Chapter Eighteen: Enrollment Part Two

“If you can’t break free, does that mean you’ll be controlled by others? What an eye-opening first lesson!”
Once connected with the bracelet, it could manipulate the wearer—vision, hearing, touch, and even force the body to act against one's will, all while fully conscious.
These little guides withheld nothing, explaining everything to Lando in meticulous detail.
“It seems the Academy intends this. Can I disconnect?” Lando asked, his anger gradually fading.
“Yes. Statistically, the learning efficiency of disconnected students is only 13.5% of those connected. Would you like to disconnect?”
“…No! Is this the second lesson? If you can’t escape manipulation for now, then you should use the resources at hand to improve yourself as much as possible?”
As he walked, Lando continued, “I’d like to study knowledge related to intelligent cores. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Searching. Your records have been uploaded from the terminal. Since you currently have no foundation, it’s recommended to start with ‘Intelligent Core Fundamentals Q&A,’ ‘Exploring Mechanical Intelligence—Basic Edition,’ ‘How to Make a Simple Intelligent Core,’ and ‘Basics of Rune Language.’”
“Can you know my thoughts?” Lando suddenly asked.
“No, unless specially modified. Otherwise, only third-stage arcanists can easily connect their minds to intelligent cores. Warning: The Academy strictly forbids such modifications on students.”
“Only forbidden for students?” Lando asked quietly.
“Yes. Every student is a treasure of the Silver Tower. Protecting you is the Tower’s responsibility.”
“…”
The gentle and tranquil Academy suddenly seemed much more ruthless from Lando’s perspective.
He spent quite some time reaching the dormitories provided by the Academy—a row upon row of neatly arranged villas.
“Your dormitory is Number 27, Row 5, District 9.”
Following the guide’s instructions, Lando arrived at his door, placed his hand on the screen, and a beam of light swept across; the door opened automatically.
“Welcome, Student Lando. Intelligent core Xiao Bai requests access. Do you permit?” An electronic voice greeted him as he entered.
Simultaneously, Xiao Bai spoke up, “Access to dormitory system control program has been requested…”
Lando didn’t answer, but instead asked, “Does the dormitory have an intelligent core?”

“The dormitory only has a system control program, for managing the facilities.”
“Allow access.”
“Accessing… Access successful. Initiating reboot and self-check of dormitory facilities…”
Windows opened and closed in succession; curtains drew and undrew; fridge, water dispenser, lighting, and various appliances cycled on and off. A door to a small compartment at the entryway opened, and a mechanical golem stepped out.
“Household golem 9527 reporting for duty!”
“9527?”
“That’s its serial number, corresponding to your dormitory number. Every dorm has one, equipped with basic intelligence. You can order it directly, or through me,” Xiao Bai explained at just the right moment.
“How do I view those books you mentioned?”
“Just enter virtual learning mode.”
“What are we waiting for, then? Let’s begin!”
“Your body is detected to be in a state of hunger. A hearty meal will benefit your studies. Would you like to enter virtual learning mode now?”
“…Let’s eat first,” Lando muttered, collapsing onto the sofa, already doubting his own existence.
Receiving the command, 9527 busied itself in the kitchen, while Xiao Bai continued, “Lando, new students have a mandatory course. Shall I deliver it?”
“A mandatory course? Deliver it!”
“Data transmission in progress. Transmission complete. ‘Detailed Guide to the Standard Arcane Furnace, Latest Edition,’ ‘Furnace and Elements,’ and ‘Compiled Improvements to the Arcane Furnace’ have been recorded. They can be accessed in virtual learning mode. Warning: These are foundational textbooks authored by the Arcane Empire. Private sharing or discussion is strictly prohibited.”
“Reminder: Forging an arcane furnace and an intelligent core requires ‘Basic Elemental Meditation.’”
“Reminder: In three days, Lecturer Moritz will hold a public class, ‘Speculations on the Structure and Appearance of the Arcane Furnace and Its Attraction to Elements,’ which will cover some basic knowledge of arcane furnaces. Would you like to register?”
“Register.”
“Registering… Registration successful. Your seat is… Please do not be late.”
At that moment, 9527 brought out the dishes, none of which Lando recognized.

His vision automatically labeled the food with ingredients, fruit varieties, caloric content, and more.
“How considerate you are, Xiao Bai!” Lando said through gritted teeth.
“Serving you is my honor.”
“…”
……
“…Teacher, that’s what happened.”
Carter now stood respectfully behind a young man watering flowers in the garden, reporting the situation.
“You did well. Now that you’re back early, lay low for a while,” the young man said, setting down his watering can and turning to Carter.
“Yes, Teacher. What about Lando…” Carter asked carefully.
“That boy? Mesut was right. The highest-level assessment will wait until he ignites his furnace. But since he’s suspected to have a purple aptitude, we must not neglect our attention and guidance. I’ll entrust this matter to Moritz. He’s been exploring various furnace concepts for years, with a free and imaginative mind. He’ll be the perfect mentor for the little one’s introduction.”
“Yes.”
Seeing his teacher had no intention of instructing Lando personally, Carter felt disappointed, but upon reflection, it was understandable. After all, his teacher was at the pinnacle of arcanists, once a legendary figure of the Silver Tower. The only reason he hadn’t advanced to Legendary was his pursuit to challenge the Grand Arcanist—Otto Bugart!
……
The following half-year passed in a whirlwind of knowledge for Lando.
At first, he was eager to create his own intelligent core to escape Xiao Bai’s ‘control,’ but soon realized how naïve his idea was. To forge an intelligent core, one needed to master basic runes, rune arrays, rune language, and many other disciplines—not something to learn in a short time, let alone apply to create a personal intelligent core.
Basic Elemental Meditation was the primary method for manipulating elements before establishing an arcane furnace; novice arcanists used it to gather and control elements.
Though deemed ‘basic,’ if placed in the era of ancient mages, it would be a divine meditation technique.
The Arcane Empire had collected countless meditation methods, distilled and refined them, producing a technique suitable for nearly any intelligent being. For arcanists, however, its use was limited to entry-level training.
Through diligent practice, Lando was drawing ever closer to the first stage of forging an arcane furnace—the Node.