The review meeting lasted for over four hours, during which Zhang Ye answered numerous questions. However, toward the end, a subtle shift had occurred in the atmosphere.
At first, the researchers and scholar mentors from various fields had asked Zhang Ye questions with an attitude of skepticism toward his theoretical knowledge.
But as Zhang Ye repeatedly delivered near-perfect and advanced answers, everyone present was left in awe.
Gradually, the skeptical inquiries transformed into questions driven by a desire to learn.
It was just like students raising their hands to ask a teacher questions.
The review meeting meant for Zhang Ye had quietly turned into his personal open lecture, and the audience—whether researchers from various fields or scholar mentors—had all become his students.
Even leading figures of the academic world, like Pedro, began to engage in lively and fascinating intellectual exchanges with Zhang Ye.
Everything had changed.
Lina and the others looked at each other in bewilderment before bursting into helpless laughter.
Clearly, their worries had been entirely unnecessary.
“Academician Zhang Ye, I am researching a wind magic propulsion magic device, but I’ve run into an issue with the drive magic set. Could you help explain it to me?” a researcher said respectfully as he walked up to the stage holding a magic set.
He addressed Zhang Ye as “Academician,” a title full of academic honor. Logically, using it on a freshman was highly inappropriate, but at this moment, not a single person spoke up to correct him. In fact, they all felt it was only right.
The vast wealth of knowledge Zhang Ye displayed had already surpassed too many people present.
It was not just in a single field, but across multiple domains. Moreover, his ability to integrate knowledge from various fields to derive new ways of thinking and new concepts astounded everyone, offering them a completely fresh sense of inspiration.
Combined with his contributions to magic research, no one felt it was out of place.
Zhang Ye nodded, took the magic set, quickly identified the cause of the problem, and explained it in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
The researcher was initially confused, but as the explanation went on, a sudden realization dawned on him. He looked at Zhang Ye with a face full of pleasant surprise and admiration.
“Your wind magic propulsion magic device can be integrated into the 【Omni-directional Mobility Magic Device】. The two would complement each other perfectly. When the time comes, you can come find me, and we can research it together,” Zhang Ye said.
“Great!” The researcher nodded, his face flushed with excitement.
Finally, the review meeting drew to a close.
The review panel began to evaluate Zhang Ye's performance. However, just when everyone thought Zhang Ye would easily pass the review, a discordant voice rang out.
The review panel consisted of five members. For Zhang Ye to pass the review, all five had to vote “pass.”
If even a single person voted “veto,” Zhang Ye would fail the review.
This was due to the rigorous nature of academic research.
However, while the first four members of the review panel had already voted “agree,” the remaining member slowly stood up. “I veto. I veto Academician Zhang Ye serving as a mentor to students across multiple different fields.”
An uproar swept through the hall. Everyone looked at the man with utter bewilderment.
Zhang Ye's performance was outstanding. Whether in terms of temperament, theoretical knowledge, or attitude toward research, he was more than qualified to be a mentor. How could he be vetoed?
Zhang Ye narrowed his eyes, yet he showed no sign of surprise.
This was because, long before entering the hall, he had already analyzed the five members of the review panel.
There were no issues with the first four members, but the last one was a different story!
【Urmit Brooks: Four-star Saint-tier, with powerful dark-attribute mana fluctuations inside his body!】
Did anyone know what Gajeel's full name was?
Gajeel Brooks!
The same surname, the same dark-attribute mana. Clearly, this Urmit and Gajeel came from the same place—the royal family of the Black Dragon Empire!
Many knew that Gajeel and Zhang Ye had been in conflict. During that Monthly Test, Zhang Ye had erupted with terrifying power, clearly intending to kill Gajeel. If not for the protective power on Gajeel's body, Gajeel would have certainly died!
After emerging from the secret realm, everyone else had returned safe and sound, with Gajeel being the only one dead. It was hard for anyone not to link his death to Zhang Ye.
This Urmit had undoubtedly set his sights of suspicion on Zhang Ye as well.
And since he had targeted Zhang Ye, he would never make things easy for him!
He would strike down anyone who could potentially be an enemy of the Black Dragon Empire!
Just like right now.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Urmit. His expression was calm and indifferent, as if he had only done what was supposed to be done.
The other four members of the review panel were also somewhat surprised by Urmit's decision. One of them asked, “Professor Urmit, please state your reason for the veto.”
“Very well,” Urmit replied with great politeness, giving Zhang Ye a slight smile.
He had the appearance of a middle-aged man but was still handsome, and his smile made him look very genial.
“Academician Zhang Ye's theoretical knowledge is incredibly vast; there is no doubt about that. His rigor toward academic research can also be felt between his words, and I deeply admire that.” Saying this, he even bowed slightly to Zhang Ye in a polite gesture.
He still addressed Zhang Ye as Academician, as though he had already acknowledged him.
Zhang Ye smiled back, but internally, he knew things were taking a bad turn.
If this person were just trying to cause trouble, jumping out to accuse him like a hysterical shrew, Zhang Ye wouldn't have given him a second thought, as such people were the easiest to deal with.
Unfortunately, Urmit was not like that. From beginning to end, he remained exceptionally polite, even expressing admiration for Zhang Ye in his words.
If Zhang Ye hadn't known his background and that he shared the same roots as Gajeel, he might have truly believed Urmit had simply found some flaws in him and vetoed him because of it.
These were the hardest types of people to deal with.
“However...”
Sure enough, he said the word "however."
“Academician Zhang Ye has not passed the assessments required of researchers in each respective field. To appoint him directly would be highly irregular.”
Impressive, Zhang Ye thought to himself.
Urmit knew that Zhang Ye had already won over everyone present. If he tried to refute Zhang Ye directly, it would only provoke resentment and dissatisfaction from the crowd. Therefore, he chose to take a step back to move forward, adopting this specific approach.
One had to understand that for Zhang Ye to serve as a mentor to students across multiple fields, he would have to undergo various assessments. Because of the sheer number of fields involved, the assessments he would have to take would be numerous.
With so many assessments, Urmit would only need to interfere in one. If Zhang Ye failed even a single test, he would never be able to become this so-called “precedent”!
This move was so clever that even Zhang Ye had to silently praise it!
At the same time, he sighed in his heart.
Where are the brainless villains I was promised?
Why do other protagonists get to encounter a bunch of brainless villains, while I don't get any?
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, a buzz of discussion erupted among the crowd. Some felt that Zhang Ye was already fully capable of serving as a multi-field mentor, but others believed that, out of respect for the rigor of research, it was indeed necessary to do so—and those in the latter camp were far greater in number.
At this moment, the so-called “rigor” had become Urmit's weapon!
The four other members of the review panel pondered for a moment, then turned to Zhang Ye. “Academician Zhang Ye, what do you think?”
Zhang Ye nodded. “For the sake of research rigor, doing this is indeed necessary.”
He had no choice but to agree. If he refused, the rigorous researcher persona he had just built up would instantly crumble, which would work against him.
However, he also had his own confidence. He believed he could pass those tedious assessments.
Thus, the matter was settled.
The review meeting was over, but the review process was still ongoing. This time, the review was to supervise Zhang Ye as he passed a series of assessments to earn the qualification to become a “precedent.”
Having accomplished the first step of his scheme, Urmit sneered inwardly, though he still maintained a polite smile as he nodded to Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye smiled back, then led everyone out of the hall.
...
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