Chapter 345 - 314: This Batch of Teammates Isn’t So Great, Huh?

Chapter 345: Chapter 314: This Batch of Teammates Isn’t So Great, Huh?

A quick search immediately brought up a ton of results.

The most common results were the History Department’s own "official battle reports." They announced things like, on such-and-such date, an archaeological excavation in a certain numbered zone was completed, heralding a triumphant return with fruitful results.

They were basically all victory announcements. All wins, a whole list of "victories." It looked like their success rate was incredibly high.

’But who knows if they just filtered out all the "losses"...’

Lloyd then looked at related comments from other students.

’Hmm... Reading through these, it seems this kind of assignment from the History Department is actually considered an enviable, cushy job?’

The students who had left comments all said similar things. Although the process was arduous, tense, and demanding, the academic credit rewards were substantial and the evaluations were generous. Even the underachievers were scrambling for a chance to go.

Moreover, it was a comprehensive type of project that often involved multiple disciplines. The History Department had always been generous, frequently giving opportunities to underachievers from other departments as well.

The time commitment was usually just two to three days, which was far more efficient than projects from other departments that could easily take months or even years.

This was also because, given humanity’s current capabilities, it was impossible to stay in such a dangerous zone for too long.

In short, these archaeological activities were highly praised in the student handbook. Everyone was envious of the students chosen by the History Department.

No one mentioned encountering any fatal dangers or anyone dying. It sounded as casual as a field trip.

At least, the students who participated in the discussions had all returned safe and sound.

They did encounter all sorts of accidents, but the teachers and professors on-site always resolved them.

The most serious incident mentioned was encountering sudden spatial turbulence that trapped the entire archaeological team. They were only able to return three days later than planned. Fortunately, everyone made it back safely in the end.

As a result, many people mentioned that the success of such projects depended heavily on the competence of those from the Space System.

If a senior researcher, teacher, or professor from the Space System participated, the safety factor would increase exponentially.

After reading through everything, Lloyd had a pretty good idea of the situation and couldn’t help but nod.

’Hmm... It seems like it’s not a big deal. As long as I follow orders and obey the rules, it should be quite safe.’

’As for my own skill with Space...’

’Since Professor Lawrence said I’m good enough, then I must be!’

’I can’t bring shame to the Space System!’

After some thought, Lloyd hesitated for a moment before deciding to send a message to Professor Hazled, letting him know he was about to participate in the History Department’s project.

The professor replied nearly half an hour later:

"Hmm... Given your caliber, there shouldn’t be any major issues. But you must remember to restrain your curiosity. Don’t get cocky because of your talent and go seeking out Forbidden Knowledge. The things I’ve shown you before were all filtered by me; their nature is completely different."

"Yes, of course. I’ll be sure to remember that."

Lloyd replied.

At the same time, a question arose in his mind. ’Professor Hazled can actually filter Forbidden Knowledge?’

’Isn’t that something only a Saint can do?’

’But it doesn’t seem to be quite the same. The knowledge he taught me carries Spiritual Contamination; it’s not as safe as the knowledge imparted by a Saint.’

’Professor Hazled seems unfathomable, too...’

’But what’s the difference between filtered Forbidden Knowledge and the unfiltered version?’

Lloyd couldn’t help but grow curious, a bold idea suddenly popping into his head.

’If I could just see some of that unfiltered knowledge and compare the two...’

’Er... no, no, I shouldn’t be having such a dangerous thought.’

He quickly shook his head, pushing the dangerous idea away.

...

After a hasty lunch, Lloyd returned to the conference room on time.

Compared to before, the room was now packed with people. Lloyd did a quick count—including himself, there were 18 people in total.

The number was a little high. Lloyd remembered the student handbook stating that these archaeological teams were usually composed of 10-12 people, emphasizing a small, elite setup. He’d never seen anyone mention a team this large.

The leader of the group was, of course, the adventurer-looking Professor Fernando.

The rest included three lecturers and teaching assistants from the History Department, three burly bald men, and a lecturer from the Engineering System.

Besides those eight, the rest were students. There were students from the History, Biology, Medical, and Art Systems. Adding Lloyd from the Space System, that completed the team’s roster.

As was his custom, Lloyd cast [Enhanced Investigation] on each person to check his teammates’ capabilities.

Professor Fernando, of course, yielded no results—just a string of "??". Lloyd couldn’t even see his System or Threat Level.

As for the remaining lecturer-level staff—aside from the three Bald Mages and the Bounty Hunter Teaching Assistant—the others only had one or two "??", with the rest of their stats below 150.

In terms of Systems, there were three [Ancient Mages]. The two History lecturers were both [Veto] + [Wisdom]. The teacher from the Engineering System was [Redemption], and the Bounty Hunter Teaching Assistant was [Law]. At least there were no "outlaws" among them.

But what surprised Lloyd was that their Attributes were universally high in Inspiration and Cognition, while their Rationality and Spiritual Power were relatively low.

’Perhaps this is the standard "scholar’s build"?’

As for the remaining students, their Attributes were all at the 80-100 level expected of Tier Four. Their Systems were even more diverse; even Taboo Systems like [Curse] and [Suffering] were present.

’Mizkatoke really is a place that educates all comers without discrimination...’

Yet before Lloyd could even feel disdain for these "outlaws," he found that they were the ones looking down on him.

Several of the students were observing and sizing up Lloyd. A few were sneering contemptuously, a few were shaking their heads in resignation, and a few others just looked confused.

Lloyd couldn’t help but look down at his own clothes, then back at theirs.

All of them were dressed like adventurers, with huge travel bags at their feet, looking like they were truly about to set off on an expedition.

In contrast, Lloyd was still wearing the casual suit Weiya had given him.

’Uh... seriously?’

’Don’t you people have Spatial Storage Bags?’

As Lloyd was complaining to himself, he suddenly felt Professor Fernando’s gaze land on him. Then he heard the professor ask the Teaching Assistant:

"Find him a suitable change of clothes. Didn’t you make it clear to him that we aren’t going on a picnic?"

"I did, but... never mind. I’ll take him to get changed."

The Teaching Assistant then pulled Lloyd out of the conference room.

But as soon as they were out the door, Lloyd’s keen hearing picked up a flurry of discussion from behind him.

First came the lecturers complaining to Professor Fernando:

"Hiss... it’s one thing for the Space System to send a freshman, but why is he so green? You sure there won’t be any problems?"

"My hands were tied; Lawrence only recommended him. I’ll have William keep an eye on him the entire time."

"He’s just too young, too inexperienced, and too skinny. It’s hard to trust him."

"We’ll have to make do. This mission is relatively simple anyway, and the Divination results were optimistic."

Then came the whispers from the other students:

"Haha, that guy showed up in a suit. I almost burst out laughing..."

"What are you laughing at? Didn’t you recognize the honor student’s pin on his collar?"

"So what? I don’t like the guy anyway. He seemed to realize I’m from the [Suffering] System and looked at me with undisguised contempt."

"Yeah, he looked at me the same way."

"Hmph. We’re going to a danger zone fraught with peril, not solving problems in a lab. Who knows if Mr. Honor Student here will even make it back?"

"Er... you’d better not think like that. If he doesn’t make it back, we probably won’t either..."