Did the villainous professor survive today?

"initialization?"

Connor looked at Kroenke with a slightly blank expression, his brain racing as he tried to understand the unfamiliar term.

Connor blinked, as if a jolt of electricity had passed through his mind.

"Professor Krenk, do you mean to perform this after each use of the item...?"

Connor struggled to organize his thoughts, and finding no suitable alternative, he imitated Krenk, saying,

"initialization."

After saying that, Connor looked slightly taken aback.

He found the word to be such a perfect fit that he couldn't find a more suitable alternative.

Kroenke smiled, put his hands behind his back, and said earnestly:

"I trust Professor Connor's abilities; he should be able to understand what I'm saying."

Connor nodded and analyzed to himself:

"Why did the props malfunction? If we draw an analogy to the reasons for a worker strike, the first reason is that the pay is not enough, and the second is that they lack rest."

He paced back and forth.

"Of course, paying for it is out of the question. For mass-market products, the cheaper the better, so we definitely need to find a way to let them rest. But we can't let the props rest, because that would affect production efficiency..."

Listening to Connor's mutterings, Krenk subconsciously glanced at the streetlights outside the window.

It's perfect for hanging something on.

Immediately, Connor slammed his right fist heavily into his left palm:

"Oh, so that's what initialization means?"

Connor became more and more excited as he spoke.

"Props aren't people, they don't need to actually rest, so we can add another magic rune to force their state back to its initial state, or we can create something to excite them and increase their efficiency, something like cigarettes or coffee for workers, yes, yes! Yes! That's it!"

Connor was overjoyed, inwardly praising the professor for his expertise, even in unfamiliar fields.

He nodded emphatically at Krenk:

"Professor Krenk, it is my honor to receive guidance from such an important figure as you!"

"Any other questions?"

Kroenke remained calm.

"That's all! But it would be even better if I could receive some more instruction from you." Connor's face was full of thirst for knowledge.

Allocating and managing internal global memory, loading configurations and setting global state, callback functions… Kroenke certainly couldn't talk about these things; the other party wouldn't understand anyway. He glanced around and mentioned them briefly with a smile:

"Has Instructor Connor considered changing the research environment?"

"Huh?" Connor looked at Krenk with some confusion.

Krenk walked to the edge of the lab bench and reached out to touch the alchemy equipment.

"Don't you think these instruments are a bit outdated? Besides, they have to be shared with other lecturers, and a single bump could affect the experimental data."

"It's alright, it's enough for my needs. After all, I'm only a lecturer now. If I do well in the next ten years, I might have the opportunity to be promoted to associate professor, and then I can have my own laboratory."

"My lab is currently empty," Kroenke said. After the inaugural address as the principal professor, everyone knew that Kroenke hadn't been to the lab for quite some time.

"Professor Krenk, what do you mean?" Connor was taken aback.

"I was thinking, since my lab is just sitting empty anyway, I might as well give it to someone who can make good use of it. Maybe it can play a bigger role."

Upon hearing this, Connor paused for a few seconds, then, realizing what Kroenke had said, quickly refused:

"No, no, no! Professor Krenk! This won't do! This is your lab. If I break anything, it will be a huge problem."

"But such a good lab, left to waste, don't you think it's a waste?" Krenk knew that Connor was the kind of person who was single-mindedly focused on scientific research, and saying something like that was guaranteed to work.

"Think about it, the expensive equipment inside, even if no one touches it, will slowly fall into disrepair over time."

"But..." Connor's face showed a struggle. He hesitated for a long time, like a little boy standing in front of a shop window looking at the toys but not daring to ask the price, before he finally spoke.

"Then, Professor, I... I'll pay for it! I'll give you my salary!"

"Talking about money can really hurt feelings."

Kroenke shook his head, thinking to himself that what's free is often the most expensive.

If Professor Connor's research actually succeeds, it will be a devastating blow to the Medici family, who plan to take over those magical artifacts and continue to drive up their prices.

At that time, considering that groundbreaking magical items will soon be mass-produced, all the goods they hoarded at high prices will be stuck with them.

If Professor Connor's research progresses quickly enough, he might be able to give his parents a huge surprise when they return.

Kroenke thought to himself, and said:

"Don't worry, Connor. We're both scholars, and I'll fully support your research. Besides, your research is truly groundbreaking."

Kroenke placed a hand on Connor's shoulder, offering him encouragement with an affirming look.

Connor was visibly shaken; he had never felt so grateful to Krenk.

"Professor Krenk, thank you so much! Once I've completed my research, I'll definitely give you the first author title!"

"Let's talk about it after you've finished making it."

Kroenke chuckled.

You have increased Connor's favorability towards you.

[Points +2000!]

[Current points: 2000!]

Kroenke was taken aback.

No, you...you can add anything else, but don't add affection points! And all of these at once!

Kroenke had no idea whether Connor's favorability rating had increased too quickly, or whether the favorability ratings from those women had been too stingy.

He plans to cool things down:

"Of course, after a while, I might take back the lab and use it for something else, so I probably won't be able to borrow it for too long. I just wanted to let you know."

"Professor Krenk, I am already extremely grateful that you would lend me your laboratory!"

You have increased Connor's favorability towards you.

[Points +1000!]

[Current points: 3000!]

Please stop increasing my affection level! I don't need these points! Please!

Kroenke cried out in his heart.

Krenk felt himself getting sweaty. "Oh, right, I just remembered I have something to do, I'll be going now!"

"Professor Krenk, let me see you off!"

Connor enthusiastically followed.

You have increased Connor's favorability towards you.

[Points +500!]

[Current points: 3500!]

Kroenke took off running:

"No need! You focus on your research first! I'll let you know when the lab is ready, don't worry."

Goodbye, Professor Kroenke!

Connor was just short of making the \o/ gesture.

You have increased Connor's favorability towards you.

[Points +500!]

[Current points: 4000!]

Krenk left the laboratory building in the fastest and most elegant way.

Outside the experimental building is a commercial street on campus, used for students' shopping and leisure activities.

Then he saw Enya slowly approaching him, blinking rapidly as she got closer.

"Enya?"

"Mr. Krenk! That student named Meiwen is secretly following me! Her motives are unclear! Judging from her behavior, she has taught herself about surveillance, but she's only at a beginner level. She doesn't know I've discovered her yet!"