Chapter 36

Whoosh.

Translation: "Whoosh." (or "Swish.") The onomatopoeia for a swift sound is rendered as "Whoosh." Keep as single line.

Time flew by, and another six days have passed.

Translation: "Time flew by, and another six days passed."

Today is Tuesday of the ninth week since enrollment; it's sunny and clear.

Translation: "Today was Tuesday of the ninth week after enrollment, clear skies, the weather bright and fresh."

Link is in high spirits.

Translation: "Lin Ke was in a great mood."

Just yesterday evening, the first two experiments in the plan were finally completed.

Translation: "Just yesterday evening, the first two experiments in the experimental plan finally finished completely."

The long-awaited data for Group D (problem seeds, no additives, natural germination) have also been collected.

Translation: "The data for Group D (problem seeds, no additives, natural germination) that had been waited for a long time was also collected."

Link immediately filled the data into the already-written paper, checking it over several times to ensure there were no problems.

Translation: "Lin Ke immediately filled the data into the already-written 'paper,' checking it several times over, making sure there were no issues."

As for the third experiment, there simply aren't the conditions to continue it.

Translation: "As for the third experiment, there simply were no conditions to continue it."

The greenhouse simulation equipment has limited space, able to support only six groups for germination experiments, which is already quite valuable.

Translation: "The greenhouse simulation equipment had limited space, able to support only six groups for germination experiments, which was already very precious."

They're second-hand items bought with standard first-grade magic stones—what more could you want?

Translation: "It was secondhand junk bought with two standard first‑grade magic stones—what more could you want?"

If Link wants to continue the third experiment, the most suitable place is the Third Botanical Garden.

Translation: "If Lin Ke wanted to continue the third experiment, the most suitable place would be the Third Botanical Garden."

Unfortunately, he only works there part-time, not doing research there.

Translation: "Too bad he only worked there part‑time, not conducting research there."

However, Link wrote his speculation that the new germination method might positively affect the seed purity of silver star flowers in the analysis and discussion section of the paper.

Translation: "However, Lin Ke wrote his speculation that the new germination method might positively affect the germination rate of silver star flowers in the analysis and discussion section of the paper's main text."

Of course, he only mentioned it briefly, without going into detail.

Translation: "Of course, he only mentioned it briefly, without going into detail."

This morning, as soon as the college's paper review office began accepting submissions, Link used his personal smart device, navigated through several hidden links, reached the paper publication page, and published his paper.

Translation: "This morning, as soon as the college paper review office began accepting submissions, Lin Ke operated his portable smart brain, jumped through a few hidden links, entered the paper publication page, and posted his paper."

Soon, Link received a reply:

Translation: "Soon, Lin Ke received a reply:"

"Link Grand, we have received your paper; please wait patiently for review. We will notify you of the results promptly."

Translation: ""Linke Grand, we have received your paper; please wait patiently for the review. The results will be notified to you promptly.""

Link then stopped worrying about it and attended class peacefully.

Translation: "Lin Ke then stopped worrying about it and attended class peacefully."

However, just as the first major class ended, an incident occurred.

Translation: "However, just as the first major class ended, an accident occurred."

Link received a notice from the paper review office, requiring him to answer questions about certain issues in his paper.

Translation: "Lin Ke received a notice from the paper review office saying he needed to answer questions about certain aspects of his paper."

This made Link feel a bit strange.

Translation: "This made Lin Ke feel a bit strange."

According to the normal process, a paper generally has three review outcomes: revision, acceptance, and rejection.

Translation: "According to the normal procedure, a paper generally has three possible review outcomes: revision, acceptance, or rejection."

Unless it involves academic ethics, the paper author would not be summoned for questioning.

Translation: "Unless it involves academic integrity, the paper's author would not be summoned for an inquiry."

Link is confident he neither plagiarized nor copied, his mindset is very stable, and he is not at all nervous.

Translation: "Lin Ke was confident he had neither plagiarized nor copied, his mindset was steady, and he felt no panic at all."

After peacefully finishing the second major class, Link briefly informed Molly of the situation, then rushed to the administrative building housing the paper review office.

Translation: "After finishing the second major class with peace of mind, Lin Ke briefly told Mo Li the situation, then rushed to the administrative building housing the paper review office."

Since enrolling, Link has only passed by this building a few times and has never entered it.

Translation: "Since enrolling, Lin Ke had only passed by this building a few times and had never entered it."

Fifth floor, the paper review office.

Translation: "Fifth floor, the paper review office."

The door is wide open.

Translation: "The door stood open."

Link knocked on the door, and only after hearing "come in" from inside did he enter the office.

Translation: "Lin Ke knocked on the door, and only after hearing a 'come in' from inside did he walk into the office."

Looking up, Link saw that the person sitting behind the desk was actually an acquaintance, no wonder he felt the voice sounded familiar earlier.

Translation: "Looking up, Lin Ke discovered that the person sitting behind the desk was actually an acquaintance—no wonder the voice had sounded familiar just moments before."

He couldn't help but exclaim, "Paro Wizard?"

Translation: "He couldn't help but exclaim, "Paro Wushi?""

Before the wizard qualification test, Link had peeked at Paro Wizard but couldn't see his appearance at all.

Translation: "Before the wizard aptitude test, Lin Ke had spied on Paro Wushi but couldn't make out his appearance at all."

After passing the test and becoming a new blood, Link finally got a clear look at Paro Wizard's appearance.

Translation: "After passing the test and becoming a newblood, Lin Ke finally saw Paro Wushi's face clearly."

It's been over two months since the White Sail ship docked.

Translation: "Since the White Sail ship docked and parted ways, more than two months have passed."

The wizard world is so vast, Link thought he would never see him again.

Translation: "The wizard world is so vast, Lin Ke had thought they would never meet again."

Never expected to reunite today—what fate!

Translation: "Who would have thought they'd reunite today—what fate!"

"Hmm."

Translation: ""Hmm.""

Paro Wizard still had his usual demeanor of speaking only when necessary, gave a brief reply, then got straight to the point: "Link Grand, is your paper independently completed, with no plagiarism or copying?"

Translation: "Paro Wushi remained his usual self—unwilling to speak unless necessary—gave a faint reply, then got straight to the point: "Linke Grand, was your paper completed independently by you, with no plagiarism or copying?""

After a slight pause, perhaps thinking that Link is the new blood he brought to the main continent, Paro Wizard reminded him, "Making mistakes isn't scary; honesty is important."

Translation: "He paused briefly, perhaps thinking that Lin Ke was a newblood he had brought to the main continent, and Paro Wushi reminded him, "Making mistakes isn't scary; honesty is important.""

"Thank you for the reminder, Paro Wizard."

Translation: ""Thank you for the reminder, Paro Wushi.""

Link, who knows right from wrong, immediately thanked him first, then explained:

Translation: "Lin Ke, who listens and understands, is not someone who doesn't know gratitude; he immediately thanked him first, then explained,"

"The new germination method for silver star flowers was developed independently by me; the paper was also written independently by me after further experiments yielded data. I have sufficient evidence to support my claims and can take responsibility for them."

Translation: ""The new germination method for silver star flowers was developed independently by me; the paper was also written independently by me after further experiments yielded data. I have ample evidence to support my claims and can take responsibility for them.""

"Your paper's introduction mentions that you were responsible for germinating a batch of silver star flower seeds while working part-time at the Third Botanical Garden, and since there was no specific germination method, you developed it yourself. But is that really the case?"

Translation: ""In your paper's introduction you mention that, while working part‑time at the Third Botanical Garden, you were tasked with germinating a batch of silver star flower seeds, and lacking a specific germination method, you developed one yourself. But what's the truth?""

Paro Wizard asked again, seemingly trying to confirm something.

Translation: "Paro Wushi asked again, seemingly trying to confirm something."

"It's true; I didn't exaggerate or downplay it."

Translation: ""It's the truth; I didn't exaggerate or downplay it.""

Link couldn't immediately grasp the deeper meaning, thought about it, and then replied like this.

Translation: "Lin Ke, not immediately grasping the deeper meaning, thought for a moment and replied like this."

"Okay."

Translation: ""Good.""

Paro Wizard glanced toward the door and said, "Wait outside for a moment; if necessary, you'll need to provide relevant evidence."

Translation: "Paro Wushi glanced toward the door and said, "Wait outside for a moment; if needed, you'll have to provide relevant evidence.""

"Yes, Paro Wizard."

Translation: ""Yes, Paro Wushi.""

Link readily agreed, stepped back a step or two, then turned and left.

Translation: "Lin Ke readily agreed, stepped back a pace or two, then turned and left."

Outside the office door.

Translation: "Outside the office."

Link encountered a familiar stranger, Sophie Lucia.

Translation: "Lin Ke encountered a familiar stranger, Sufei Luqiya."

"As expected!"

Translation: ""As expected!""

Sighing inwardly, Link's first reaction upon receiving the notice was that Sophie Lucia was causing trouble again.

Translation: "He let out a quiet sigh; his first reaction upon receiving the notice was that Sufei Luqiya had caused some trouble."

Now it's confirmed that Link guessed correctly, but he's not happy at all.

Translation: "Now it's confirmed that Lin Ke's guess was right, but he isn't happy about it at all."

What was originally going smoothly has now been needlessly complicated.

Translation: "What had been going smoothly has now been needlessly complicated."

Coincidentally.

Translation: "Coincidentally."

Sophie Lucia also felt very surprised upon seeing Link.

Translation: "Sufei Luqiya, upon seeing Lin Ke, also felt very surprised."

"What are you doing here?"

Translation: ""What are you doing here?""

Su Fei and Lin Ke exchanged a glance, then suddenly spoke up asking.

Accepting questioning regarding the 'paper' related issues.

There's nothing that can't be said to others; Lin Ke didn't hide anything, speaking frankly.

This was an answer Su Fei hadn't expected, far beyond her expectations.

Because, she too was summoned to undergo questioning.

Just last night, Su Fei's new round of experiments yielded results.

So this morning, she presented the carefully prepared 'paper'.

But Su Fei always thought the problem lay elsewhere.

For example, she might have triggered some mechanisms of the Third Botanical Garden's Intelligent Management Center's Tata Spirit.

Tower Spirit would record all of Linke Grand's operations during his part-time work at the Third Botanical Garden, including the new germination method for the Silver Star Flower.

She had once used the Acting Director's authority, via Tower Spirit, to look at Linke Grand's work log.

If the 'paper' Review Office were to request Su Fei's 'paper' and related experimental records and data from Tower Spirit, Tower Spirit might possibly bundle and send Linke Grand's work records as well.

Su Fei never expected that she was summoned for questioning not because of Tower Spirit, but because of Linke Grand, this country bumpkin.

When could a country bumpkin who had enrolled less than three months ago, before even taking the full series of courses on research, experiments, 'paper,' and 'patent,' independently figure out the relevant rules?

This is completely off the charts!

Su Fei, seeing Lin Ke, seemed to glimpse the shadow of several top-tier geniuses from the Northern District who shine brightly and far outshine their peers in every aspect.

Holding an indescribable emotion, Su Fei. Lu Qi Ya walked into the Review Office with a cold face.

Facing the Paro Wizard's series of inquiries, Su Fei dared neither conceal nor lie, stating the facts truthfully.

"Linke Grand, come in."

After hearing both parties' statements and comparing the Third Botanical Garden's records, the Paro Wizard formed a judgment.

He prepared to cut the Gordian knot and settle the matter.

(End of Chapter)