In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

Clearly, their language library has been depleted.

Although the onlookers couldn't understand the complex language exchange, their ability to read between the lines was instinctive.

Seeing those imposing scholars turn from red to white, and finally fall silent, remaining speechless for a long time, how could they not understand the outcome?

It's unclear who started it, but a cheer filled with laughter and amazement broke the brief silence:

"He won! Mr. Wang Yan has won again!"

"That's amazing! How many languages ​​did you switch between just now?"

"No wonder even scholar Kavi acknowledges him!"

The shop was instantly filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The onlookers laughed and agreed, looking at Wang Yan with admiration and at the scholars with a hint of mockery.

The scholars' already pale faces flushed crimson amidst the clamor of accusations, and they wished they could disappear into a crack in the ground.

In Sumeru, publicly losing in a battle of knowledge is not shameful; it can even be a source of pride.

But if you actively provoke someone when there are many opponents, and then lose, it's a loss of face.

Fortunately, Wang Yan was not one to push his luck.

He showed no sign of triumph, instead suppressing the composure he had displayed when answering so fluently, and put on a gentle and humble smile, nodding slightly to the embarrassed scholars.

"Please don't worry about me. The research, identification, and translation of ancient characters and languages ​​are the areas where I have devoted the most effort and are my area of ​​expertise."

"I have come to the Academy of Education because I am keenly aware of my own lack of knowledge. I urgently need to further my studies in areas such as etymology and etymology."

"It's a rare opportunity for me to exchange ideas with you all today. Perhaps I'll still have a lot to learn from you seniors in the future at the academy."

The implication is that I'm getting a good deal; if it's something you're better at than me, I might not be able to do it.

Upon hearing this, the burning sensation on the scholars' faces subsided considerably, and the initial hostility and scrutiny in their eyes as they looked at Wang Yan had been replaced by complex emotions.

It might be surprise, or it might be regret, but it always brings a touch more gentleness and acceptance.

Wang Yan's knowledge far exceeded expectations, and what was even more commendable was his composure in victory and his consideration for others' feelings.

However, the leading scholar took a deep breath, shook his head, and said solemnly, "Mr. Wang Yan is too modest. We have lost, and we are ashamed to admit our inferiority in the vastness of language and writing."

"One of the basic requirements for graduating from the Epistemology School is to master the basic reading, writing, and conversation of at least twenty languages. Judging from your handling of the situation today, you have far exceeded this standard. With your abilities, passing the entrance exam and entering the college should not be difficult at all."

He paused, his tone becoming more frank, even tinged with a wry smile: "As for the title 'senior'... I am truly unworthy of it. In academia, those who are accomplished come first. After you enroll, perhaps it would be more appropriate for us to address each other as 'classmates.' We apologize for our abrupt intrusion today, having witnessed your knowledge and demeanor."

The other scholars nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Mr. Wang Yan truly lives up to his reputation."

"I look forward to studying with you at the Academy in the future."

"Just now... cough, please don't take offense."

Wang Yan smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand. He exchanged a few more polite words with the scholars and then courteously saw them out of the shop.

When he turned back, the customers in the shop looked at him with more genuine admiration.

There is a saying that in literature there is no first place, but in martial arts there is no second.

Being able to defeat other scholars through debate is a very impressive skill, even in Sumeru.

Chapter 32 Hai Ge: You two are such hypocrites.

"You've been making quite a stir lately."

In a corner of the Lambad pub, three men sat around a round table.

Wang Yan brought up a glass of wine, a special jujube and coconut wine from Sumeru, which was refreshing and not very strong, and was popular among many scholars.

"I also have to thank Kavi's paper; otherwise, I wouldn't be famous."

Wang Yan held up his wine glass and gestured to the person on his left, who was none other than Kavi.

Several days have passed since the scholar's provocation, and Wang Yan has gradually established himself in the translation field.

I went to Lombard Restaurant for dinner after get off work today and ran into Kavi and Elhesen, so we shared a table.

Kavi also raised his glass and gestured to Wang Yan: "If it weren't for your translation, my thesis wouldn't have been so brilliant. It's all thanks to you."

"Oh, not at all. Even the best wine needs advertising. If you hadn't added my name to the thesis, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today," Wang Yan said politely again.

Kavi smiled and shook his head: "No matter how good the publicity is, you still need something to back it up. If you weren't so capable, I wouldn't have used your translation..."

The two of them went back and forth, praising each other.

To Wang Yan's right, Elhesen said with a cold expression, "Heh, you two are being a bit hypocritical with your mutual flattery."

As soon as Elhesen finished speaking, Kavi bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Hypocrisy?! Al-Hysen, can you please stop being so harsh with your words!"

Kavi slammed his glass down on the table, his face flushed slightly from excitement and the alcohol. "This is basic courtesy and mutual appreciation between Wang Yan and me! Do you really think you're like me, always wearing a 'keep away' face, never saying a kind word to anyone? That's what you call a true gentleman!"

When dealing with other people, Kavi is often very patient.

But whenever Alhesen opened his mouth, he would always get so angry that he would tremble.

Al-Hysen picked up his glass, took a slow sip without even lifting his eyelids:

“Excessive and superficial mutual flattery is of no practical significance other than wasting time and creating a false atmosphere of harmony.”

"Wang Yan's translation objectively contributed to the completion of your thesis and the expansion of its influence, while your thesis also objectively enhanced his industry reputation and fee standards."

"This is a mutually beneficial relationship at the factual level. Your conversation just now was merely using meaningless humility to cover up this fact. What is this if not hypocrisy?"

His voice was calm, as if he had no emotional fluctuations whatsoever.

“You…you!” Kavi was momentarily speechless, stumped by his methodical logic, but quickly found a new point of attack. “Is it only possible to talk about cold ‘facts’ and ‘interests’ between people?”

"Expressing gratitude and acknowledging someone's talent is only natural! When you help someone, or someone helps you, do you just say 'it's an equal exchange' and walk away? Is there no warmth in your life other than logic and efficiency?"

"temperature?"

Elhesen looked up and calmly looked at Kavi: "Temperature cannot guarantee the accuracy of the translation, nor can it ensure that the thesis passes the review. Acting on emotions can easily affect judgment."

"For example, you are now trying to use 'social skills' to refute a fact-based evaluation because of your emotional fluctuations, which in itself deviates from the core of the problem."

"The core of the problem is that you're too heartless!" Kavi almost slammed his fist on the table. "Yes, I know you're smart, you're capable, and you see everything clearly! But can you consider other people's feelings even a little? Wang Yan has only been in Xumi for a short time. As... well, at least as newly acquainted friends, shouldn't we give him affirmation and encouragement? Isn't that right?"

Al-Hysen tilted his head slightly, seemingly deep in thought about the question, but what he said was still infuriating: "'Feelings' are subjective and changeable variables, and taking them into account would significantly increase communication costs. Besides, I am not denying Wang Yan's abilities."

"On the contrary, I highly recognize his language skills. Precisely because he is indeed capable, your redundant humility seems even more unnecessary. Since we met, you have praised each other more than a dozen times. But I think that capable people should accept recognition readily, and those who recognize others should base their recognition on facts. This is more efficient and completely eliminates the need for repeated mutual praise."

"Efficient, efficient, all you know is efficiency!" Kavi slapped his forehead, looking defeated. "Life isn't writing a thesis, not everything needs to be done with maximum efficiency! Why be so efficient when drinking and chatting with friends? Should we stipulate in advance that everyone can only say a few words, and then leave immediately after we're done drinking?"

“Theoretically, if the schedule is tight, this might be a reasonable solution.” Al-Hysen nodded, completely ignoring the sarcasm in Kavi’s words.

"You... I'm really talking to a brick wall!" Kavi was exasperated, then turned to Wang Yan, who had been watching with great interest, for help, "Wang Yan, tell me! Was what we just said really hypocritical?"

Wang Yan watched with great interest.

Previously, we could only watch the two bicker in the storyline, but now, we can watch it live.

Upon hearing Kavi's plea for help, Wang Yan glanced at his sullen expression and then at Elhesen's ever-calm face.

Wang Yan suppressed a laugh and smoothed things over, saying, "Well... from a purely rational logical point of view, it is indeed very difficult to refute Clerk Elhesen's point of view."

“However, Kavi, I think what you mean is also correct. Expressing goodwill and maintaining basic social etiquette are inherent to human society. So, you could understand it as… well, different communication styles?”

“See, Wang Yan already said it’s because of different communication styles!” Kavi, as if he had found a way out, immediately said to Elhesen, “It’s precisely because of your style that you always offend people!”

“I haven’t felt that this has caused me any real trouble,” Al-Hysen replied calmly. “Filtering out people who can’t accept this way of communicating also improves my social efficiency.”

“You’d better actually have a social life…” Kavi was utterly speechless. He could only glare at Elhesen, then tilt his head back and take a big gulp of wine. “Fine, fine, I’m not going to argue with you anymore. Arguing with you is more tiring than drawing ten design drafts! Let’s drink!”

Seeing this, Elhesen stopped the conversation, raised his glass, and gestured to Wang Yan and Kavi, as if the little argument had never happened.

He never took his arguments with Kavi to heart.

In fact, according to Al-Hysen's social logic, his willingness to argue with Kavi meant that he approved of Kavi.

Otherwise, Al-Hysen wouldn't have replied at all.

For example, a researcher of group consciousness was brought to his breaking point by Ehrlich's disregard.

Chapter 33 Hello, my name is Naxida

on the wine table.

After the three of them had a round of drinks, the conversation turned to Wang Yan.

"Speaking of which, Wang Yan, you've been in Sumeru City for quite some time now, haven't you? Are you still waiting for Senior Falushan?"

"Kavi asked curiously."

He now also knows that Wang Yan came with a letter of recommendation from Tinaly, intending to join the intellectual school through Erosham's recommendation.

Wang Yan nodded: "It's been almost a month, I reckon Senior Falushan will be back soon."

To be honest, Wang Yan initially planned to meet Erosan first, and then go see Khalid.

As a result... Wang Yan is now practically the face of Khalid's shop, while Falushan has yet to return from the desert.

“Haha, anyway, we’re all intellectuals. If Senior Erosan doesn’t come back soon, the exams will be coming up soon…” Kavi’s eyes darted around as he looked at Elhesen. “Hey, Elhesen, why don’t you recommend Wang Yan to take the exams?”

His tone was somewhat coaxing: "You wouldn't be so stingy as to refuse, would you?"

El-Heinz glanced at him as if he were an idiot: "What do you think the recommendation of [Habantu] is for?"

"It is to give some capable people, but without the necessary certificates, an opportunity to take the exam."

"Or give a chance to re-educate people who missed primary education but have good moral character."

Elhesen put down his wine glass and nodded at Wang Yan: "Given Wang Yan's recent reputation in the Academy, do you think I still need to recommend him? If he applies for the entrance exam, do you think any Academy officer would refuse?"

Elheisen unleashed a barrage of attacks, leaving Kavi completely bewildered.

It took him a while to realize what was happening.

“Yeah, Wang Yan, you can just apply to take the exam directly. There’s no need to wait for Senior Falushan.” Kavi looked at Wang Yan with a puzzled expression.

"fool."

Wang Yan didn't speak, so Elhesen cursed and said, "Weren't you just talking about 'temperature' and 'feelings'? How come you've forgotten now?"

“Since Wang Yan has received Tina’s letter of recommendation, he should wait for Senior Falushan to return. If he can’t wait, he can register on the last day.”

"Otherwise, Wang Yan has already registered, and then Senior Falushan has returned with a letter of recommendation in her hand. Should we go and pay her a visit?"

"If I don't go, will I be disrespecting my senior? If I go, I'll be asking for favors, but then I'll get the favor done first. Will that make Senior Falushan look good?"

"Even if Senior Falushan doesn't care, will it sound good if word gets out?"

Kavi was dumbfounded.

He truly hadn't expected that a letter of recommendation could contain so many twists and turns.

More importantly, Alhesen, who is the most cold-hearted person in the entire Church, actually managed to see through the intricacies of the situation.

Kavi was stunned for a while before blurting out, "So you understand social etiquette."

Al-Hysen rolled his eyes at him, continued drinking, and ignored him.

Wang Yan smiled and continued, "Not only do I need to join the Order Academy, but I also need to choose a mentor later, so it's always good to wait for Senior Falushan."

Kavi's eyes lit up, and he became excited: "Did you know that Senior Falushan is actually an expert in mechanical arts? Many of the current teaching materials and manuscripts of the Mystic School were compiled and preserved by her?"

Wang Yan: "Of course I know. I'm also somewhat interested in mechanical arts, and perhaps I'll need to ask you for advice later."

Teyvat's mechanical arts cover a wide range, from making tangram puzzles to building autonomous mechanical production lines.

Wang Yan felt that although he had confirmed that he could gain extraordinary abilities through extraordinary language, it would definitely be good to master more skills. Therefore, he also wanted to learn the mechanical arts that Falushan possessed.

In addition, he has tried it these days.

He can understand almost any text instantly.

However, for extraordinary runes such as elemental runes, the ability to "understand languages" becomes somewhat ineffective.

It's not that it's impossible to decipher, but rather that deciphering it is extremely slow.

As for whether he can upgrade his [Language Proficiency] ability, Wang Yan has no clue yet.

"No problem, leave it to me. You can ask me any questions you may have about mechanisms in the future."