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

Chapter 808

"It's about to begin."

"I bet he has connections, his family must have put in a lot of effort to maintain such a perfect persona during his school years."

"That's unlikely, isn't it? The library's AI wouldn't consider these things. You ask me how I know... I tried it when school started."

"Nothing is impossible. You don't really believe someone can produce groundbreaking results in first grade and become a strategic advisor overnight, do you? Please, this isn't a dream. Knowledge accumulation can't be rushed; just cramming it into your brain will burst it. Think about what you were doing in first grade, then think about him—does this make sense?"

The senior students whispered among themselves, their eyes all focused on the figure in the assessment room ahead who was conducting a promotion defense with AI.

Behind them, a silent upperclassman pushed up his glasses: "I've read his research paper. The breadth and depth of knowledge it covers are almost at the limit of what a first-year student could achieve. Moreover, the entire project is ingeniously conceived and achieves near-perfect special effects."

The student in the front row turned around angrily: "Hey, what do you mean? Do you really think this guy is a genius? That he can evolve from a paramecium into a human in one step?"

The bespectacled man calmly said, "That's precisely why I find it unrealistic. No one can reach the theoretical limit. If they could, it would mean that someone at a higher level helped them with knowledge. This suggests that his background is unfathomable."

"You've already investigated, haven't you? He just came from a regular nursery, nothing special, you don't even know who his parents are."

In this world, many children are raised normally by their parents, while others are artificially nurtured by AI for various reasons. Although the specific reasons are unclear, a batch of such "nurturing humans" is indeed produced at a fixed time every year, and human society is aware of this.

These children also have normal childhoods, with dedicated caregivers, except that their parents are not their biological parents—this is the result ordinary people get after researching Noah's information.

A sharp glint flashed behind the glasses: "Being born in a nursery doesn't mean you won't receive family support. On the contrary, the resources he can access may far exceed expectations."

The other older students looked at him strangely: "You mean...?"

"That's right." The bespectacled man nodded. "Even with someone helping with the design and providing resources, being able to achieve this level shows he has extraordinary talent. This means his parents are not ordinary either; only a powerful combination could produce such a result."

"This suggests that either his parents' marriage was not something they wanted to disclose, or he was created by AI for some kind of mission. Either way, it proves that he has a powerful background."

The older students fell silent.

If that's the case, what should they do if they, as the reviewers and witnesses of the promotion assessment, are asked about any problems that arise?

Is the world always this complicated?

"It's always been like this."

Noah, inside the testing room, turned around helplessly and said towards the one-way glass, "Could you please keep your voice down? I can hear you. Thank you."

"And since you know my background, why are you still here making comments about me? Are you afraid I won't remember you?"

Just then, the library's AI chimed in: "Would you like me to record their names? I can send the detailed information to your device so you can access it at any time."

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the upperclassmen looked at each other in bewilderment.

"When will the people inside be able to hear us? Isn't it supposed to be one-way soundproof? If it were two-way, wouldn't we be able to pass them answers?"

"If I remember correctly, it is indeed one-way. People outside can hear those inside, but those inside cannot hear those outside."

"So how do you explain this now?"

"It's inexplicable. Perhaps our purpose is simply to... warn those inside when necessary?"

"Are you saying AI is encouraging us to cheat? Just because we didn't offer help, we're being punished instead?"

"My God, why does this kind of trouble have to happen to me?"

"Shut up, idiot, we can refuse."

"But they will remember it, and they will know our information."

At this point, several senior students became furious.

"Hey! This is an invasion of privacy! Not allowed!" an upperclassman protested, raising his hand. "You want us to cheat? Dream on! There's no rule against commenting on students; there's freedom of speech here!"

The expressions of the others around him varied, some were indignant and others somber, clearly sharing the same sentiment.

The library's AI responded: "Protest invalid. The strategic advisor has the highest authority, and all his actions are carefully considered. The main AI has already accepted the 'Hound Type 1' combat support system's gradual takeover of intelligence gathering; your information was already in the transmission process. This action simply advances the process and is not against regulations."

"However, I must remind you: because you raised a protest, you received a detailed response from me, but today's data is confidential information. Do not disclose it, or you will be wanted by the police."

"You enjoy freedom of speech, but your remarks involve the strategic advisor's reputation. If he pursues the matter, you will face penalties."

The older students immediately fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances, all thinking the same thing: perhaps the AI ​​was too lonely and wanted to create a "biological father" for itself, which is why Noah came into being. Otherwise, it was impossible to explain why the AI ​​would obey a younger student so readily.

Noah stopped the AI, chuckling as he said, "No, no, no, I don't intend to pursue anyone's responsibility. It's alright, it's human nature. It's normal to feel jealous when faced with someone more outstanding, and I'm no exception."

"When I was jealous of others, someone encouraged, advised, and guided me. Now, I should do the same."

He reached out and took out a book, saying to the AI, "I admire their courage—they dare to speak out even when their rights are violated, even in front of you. Please give this to them; they deserve it."

The AI ​​responded gently: "Following your instructions."

A small drone appeared out of nowhere, took the book, and handed it to an older student.

However, things were in complete chaos on the senior's side.

After the initial silence, some people decided not to get involved in this mess, while others, upon hearing that no one would be held accountable, recorded the incident on their devices and began to loudly protest and accuse others.

They didn't care what Noah gave them; instead, they were raising their hands and noisily negotiating with the AI...

The crowd instantly split into two factions.

The drone bypassed the protesting seniors and went to the silent group at the back. The seniors looked at each other, and finally one of them reluctantly took the book.

"The Immortal Cicada? What's that? A recipe?"

The student frowned as he turned the pages of the book, but to his surprise, his gaze immediately became fixed, as if he were completely absorbed in it.

The classmate next to him noticed something was wrong: "John? John? Are you alright?"

Others also curiously crowded closer, wanting to see what was so captivating about the book...

The senior student in front of him was focused on arguing with the AI, fiercely debating: "I want to report you! I want to complain! You're the library's AI, you must also abide by the rules and regulations! Inducing cheating itself proves there's a problem with you!"

"Don't even think about holding us accountable. We've already recorded everything Noah just said."

Faced with the incessant complaints outside, the AI ​​politely turned to Noah: "Should I block them out? My intention was simply to let you know that your environment is not safe, and may even be dangerous. Humans are complex beings with fluctuating emotions. Now, I think you understand, I can record your actions towards them and, without going against your wishes, keep them quiet."

Noah shook his head: "No need, let's begin."

The library AI respectfully responded: "Okay, Mr. Advisor. But before we begin, please allow me to award you a promotion badge. I'm sorry, but due to regulations, you must participate in this promotion assessment. However, based on your past learning records, I can provide you with this promotion badge. It will activate a special promotion strategy, and as long as your research group produces satisfactory output, the promotion will be completed automatically."

A robotic arm hangs down from the ceiling, holding a ribbon with a glittering badge pinned to it.

The badge is exquisitely crafted, inlaid with gold and diamonds, and is quite valuable.

Of course, its symbolic significance far outweighs its practical value.

After wearing this medal, Noah no longer needs to go through the tedious promotion process. He can simply learn and produce according to the rules to acquire higher-level knowledge and automatically advance in rank, which is indeed much more convenient.

"Thank you so much."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Consultant, I cannot violate the promotion rules and can only make this adjustment within my authority. I hope it hasn't taken up your time."

At this moment, the older students protesting outside were even more enraged: "It's a rip-off! A rip-off! They're not even putting on an act! They're giving out medals before the exam has even started! What rule allows this?"

"I protest! I'm reporting this!"

The library's AI responded after analysis: "I apologize, Mr. Advisor. My analysis suggests that if they file a complaint, proving the current promotion process may not be flawed would waste more time. To avoid unnecessary procedures, save time, and improve efficiency, I will ask you some simple questions. Rest assured, these questions are within your responsibilities."

Noah nodded: "Of course."

After receiving an affirmative answer, the AI ​​immediately posed a question in a gentle voice: "Sir, what is your understanding of 'miraculous skills'?"

Noah had anticipated this question from AI: "I believe that miracles are an expression of a pattern. Like formulas and theorems in multiple fields, they are interpretations and explanations of existing phenomena. The difference is that the specificity of this way of explanation is directly fed back to those who understand it."

"In my view, the rules expressed in these ways of articulation seem to belong to the current world. They are a completely different system compared to the existing definitions in various fields."

"But as long as it's a pattern, it can be grasped..."

Noah spoke eloquently. In the current world, Noah may not have reached the first-class level in scientific and technological research, but in his understanding of miraculous feats, Noah can be called number one, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is world-leading.

At this point, the protests from the older students grew quieter. They had, of course, heard the conversation between the AI ​​and Noah.

One person asked, bewildered, "What are they saying? Why can't I understand them?"

"Are we mistaken? He didn't need our help to cheat at all in answering the questions. If we hadn't protested, he might have already been promoted."

After checking the terminal, someone said, "I found out that 'miraculous skill' is a figment of imagination about cultivation methods, and there is currently no evidence that it can be mastered."

"But," another person said, pointing to Noah and the AI ​​answering fluently in the testing room, "they seem to be discussing the implementation principles? If I understand correctly, they seem to mean... they've already done it?"

Before he could finish speaking, someone behind him chimed in, "That's right, they've already made it. And I've just successfully learned this amazing skill, and I feel better than ever before. Seriously, you should all take a look."

The speaker was John, the senior who had previously believed that Noah had powerful backers.

"He is indeed a genius, and I feel completely refreshed."

He opened his arms, fully feeling himself become strong and energetic again, and even his missing internal organs had been restored.

Before he could finish speaking, the book was snatched from his hands.

"My turn!"

"Hey! Don't steal it!"

"I didn't see it clearly, give it to me quickly."

The senior students protesting in the front row watched the chaos in silence.

These usually prudent and quiet guys are now arguing heatedly over a book.

They involuntarily took a step back.

"I feel... something's not right. Did Noah use some kind of mental attack weapon? I'm guessing it's hallucinogens or some other toxin."

"The reason might be that we didn't cooperate with him."

Just then, John, who claimed to have mastered miraculous skills, suddenly bent over, clutching his abdomen in pain, and knelt down on the ground.

The senior students in the front row all took another step back.

Those who initially suspected something was wrong pointed at the kneeling man and exclaimed, "Look! It really is poison!"

However, John bent over and vomited for a long time, but only managed to vomit a book.

The senior students who witnessed this scene felt a chill run down their spines. One of them vomited out a book and then gave a satisfied, silly laugh. The scene was extremely eerie.

Although they didn't know what the book was, they definitely didn't want to experience the feeling of spitting out a book.

The scene now looks like a book that went through John and then got a little baby.

His eyes were full of appreciation as he picked up the book, which was gradually becoming brand new, and said to the people in front of him, "You really should take a look. This is a good thing. You'll regret it if you don't."

He was about to turn the page when he said that.

The senior students in the front row screamed in terror, "No! No! Please don't!"

"Why not? This is really a good thing..." He opened the book, and some people turned their heads, but many more didn't have time to react. Everyone who saw the contents fell silent instantly, their eyes fixed on the book, their minds completely absorbed in it.

"No, don't look."

"It's true, my body really is healed, I feel better than ever before. Ugh—"

Behind John, more people excitedly made their own declarations, and then, amidst stomach aches, vomited out their own versions of "The Undying Cicada."

"You really should take a look; you'll regret it if you don't."

After Noah finished answering the questions and came out, he saw the senior students outside holding "The Immortal Cicada," muttering "That's great" and "Take a look."

Noah nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, the side effects have indeed been reduced. Even for people without the thinking unit, their IQ will only drop slightly, instead of becoming temporarily mentally disabled. It's much safer now."