She paused, then refocused her gaze on Bai Luan's face, with an almost ritualistic air of farewell:
Goodbye, Bai Luan.
People like you are the protagonists of this world, aren't they? I once...thought I was like you.
Her voice was very soft, as if she were stating a distant fact.
Bai Luan's heart stirred slightly, and she was pondering how to comfort him when Lin Lin raised his face, the flame of hope rekindling in his eyes:
"But even if I'm not the main character—"
I want to write my own story too!
Bai Luan was slightly taken aback.
He looked at the somewhat plain-looking girl in front of him, and at the stubborn light that seemed to burst forth from the ground in her eyes. A sincere smile, full of appreciation, bloomed on his face.
"There is no 'protagonist of the world',"
His voice was clear, as if proclaiming a truth.
"Each person is the sole writer of their own life's long river."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Lin Lin:
"so--
Go write a story that even you find fascinating!
"Um!"
Lin Lin nodded vigorously, his smile radiant.
Clutching the notebook that held her farewell and hopes, she turned and ran toward the classroom door.
The braids behind her drew a vibrant arc in the light and shadow as she moved.
The door opened, and light from the corridor flooded in.
Her figure, along with her bouncing braids, blended into the halo of light.
This also led to the development of Bai Luan's current storyline.
Chapter 49 I have nothing to lack
Bai Luan arrived at the stadium to exercise as usual.
Based on the movements of the Father of Truth, Bai Luan added a few more movements, which can be considered an advancement.
Bai Luan doesn't think he can become a saint in the physical body; he doesn't need to be too strong.
After persisting for so long, there has been some reward; Bai Luan's figure is becoming more and more attractive.
If you keep at it, you'll definitely become the ultimate handsome guy.
Hmm, it seems like even if I don't persevere, I'll still be a handsome guy. What do you mean by "modeling and numerical monster"?
That's not your power.
What happened?
Part of it is mine.
A figure came to Bai Luan's side, which puzzled Bai Luan.
Are you wearing a mask?
Even after class, he went back to change his clothes, instead of wearing his signature tuxedo.
If Bai Luan can recognize that, then he's really out of options.
I'm intimidated; the die-hard fans are just too powerful.
Bai Luan stopped what she was doing and turned her head to look.
Oh, it's the Father of Truth.
There's really no problem recognizing them.
Bai Luan turned her head back and continued with her group activities.
Just as Professor Ladio said, his training time and place were indeed not fixed, and Bai Luan had not run into him on this playground for a long time.
After finishing this set, Bai Luan looked at him and said:
"Professor, how did you recognize me?"
Ladio crossed his arms and looked at Bai Luan:
"You think I can't tell from my actions?"
"Well, that's something I didn't expect."
"Blindly copying is never the best approach. My movements are best suited to me, not you."
"Could you give me some pointers, Professor?"
"Why not do it yourself?"
"lazy."
"..."
Ladio took a barely perceptible breath, a long-forgotten feeling called "stupidity" stirring within him.
Of course, he was more inclined to attribute it to Bai Luan's infuriatingly mischievous nature.
A kind of intermittent, meaningless "cheeky banter".
It must be admitted that compared to other geniuses, Bai Luan's shortcomings are almost negligible.
Ladio had Bai Luan demonstrate the movements for him, and then made corrections based on the movements, just like a top-notch personal trainer.
During the correction process, Ladio couldn't help but marvel at how perfect the replica was, almost identical to the original.
Although Bai Luan's motivation for replicating such a perfect design is terrible.
It's like a top student encountering an ineffective assignment. They glance at it and see that they know how to do it, so they find a standard answer and copy it without even thinking.
After making a few minor adjustments, Bai Luan thanked Ladio.
"Thanks, Professor."
"No need, it's my duty."
Looking at Bai Luan lying relaxed on the lawn, Ladio remained silent for a moment before speaking directly:
"Would you like to be my assistant, Bai Luan?"
"Uh...what?"
Bai Luan sat up from the lawn and looked at Ladio with some confusion.
He wasn't that he didn't hear what was said; he was just puzzled as to why he was suddenly invited to be an assistant.
"I recently started a research project and need an assistant. Would you like to come?"
"Come on! Of course I'll come!"
Professor Latio's project is definitely going to be a difficult one! Solving it would be a kind of graduation, wouldn't it?
"Reckless."
"I prefer to call it being good at seizing opportunities."
A smiling face appeared on Bai Luan's cyber mask.
"So, Professor, what kind of research topic are you teaching?"
"Anti-satellite weapon."
Bai Luan paused for a moment, then asked:
"Who upset you?"
Ladio's gaze swept over Bai Luan like a cold ray, finally turning into a very soft sigh, before returning to his expressionless face:
"If you don't want to come, then forget it."
"No, I'm just kidding, I'm really serious."
To show his sincerity, Bai Luan stood up.
"So, Professor, why did you develop that kind of weapon?"
"To prove myself."
Upon hearing this, Bai Luan remained silent for a moment, then understood.
Godfather is planning to... launch an attack on the Genius Club.
I'm so glad I got to participate in this operation. Other scientists who did this could probably retire with honors.
When the self-introduction section is filled out, it will say that you participated in the development of anti-planetary weapons led by Dr. Truth. This is much more valuable than completing the courses taught by Dr. Truth.
At that point, it won't be the interviewer who thinks highly of you, but rather you who think highly of the interviewer.
The moment you meet the interviewer, they'll be crying and practically begging you to join the company; if you try to leave, they'll even pull your pants down.
Doctors are developing anti-satellite weapons.
Yes, that makes sense, absolutely right.
"What about my classes? Should I postpone them for now?"
"I didn't say I would let you fall behind in your studies."
A bad feeling crept over him. Bai Luan swallowed hard and asked tentatively:
"You mean, these two things are going forward in tandem?"
Ladio didn't speak, he just nodded.
In other words, my future days will consist of spending my days draining my brain in Ladio's classes, and then immediately plunging into the abyss of anti-planetary weapons to burn my soul... This intensity... This pace...
Does this look familiar?
Wasn't this the same thing that happened with the Black Tower space station?
Upon realizing this, Bai Luan's expression immediately became less pleasant.
This subtle change in expression was captured by the Cyber Mask, which immediately changed its mask to a mournful one.
Ladio noticed this subtle change, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said:
"That's why I said you're reckless."
"Okay, I admit I was a bit hasty."
"It's not too late to regret it now."
"My life has no turning back, and in fact, it can't."
"Great, report for duty at five o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll send you your location."
After saying this, Ladio left.
Watching Ladio's departing figure, Bai Luan removed the mask from her face.
Immediately, the effect of the artifact, which was imbued with rationality, faded.
Well, now Bai Luan is starting to regret it.
With the cybernetic mask in hand, I would not hesitate to embark on the painful path of growth.
Bai Luan recalled the days he spent frantically grinding through the Black Tower Space Station in the dark room and gave a bitter laugh.
This is probably a bit too much pain.
Bai Luan glanced at the cyber mask in his hand and snorted coldly.
It's decided!
They'll weld the mask to their faces and remove it once the weapon is successfully developed!
How can the self in "wise man mode" and the self in normal mode be considered the same person?I can't let my normal self suffer this loss.
Before anyone noticed her, Bai Luan put the mask back on and continued with the rest of the actions.
Don't worry about suffocating while wearing the mask; Bai Luan put a lot of effort into making the mask's life support system.
It can be used in four environments: land, sea, air, and space, not to mention the heavy breathing during exercise.
So, today is the last day of my relatively leisurely time; tomorrow will be the start of hell mode.
Um...
How long will this development take?
If the Father of Truth were still around, it wouldn't have lasted as long as the Black Tower space station.
More than half a year?
No, no, you've underestimated your godfather.
At most six months; my godfather will be able to give me the results within six months.
Right, godfather?
You can do it, right, godfather?
Trust your godfather!
There's no need for a reason to trust your godfather!
Ladio returned to his room and looked at the pile of data on the anti-satellite weapons he had poured his heart and soul into.
An assistant recognized by the members of the Genius Club... has also joined.
In this way, I will have everything I need.
In theory, the moment an anti-satellite weapon is successfully launched is enough to attract His attention.
This time... there's no reason to fail.
Chapter 50 Footprints
One year later.
The anti-satellite weapon was successfully launched.
The missile successfully struck the core of an experimental, late-life-stage star, prematurely ending its life cycle and triggering its collapse and self-destruction.
It is said that the explosion at the scene was extremely spectacular.
When Bai Luan heard the news, her first reaction was not happiness, but despair.
What does it mean for something to burn out completely?
Burning out means—
He spent a year developing a star-targeting weapon and completing all fifty-two courses in Ladio.
Either of these two things alone is valuable enough, but together they are even more precious.
Since becoming Ladio's assistant, the frequency of his classes has been completely different from the school's schedule.
Once Bai Luan has learned and mastered the material, Ladio will immediately begin the next lesson.
Normally, if Bai Luan had just spoken, Ladio would have given her some time to rest.
But the Bai Luan wearing the mask is the Bai Luan with rationality, and in this state, Bai Luan can be quite ruthless to herself.
He compressed his rest time to the limit, and would continue working unless he was completely unable to continue studying and researching.
Bai Luan seemed to have gone mad, a madness that was both clear-headed and thorough, pushing himself to the limit, all in order to take another step towards becoming a genius.
Are you tired?
I'm so tired!
Every time Bai Luan briefly removed his mask during a meal, he felt an urge to never put it back on, but in the end, he would only sigh and put the mask back on.
Of course, this wasn't because Bai Luan was controlled by the mask, but rather because torturing herself like this had a surprisingly good effect.
At first, he struggled to keep up with Professor Latio, but later he truly became the kind of genius assistant he was meant to be.
Even without the help of the dark room, I could be considered a genius now, right?
Bai Luan sat on the bed and took off her mask.
He no longer needs to go through a fierce internal struggle about putting the mask back on.
It burned out.
All that remained was a pale gray.
Looking back on the past year, Bai Luan can only summarize it with these three words.
He can confidently say that, apart from necessary rest, he didn't slack off for even a second this year.
So he's truly exhausted; at least for the time being, he can't work that hard anymore.
The courses are finished, the anti-planet weapon is developed, and all missions at Aletheia University have come to an end.
Bai Luan put away her mask; she was going to relax for a while.
This feat made Bai Luan a legend at First Truth University.
Almost all the students at First Truth University agree that Bai Luan is the strongest student in this year's class.
As for whether he is the strongest in history... since Dr. Truth and Bai Luan are still alive, no one can say for sure.
However, Bai Luan didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to go out for a walk and find a quiet place to lie down for a day.
After thinking it over, Bai Luan went to the playground first.
Exercise has become a habit; if I don't exercise for a day, I feel restless all over.
After spending a little time completing today's self-discipline tasks, Bai Luan quietly lay down on the lawn of the playground.
I looked up at the sky for a while.
Watching a few clouds drift slowly, they seem to retreat in the blink of an eye, as if they had never moved at all.
Um,
It's all over.
Bai Luan didn't care about other people's opinions and closed his eyes on the playground.
The crowds thronged around him, and the stars shifted in the sky, but he slept peacefully.
In the blink of an eye, a day had passed, and Bai Luan, who had slept all day, opened her eyes.
He hadn't had such a deep and peaceful sleep in a long time.
Bai Luan sat up contentedly and stretched lazily.
"If you don't wake up soon, I'll think you're dead here."
"Unexpectedly, the professor didn't criticize me for wasting time?"
"..."
Faced with Bai Luan's teasing, Ladio remained silent for a moment before saying:
"What right do I have to criticize you? I'm here for the same reason as you."
"Are you here to relax too?"
Bai Luan turned around and looked directly at Ladio, noticing that his expression was different from usual.
A faint sense of loss surrounded him.
I've never seen Ladio with this expression since the day Bai Luan met him.
What could make him reveal such emotions...
Perhaps the only thing that matters is failing to break into the genius club?
"In a bad mood? Professor? The anti-satellite weapon has just been successfully launched, adding another great achievement to your list of life's highlights. What could possibly be making you in a bad mood?"
"No matter how much I achieve, I'm just an ordinary person, like that girl who voluntarily dropped out of class. Perhaps to outsiders, I'm much smarter than her."
At this point, Ladio gave a self-deprecating smile and said:
"Ha... Is it something to be happy that one mediocre person is smarter than another mediocre person?"
Bai Luan looked at Ladio and said:
"Professor Ladio, Ms. Black Tower also received an invitation from the Interstellar Peace Corporation. At least in this matter, you are in the same boat."
"So what?"
Faced with Bai Luan's attempt to comfort him, Ladio immediately retorted sharply:
"Does the fact that mediocre people and geniuses breathe the same air in this world, and have the same two legs, two hands, and two eyes, mean that mediocre people can stand shoulder to shoulder with geniuses?"
"I'm not trying to comfort you, Professor; I'm just stating the facts."
Bai Luan looked at Ladio, and explained slowly with a smile:
"Geniuses can do things that mediocre people do; this is a right that geniuses possess, but mediocre people do not have."
Geniuses have their way of living, and mediocre people have theirs. Geniuses can live freely, but mediocre people have to be much more serious.
I am just an ordinary person. As an ordinary person, I don't have time to think about why I am not a genius or why the learned and wise do not even glance at me.
Because in this world, as an ordinary person, I need to live earnestly.
Bai Luan looked up at the starry sky and said with a smile:
"Besides, there are only about eighty members in the entire universe of the Genius Club. Can the world be destroyed without these eighty-odd people?"
As long as the world exists, it will slowly move forward. Ordinary people may move slowly, but they can reach the places that geniuses have reached, although it may take them much longer than geniuses.
I'm such a mediocre person, so stupid. My mind is only focused on moving forward slowly. Maybe when a mediocre person catches up with a genius, the genius will no longer be there, but will have gone to a faraway place, and the person who reaches that position will no longer be me..."
Bai Luan shifted her gaze from the starry sky to Professor Ladio, and said with a smile:
"But so what... I'm honored to be a part of the countless footprints along the way."
Can mediocre people really keep up with geniuses?
"Professor Latio, as long as it's not an event with a zero probability, it will definitely happen if you stretch the time infinitely."
We...we've been moving forward.
Bai Luan's tone was casual, yet it exuded a convincing power.
But Bai Luan's next sentence immediately diminished the credibility of the argument:
"I don't care if what I said is right or wrong! No one disagrees! What others think is completely unimportant. What matters is that I believe it!"
Ladio looked at Bai Luan and suddenly laughed, first a soft chuckle, then a relieved laugh:
"I never imagined... I taught you fifty-two lessons, but in the end, you taught me one."
Haha, you really are the best student I've ever taught.
Hearing the faint sense of loss disappear amidst the laughter, Bai Luan shrugged and said:
"You flatter me, Professor Ladio."
"I take back what I said before, Bai Luan."
"What did you say?"
"I once said you didn't seem like a genius, but now I've changed my mind."
"Professor, it's one thing for others to be fooled by me, but don't you know me well enough?"
Ladio slowly shook his head, his tone resolute, as if proclaiming an unquestionable truth:
"Whether or not the learned one cast a glance upon Him—"
"You are all geniuses whom I, Veritas Ladio, acknowledge..."
Bai Luan was stunned for a moment.
His purpose in coming here was to become a genius.
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