"Under the persuasion of Mr. Mu Zi, we ultimately canceled our booked flight and switched to using their dedicated vehicle to return to the Space Station."
Olivia picked up where Lars left off, her voice light yet carrying a hint of seriousness:
"On the way, we talked about the upcoming lecture, and we took the opportunity to invite Mr. Mu Zi as a special guest listener to preview the content we had meticulously prepared."
"Mr. Mu Zi is genuinely a very kind person. He accepted our request with almost no hesitation, even willing to temporarily put aside the research project he was working on just to make time to support us. We are extremely grateful to him."
Lars paused slightly, a trace of recollection flashing in his eyes.
"And before he agreed, Mr. Mu Zi said something to me that remains fresh in my memory to this day. He said..."
Mu Zi frowned slightly, looking at Lars, who had invited him, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible surprise.
"Are you sure? To share this knowledge with me without any reservations?"
Frankly speaking, he was quite surprised by Lars's invitation.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that this lecture was far from ordinary; the value of the knowledge contained within it was self-evident.
Normally, how much one gains from attending a lecture depends entirely on personal comprehension and focus; the speaker never waits for anyone, much less stops to resolve your doubts.
Especially a lecture of this caliber.
At First Truth University, knowledge is almost equivalent to academic capital, a symbol of status, or even a pass for research funding.
To possess knowledge here is to possess nearly everything.
It is precisely because of this that many Academic Overlords dominate First Truth University.
His mentor, Herman, had mentioned the various aspects of the Academic Overlords countless times, his tone full of helplessness and warning.
Over time, Mu Zi had almost concluded that academic circles everywhere were largely the same —strictly guarded by barriers and clearly defined by cliques.
And behavior like Lars's—sharing knowledge almost unintentionally and as a matter of course—was something he hadn't witnessed in a very, very long time.
"Isn't the purpose of a lecture simply to allow knowledge to flow?"
Lars's expression was open and honest, his voice gentle yet firm.
"The more people who understand it, the more successful the lecture is, isn't that right?"
"Mr. Lars... have you ever heard the saying, 'Teach the apprentice everything, starve the master'?"
Mu Zi countered softly.
Hearing this, Lars fell silent for a moment.
For the first time, a faint shadow crossed those eyes that were always so clear.
Seeing this, Mu Zi gave a wry smile and continued:
"I don't know what the academic atmosphere is like at the Space Station, but at First Truth University, many people hold that saying as truth."
Reality is often much harsher than ideals.
Countless students carrying dreams stepped into the halls of First Truth University, only to lose the halo of "genius" above their heads in the daily competition, and gradually extinguish their initial aspirations for this academic sanctuary.
This place certainly possesses the most fertile academic soil, but to take root and sprout here, one must confront the tangled branches and shadows overhead —face them, adapt to them, and perhaps eventually become a part of them.
The hardship involved is far more profound than simply gaining admission to the university.
Mu Zi was disappointed with the current state of First Truth University, but he also knew that he was powerless to change it.
He was not in the worst situation; compared to those students suffocating under academic exploitation, he at least had a mentor, Herman, who, although short-tempered, was always earnest and responsible.
After a brief silence, Lars looked up, his gaze clear and bright as he addressed Mu Zi, word by word:
"If... if First Truth University truly is like this..."
He paused, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable force:
"Then, precisely at a First Truth University like this, it is even more necessary to hold such a lecture."
Mu Zi was stunned.
Immediately, he began to laugh softly. The laughter was slightly strained at first, but then became increasingly hearty and clear.
He had chosen to adapt to the environment.
But the person before him had chosen the path he never had the courage to take —to try and change the environment.
Truly worthy of being a student brought up by that genius professor; the things he does are always so... awe-inspiring.
He couldn't help but recall the similar emotion that surged in his heart when he first learned that Bai Luan had resolutely signed up for all the courses taught by Professor Veritas Ratio.
Although he himself did not have such a dazzling genius to rely on, nor did he have enough courage to challenge this overarching environment that he disliked.
But he was genuinely happy —that beyond his sight, people like Lars and Bai Luan still existed.
Your mere existence is already more encouraging and heartwarming than any passionate speech.
"I probably can't be of much help."
Mu Zi looked at Lars, a genuine and relieved smile finally appearing on his face.
"But since you put it that way, I, Mu Zi, will certainly do my utmost, helping as much as I can."
He took a deep breath, his tone solemn, like a vow:
"Please, be sure to present First Truth University with a lecture that is... truly different from the past."
"...Thanks to Mr. Mu Zi's help, the final lecture achieved a very ideal result."
Lars turned to look at Bai Luan beside him, his eyes shining brightly.
"It was also because of the things he told me that I decided to use the philosophies that our predecessors always adhered to as the conclusion of the lecture."
His gaze swept over Olivia and Jarvis, finally landing back on Bai Luan, his tone resolute:
"The theories upheld by our predecessors are far more powerful than the high walls erected by those Academic Overlords."
"That's why I must say, even if a lecture can only change one person, some things absolutely must be said."
Bai Luan looked at Lars before him, a wave of emotion rising in his heart.
Some things truly are marvelous.
If he hadn't come to this world, hadn't met Stark and Conrad... the academic atmosphere at the Space Station today might have become similar to that of First Truth University.
Thinking of this, an indescribable feeling of comfort welled up in his heart.
I didn't come here in vain, those words weren't said in vain, and the video materials left behind by Stark and Conrad were not wasted.
This is truly... comforting.
Bai Luan watched the light twinkling in Lars's eyes, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning up, and he reached out to pat his shoulder:
"You kid, you really did us proud. I just casually taught you a few things, and you went and made it look so professional."
Lars scratched his cheek sheepishly, his tone sincere:
"This isn't just my achievement. Besides Mr. Mu Zi..."
He looked at his tacit partners beside him, his voice warm:
"There's also Olivia and Jarvis. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to do any of this.
Without tangible results to support them, the philosophies I promote would ultimately just be empty, grand slogans."
Upon saying this, a deeply grateful smile blossomed on his face, and he sighed softly:
"Sometimes I can't help but wonder what I would do if they weren't by my side... I've truly hit the jackpot in this life, meeting them."
Hearing this, Jarvis bobbed up and down and said:
"We're all buddies."
Olivia, meanwhile, crossed her arms, lifted her chin slightly, and nodded in satisfaction, her smile conveying the clear message: "At least you have some conscience."
Mm... Bai Luan looked at the perfectly harmonious trio before him, an imperceptible smile rising in his eyes.
Sure enough, the fact that you three can live such good lives is more important than anything else...