Chapter 1 Du Zheng Yi Luo Qi

Life is a mystery, and for me, the biggest mystery in this fog is whether I'm a loser or not.

--Excerpted from Rochi's Chicken Soup for Life

Du Zhengyi was in the library working on his thesis, "Nonlinear Cyclic Multidimensional Spatial Transformation," when he received the bubble. Across from him sat a sweet-looking girl, a fellow archaeology major, who was writing a thesis on the comparison between the migratory society and human agricultural society in ancient times. They had been sitting in the same seat for days, so he figured he might have a chance.

He grabbed the bubbles that kept fluttering in front of him and smiled apologetically at the disturbed girl, who gave him an understanding smile before burying her head back in her book and skillfully casting a spell to perform a keyword information grab on the text floating in the air; he rather admired her professionalism.

He got up with a squeeze of bubbles and headed for the door. The only sounds under the huge dome of the library were the soft rustle of turning books and the occasional static of some auxiliary spell cutting through the air, and by the time he reached the corridor outside the reading room, the sounds were instantly cacophonous. He glanced out; there was a third-year Weather Control experiment exam going on in the playground downstairs, and some idiot had somehow managed to make a private cloud that loomed over his head alone rain down in a torrential downpour, and the sounds of laughter and uproarious whistling from the playground carried all the way to the second floor of the library.

He took one last look at the boy standing desperately under a square meter of rain cloud, turned to find a somewhat secluded corner, and crushed the bubble in his hand. It was a message from a teacher telling him to come to the department head's office at two o'clock in the afternoon.

Roach carefully unfolded a crumpled piece of paper with the topic of the following week's evening lectures written in black and white:

Evaluation of Energy Detection Methods in Uncertain Environments

Tuesday, f1 Academic Lecture Hall, Speaker: maharaja singhkamal

Information Extraction from Infinite Data

Wednesday, f1 Academic Lecture Hall, Speaker: archmage abbottmusk

Research on Ultralight Porous Metals

Thursday, f1 Academic Lecture Hall, Speaker: Grand Master Liu Li

Space Compression Techniques Based on Fermat's Theorem

Friday, f1 Academic Lecture Hall, Speaker: Mage Daphnetate

He swallowed, the evening lectures for the next month would show all third years the career paths they could choose in the future. He stood at the crossroads of his life, his eyes bleary with fear, but unfortunately he couldn't read any of the road signs.

He finally decided to put down the tattered piece of paper, "Honestly, I recognize all the kanji in the title number of the book.

"I suggest you don't need to listen to the first one-Singh Kamala-at first listen, he's a ... is an Indian, and anyway, the English he speaks is certainly unintelligible to anyone who doesn't understand. So we've eliminated one option," said his roommate and best friend, Liu Xing, without looking up as he used the last bit of time before class to catch up on his mini-essay.

"Then we should prefer Mr. Liu Li's, at least he doesn't speak bird language," Roch said searchingly.

"But don't, I heard she's super strict. Besides, look at that subject, researching metals? You're definitely going to be stuck in a lab studying materials for the rest of your life. You can think about the fourth one, although I don't know what the hell Fermat's Theorem is either, but Space Compression Technology is probably the study of how to fit an elephant in a refrigerator," Liu Xing stopped his pen and said fervently.

Roach had been looking at the second one, "Information extraction based on infinite data, why should this stuff take effort to learn? I can use a computer, just google it."

"Not many mages would trust that," Liu Xing rubbed his nose and said somewhat vaguely. "You'd better not use that in front of others either."

Roch didn't say anything, he was too stressed and didn't have the time to argue with Liu Xing about racism anymore. He looked at the time, "It's fifteen minutes to two, I have to go to Ms. Liu Li's office," He thought about it and couldn't help but express the fear in his heart, "I've never been in her class and she doesn't know me, why on earth is she looking for me?"

Liu Xing gave him a sympathetic look, "Don't worry too much, buddy, honestly, it's not like you've done anything bad."

"I've already failed three classes," Luo Qi said in a self-loathing manner, "If I fail one more, I won't have to worry about what major to choose in the fourth year. That's probably why Mr. Liu was looking for me, I must have already failed my morning test."

Liu Xing was also a little worried, but he was still calm and said matter-of-factly, "If you dawdle any longer, you'll be late, and then Liu Li might strike you with lightning. I heard from the students at her academy that her nicknames are Thunder Duke and Electric Mother."

"Isn't Thunder Duke and Electric Mother two people?" asked Luo Qi, not quite believing it, his buddy had always been hairy and listened to other people's words in three, so his words were not very reliable.

"Probably double the strength," Liu Xing said unconcernedly, while he looked around secretly, seeing that no one in the classroom was paying attention, his face suddenly turned sharp, frowning resolutely at Luo Qi, "Don't think about all that nonsense, if you're really expelled from the Mage Sequence because you failed four classes, I can introduce you to hang out with my cousin. He graduated with a first-class magician's license, but didn't he go into the restaurant business after graduation? Now he has several Michelin stars in his hands, and he is still doing well on the other side, why do you have to be a magician? Why be a magician? What's the big deal if you can roll fireballs? My cousin doesn't have to rub his fingers to fry food, he uses an electronic lighter.

Roch didn't know what to say for a moment, and White licked his lips. He was eager to become a mage, but then he thought of that unfortunate test in the morning, and immediately lost all spirit. He knew that Liu Xing had good intentions, and his heart was also touched a little, so he patted Liu Xing's shoulder, vaguely thanked him, and went out.

This delay is a little late, Luo Qi hurried through the corridors of the classroom building, trying to take a shortcut to catch up with the time. Some of the classrooms had already started their exams at this time, and through a half-open door, he saw students inside taking a second-year math test, with some shifting numbers floating in the void in a very cool way. However, most of the candidates were still unwilling to make such an appearance, preferring to diligently pick up a pencil and calculate on paper.

Luo Qi no longer cared about envying those who were born with a brain power so strong that they could visualize and project their thoughts, his ability had been hovering between being like a mage and not quite a mage, there was little time to admire those lucky ones who were close to the Upper Indefinite Realm, the real problem he faced now was whether or not he could maintain his lower limit, or at least not be expelled from the school.

It was two o'clock when he ran into the last corridor, the end of which led into a lavish, nest-like, six-sided hall with a statue of a serpentine woman in the center and five identical offices hidden behind the walls. He glanced up at the office doorplates, the only numbers on the five doors.

Roach calmed down and looked at the time, he was already two minutes late, he calmed down and spent another minute unsuccessfully trying to remember exactly what number office the teacher had said. Three minutes later, he took the plunge, picked 2 as his lucky number, and knocked on the door.

The wooden door opened by itself, and Luo Qi excitedly thought that this was a good omen, indicating that there was indeed someone inside preparing to meet him. But there was no Ms. Liu Li in the room, only a young man sitting on the couch next to the desk, looking at him with a slight surprise.

"Sorry, sorry," Luo Qi said awkwardly in a hurry, "I'm sorry, I seem to be in the wrong ... place."

Before he could finish his words, the door to the suite behind the desk was suddenly pushed open. A middle-aged woman with a serious expression, holding a pile of documents in her hands, quickly walked out, glanced at Luo Qi, and impatiently ordered, "Cut the crap, Luo Qi, close the door, come in and sit down.

The man sitting on the sofa, look carefully is not much older than Luo Qi, is the temperament of a lot of calm, at first glance is not quite like a student. Luo Qi a butt next to him to sit down, the boy also turned his head to measure him, just so up and down swept him a glance at the face of suspicion, thin eyelids under the watery light comes with Biao Ni attribute.

Annoying! He chattered indignantly in his heart, not a good person at first glance.

"Mr. Liu." The man even opened his mouth first, sounding as if he was familiar with Archmage Liu Li, except that Luo Qi heard the slight annoyance in his tone, which was strange, he hadn't done anything yet!

"What class is he in? He's not a freshman, is he?"

Freshman your ass! Roach shifted unhappily on the couch, hiding the exaggerated rip in his torn jeans. How could he have predicted that a teacher would call him into the office today? He had always avoided teachers.

"Roch is a third grader," Liu Li sighed, her eyes wide behind her glasses as she gave the boy a slightly reproachful look. But Roch looked heartfelt; her reproach was like a mother proudly complaining about her capable older son.

Liu Li turned her face to look at him again, and the gaze that looked at him was much sharper, and Luo Qi tensed as soon as he touched it, unconsciously straightening his back, no longer daring to sit against the back of the sofa.

Liu Li didn't say anything for a while, just looked at him deeply, as if he was judging something. Roch tensed up again, if he was going to be expelled, it shouldn't be so bad that he had to come and tell him the news in front of others.

"You don't have enough credits to advance to the fourth class," Liu Li said succinctly.

Luo Qi's throat went dry and his heart sank.

"Therefore, I want you to make up the credits by participating in social practice during the holidays," Liu Li continued.

What? Luo Qi was shocked, he had never heard of this kind of remedy before, his hope was soaring, but his heart was weak and he was a bit speechless. The boy was attracted by his stupidity and turned his head to look at him with a cool expression.

"His name is Du Zheng Yi, you should have heard of him," the teacher said, probably noticing that he was staring stupidly at the senior, so he introduced him.

He was stunned for a moment, he had heard that name before. He couldn't help but take a closer look at the man, a bit darker in complexion, the man was thin, tall, and quite good looking. But the personality was not so good, he was so indebted under the eyes of the Archmage. But it turned out that this person was Du Zheng Yi ah, Luo Qi had really heard of him and was very somewhat emotional.

The general public only knows that this person is a school bully, in fact, this person had once done an extraordinary thing in the fourth grade, not many people know about it. However, when he was seriously injured and hospitalized, he stayed in the hospital where Luo Qi's parents were, and his matter was taken as an excellent case by Luo Qi's parents, and they talked about it over and over again at the dinner table, which was a good example of "other people's children". Luo Qi secretly sighed, with the shadow of their own growing up have the honor of sitting on the same couch, the pressure is really not great in general.

However, Luo Qi followed and counted the time, Du Zhengyi was supposed to be in the seventh grade this year, and there was still a month left before he graduated. Why is he still hanging around here? He should either be writing his thesis or looking for a job. But the thought of a turn he hated to knock himself a ruler - now can not really gossip about other people's time, this has been the fire is still distracted, now the most important thing is not to ensure that he will not be expelled? He'd never heard of a social practice as a way to make up credits. However, affected by the neighbors are not moving in the innovation of influence, recently a lot of great masters are also mentioned in the innovation of development, may be from this year to increase the practice of the project.

When he thought about it, he felt so lucky that he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding, and looked at the teacher with bated breath, hoping that she could tell him more about what he had to do to complete the social practice and keep his credits.

Liu Li motioned for Luo Qi to go over and take one of the file bags on her desk, and he stood up in a panic to take it. Just as he was about to open it and take a look, Liu Li opened her mouth to speak again, so he had to suppress his curiosity and raise his head to wait for the Master Teacher's command.

"You're in the same group as Du Zhengyi, and you'll be doing social research. The subject of the research is non-masters, and the title is "Analysis of the Authenticity of Human Communities Based on Paranormal Sighting Reports. The specific analysis method, research area and other relevant information are already in Du Zhengyi's hands, your main task is to be his assistant," Liu Li said concisely and clearly, her tone was calm without staccato, her language highly condensed, completely academic.

She paused here and looked at Luo Qi, as if to see if Luo Qi could digest the information. Immediately, Roach raised his hand high in the air, and she sighed and nodded at him, "What is it you don't understand?"

"I think," Roach said eloquently, "that the title of the research should be narrowed down a bit, it could be changed to 'The Son's Not a Word,' which is both simple and appropriate," he paused and added, "And writing.

Now not only Mr. Liu Li, even Du Zhengyi next to him turned to look at him carefully, he got the attention interest rose and continued to speak freely, "I have always thought that Confucius might just be a great magician who hid his identity, and his phrase "Zi Bu Bu Qi Qiu Chaos God" has allowed us to live peacefully on this piece of land for thousands of years, and there has never been a Salem tragedy on our continent.I think Confucius deserves a lot of credit for that.

Liu Li nodded and looked at him blankly, "So it looks like you heard what you were told. Now that you mention it, go ahead and write a historical paper on the study of Confucius, with your own perspective, and give it to me next month, forty pages."

Roach froze for a moment and began to look Liu Li's nickname, Thunder Goddess, straight in the face.

There was a snort in his ear, it was Du Zheng Yi. "Why does this bear child look familiar to me?"

Roch glared at him, the difference in their ages was only between three and four years, who could be much more of a bear than who? Besides, what's all this eye candy bullshit? It's not like hitching a ride with a girl in the cafeteria.

Who knows that Du Zheng Yi then said to Liu Li, "I think it's more efficient to find a social studies or history major to help. I recommend a history major from the same year as me, her professionalism is very good and more suitable for this social research."

Luo Qi's chest tightened immediately, regretting that he had just said so much nonsense in a moment of complacency, he might have messed things up again, why he just couldn't control his broken mouth. Liu Li really sulked for a moment, and Roch's throat tightened. In retrospect, he thought that this must have been the most important minute of his life, and yet he was like a stupid seal, completely frozen on the beach floor, unable to even save himself. In the end, it was Archmage Liu Li himself who reinforced his conviction that he didn't know where he came from and shook his head in Du Zheng Yi's direction.

Du Zheng Yi sighed, not caring that the person in question was right next to him, and asked a direct question, "Which of his abilities has a higher standard deviation?

Surprisingly, Liu Li didn't answer, Luo Qi looked at her curiously, in fact, he also wanted to know what hidden yet outstanding merits he had that allowed him to be chosen by the Archmage. But Liu Li pursed her lips tightly, as if to stop herself from speaking, as if what she was about to say was very much against her personal wishes. He had only seen people like that once before, when they were very shy about what they wanted to say. His mind jerked again, was it because he was particularly handsome? Good-looking enough to be popular with both young and old?

Luo Qi glanced curiously at the pretentious party next to him and noticed that he was also watching Teacher Liu Li with interest.

When Luo Qi turned his head to look at their teacher, the highly respected Archmage whose true age was several times unrecognizable exhaled, and Luo Qi suddenly suspected that her emotions were broken at that moment. Then she uttered a sentence that made him blush so much that he couldn't forget it for many years to come, "According to observation, his L-value is far above average.

He looked at his teacher in disbelief and awkwardly at the kid next door, whose eyes were glazed over.

"L-value means lucky value," Liu Li took out the tone of a lecture and said to Du Zhengyi.

"I know," Du Zhengyi picked up indifferently, he was probably too shocked to care about being polite, "I know it doesn't mean LOVELY value even if you look at it like that."

Roach burst into a dark fire.

Du Zhengyi continued, "Luck is a roll of the dice, everyone has a chance to have a large number of points, but as long as it is rolled over and over again, the probability will end up being about the same for everyone. There may be some calculating magicians who believe that luck is also a direction of research, but I don't believe in that theory. Believing in luck is like believing in fatalism, and I didn't get my education to go to a stall in a marketplace.

Liu Li looked at Du Zhengyi in silence, feeling the pressure of the silence, and finally closed his mouth.

"I don't believe it either," Liu Li said slowly, "but there are always some people who have relatively good luck within the observable range. Luck is something that no theory can explain, but it is often measurable." After saying this, she looked deeply at Roch, who avoided her gaze in embarrassment.

Du Zhengyi wanted to say something, but finally, very reluctantly, he said, "The more magic develops, the more rigorous it becomes," a kind of plausible sentence of obedience to the teacher.

Luo Qi disagreed with this statement, he felt that human science was the more rigorous, but he kept his mouth shut this time. Who knew that Du Zheng Yi suddenly turned his head again and looked at him searchingly, and he began to get a slightly bad feeling.

Du Zheng Yi suddenly came to a realization, "Ouch, I remember who you are! You're the idiot who made a thundercloud over his head on the playground this morning! You failed the test in the Weather Control Laboratory class, didn't you?"

Shit! Roach said in his heart, he had never seen anyone more annoying than him.

The information is spread flat on Roach's desk in the dormitory, from the photos to the introduction looks bland, Roach quickly lost interest. He reckoned that the social investigation of this can not say how difficult, at best is considered trivial, not to mention that the main attack or that teenager Du Zhengyi, all he has to do is play a hand, to put it bluntly, is a follower, listen to the command on it.

Liu Xing is very interested, has been at his table side to look over and over these materials he brought back, the photos lined up and lined up. Luo Qi and Liu Xing have always had no secrets from each other, and as soon as he returned from the teacher's office, he eagerly told Liu Xing the whole story. Liu Xing's interest was even higher than Luo Qi's, and he asked him over and over again, letting him tell the story many times, until Luo Qi really couldn't pour out anything new before giving up, after which Liu Xing studied these materials.

He watched with a lack of interest as Liu Xing compulsively rearranged the information once again, and finally turned around with the intention of talking to him, knowing that the opening of his mouth would be: "This isn't right!

"Boss, if you can see what's wrong just by sitting in your dorm room, can I just write a report without having to go to the field for research?" replied Luo Qi with little spirit.

"No, I can understand the target event of this research. Every once in a while, some two-five-eyes will use their powers and be witnessed by humans, and after that, some so-called paranormal sighting reports will appear, except that humans are always particularly fond of lying and making a spectacle of themselves, so such sighting reports are always true or false, to say the least. Standing in a magician's perspective and studying human society's reaction to such things is surely a boring thing that some academic schools are willing to do," Liu Xing said with a thoughtful look, looking a bit like he usually did when he was doing strategic analysis for a game, "But why did you two have to be chosen to participate in this research project?"

Luo Qi was startled and a little hesitant. He hadn't told Liu Xing the reason why he was chosen, that was just a bit unmentionable. He hesitated for a moment and looked around, "Because I'm the only third-year student who might not make it to the fourth year, and I desperately need credits?"

Liu Xing shook his head, "Of course, I know that you have the motivation to participate in this social investigation practice, I mean, why would Du Zhengyi want to get involved in this at this time? He's known to be a good student, he doesn't need any extra credits at all, besides, he's about to graduate, so what's the point of participating in a social practice?"

It turned out that he wasn't asked why he was chosen, so Luo Qi was relieved. But then he realized what Liu Xing meant, he was too nervous and only thought about his own problems, and now after Liu Xing mentioned it, he remembered Du Zhengyi again. In fact, Du Zhengyi's achievements and resume are there, he must have a lot of choices after graduation, and there are even some very promising choices, there is no need for him to come at this time to pull this light.

Liu Xing ignored his retrospect and thought, "I think there must be something here, maybe it's a good thing, otherwise he definitely wouldn't have left. Tomorrow is the last day of the exam, right? Then you'll have to go to the other side with him the day after tomorrow at the earliest."

Luo Qi's attention was distracted again, he wanted to laugh every time he heard Liu Xing say the word "the other side", this was quite an old saying, Liu Xing was raised by his grandparents, and from time to time he would accidentally say something old.

The other side in the old saying was the world of ordinary people. They also lived in the world of the Other Side, but for humans, they didn't exist, maybe they only existed in the distant legends of humans or in children's stories.