Before Zhang Ye could even step into the research institute, a blue figure transformed into a streak of blue light, appearing before him at extreme speed and kicking up a wild gust of wind.
The slender Xi Ya was almost blown away by the gust.
By the time everyone recovered their senses, Ke Ling had appeared right in front of Zhang Ye.
Only, Ke Ling looked a bit different this time.
She wore a highly sci-fi-style helmet on her head, while her shoulders, chest, and back were covered in a series of mechanical apparatuses. A pair of metal wings spread from her back, with flames powered by mana spewing from beneath them.
As the flames slowly died down, the high-tech, screen-like visor on Ke Ling's face automatically retracted into the sides of her helmet.
This left Zhang Ye in awe.
This was simply too cool!
Isn't this literally a magic version of Iron Man?
“Welcome back, Mentor,” Ke Ling said expressionlessly. “You have not come to the institute to conduct research for thirteen days and twenty-one ke. Did something happen to obstruct your magic research?”
“Do you need me to eliminate the obstacle for you?”
As she spoke, Ke Ling's pupils dilated and contracted slightly, sending a faint chill down Zhang Ye's spine.
Zhang Ye was suddenly absolutely certain that if he told her to go kill someone right now, she would do it without hesitation.
This was because she had already designated Zhang Ye's magic research as her highest priority. Anything that obstructed Zhang Ye's research was a wall blocking the path of progress for the world's magical science, and she would destroy it without a shred of emotion!
This was Ke Ling.
An emotionless “biological machine”!
Zhang Ye hastily waved his hands. “No, no, that's not necessary. I was just delayed by a treasure hunt. There's no obstacle.”
Ke Ling was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Understood.”
Zhang Ye breathed a sigh of relief and said, “They want to take the exam to become magic researchers. Could you help me prepare the necessary arrangements?”
“Certainly.” Ke Ling nodded, then looked at Lina and the others. “Once your mana rank reaches Tier Six, you will qualify for the assessment.”
“Once you pass the assessment, you may begin the series of magic research examinations.”
“May I ask if you have looked into this and possess a certain level of theoretical knowledge in magic?”
Everyone exchanged glances, then finally nodded. “We do.”
“Very well.” Ke Ling nodded. A blue light flashed in her eyes, and her voice immediately rang out across the entire research institute through the magic device transmission system installed throughout the building: “Researcher No. 4098, please come to the institute lobby immediately.”
A moment later, a researcher wearing glasses came running in a hurry. He was a middle-aged man, and the last four digits of the serial number on his chest were indeed 4098.
“Researcher No. 4098, please take these students to undergo the pre-exam testing. Once they pass, they can directly take the Junior Researcher examination.” Ke Ling spoke directly before the man could say a word.
“Ah, right away!” Startled, the man hastily nodded and smiled at Lina and the others. “Please follow me.”
Zhang Ye clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched this.
This efficiency was truly second to none.
It was clear just how high Ke Ling's status was within the research institute.
“Just relax and don't be nervous. With your abilities, you will definitely pass the exam,” Zhang Ye said to the group.
During those days, Zhang Ye had also given them guidance, so he knew their level of theoretical knowledge.
They had absolutely reached the level of a Junior Researcher. Especially Lina and Nan—it wouldn't even be a problem for them to directly take the Intermediate Researcher exam.
The only one he needed to worry about was Xi Ya.
Xi Ya also intended to take the magic researcher exam. Her theoretical knowledge of spatial magic was decent, but she lacked depth in the magic theories of other elements. Thus, Zhang Ye had given her special tutoring, so she should theoretically be able to pass.
However, Zhang Ye was afraid she might get nervous and underperform.
So, he specifically said to Xi Ya, “Xi Ya, make sure not to get nervous. Just perform like you normally do. I believe in you.”
Hearing this, Xi Ya clenched her small hands and nodded vigorously. “Mhm!”
Zhang Ye smiled and watched them depart.
“Mentor, I have completed the preliminary research on the 【Turbojet Magic Engine】 topic you proposed. I have also developed the first-generation magic engine and applied it to an 【Individual Flight Magic Device】. The experiment was a partial success, but I have discovered several problems that I cannot resolve on my own. I require your intervention,” Ke Ling said to Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye nodded. “Let's talk in the lab.”
“Alright.” The two of them walked toward the laboratory.
After examining the magic engine Ke Ling had developed, Zhang Ye nodded. “I see where the problem lies.”
“Please guide me,” Ke Ling said immediately.
“The working principle of a turbojet magic engine is very simple: energy input under high pressure, and energy output under low pressure.”
“The intake system of the engine you designed is sealed. It has no intake vent at all, only an exhaust. Relying solely on mana to pressurize the engine like this creates sufficient power, but the efficiency is actually not very high.”
“But isn't this supposed to rely on mana as its power source?” Ke Ling asked.
“That is true, but you shouldn't limit yourself to just that.”
“If you add an intake vent and utilize the ram pressure of the airflow to pressurize the engine, combining it with mana pressurization, the efficiency will increase significantly, and the loss of kinetic energy will be further reduced.”
“There is also an issue with the design of the exhaust nozzle. You need to install a cooling magic set to prevent the nozzle's temperature from getting too high, which could cause it to melt or injure the user.”
“And then there's...” Zhang Ye analyzed it from every angle. Ke Ling listened intently, her pupils dilating and contracting continuously.
“So, you only need to make improvements in these few areas to raise the engine's efficiency to a much higher level,” Zhang Ye concluded, then sighed softly. “Still, for you to develop this first-generation engine based solely on my theories is truly impressive.”
“You praise me too highly,” Ke Ling shook her head. “Magic research often only requires an opportunity to create infinite possibilities. But without that opportunity, it might be absolutely impossible.”
“If you had not provided this opportunity, Mentor, I am afraid I would never have conceived such a concept or achieved this in my entire life.”
“Therefore, all the credit belongs to you, Mentor.”
Zhang Ye chuckled and shook his head. “What is yours is yours. There's no need to defer it to me.”
Hearing this, Ke Ling wanted to speak further, but Zhang Ye stopped her.
“Don't say anything yet. I know what you want to say.” Zhang Ye waved his hand.
It would be nothing more than trying to refute his statement and attribute all the credit back to him.
Ke Ling, who had just opened her mouth, closed it again, her eyes quietly watching Zhang Ye.
“You like to look for causes from the very root of things. That's very good.”
“Your thoughts are very progressive, and your thinking is highly unconventional. That is even better.”
“However, this time, your judgment is flawed.”
“You feel that all the credit lies with me, and you completely refuse to acknowledge your own efforts. This is because you believe that, at the most fundamental level, without my contribution, yours would not exist.”
“But do you know that this kind of thinking is wrong?”
“A person can engage in self-doubt, but they cannot completely negate themselves. Doing so is an extreme manifestation of being irresponsible to oneself!”
“Then do you know why you engage in such extreme self-negation?”
Ke Ling was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “I do not know. Please guide me, Mentor.”
“It is because you lack a highly crucial factor,” Zhang Ye said slowly.
“This factor could... no, it definitely will lead to your failure in the future.”
“What is it?” Ke Ling asked.
Finally, Zhang Ye detected a trace of urgency in her tone.
But she quickly regained her composure and asked, “Please guide me, Mentor.”
Zhang Ye nodded, looked straight into her eyes, and asked, “Since you like to look for causes from the root, let me ask you a question first.”
“What do you believe is the meaning of your existence?”
“To advance the path of world magic and develop the course of magic device progression,” Ke Ling said without a moment's hesitation.
“Alright, then let me ask you another question: What is the ultimate root of world magic development and magic device progression?” Zhang Ye asked again.
“The root... Is this not the root itself?” Ke Ling asked, her pupils beginning to dilate and contract.
Zhang Ye smiled. “It can certainly serve as a foundation, but it is not the ultimate root.”
“As a magic researcher, the quality you must possess is rigor. But quite clearly, you did not pay attention to the details in my words.”
Ke Ling fell silent for a moment, then nodded. “I will learn from this and improve.”
“Good. Now, please tell me your answer.” Zhang Ye extended his hand in a gesturing motion.
Ke Ling stared at his hand, remaining silent for a long time before saying, “The conclusion I have reached is: for the future development of humanity.”
“As humanity progresses, magic and magic device progressions will gradually become popularized. They will shift from individual use to collective use, and from military applications to civilian applications.”
“This is of vital importance to the progress of all mankind. Therefore, the development of magic and the exploration of magic device progression are indispensable on humanity's path forward.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ye smiled and nodded. “Well said, but... it is still not the ultimate root.”
Ke Ling fell silent once more. After a long while, she shook her head. “I cannot comprehend it. Please guide me, Mentor.”
Showing an expected expression, Zhang Ye put his hands behind his back and slowly turned to walk toward the experimental workbench for magic devices. He quietly gazed at the components in front of him, his magnetic voice slowly echoing out.
“Then let me tell you what the ultimate root of magic development and magic device progression is.”
“All things can be simplified. Its most fundamental cause is also extremely simple.”
“Two words.” With his back turned to Ke Ling, Zhang Ye held up two fingers.
“For, humanity!”
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