Chapter 328 - 304: A Tough Schedule

Chapter 328: Chapter 304: A Tough Schedule

Shortly after Lloyd sent the message, he received a reply from Professor Lawrence:

"Come in."

A Space Teleportation Gate materialized before him. He pushed it open and stepped through, arriving in the same sci-fi-esque Space Laboratory as before.

But the lab was deserted. Besides the old professor, there was only a single researcher, sweating profusely as he operated various pieces of equipment. It wasn’t nearly as crowded as last time.

Before Lloyd could ask, the old professor took the initiative to explain.

"They’ve all returned to the real world to rest and recuperate. They probably won’t be back for another two or three days."

"Is that so? It’s not as busy as I imagined..."

Lloyd had expected the Space System department to be a pressure cooker, a place where everyone worked themselves to the bone every day. The reality, however, was quite different from his imagination.

"And whose fault do you think that is?"

Professor Lawrence said irritably. He then took out a schedule, handed it to Lloyd, and added,

"This is our normal schedule. It’s still very demanding and packed. You can familiarize yourself with it ahead of time."

Lloyd took it and looked it over.

But according to the daily routine on the schedule, the time allotted for research and study was only eight hours a day, with a lunch break in the middle. And as long as they completed their phase-based assignments, they would get a vacation of eight to ten days.

’This schedule is so relaxed it’s practically slacking off. Maybe this is the leisure afforded by the ten-to-one time-flow difference?’

Lloyd was secretly pleased at first, but on second thought, he realized something was off—

’This so-called eight-to-ten-day vacation is just one day in the real world, isn’t it?’

Moreover, Lloyd had read in the student handbook and on the ’message boards’ that Mizkatoke generally implemented a hands-off, self-study-based teaching model. The time for self-study was already far greater than the time spent in class.

Coupled with the fact that there were no taboos on any kind of knowledge here, the risk of Spiritual Contamination was likely high. If students weren’t given enough time to recover and adjust, the average case of [Mild Madness] would quickly escalate to [Severe Madness]. The Mizkatoke Asylum might as well be renamed the Mizkatoke Monster Park.

’Looked at this way, a schedule like the one in the Space System really could be considered demanding and packed, couldn’t it?’

And, as if he had guessed Lloyd’s doubts, Professor Lawrence took the initiative to explain,

"But you don’t have to worry. Even in our Space System, we believe in a balance between work and rest. Or rather, we place great importance on rest. Generally, the time scheduled for study and research is around eight hours. It might occasionally exceed ten, but it will absolutely never go over twelve.

"At the same time, like other departments, we don’t, in principle, allow students to stay at the academy indefinitely. We require them to return to the real world at regular intervals to maintain their connection to it."

"Oh? There’s a rule like that?"

Lloyd couldn’t help but be curious.

Professor Lawrence explained very seriously,

"Of course. It’s essential. You’ve already experienced the time-flow difference between here and the real world, haven’t you? Because of that effect, if you stay here too long, you can never go back. That would mean the education you received, the knowledge you learned, would all become meaningless theory. That goes against our teaching principles.

"Lloyd, you must remember this: everything you receive and learn here is for the sake of contributing to humanity’s development and future. So, no matter how appealing the academy is to you, you can’t just stay here forever."

Hearing this, Lloyd couldn’t help but think of his ’girl-next-door senior,’ Hildina.

She was a star student who graduated from here. She pioneered the [Veto] system, hailed as the most comprehensive of its kind, and now provides Shelter for a city of tens of millions. She has also helped cultivate countless talented individuals for humanity, truly living up to the title of Saint.

’A true man should be like her!’

’This is the true meaning and value of Mizkatoke’s existence!’

’If it only produced scholars in ivory towers, it probably wouldn’t command such a transcendent status.’

"Okay, I understand. I’ll work hard too!"

Lloyd replied earnestly at once.

"Mm, good. That’s enough small talk. You can officially begin your study of the Space System. Start with the basics of Space. If you have any questions, you can ask the Teaching Assistants and instructors outside—if they’re back from their vacation, that is."

As he spoke, Professor Lawrence pulled out a huge pile of thick, brick-like tomes as if by Magic. He then added several notebooks and lecture notes, stacking them into a small mountain before pushing the pile toward Lloyd. He reminded him again,

"Remember, it’s best to study for only eight hours a day, and no more than twelve at the absolute most! Here at Mizkatoke, time isn’t a valuable commodity. Your mental health, by comparison, is far more important."

Looking at the small mountain of books and notes, Lloyd didn’t feel particularly stressed, but he did have a question.

"Professor, yesterday—oh, no, I mean last time, Professor Hazled awarded me ten credits. Can I use them to redeem a bell that makes sounds on its own?"

"Hmm? That thing... are you trying to set up some kind of Orbit?"

"It’s for [Intense Concentration]. I’m used to studying with its help back outside. It makes me more efficient."

Lloyd answered truthfully.

But Professor Lawrence frowned and said irritably,

"It seems you didn’t hear a word I just said. Didn’t I tell you? We don’t chase so-called ’efficiency’ here. The most important thing is that you maintain your mental health."

"But... I’m already used to that atmosphere..."

"Fine, fine. It would be good if you could get up to speed sooner and join our project. Besides, that old bastard is going to be taking up your time anyway... But don’t use low-grade junk like [Intense Concentration] anymore. It would be an embarrassment to the Space System if word got out."

As he spoke, Professor Lawrence once again produced something as if by Magic—a beaded bracelet—and tossed it to Lloyd, reminding him,

"Remember, don’t lose track of time."

Lloyd picked up the bracelet and examined it. He could feel a familiar, pleasant sensation emanating from it—the sensation of [Intense Concentration], but much more potent. It was probably two or three times more effective.

Moreover, this item wasn’t some kind of Holy Artifact. It was a bracelet made from a series of tiny, precise mechanical devices assembled together.

’Isn’t... isn’t this the ’big money’ product I’ve been planning to create?’

’I can’t believe Mizkatoke not only has a finished product, but one that’s even more powerful than I anticipated?’

’It seems that while this place has its share of lunatics, it probably has even more geniuses...’

’I really can’t underestimate the heroes of this world...’