Have I already graduated?
He took a slow, deep breath.
Then, a smile that was almost unrestrained, yet incredibly genuine, spread across his lips:
"Since that's the case—"
"Then this title of 'genius'... I, Bai Luan, accept it!"
Chapter 51 A pleasant departure from school.
Bai Luan graduated.
Having achieved all my goals at First Truth University, there is no need to stay any longer.
Although by the standards of a regular university, Bai Luan would be far from meeting the requirements for graduation.
He's only a freshman, he doesn't have enough credits, he hasn't completed his volunteer period, he hasn't written his thesis, and he hasn't defended his dissertation...
In conclusion, Bai Luan will not be able to obtain a graduation certificate from First Truth University if she leaves now.
But the graduation certificate wasn't very important to Bai Luan, so it didn't matter if she didn't get it.
It's time to go back to my home, which I've been away from for so long.
Bai Luan sent messages to her adoptive father, Truth, and Heimerdinger, and then began packing her luggage.
Latio: You're going back to the Black Tower space station?
Bai Luan: Yes.
Ladio: I'll come see you when I have time.
Bai Luan: OK.
Bai Luan put down her phone and continued folding her clothes.
Heimerdinger: Are you leaving? Why? Did someone upset you?
Heimerdinger: Tell me who it is, and I'll definitely fire him!
Heimerdinger was extremely anxious.
First Truth University is even planning to have Bai Luan film their new year's recruitment video.
There are still a lot of collaborations we want to discuss with Bai Luan.
Previously, Bai Luan had been with Ladio, so they didn't want to bother him. Now that it was finally over and they had some free time, this big shot, Bai Luan, was leaving.
No!
How much First Truth University lost when you left!
Bai Luan replied after Heimerdinger waited anxiously.
Bai Luan: You can't learn anything here.
Bai Luan: My mind is made up, do not try to persuade me.
Heimerdinger was speechless.
First Truth University!
What an authoritative name!
People actually said I couldn't learn anything here!
But he couldn't refute it...
Aside from Ladio and Bai Luan, there's really no one else at this university capable of leading the development of anti-satellite weapons...
Heimerdinger: But...
Although Bai Luan had already made his position clear, as the principal, he couldn't just stand by and watch someone like that slip away from First Truth University.
Heimerdinger began his final struggle.
Heimerdinger: In that case, you will not be able to obtain a diploma and degree from our school.
Bai Luan: Oh.
Bai Luan: I don't care.
You...I...really...
A sense of powerlessness, unable to exert his strength, enveloped Heimerdinger.
He didn't want to let Bai Luan go, but he really had no choice.
Those tricks that used to work so well are no longer effective against Bai Luan.
What can I do?
A diploma from Kathmandu?
They don't care at all.
Threat of being banned?
Who is behind the Black Tower Lady?
Do I still want to be the principal?
Drawing a pie in the sky?
Do they really need to make empty promises themselves?
He's the one who makes cakes...
Give it a try one last time.
Heimerdinger: Mr. Bai Luan, we can permanently retain your student status. You can come to our school to complete your studies at any time if you wish.
Heimerdinger: Or, if you would like, you can accept our invitation to become one of our guest professors.
Heimerdinger: I assure you, the treatment will be absolutely the best.
Bai Luan raised an eyebrow.
You really want me to stay?
Well... it's my godfather's university after all, so I should give them some face.
Bai Luan: For Professor Ladio's sake, let's keep his student status.
Bai Luan: As for being invited as a special professor, let's forget about it, I have a job.
Heimerdinger was overjoyed.
That's great, at least First Truth University can now promote itself using Bai Luan's name.
The university chosen by Ms. Black Tower's assistant... must have considerable influence!
Besides Doctor Truth, First Truth University has found a second selling point...
Bai Luan: Principal, I think you're a smart person.
Bai Luan: I know what you're thinking, but you'd better be careful not to overdo it.
Bai Luan: Do you understand?
Bai Luan: I am quite satisfied with this trip. I don't want us to be on the verge of conflict next time I come.
Heimerdinger: ...
Heimerdinger: Can we write a story with you as the protagonist, as a promotional brochure?
Heimerdinger: Rest assured, everything is based on fact and will not be embellished.
Bai Luan: Okay.
After receiving Bai Luan's permission, Heimerdinger breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Luan's words just now clearly indicated that he didn't want them to over-market themselves. He himself didn't want that, let alone the Black Tower lady behind him.
So Heimerdinger made a slight concession and wrote a biography for Bai Luan.
This was actually a clever trick.
To explain Bai Luan's actions at First Truth University, it's necessary to explain how he got there, which would justify including Ms. Black Tower's letter of recommendation for Bai Luan.
While it's not as effective as directly using the Black Tower Lady's name for advertising, it's about the same.
Heimerdinger: So, Mr. Bai Luan, would you like us to book your return ticket? We'll take care of everything for you.
Bai Luan: No need.
Inside the Black Tower space station, Bai Luan closed the door of the Anywhere Door.
With a tap of your finger, edit the final message and send it out.
Bai Luan: I've arrived.
Heimerdinger: ?
ah?
No, how could it be so fast!?
Is it genius to always do things differently from the norm?
Geniuses are truly terrifying.
Bai Luan was completely unconcerned about the shock he had caused to the president of First Truth University.
In fact, as soon as he got home, he put everything about First Truth University aside.
Who would be thinking about work when they get home?
Looking at the familiar Black Tower space station, Bai Luan nodded in satisfaction.
Afterwards, Bai Luan walked away with her suitcase, looking quite sneaky.
The reason I chose to return via the Anywhere Door this time was to postpone the news of my return and give myself more time to slack off.
What I need to do now is to go to Estádio to find out where the Great Black Tower is now, so that I can decide where I should go next.
The Great Black Tower is at the Black Tower House, while I stay at the Black Tower Space Station. Once she's at the Black Tower Space Station, I'll go back to my own little nest.
The main strategy is to play a guerrilla war with the boss, trying to get as many vacation days as possible.
You can't just wait for your boss to approve your vacation!
You have to find your own way to get it!
Fight for as many days as you can!
As for why not stay a few days at First Truth University for a break...
That's because Bai Luan knew that a whole bunch of people would come to him to discuss cooperation, so he couldn't get any rest.
Bai Luan knew how annoying these people could be when they wanted to bother others.
Besides, can you even call it slacking off if you're doing it without any scruples?
That's the thrill of having your boss pop up out of nowhere!
It's like checking homework tomorrow. If you didn't do it during the holidays or the night before school starts, you'll have to get up early tomorrow and rush to school to copy it all.
Don't ask why, just say you're an extreme warrior who loves to challenge limits.
Although in this situation, once caught, one will behave oneself.
Unfortunately, Bai Luan is currently in a state where he has not yet been caught.
Finally, Bai Luan cautiously made his way to Estella's office, pushed open the door, and went inside.
"Who is it? Stationmaster! You're back!? Why didn't you tell me? I could have come to pick you up."
"That's not important, Estádio. Where is Lady Black Tower now?"
Estelle's expression darkened slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible unease:
"Ms. Black Tower... left the space station six months ago."
"Left? Why?"She said…"
Estelle's voice lowered, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.
"...It's so 'boring' here. Am I...not doing a good enough job as the acting site administrator?"
His tone carried a deep sense of self-doubt.
You mean the Great Black Tower isn't here? Is there a possibility my vacation could be extended?
"That's great!"
"?"
Estella looked up abruptly, her clear eyes filled with astonishment and hurt.
"Ah, don't misunderstand, Estelle! That's great. It's not about you being an incompetent stationmaster... Pshaw! No, it's not about you being an incompetent stationmaster either."
Bai Luan placed her hands on Aista's shoulders and began chanting at high speed with a serious expression:
"Listen to me, listen to me. Don't be sad or blame yourself. Estella, you've done a great job as stationmaster! You know, the stationmaster position used to be attached to the Black Tower doll, but now it's been on you for so long, and the Black Tower lady hasn't taken it back. She even left here and entrusted the space station to you. Doesn't that prove that you've done a great job?"
Don't keep comparing me to you. I completely approve of you being the stationmaster. You need to understand that I might not be able to keep up with things at the space station when I get busy. You're the one I specifically trained to take my place, so please don't have this kind of self-doubt, okay?
Bai Luan's barrage of words left Aista dizzy and disoriented. She only caught the gist of what he was saying, realizing that he was praising her.
She nodded somewhat confusedly and said:
"Okay, okay!"
Bai Luan nodded in satisfaction.
It seems my high-speed talk therapy is working.
When you encounter someone who does a great job but still doubts their own abilities, just shower them with praise.
These people deserve praise anyway.
PS: The rating has risen to 9.3, and a reader has won MVP! Bonus chapter!!!
Chapter 52 The world revolves around the Black Tower
Since the Great Black Tower is not here, the chances of him being discovered have been minimized. Moreover, he hasn't returned for half a year, so it's obvious that the Great Black Tower is busy with other things.
What I'm saying is, is it possible that the Big Black Tower can stay busy for another six months?
I can have a six-month vacation!
Oh no... oh no...
I can't hold back my smile.
"By the way, what has Ms. Black Tower been doing on the space station for the past six months?"
"Two months ago, Ms. Black Tower was pushing forward with the simulated universe project and brought back several important figures."
A big shot?
It should refer to Screw Gum and Ruan Mei.
Bai Luan nodded and continued looking at Aista.
"The Black Tower space station was very expensive during that period."
Could it be that Estella thought the expenses were too high?
That's quite big.
"Later, the progress of the simulated universe project was all in the construction phase, and this phase no longer required Ms. Black Tower's supervision."
"What did Lady Black Tower do for the remaining four months?"
"I pass the time by studying the curiosities on the Black Tower space station."
Yes, that makes sense. The main purpose of the Black Tower space station was to store Lady Black Tower's collection so that she could take it out and play with it whenever she wanted.
"Sunglasses that even nearsighted people can wear, umbrellas with built-in cushioning force fields, super hard baseball bats, revolvers that can be secretly loaded with bullets..."
With each strange object Estádio recited, Bai Luan's initially indifferent face grew increasingly serious, eventually turning almost deathly pale.
"Wait, don't read it yet."
Why is it that all the strange objects chosen by the Great Black Tower are things it made itself?
If this is a coincidence, then it's too much of a coincidence, isn't it?
There are also some strange items that I put into the Black Tower Space Station a long time ago. Why take them out to relive them?
"Stationmaster? What's wrong?"
"I... I'm fine. I just suddenly remembered that I left some things at First Truth University."
Bai Luan coughed twice and made up a random excuse to brush it off.
It's okay, it's okay.
It must be because these strange objects are things I've never seen before, so I took them out to study.
Besides, the Great Black Tower might not necessarily investigate where those strange objects came from, especially now that the Black Tower Space Station has been collecting strange objects for hundreds of years.
It can't be that the Great Black Tower was bored and discovered the strange objects it left behind, casually picked them up to study, and then found that although these strange objects had strange effects, the scientific and technological content they contained was not simple, right?
Lady Black Tower, that's the power of the system!
It's not my ability!
You can't attribute the system's power to your own genius, can you?
Ha ha...
No...
I worked hard to level up to 80, wanting to come back and pretend to be level 90, but when I returned, I found that the Great Black Tower now thinks I should be level 110...
I spent half a day leveling up my character, only to find out my world level had increased!
What kind of mess is this... The wind howls, the Yi River is cold...
No, we can't be so pessimistic. Maybe the Great Black Tower won't return for a long time.
After such a long rest, it's not impossible to face a more challenging life again.
Bai Luan tried to justify himself internally.
"Really? Station manager, I can call a delivery service to get it for you."
In response to Estella's request, Bai Luan casually waved his hand and said:
"Never mind, it's not anything very important anyway."
"The stationmaster's expression was so..."
"I just realized it was embarrassing to have checked three times before leaving and still forget something."
Estella chuckled softly:
"Haha, I didn't expect the stationmaster to be so careless."
"The station manager is just an ordinary person."
Estella laughed at Bai Luan's words.
The smile contained the implication that "you're kidding me."
"If the stationmaster comes back, it might not be long before Ms. Black Tower returns as well."
"Ha ha..."
Bai Luan chuckled twice, the laughter short and hollow, filled with the plea of "please don't."
Estella glanced at him with some confusion, finding the stationmaster's reaction rather strange.
Perhaps it was the fatigue from the journey?
"However, I'm glad that you managed the space station very well while I was away. Now I can step down as station chief with peace of mind."
Estelle's smile froze instantly, a hint of panic in her voice:
"The stationmaster isn't here to say a final goodbye to the space station, is he?"
Bai Luan looked at Aista, somewhat speechless.
When did this little girl develop such a vivid imagination?
"I'm just quitting as station chief, I didn't say I was leaving. I've built the Black Tower Space Station my whole life, can't I retire and enjoy myself?"
Estelle visibly relaxed, her tense shoulders easing.
"That's good, stationmaster."
Her gaze drifted to the boundless sea of stars outside the porthole:
"Ms. Black Tower found it boring and left. I was not capable enough to make this place interesting enough to attract her."
If even you leave... then I'll have to experience that feeling of helplessness all over again.
She turned her head and looked directly at Bai Luan with an almost pleading persistence.
"Stationmaster, even if you no longer serve as stationmaster and have handed it over to me, please... don't leave the space station completely, okay?"
At least... don't sever ties with this place.
Bai Luan remained silent for a moment.
The cold metal walls of the space station, the faint hum in the corridor, the ever-shining starlight outside the window... countless fragmented memories and emotions welled up in my mind.
"Even without the title of 'station manager',"
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a calmness as if the dust had settled.
"The bond between me and the Black Tower Space Station has never been truly severed. My heart and soul have been poured into this place, it carries my past, and it also holds... the people and things I care about."
He paused, his gaze becoming distant.
"I may not stay here permanently in the future, but don't worry, I will remember this place."
Bai Luan thought for a moment, then said:
"If I don't come back for a long time... I guess I'll have died out there."
"Hey! No! Stationmaster! Don't say such unlucky things! Take it back! Take it back now!"
Seeing Estella's intense reaction, Bai Luan waved his hand helplessly and said:
"Okay, okay, I take it back."
"I'm thinking of buying the station manager an exorcism item to get rid of the bad luck from what he just said..."
"It really isn't that bad!"
Bai Luan chuckled and picked up the suitcase at her feet.
"Alright, let's not talk about that. Anyway... I'm back, just checking in. Bye."
Bai Luan carried her suitcase and left Aistar's office.
Knowing that the Great Black Tower was no longer on the space station, he no longer needed to act so furtively.
Estella watched Bai Luan's departing figure and smiled.
After Bai Luan and Ms. Heita left the Heita space station one after the other, some good news finally arrived.
Estella took out her phone and sent a message to the Great Black Tower.
Estelle: Lady Black Tower, Mr. Bai Luan is back.
She then turned off her phone screen.
Ms. Black Tower's replies are usually not quick.
But this time, it was faster than ever before.
Lady Black Tower: You're back?
Lady Black Tower: Let me see.
Lady Black Tower remotely controlled the Black Tower doll and began to inspect the Black Tower space station.Bai Luan hummed a tune leisurely, pulling her suitcase as she walked towards her room, completely unaware that a Black Tower doll that had been waiting behind her had turned its head and was looking at her.
They are indeed back.
Then I'll go back and take a look myself.
When I go back this time, I'll see if this guy has really learned anything, or if he's just slacking off at some university.
Although judging from the news that has been released, my assistant has done a lot of important things.
However... now even the Great Black Tower isn't sure if Bai Luan is truly improving or just pretending.
If you say he's not a genius, the technological core of those "little gadgets" he casually created and tossed into the pile of oddities in his early years is so exquisite that even she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
If you want to call him a genius, he did indeed learn some of the most basic things from scratch, and the evidence is the set of test papers he did a long time ago.
From any perspective, there are unreasonable aspects; Bai Luan has always been in a state of great contradiction.
In fact, the Great Black Tower doesn't really care about this.
The Great Black Tower's thinking was very simple.
Since Bai Luan can solve her problems like a genius, she will treat Bai Luan as a genius.
Whether Bai Luan is a genius or not, and whether the logical fallacy arising from the former's conclusion is something that Daheita doesn't care about.
What Daheita cares about is where Bai Luan's limits as a genius are, and whether he has the potential to become a companion.
Furthermore, there is one point that cannot be ignored.
Bai Luan is really great.
He can help me with anything I want to do.
He can get things done for me that I don't want to do.
Aside from scientific research, he had also learned almost all of the life skills within the first three years after coming to live with us.
It's quite a strange story.
When Bai Luan was trapped in the time turbulence for hundreds of years, the Great Black Tower tried to find someone to replace her, but it couldn't find a second one in the entire universe.
Such a person is hard to find anywhere in the entire universe, and the only one like him has appeared right in front of me.
This undoubtedly proves once again—
It seems the whole world revolves around this genius.
Chapter 53: The Perfect Time for Delicious Food
Going home is a joyful experience.
He was apprehensive upon learning that the Great Black Tower was researching his strange artifact.
Bai Luan was afraid when Estella said that it might not be long before Lady Black Tower would also return to Black Tower Space Station.
It takes a long time after taking the Great Black Tower before one comes back to comfort oneself that it was all self-deception.
Bai Luan was devastated when she learned from Estella that the Great Black Tower was on its way back the next day.
I do not understand.
For half a year, Daheita hadn't returned to the Black Tower Space Station. Now that I've come back, I haven't even had half a day to relax before Daheita is about to return.
Bai Luan was somewhat frustrated and couldn't understand it.
Could I really be that unlucky? I had barely entered the Black Tower Space Station when the Black Tower suddenly had the idea of coming back to take a look.
This is utter nonsense...
"Didn't they say that Ms. Black Tower lost interest in the Black Tower Space Station? Hasn't Ms. Black Tower returned in six months?"
"Station manager, actually I feel... this has something to do with you."
"How important can I be? To Lady Black Tower, I'm just 'useful'."
ah...
So this is how the site administrator views his relationship with Ms. Black Tower...
No wonder she acted that way yesterday when she heard that Lady Black Tower wasn't there...
The station manager is really something...
Estella looked at Bai Luan and revealed a smile that Bai Luan found ambiguous, yet exceptionally radiant.
"Estella, what are you laughing at?"
"It's nothing, stationmaster. I just remembered something happy."
"What's wrong? Tell me so I can have a good laugh."
I won't say.
"..."
Bai Luan looked at Aista with a hint of resentment, who had piqued her interest but remained silent.
Aistar responded to Bai Luan with an even brighter smile, the kind that immediately seemed to be surrounded by twinkling stars.
It seems she doesn't intend to tell me.
Never mind.
Bai Luan pondered for a long time how to fully enjoy the peace before the arrival of the Great Black Tower.
After much thought, nothing satisfied her. In the end, Bai Luan chose the simplest way to get through this time: she found a recliner and lay down.
Simple indulgence, ultimate enjoyment.
Looking at the starry sky outside the cabin, Bai Luan's eyes gradually became empty and clear.
I think too much during the day, and now I finally have time to clear my mind.
I don't know how much time has passed.
Mushroom~ Mushroom~ Mushroom~
A UFO with a distinctive tone flew overhead and, upon seeing Bai Luan, slowly flew over.
"If you hadn't come out for a walk, I wouldn't have noticed you were already back, mushroom."
However, Bai Luan, who was still zoning out, did not respond to the Inspiration Mushroom.
He is now completely immersed in his own world and has lost all sense of what the world is.
Seeing that Bai Luan didn't react, Linggan Gu started selecting from her library of strange scream sound effects.
Okay, this is the one I've decided on.
The UFO base of the Inspiration Mushroom gently touched Bai Luan, and then the Inspiration Mushroom's voice uttered a secret message:
"Wabibagu?"
Almost instinctively, Bai Luan spoke:
"Wow!"
"Ding-dong chicken, ding-dong chicken mushroom!"
"Big dog, big dog, chew, chew, chew!"
"Mambo Mambo Mushroom!"
"Matsuri Mambo!"
"Inspiration gurgle gurgle waka inspiration mushroom!"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Bai Luan shook his head, clearing his mind of the strange noises. Who was helping him review his past life's internet DNA?
"You're awake, mushroom?"
Bai Luan's lips curled up slightly, for no other reason than that Linggan Gu's words reminded him of the famous meme featuring the four members of the Tang Monk's group.
You're awake? The surgery was a success; you're a girl now.
"It's an Inspiration Mushroom."
"Gu called you just now, but you didn't respond. Gu remembers you told Gu that this is called 'crashing'."
You taught Mushroom how to "boot up" it using the same method you just described.
Looking at the Inspiration Mushroom in front of him, Bai Luan's lips twitched, and he said:
"What have I taught you...?"
"So you knew you were teaching weird stuff, huh?"
Ignoring the system's complaints, Bai Luan turned to look at the Inspiration Mushroom.
It's still the same as before.
"Looks like you're awake, mushroom."
"Good morning, Inspiration Mushroom."
Qianhe flew down from the Inspiration Mushroom and landed next to Bai Luan.
Good morning, Chizuru.
"Strictly speaking, it's not early now."
A floating panel appeared in front of the Inspiration Mushroom. It glanced at the time and said in a serious tone:
"It's almost noon now, mushroom."
"Huh, so fast?"
Bai Luan scratched his head, then took out his phone to check the time.
It's almost noon.
Unfortunately, I can't turn back time.
"Inspiration Mushroom, who added this control panel to your system? It's pretty good."
"The one that Big Iron Man gave to the mushroom is very useful, and it won't mix up the front and back of the mushroom."
"It seems that Xiu has learned quite a lot this year."
Bai Luan stretched and loosened up her muscles.
I've had enough of being a fool here, it's time to find something relaxing and enjoyable to do.
I happened to have a pocket watch that hadn't been repaired yet, so I took this opportunity to get it fixed.
By the way, system, could you provide some after-sales support?
I don't want to experience being caught in a time warp again.
"I just happened to be away last time."
What if you're not here again?
What if your advisor needs to contact you again?
You can't possibly look at me when you're meeting your advisor, can you?
Can you watch me every single second of every 24 hours?
What if I accidentally crash and burn out? Restarting the project must be a hassle for you too, right?
'...'
"I'll write you an insurance policy, okay?"
That's awesome! That's so genuine! Dude!
『6』
With the system's assurance, Bai Luan could now focus on repairing his pocket watch.
In fact, with the system protecting me, I don't need to worry about time turbulence at all.
Does that mean that if I encounter someone I can't beat in the future, I can use my pocket watch to stop time, then throw the pocket watch out and shoot it to send the enemy into a time turbulence?