First University of Truth has recently seen a new topic emerge, a topic that revolves around one person.
Bai Luan.
And the reason Bai Luan became the center of attention was because of his actions.
He registered for all fifty-two courses offered by Professor Ratio!
Students not from First University of Truth might not understand how crazy this is, but if you are a student of First University of Truth, upon hearing this news, who could resist calling him a brave warrior?
But that's not the most outrageous part; the most outrageous part is that for courses normal people would struggle to even understand, this Bai Luan consistently performs exceptionally well!
This brings us to the second incredible thing Bai Luan did—he showed them Professor Ratio giving extra credit!
And he kept adding and adding and adding until it was tiresome!
He was like that model student who always eagerly answered every question the teacher asked.
Just like…
They were before entering this university.
Although after entering university, they discovered they were merely one among the masses, and had to accept that they weren't actually geniuses.
But someone resisted reality, used undeniable talent to subdue every challenge, and cemented the title of 'genius' upon himself.
Even if his teacher was Professor Ratio, and the teaching difficulty was absurd!
But I really am a genius!
No matter what kind of test! Bring it on! I'll take it! And I won't just pass! I'll find the optimal solution!
Many people treated Bai Luan's life as a substitute.
This guy lives out a thrilling web novel plot every day!
In short, that's how it was; Bai Luan gained indescribable popularity at this university, with people discussing him wherever he went.
This forced Bai Luan to wear a cyber mask when going out in public, using this slightly strange mask to hide his true identity.
Otherwise, he would be recognized and surrounded as soon as he stepped out.
He was different from Ratio; Ratio was like a Sunfire Cape, exuding an aura that would burn anyone who got too close.
Bai Luan, on the other hand, was much kinder.
After Bai Luan's outstanding performance in Ratio's class, naturally, many who didn't understand came to ask Bai Luan for guidance.
And Bai Luan never refused such requests, even dedicating a lot of time to them.
Ratio even criticized him for this, telling him not to let it hinder his own progress.
But later, when he realized that even with Bai Luan doing this, it wouldn't hinder him, he stopped caring.
A genius, after all, can do whatever he wants.
Bai Luan's easygoing demeanor, coupled with the fact that this was, after all, a university, home to the world's most clear-eyed creatures—university students.
So Bai Luan was like a mobile attraction; wherever he went, people would come up to 'check in' with him.
And Bai Luan chose to wear a mask not because he disliked these people; they were actually very polite, but the frequency was simply too high, affecting his daily life.
Fortunately, First University of Truth had no special dress code, allowing Bai Luan to dress this way.
However, a guy running up to ask Bai Luan for the purchase link to his mask really made Bai Luan lose his composure…
The class bell rang, signaling the end of today's lesson.
"Class dismissed."
Ratio put down the chalk in his hand, then glanced at the other students who were eager to move, adding:
"This room will be used for another class soon, so don't linger too long and disrupt others' lessons."
"Understood."
As soon as Ratio left the classroom, the surrounding students swarmed over, scrambling to get in front of Bai Luan, eagerly asking their questions.
If they didn't understand the content Ratio taught in class, there was a 'post-sales service' here, and that was Bai Luan.
Father's courses were usually elimination-based; those who failed too many times would be advised to withdraw.
Those who relied on family influence to get by, like Rosen, would be picked up by Professor Ratio like a little chick and thrown out of the classroom.
Besides these two types, there were also students who couldn't handle the pressure and chose to withdraw themselves.
Of course, more were forced to withdraw.
After graduation, if you wrote on your resume:
"Completed all credit hours in Professor Ratio's courses and passed the final exam."
Then the interviewer would look at you with high regard.
To avoid being eliminated, these people all gathered around to ask Bai Luan questions.
Bai Luan was quite happy to answer; he treated it as a test for himself.
Being able to clarify doubts for others was also one of the qualities a genius should possess.
All sorts of difficult problems continuously came to Bai Luan, only to be casually solved by him and returned as easy-to-understand answers.
Not long after, only one person remained.
But what she brought was not a difficult problem, but a request.
Bai Luan looked at the notebook in front of him, then raised his head to look at the girl:
"You want my autograph?"
The plain-looking girl named Lin Lin nodded.
"Although you've taught me so much and spent so much time, I still can't keep up. If I fail again next time, I'll be advised to withdraw."
She took a deep breath, then said:
"I thought about it for a long time and decided to withdraw myself. I've tried my best, and the result is still the same.
Now I'm constantly anxious. If this continues, I'll break down before my studies do."
"Not going to persevere a little longer?"
Bai Luan actually cared a lot about this girl, but not out of romantic interest; rather, she was very much like Bai Luan.
Like himself before he met the system.
Extremely diligent, almost doing everything he could.
Even his most critical self couldn't say anything more about his efforts.
But even with such effort, the final results were not satisfactory.
Struggling at the pass line, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
The difficult part wasn't putting in the effort, but that firm heart, believing one could reach the end.
Without such a heart, one couldn't maintain such intense effort. Once one relaxed, the struggle that was barely maintained would collapse like an avalanche.
She wasn't the first person Bai Luan had 'seen off,' and she probably wouldn't be the last.
But Bai Luan still didn't want such a person to be eliminated.
"No, I've already figured it out. I want to live a life I'm interested in."
"Already found your direction?"
"Yes! I want to photograph small animals!"
At the mention of this, Lin Lin's eyes filled with light!
Looking at the determined Lin Lin in front of him, Bai Luan showed a smile.
She had already come to terms with it herself; if he tried to persuade her further, he would just be pestering her.
Lin Lin was indeed like himself without a system, but also stronger than himself without a system; she had figured things out on her own.
Bai Luan opened her notebook and said:
"Can I leave a message for you?"
Lin Lin said with a hint of nervousness:
"Of course, please do!"
Bai Luan smiled, then picked up his pen and wrote in the notebook:
"Life has dreams, each pursuing their own path. I wish you good luck."
After this message, Bai Luan added another line:
"Left by Bai Luan."
Lin Lin, satisfied, took back her notebook and hugged it to her chest.
"Thank you, I didn't expect the first person to support me to be you, not my parents. Thank you for helping me so much."
"It seems you still have many challenges to face. Keep it up."
"Yes, this time, I won't lose!"
She looked at Bai Luan, her gaze behind her glasses complex:
"This farewell… we probably won't see each other again in this lifetime, will we?"
"Who knows?"
Bai Luan's gaze drifted to the cold metal buildings outside the window.
"Who can say for sure about life?"
"That's… a romantic way of putting it."
Lin Lin chuckled softly, with a bitter sense of relief.
"Unfortunately, reality… is often not as romantic as stories."
She paused, her gaze refocusing on Bai Luan's face, with a sense of ritual almost like a farewell:
"Goodbye, Bai Luan.
Someone like you must be the protagonist of this world, right? Once… I also thought I was someone like you."
Her voice was very soft, as if stating a distant fact.
Bai Luan's heart stirred slightly, and just as he was thinking of how to comfort her, Lin Lin had already lifted her face, and that spark of hope reignited in her eyes:
"But even if I'm not the protagonist—
I will write my own story!"
Bai Luan was slightly taken aback.
He looked at the somewhat plain girl in front of him, at the stubborn light emerging from her eyes, and a genuine, appreciative smile blossomed on his face.
"There's no such thing as a 'protagonist of the world,'"
His voice was clear, like proclaiming a truth.
"Everyone is the sole writer of their own life's river."
He paused, looking directly at Lin Lin:
"So—
Go write a story that even you find exciting!"
"Yes!"
Lin Lin nodded vigorously, her smile radiant.
She hugged the notebook, which carried both farewell and anticipation, and turned to run towards the classroom door.
Her braid behind her, with her movements, drew a vibrant arc in the light and shadow.
The door opened, and the light from the corridor poured in.
Her figure, along with her bouncing braid, merged into that halo of light.
And at the same time, ran out of Bai Luan's current storyline.