Chapter 123: First, Let’s Take a Look at an Analysis Report on Strength
“Yes… yes…”
I awkwardly scratched my head. I had some issues with my previous expression, and being asked to speak about such matters suddenly made me nervous and incoherent.
“This is truly an expected answer, but it’s a bit too ambitious for you.” After hearing my affirmative response, Teacher Ji was not very surprised, but her comment about it being too ambitious hit me hard.
Could it be that I had taken too big a step?
“However, I agree with this topic.” Teacher Ji then turned around and candidly explained her reasons for doing so.
“After all, you should know why I chose you to join my group. You are a new student who has never been in contact with the extraordinary. This is a long nurturing process, but I can wait. The first step requires you to completely master your spirit vision.”
“…Okay.”
I nodded in agreement. I wasn’t very surprised by Teacher Ji’s response, just a bit taken aback by her directness. Since she was straightforward with me, I didn’t want to be polite with her.
I hesitated for a moment and accepted this fact.
“I like your directness. Indeed, being an Innate Spirit Vision User sets you apart from others.”
Teacher Ji was quite satisfied with my attitude, and of course, the compliment was strategic since I didn’t seem to have any abilities that a remarkable witch would value much.
Moreover, just yesterday she had said I was hesitating. Now she had changed her tone, and I could naturally tell she was being insincere.
“Now, let’s begin with the initial test.” As she spoke, Teacher Ji’s hand moved towards her chest, and soon, a mass of red energy appeared in her hand.
I didn’t even need to use spirit vision to see this magical scene.
This thing looked familiar; I had seen it more than once.
Because it was a spellbook.
And it was a freshly extracted spellbook, still warm, right from Teacher Ji’s body!
“Xiao Han, you should be familiar with this, right?”
“Uh-huh, the spellbook.” I nodded.
But I wasn’t sure what Teacher Ji meant.
Did she want to give this spellbook to me?
Or were we starting the analysis of the spellbook now?
But I remembered that the spellbook would slowly dissipate if taken out alone, right? Without a medium, the spell would self-destruct or something like that.
“Indeed, this is a spellbook, a culmination of spell application. Its birth simplifies the intricate learning and casting of spells… Of course, it also somewhat restricts the application and extension of spells.”
“But overall, it is a beneficial item that outweighs its drawbacks. It is also a more efficient form than simply recording a spell in books.”
As Teacher Ji spoke, she moved to a nearby experimental platform. She placed her hand on the transparent surface, and soon, waves of energy surged, bright-colored dots of light rose from the tabletop.
This energy was familiar to me; it was the fluctuation of earth vein energy!
Although I hadn’t specifically studied earth vein-related subjects, I had actually come into contact with earth vein energy many times, so I couldn’t possibly forget it.
It seemed this experimental platform was also an alchemical item capable of freely utilizing earth vein energy?
The earth vein energy formed a translucent panel at Teacher Ji’s beckoning.
Clearly, this conspicuous artificially designed panel with boundary patterns and its UI design was the basic function of this experimental platform, rather than something created solely by Teacher Ji’s abilities.
At this moment, Teacher Ji held the spellbook in one hand and placed the glowing mass in the center of the panel.
The spellbook was supported by this illusory panel, and from the perspective of spirit vision, the earth vein energy surrounded the spellbook, keeping it suspended in the air.
After being surrounded by earth vein energy, the spellbook’s dispersing internal energy trend was suppressed, as if it had found a medium.
“Curious about what I’m going to do?” Teacher Ji turned around and looked at me with a smile.
“Are we going to study this spell?”
“You’re close, but our progress isn’t that fast. After all, we first need to confirm one thing.” While she spoke, her gaze fixed on me, making her intention obvious, “That is, to what extent your spirit vision can reach.”
“Uh… what should I do?” I felt a chill under Teacher Ji’s piercing gaze but dared to ask softly.
“Very simple, use your spirit vision to observe the spellbook directly, then write an analysis report for me. There’s no limit on word count or format; just record what you see, and if you can’t describe it, draw it. A combination of text and images will work.”
“Ah?”
I widened my eyes in shock. She wanted me to write a report right away? An analysis report?
Although there were no limitations on word count and format, was this something I could actually do?
After a brief moment of self-doubt, I calmed down. It was just an analysis report after all; this was an opportunity to showcase my value to Teacher Ji. Only by demonstrating sufficient value could I receive equitable treatment!
How could I shrink back from something like this?
However… the only issue was that I didn’t know how to describe the perspective I saw with spirit vision in words.
“What’s wrong? Afraid?” Teacher Ji slightly furrowed her brows, and it was evident that she was somewhat displeased with my tone. After all, thinking about backing out before even starting was not a good sign.
“No, I will complete it well!”
I lowered my head, my tone firm. I knew that my earlier “ah?” had left a poor impression on Teacher Ji. If I didn’t express my determination now, the path ahead would be even more difficult.
“That’s more like it.”
Teacher Ji showed a satisfied expression. She didn’t wish for her subordinates to be the kind to shrink back when faced with difficulties, no matter how bright their talents were; she wouldn’t even give them a glance.
To Teacher Ji, Xiao Han was still an unshaped gem, and she was confident she could polish her. She just hoped that this hopeful raw jade was not a rotten wood; otherwise, it would only dirty her own hands.
“Today, just stay here and write the analysis report. Generally, no one will disturb you here. During this time, I will acquire some basic experimental tools for you. I look forward to the report you give me.” After finishing, Teacher Ji prepared to turn and leave.
“Hey! Teacher, there’s no paper and pen here.”
“That is indeed a problem…” Teacher Ji paused for a moment and then walked over to the side of the experimental platform.
“If possible, you should also try to learn to use all the various devices here. This experimental platform is equipped with a comprehensive system powered by earth veins. The specific principle is quite complex, but you can think of it as a computer driven by earth vein energy.” As Teacher Ji explained, a translucent screen appeared on the experimental platform.
It did resemble a computer, and this was even manual control, more advanced and cooler than a touchscreen.
“Just write on this log. I will view it here and analyze your report.” Once Teacher Ji had it set up, she pointed to the blank screen, saying, “Xiao Han, this should not be hard for someone your age, full of curiosity, to explore by yourself, right?”
“Not hard.”
I stared intensely at the light screen, eager to try my hand at it.
“That reassures me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, or search directly on your phone. The academy system provides a data library search function, and you can even find information on how to use the Earth Vein Operating System on this research platform. Now… I will take my leave.”
“Uh-huh, take care, Teacher.” I said, lowering my head.
However, I hadn’t expected that the academy system would actually have such a feature to search for questions.
Isn’t that just like the search sites outside?
If only I had known this earlier, I could have searched for so many things using this feature. I could directly search for what I didn’t understand—how wonderful!
For now, I put that thought aside. What I needed most was to complete the analysis report that Teacher Ji required.
And I had to explore how to use the Earth Vein Operating System within the limited time.
I first approached the glowing log screen that was already open. From the perspective of spirit vision, this screen was composed of earth vein energy.
As my hand reached out, I felt a “link” sensation as the earth vein energy interacted with my hand.
With my hand moving, the screen began to adjust its position. After several attempts, I gradually became familiar with some of the techniques and had a general idea of how to manipulate the information on the screen, and I explored how to input text, and so on.
Although the operation was much more complex than playing with a phone, once accustomed, I found that this method of control was quite well-suited for complicated working environments.
This research platform was essentially a multifunctional desktop! I wish I could also have one in the dormitory; it was much more interesting than a computer, although… it seemed I couldn’t install games or anything.
But what’s so fun about games?
As long as the operation looks cool, that’s enough!
After putting down the Earth Vein Operating System, I approached the spellbook.
To be honest, while familiarizing myself with the Earth Vein System earlier, I had been suppressing my curiosity about this spellbook, as I needed to do things one at a time, and important matters had to be started only after all preparations were complete.
Now that I was familiar with the Earth Vein System, I could start observing this spellbook and directly record any discoveries in the log.
I gestured towards the light screen of the research platform, and it floated towards me. This was the application that I had just discovered; the screen following me was a surprise, allowing for even more convenient operation.
My gaze shifted to the spellbook in front of me once again.
I had previously observed the spellbook carefully, but I hadn’t delved deep, as doing so would come with a considerable cost—it would unwittingly draw me into the perspective of spirit vision, exposing me to far too much information that my brain could not comprehend.
The end result would be a splitting headache for the entire day, and that was a good outcome!
Now things were different. I had been cautious before, but now I could look as boldly as I wanted.
This was not only because I inadvertently improved my control over spirit vision during meditation with Tan Han but also because if I encountered any danger due to using spirit vision, Teacher Ji would be right there; she should be able to notice in time… well… probably…
In any case, I needed to master this ability now. I closed my eyes, and when I reopened them, the world before me had changed.
Even the spellbook in front of me no longer seemed as mysterious or unknown as before.
This was my active engagement, delving into the information provided by spirit vision. The shock it delivered was even more terrifying than I had imagined, but I slowly adapted.
My hands rested on the edge of the platform, my gaze fixed on the spellbook. At this moment, the overwhelming information feedback was causing my vision to become somewhat “blurred,” but I was working hard to unravel it.
The outer layer of the spellbook was wrapped in a layer of energy, while the inside was filled with a terrifyingly complex, highly integrated structure.
At this point, I realized that if I did not possess the corresponding understanding, I could only describe the simplest information and would be unable to elaborate on the operational structure inside—even if I could clearly see the connections within that structure.
After persisting a bit longer, I pressed my right hand to my forehead and then slowly moved it to my eyes. Enduring the information feedback from spirit vision was unbearable, even if it had only lasted a short time.
I then plopped down onto the ground, thankful that I had cleaned the floor beforehand.
Leaning against the side of the platform, the Earth Vein System’s light screen followed me closely, which made it convenient.
I needed to quickly record all the content I had just seen. I could sense that the information was too complex, and if I didn’t write it down quickly, my brain would forcibly forget all that information in a self-protective manner.
As I hurriedly recorded the fragmented information in the log, it quickly filled up with text.
Though it was scattered and even incoherent, this was merely a quick recording method for me, a keyword recording approach.
Writing down as much information as possible in the fastest way.
Then, in a second round, I would supplement the complete memory according to the remaining recollections combined with keywords.
Fortunately, the log had an information sorting function. After completing the sorting, the initial observation records for the analysis report were almost finished.
I just needed to resolve some issues with sentence order and segmentation, and it would serve as a beginning to what I considered a perfect report.
But at this point, I also felt the limitation of language; the feedback from the information far exceeded what language could express.
Teacher Ji had asked me to combine images and text, which didn’t seem to be a burden but rather a way to provide me with insight to express more of what I had seen.
However, even with a combination of images and text, the limitations of language and pictures were still significant.
Thankfully, there was a simple operation method for image creation, which was the ability for physical modeling and 2D export. This made creating models in a real three-dimensional operational system even simpler, reaching a level of almost foolproof operation.
“Hmm? What’s wrong? Starting to slack off?”
Just as I was taking a break, a voice came in, startling me; it was Teacher Ji’s voice!
Oh no, I had been caught slacking off, but I was just trying to adjust myself for the next deep spirit vision observation!
“N-No, it’s just that using spirit vision is very taxing…” I quickly explained.
“Oh? So taxing? Let’s see what you’ve accomplished.” A hint of surprise flashed in Teacher Ji’s eyes as she walked over to me. Stretching out her hand, the light screen in front of me floated to her.
“Uh… I haven’t…”
“I know, I just came over to see how you’re progressing.” Teacher Ji interrupted me with a smile and then focused entirely on my records. “Hmm… Quite surprising. Aside from a lack of verbal expression ability, it seems there’s nothing wrong. Wait… you even completed the modeling construction of the spellbook’s energy shell? You even marked the internal energy?”
“Uh… I haven’t finished that modeling yet…” I explained quietly.
“You can see even more things?” Teacher Ji lifted her head to look at me again.
“Yes… but… I don’t know how to verbally express it, and drawing or modeling seems unable to perfectly convey the information I received through spirit vision…”
“Is that so? That’s normal.” Teacher Ji reflected for a moment before offering some comfort, her tone becoming gentler.
It seemed she was quite satisfied with my performance.
“So… what should we do? Those pieces of information can no longer be recorded with words or images. If they can’t be recorded, then those pieces of information have no meaning.”
“This is indeed a problem, but there are some pieces of information that you can’t solve at this moment. Some information simply can’t be expressed in ordinary language; language is a carrier of information but not the only carrier.”
Teacher Ji slid the light screen to the side. “I presume you’re currently unable to understand much of the information that spirit vision brings, right?”
“Yes.” I nodded immediately.
“This is the limitation of cognition. Information is information; cognition is cognition. Life cannot imagine things it has never seen. Without comparison, information cannot be transformed into something life can understand.”
While Teacher Ji spoke, she walked towards the door. “But don’t worry about this right now. We’ll talk again in the afternoon. I promised to treat you to lunch, so let’s go.”
“Ah? Is it already… noon?” I instinctively checked my phone for the time and was shocked to discover how quickly time had passed!
“Yes. If we don’t have a good lunch, we won’t have the energy for the afternoon. Let’s go～”
