites you to the Emerald Small Building; she has matters she wishes to discuss with you."

Luo En frowned slightly; today was not the day he had agreed to exchange knowledge with Yi Fu.

"Why does Her Highness invite me suddenly?" he asked directly, concise and to the point, without the slightest beating around the bush.

Franka's expression remained as calm as water:

"Today is the eve of the Lans Festival. Her Highness believes this is a moment with commemorative significance and hopes to share dinner with you.

She also specifically instructed me to ask you to bring your two servants along."

Luo En keenly captured a hint of the unusual: "Are there other guests?"

"Yes, Professor Youteer will also attend."

Franka replied softly, subconsciously lowering her voice before the name of this Great Wizard:

"Of course, his Void Remains main body is still at the core Abyss Observation Station; the one attending is only a fake body constructed from a wisp of Void Remains fragment."

A hint of interest flashed in Luo En's eyes.

Being able to see Youteer's Void Remains fake body was in itself a rare learning opportunity.

As a Great Wizard who had lived for thousands of years, Youteer carried too much rare knowledge and experience.

Even if it was just a fake body, it was enough to benefit any knowledge seeker immensely.

"I understand. Please wait a moment; we will make some preparations."

Luo En responded calmly, turning to nod at Ailan.

A moment later, he followed Franka to the Emerald Small Building with Ailan and Daier.

"Master, is this to attend that festival you mentioned before?"

The siren's crisp voice carried irrepressible excitement:

"I have never attended a human festival. Will there be dancing like in the sea?"

Luo En smiled slightly: "No, tonight is just a private gathering. There might not be any celebration activities, only the food you love most."

"Delicious food!" Daier's golden eyes suddenly lit up:

"Then nothing else matters. Anyway, I was captured and never attended any Sea Clan festivals either."

"The Sea Clan's celebrations must be very beautiful." Seeing this, Ailan touched the silver-haired little head, echoing softly:

"Our plant life festivals are much quieter. Everyone just stands together silently, letting our root systems touch each other to share each other's memories and feelings.

Sometimes this exchange lasts for days, or even weeks."

Franka led the way in front, seemingly turning a deaf ear to the chatter behind her.

But Luo En keenly noticed that the tense line of her spine relaxed slightly.

Perhaps this relaxed atmosphere infected her, slightly easing her state of constant vigilance.

When the group arrived and Franka pushed open the courtyard door, a warm and sweet fragrance greeted them.

Tonight, the small building was different from usual; exquisite crystal wind chimes hung on the door, making crisp sounds in the breeze;

Soft magic lamps dotted both sides of the corridor, emitting a warm orange glow;

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted bread, honey, and some kind of exotic spice, making one feel involuntarily happy and relaxed.

"Her Highness is waiting for you in the dining room," Franka said softly, leading everyone through the corridor.

Walking into the dining room, Luo En's attention was immediately captured by the scene before him.

The long table was covered with a silver tablecloth, set with exquisite tableware and crystal wine glasses.

Dozens of miniature light orbs floated in the center of the room, emitting warm light, dotting the air like stars.

What surprised him most was that the black-haired princess was actually standing in the kitchen area herself.

The young girl wore a light-colored apron and was focused on cooking something.

Her black hair was simply pinned behind her head, revealing a smooth forehead and a slender neck.

She looked less like a noble with distance and more like someone with the breath of life.

"Mentor Luo En!"

Seeing him enter, Yi Fu looked up, a brilliant smile blooming on her face:

"Welcome to my little banquet."

She greeted him while her hands did not stop moving.

Her ten fingers danced nimbly in the air, utilizing that unique spiritual power refinement control technique to precisely regulate every detail of the cooking.

The control of heat, the addition of spices, and even the fine-tuning of the molecular structure of the ingredients were all precise to a shocking degree.

Luo En walked closer to the kitchen area, becoming interested in Yi Fu's cooking skills: "I didn't expect Her Highness to have such accomplishments in this area."

Yi Fu chuckled:

"Rather than cooking, it's more like a practice for my spiritual power control that has nowhere else to go.

For these years plagued by 'Magic Devour' symptoms, ordinary spell practice is a luxury for me.

But cooking provides a safe domain, allowing me to use fine-tuning control techniques without triggering symptom attacks."

Her fingers flicked lightly, and a silver knife floated in the air, cutting vegetables at a dazzling speed.

The slices were as thin as cicada wings, as uniform as if measured by precision instruments.

At the same time, in the pot on the other side, the sauce was slowly stirring under her spiritual control, while the flame was strong or weak as needed, perfectly matching the cooking process.

"Franka just helps me prepare the ingredients."

Yi Fu explained with a hint of pride:

"For the actual cooking process, I prefer to do it myself. This is one of the few times I can feel like a normal person."

Her voice lowered slightly on the last word.

Ailan walked in quietly, her emerald branches swaying gently:

"Your control technique is amazing; the control precision is comparable to the root guidance techniques of many Treant Elders."

Yi Fu's eyes brightened:

"Really? What kind of technique is that? I don't know much about the lives of plant life."

Ailan's voice carried a rare enthusiasm:

"Root guidance technique is a technique used by the Elders to regulate the forest's energy flow.

They can sense the state of every tree through their root systems and precisely guide the distribution of nutrients and water, ensuring the health and balance of the entire forest..."

Just at this moment, a somewhat familiar old voice sounded abruptly in the room:

"It seems I have come at just the right time."

Luo En turned around and saw a human figure condensed from silver light slowly taking shape in the center of the room.

At first, it was just a blurred outline, then gradually became clear, finally turning into an old man with a kind face.

He wore ancient robes, his beard and hair were all white, but his eyes were piercing.

"Grandpa!" Yi Fu's voice was full of joy.

But because she was at a critical stage of cooking, she did not leave her post.

Daier poked her head out curiously: "This old grandpa looks like he's made of starlight..."

Hearing this, Youteer was not annoyed, just letting out a hearty laugh:

"Starlight? That's the most beautiful metaphor I've ever heard, little siren."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Luo En:

"Hmph, Luo En Ralph, finally a chance to meet formally." The old man's tone carried a hint of teasing.

"Yes, Professor Youteer, thank you for remembering me." Luo En performed a standard wizard bow.

Youteer waved his hand to signal he didn't need to be so polite:

"Spare the polite words; I hate these tedious formalities the most. Speaking of which, I heard your thesis review received quite a good preliminary evaluation?"

Luo En nodded slightly, not surprised by the old man's well-informed nature:

"The Review Committee gave positive feedback, and the thesis has entered the second stage of review."

Approval flashed in Youteer's eyes:

"Being able to gain recognition so quickly is not easy. The Crystal Spire's Review Committee is notoriously harsh, especially toward newcomers."

"Everyone, please sit," Yi Fu invited, expectation shining in her amethyst eyes:

"Ms. Ailan and Ms. Daier, please join us as well. Tonight there is no distinction between master and servant, only friends sharing the joy of the festival."

As her voice fell, exquisite dishes began to float toward the dining table, the movements smooth and flowing, without a hint of awkwardness.

Luo En observed this process carefully, secretly evaluating Yi Fu's spiritual power control level in his heart.

This level of precise manipulation was rare even among formal wizards, let alone that she had not yet formally promoted.

If she could break through the limitations and promote, her future achievements would be unpredictable.

He nodded to his two attendants and then took his seat.

This dinner was exquisite and perfect.

From the Starfall Soup, a clear soup made from deep-sea fish and special herbs, with energy crystals shimmering like stars floating on the surface;

to the Trio Meat Roll, three different types of meat rolled together in a complex way, with every bite tasting a different layer of texture;

to the final Void Dessert, an ice dessert that seemed to float in the air, melting in the mouth yet leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Daier tasted a spoonful of Starfall Soup, her golden eyes immediately widening:

"Delicious! I can feel the independent flavor of every spice, yet they are perfectly fused together!"

Yi Fu was a bit embarrassed by the praise:

"This soup needs to be simmered at a precise temperature for seven hours and forty-three minutes, and different spices need to be added at specific time points, each with its specific way of addition."

"Indeed delicious."

Ailan evaluated elegantly: "The handling of the ingredients reminds me of the ritual cuisine of those ancient Treants in the Emerald Forest."

Luo En also maintained just the right amount of praise: "This control of details and understanding of balance is indeed impressive."

Yi Fu was praised by everyone until she lowered her head, seemingly a bit shy:

"Thank you, this is the first time I've prepared a formal dinner for guests. Usually, only Grandpa and Franka get to taste my craft."

"I must admit," Youteer laughed softly, warm light flickering in his eyes:

"The scene of a few people sitting together for dinner like this reminds me of times many years ago."

His gaze became distant, as if crossing the river of time, seeing scenes only he could see:

"At that time, Allen, Valen, Cassandra, and Hayek, Ankadi, Simon... those close students often gathered together on such festivals."

Youteer's voice became exceptionally soft, almost muttering to himself:

"I still remember how young Allen was then, that head of pink-purple long hair always tied into a ponytail.

She loved studying potionology and mutants most at that time, always saying she wanted to find a way to cure aberrations.

Now, she is also an old woman..."

The old man shook his head lightly, a hint of nostalgic smile appearing on his face:

"Valen has always been the most steady one, as if born with the temperament of an old-school scholar.

But at those gatherings, after a few cups of magic wine, he would also become humorous, telling some old, stale stories.

Look at him now, an old guy of several hundred years old, standing at the pinnacle of power in the Crystal Spire, busy with various struggles and school negotiations every day—where is the carefree spirit of that time?"

Youteer's gaze became even softer:

"And little Cassandra—she was just a girl of twelve then, even younger than Yi Fu is now.

Smart to the point of being scary, but also stubborn to the point of being a headache.

She could always master the most complex spells in the shortest time, and then couldn't wait to show everyone, like a child eager for recognition.

Who could have thought she would become one of the most powerful existences in the Central Lands today?"

Youteer's voice carried a hint of imperceptible sorrow:

"And Ankadi, Simon—those lovely students who once laughed with me, now all sleep underground.

Fate was not kind to them; perhaps it is also a relief."

The room fell into silence for a moment. Daier and Yi Fu, the two young ones, didn't have much feeling, while Ailan and Franka frowned in unison.

Luo En's heart was inevitably touched as well.

He thought of his family, classmates, and friends from his previous life; their voices and smiles had now become dust in another world.

And after coming to this world, the Ralph family and relatives and friends like Andre—now it was probably very difficult to see them again.

"But isn't this the beauty of life?"

Youteer suddenly looked up, the sorrow in his eyes turning into a serene joy:

"It is precisely this circulation and inheritance that makes my existence meaningful.

Seeing the younger generation take up the torch, continue to move forward, and explore those areas that have not been touched...

This is an unparalleled satisfaction."

His gaze swept over everyone present, finally stopping on Yi Fu:

"Just like today, being able to see you young people gathered together, communicating, learning, and growing together, is the greatest comfort for this old guy."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 278 =====