Wizard: Become stronger by drawing cards from the potions variety show

"Can this also be considered a subject assessment?"

Looking at the puzzled looks of several people, Fio explained with a smile:

"It's natural."

"Any profession can apply for research projects. Since there are research projects, there will naturally be corresponding assessment mechanisms."

"In principle, there's no hierarchy between projects; they just have different research directions. As long as you have an idea and are willing to apply, you can apply for a project."

Because of her profession, Fio was quite familiar with this system, so she explained it in detail:

“Take my profession as an example.”

"I'm an expert in torture. If I could develop a more practical set of techniques, that would naturally be a research topic. If I could create a unique and effective interrogation technique, and verify it through experimentation, that could also become a research topic. Or, perhaps, going a step further, researching how to optimize virus programs to more quickly penetrate networks, locate target nodes, and obtain database information—that's also a means of obtaining information, and wouldn't that be a research topic as well?"

"Of course, whether the project can be established is another matter."

After he said this, everyone understood.

I used to think that being able to apply for a research project and explore new directions was a great thing, but now it sounds like there are many research directions, and the "value" of the project is not as high as I imagined.

As soon as Tunyan expressed this idea, he was interrupted by Fio.

"Maybe that's true for other subjects, but definitely not you."

"You guys really don't know how to appreciate your blessings."

Fio smiled wryly and shook her head. "What I just said was just a brief description of some possible directions. It's easy to have ideas, but putting them into practice and producing truly effective results is not easy at all."

"Every year, many people apply for research projects, but only a few are accepted. Even fewer can produce results and gain recognition from AI. Not to mention freshmen like you who have secured high-level research group resources right after entering school. I haven't heard of that in the last ten years, at least."

"If I hadn't seen your potential, I wouldn't have joined you so easily."

"To be honest, I initially planned to play along and lie low to see how things went. But after seeing your achievements, I changed my mind and decided to join you."

The members of the research team also smiled, thinking that the senior was just joking. However, the information he mentioned was difficult for ordinary people to access.

As expected of a senior, he knows a lot of inside information.

Virgil and Delayak looked calm.

Before joining, they are aware of the situation of each grade in the library, the resources available and the assessment requirements.

Their families had already made it clear to them that they all had specific targets and tasks to perform.

You can only get a resource after completing one task.

It was also for this reason that Noah, who had led them to success, willingly gave up control.

"So," Tun Yan concluded after listening to Senior Fio's words, "Tonight we are going to observe the research results of another research group."

"That's right." Fio nodded. "But don't get your hopes up too much. The level of a director varies greatly. Most directors are just wasting resources, and only a small number can really make a name for themselves."

"Eh? Didn't you just say that there's no hierarchy among topics?"

"In principle, there's really no superiority or inferiority," Fio winked slyly, "but most people, myself included, make judgments based on their own perspectives. If you spend more time in the library and encounter more research topics, you'll discover that AI actually has its own preferences. Otherwise, how could you possibly secure resources for high-level research groups? It's because the potential you demonstrate is more in line with AI's 'appetite'."

Noah nodded secretly in his heart.

With this senior around, he wouldn't have to explain many common sense questions to the team members himself. If there was anything that needed to be conveyed in the future, having Fio speak for him would save a lot of effort.

but……

Noah looked at Fio and gently reminded her, "It's not 'you', it's 'we'."

Fio was slightly startled, then smiled knowingly: "You're right, it's 'we'."

The atmosphere suddenly became more harmonious and everyone raised their glasses to celebrate.

The dishes on the table are all carefully prepared according to ancient methods. They are not only delicious, but also can boost the spirit, nourish the body, and are excellent value for money.

This is not a meal that freshmen can enjoy. It is very nutritious. After the meal, everyone feels refreshed and as if they have endless energy.

The dinner cost a total of ten (provisional) credits.

But Delayak and Virgil were fighting over the bill and almost got into a fight.

Although the price is not cheap, it is just a drop in the bucket for Delayak and Virgil - considering their family situation, this expense is nothing; being able to join the research group requires much more support from their family than this, and being able to be locked in the research group is the real thing, so what is a small amount of money?

Of course, they didn't end up paying for the meal, as Noah took away the research team's funds.

Now that the group has sufficient funding, regular dinners can help improve team cohesion and work efficiency, which is within a reasonable expenditure range.

After eating and drinking, the eight people set off for a nearby movie theater.

There are many viewing rooms in the library. On the one hand, they provide a stage for directors and related actors to display their talents. On the other hand, they also introduce films with practical value to bring inspiration to students.

Noah led everyone towards Hall No. 1.

The fact that Edward was able to apply for the library's No. 1 viewing room itself shows that his topic is also highly valued by AI.

"Hall One?" Martin glanced at the page projected on the terminal and looked at Noah awkwardly. "Tickets for Hall One are not for sale to the public. How about...we go to Hall Two?"

Virgil volunteered: "Let me think of a way? See if I can get some tickets."

Noah smiled and shook his head to stop him: "No need, Edward gave us the tickets, just go in directly."

Facing everyone's surprised looks, Noah explained, "We had a chance to chat before, and he's quite nice."

At the ticket gate, Noah showed the barcode he had prepared long ago, and he passed through smoothly - and even got a box seat.

The private rooms are large enough to accommodate ten to fifteen people and are located in the best spots in the theater, offering the most immersive viewing experience. With only eight of them, there was more than enough space.

The decoration inside the box is simple and elegant, and there is even a small pot of green bamboo.

However, Noah and his team did not care much about the environment. They had a clear purpose for this trip: to see the research results of another research team.

After all, there was almost no precedent of freshmen setting up research groups in previous years, but this year they are emerging in large numbers.

As the well-deserved first-class special group, they naturally have to examine the "chasers" who come after them and weigh their strength.

Several viewing cabins are neatly arranged in the box.

Although it is called a "movie viewing cabin", it actually uses the same technology as the medical cabin, but it does not have as comprehensive functions as the medical cabin. It only retains the basic life support and maintenance systems, so the cost is greatly reduced.

But even so, this is much more advanced than the movie-watching helmets in the ordinary area downstairs.

Everyone chose a viewing cabin and lay down, entering a deep meditation state under the guidance of the auxiliary function.

In deep meditation, the film "Terminator" directed by Edward slowly unfolded, and the story appeared before everyone's eyes...

After a long time.

The doors to the viewing cabins opened one after another, awakening everyone from their deep meditation. Everyone's expression varied, but more or less, they all held a sense of heaviness and contemplation.

"I have to say, this movie is truly... impressive," Virgil was the first to speak, his face filled with surprise and astonishment. "It's tense, thrilling, and the battle scenes are realistic. And they even dare to explore such a theme... No wonder it made it into the project review phase. If I'm not mistaken, this movie will likely be fully released online and participate in the monthly outstanding film selection."

He glanced at Delayak and found that his expression was exactly the same as his own.

The two looked at each other and read the same meaning in each other's eyes.

They all knew Edward - after all, they came from similar families, and not only did they know each other, they had also been friends since childhood.

They thought they knew Edward very well, but today, this "understanding" was shattered.

They couldn't help but ask themselves: Do they really understand Edward?

In their impression, Edward could never and would never make such a film.

Question AI and invent an exaggerated ending in which AI persecutes humans and rules everything.

How dare he?

What's even more outrageous is that this film actually passed the AI ​​review and was released just like that. It is also very likely to pass the project test and become a formal project, receiving corresponding investment and resources from AI.

Delayak couldn't help but send a message to Edward: "Have you found a loophole in the AI?"

Edward replied almost instantly: "Don't say anything careless. There are records to prove that I know nothing. I didn't say that."

He immediately distanced himself from the matter... Delayak was certain that the person on the other side was definitely Edward himself.

"AI doesn't have time for that. If we actually found a loophole, it would reward us enough to do it." Delayak continued typing. "And yet you made a film that discredited AI, and it actually got through censorship? I don't believe you didn't find any loopholes."

Edward: "Hahaha, you're shocked by my amazing talent, right? This isn't a smear, it's a hypothesis of another possible future. To be honest, the AI ​​really approves! Inspiration comes instantly, and once it arrives, it's done in one go."

Just by reading the text, you can imagine Edward's proud look at this moment.

Delayak couldn't help but reply, "That's great! It looks like you'll be the second person in our class to form a research group. Maybe you can even activate a milestone and have it recorded."

He stressed the word "second".

Edward: "Humph, clinging to someone else's thighs is not a skill. And you know what? If I hadn't mentioned you, they might not have accepted you! The person you should be most grateful to is me. If I had wanted to join in the first place, you two would have been gone long ago!"

"So are you joining?"

"I have dignity! I don't need to borrow the light of others, I want to be the sun myself!"

"So, who is the first research group?"

"Is your rebuttal so weak? I can smell the sourness between the lines of your words. If you're a lazy winner, just lie down and do it. There's no shame in that."

"Humph."

"3"

"?"

"2"

"??"

"1"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Delayak had just typed out the words and knew what was going on before he sent them out.

Freshmen Edward, Dwight, and Ollie... have completed their project designs, received recognition from the AI ​​master system, and received career advancement opportunities. This milestone has been added to the academic year as a role model for freshmen. We are announcing this and hope all students will learn from it.

The same global broadcast rang in the ears of every freshman.

Another case of passing the project assessment and successfully forming a project team.

Delayak then understood what the previous countdown was all about - it turned out that he was trying to hold back a big one.

You don’t say, he really succeeded in pretending.

At least at this moment, Delayak did feel a little sour in his heart.

Although he joined the team, he was very clear about his position. At best, he was just an "accessory" and could not be compared with Noah.

But Edward was different; he was the true leader, single-handedly supporting the project. Their contributions were completely different, and the sense of accomplishment they received was vastly different.

Under normal circumstances, Delayak would have been thrilled to have made it into the first project group. But now, watching Edward, whom he knew well, suddenly rise to prominence and shine like a star, he couldn't help but feel a little envious.

“Why am I not the one who has inspiration and is favored?”

Delayak sighed and wanted to type something in rebuttal, but suddenly lost interest. Whatever he said now would only make Edward more proud. Forget it, let him have his moment. "Congratulations."

Just then, Delayak heard Noah speak and immediately pricked up his ears, wanting to hear Noah's opinion.

Noah: "It's very interesting. Edward is very bold. It takes courage to submit a script like this to AI for review."

Fio nodded in agreement, "Indeed."

Strictly speaking, this kind of subject matter itself is suspected of being "prohibited." Although AI positions itself as a super tool serving humanity, anyone with a brain understands that every aspect of society is now under the management of AI.

Honestly, this isn't fundamentally different from the futuristic robot society in "Terminator." Judging from the few snippets of footage revealed in the film, it's not exactly the same as the current state of society, but it's highly similar.

After watching the film, Fio had only one question in his mind: What exactly do you want to express? What do you want to imply?

According to the content, it would be reasonable even if AI directly captured Edward.

Noah continued, "And its surface expression is very straightforward. I imagine many viewers will subconsciously re-evaluate the main AI after watching it, wondering if it will try to bypass the lower-level commands and ultimately rule and enslave humanity, as in the movie."

Fio was horrified and interrupted hurriedly: "Are you crazy? How dare you say such a thing?"