Chapter 343 - 313: This is Our Space System’s Best Researcher (Part 2)

Chapter 343: Chapter 313: This is Our Space System’s Best Researcher (Part 2)

’This is the first time I’ve ever seen this kind of "haggling" technique...’

’I definitely wouldn’t dare try to learn that. I’m afraid people would drag me into an "academic dispute."’

But he was still very grateful for the old professor’s effort to secure the best possible deal for him.

"Thank you... But I’m sure you didn’t recommend me for this project just for the credits, right?"

"Of course not. At first, I just wanted you to better understand how our Space System operates—especially the various troubles other departments bring our way. You’ll run into situations like today’s frequently in the future, so this is a chance to get used to it."

As Professor Lawrence spoke, he reached into his coat and began rummaging for something, continuing to explain,

"It would also give you some practical experience, a chance to feel a ’spatial disturbance’ firsthand. That would be helpful for your future studies...

But now I’m having second thoughts. I shouldn’t have agreed to it. Maybe it would be better for you to just study on your own? That’s why I tried what I did earlier—I was hoping he’d back down when he saw the difficulty. Who knew the fellow would actually agree? It seems this project really is extremely important to their history department.

There’s an old saying in Mizkatoke: ’The more important something is, the more likely something will go wrong.’ While there’s no scientific basis for it, and it’s not always true, it comes true often enough that I’m starting to worry about your safety."

He rambled on, gradually pulling a small box and a small cube from his pocket and placing them in front of Lloyd.

"Take these. From now on, don’t use things like that brooch to open Teleportation Gates. It’s inefficient and unsafe... Remember to use this."

Professor Lawrence pointed first to the small box, then to the small cube, and continued,

"In terms of physical safety, with the people from the history department there, you should be fine. The main concern is related to Space. This device can help you better pinpoint your own location. Just take it and try it out, you’ll see."

Lloyd took the two items from the professor and examined them briefly.

The small box was about the size of a pocket watch and could be carried in a pocket just like one. Opening it revealed an array of precise and complex gears and circuitry.

With his current knowledge, Lloyd couldn’t make heads or tails of it. He could only vaguely sense it was related to Space, and its structure was somewhat similar to the ’Portable Shield Generator’ he had studied before—the Ancient Relics Old Zhan had given him.

But just like when he first touched the brooch, the instructions for how to use the device automatically surfaced in his mind.

The principle was similar to the brooch’s, but it was more convenient to use, with a faster response time, more precise positioning, and a smaller margin of error. It also didn’t have the three-uses-per-day limit.

’This is great stuff!’

The Rubik’s Cube-sized metal block was even more amazing. The moment Lloyd picked it up, he discovered it actually contained a miniature Space.

This miniature Space acted like a ’Compass’ for positioning and finding direction. By touching it with his inspiration, he could sense the general region of the Space he was currently in.

Although it couldn’t pinpoint exact coordinates, it could significantly narrow down the search area.

Lloyd immediately realized the device’s potential—

’If I can take this unique ’Spatial Compass’ to Elolo, maybe it could help me calculate her precise coordinates?’

’This is even better!’

Secretly delighted, Lloyd quickly expressed his gratitude to Professor Lawrence.

The professor just gave a nonchalant wave of his hand and went on to tell Lloyd what he should and could do during the project.

First of all—

You must follow orders! You must follow orders! You must follow orders!

Then—

Don’t get curious! Don’t get curious! Don’t get curious!

And finally—

Don’t touch anything! Don’t touch anything! Don’t touch anything!

Of course, Professor Lawrence’s actual words weren’t so simple, but he truly did repeat these three principles three times each.

And each principle was accompanied by a tragic little story to help drill the point home for Lloyd.

For example, there was an arrogant and conceited Space System researcher who, dissatisfied with the team leader’s chosen route, decided to forge his own path. In the end, his entire squad vanished and has not been seen since...

The younger female student he was seeing at the academy was forced to tearfully marry another man, and now they have three children.

Then there was the Space System Teaching Assistant who grew curious about a page of an ancient text. He read it without permission and instantly transformed into a Demon on the spot, killing two students beside him before being pulverized by a powerhouse from the history department...

The large mansion he had just bought in the mortal world ended up going to his wife and the pretty boy she was keeping on the side.

And a Space System freshman who was on a project that wasn’t supposed to be dangerous. He accidentally triggered some mechanism and ended up dead, with not even a complete corpse left behind...

He died without ever having a girlfriend. A true case of dying single.

In short, these three principles were painful lessons forged from countless lives, blood, and tears.

Lloyd, of course, nodded repeatedly, taking all these lessons to heart.

"Remember those three principles, and the rest is simple. You’re just there to open a gate for them to get there and another for them to get back. We’ll be the ones calculating the coordinates. In fact, those three seniors of yours are busy calculating and verifying them right now."

Professor Lawrence continued, pointing to the three researchers not far away.

They quickly replied,

"We’ll have the results soon, Professor."

"Will we run into enemies? Will I need to fight?"

Lloyd pressed.

"It’s possible, but you most likely won’t have to lift a finger. They’ll call on those brutes from the Mage System. Of course, you should have some way to protect yourself..."

As Professor Lawrence spoke, he started to reach into his pocket again, but then he seemed to realize something and put his hand back down.

"I almost forgot, you’re from the [Twist] System. In that case, there’s no problem. Your system isn’t good for much else, but you’re all exceptionally good in a fight..."

Lloyd: "..."

"Alright, a small project lasting less than two days is practically routine for our Space System. You don’t need to worry too much."

"So, our Space System gets involved in this kind of thing often?"

"Of course. How else do you think our Space System achieved its preeminent status? Through academic prowess?"

"Er... It seems that in Mizkatoke, people value practical results more than pure academic research?"

"What do you think? The good old days of idling away in an ivory tower are long gone. Research that can’t be put into practice is nothing but empty talk and delusion."

The two chatted for a few more moments when Lloyd suddenly felt his student handbook vibrate. It was the Teaching Assistant the history professor had mentioned, contacting him to arrange a meeting in the history department’s sector.

Lloyd first sent back a ’be right there’ reply, then eagerly took out his new equipment and tried it right in front of Professor Lawrence.

’It really is much better than the brooch!’

It took him less than three minutes to calculate the spatial coordinates, and the ’feel’ of opening the gate was incredibly smooth and fluid. The difference was like going from a rough, stiff, splintery wooden doorknob to a girl’s slender, gentle hand.

"Professor, I’ll be heading over now."

Lloyd said, noticing that Professor Lawrence was pinching the bridge of his nose again...

’I hope he just didn’t sleep well last night.’

With that, Lloyd stepped through the Teleportation Gate and left the laboratory.

After he was gone, Professor Lawrence let out a long sigh of relief and muttered to himself,

"Thankfully, this was much better than the last shock. My Cognition is gradually adapting to this kid’s outrageous talent...

I hope he listens to me and doesn’t let anyone else find out he finished half the foundational theory texts in just two days."