In just one day, Bai Luan had crafted the signature weapons for Asta and Arlan.
It was that quick and efficient.
Compared to Herta's many projects, making two signature weapons was far easier.
On the second day of Arlan and Asta's arrival at the Space Station, Bai Luan presented them with their signature weapons as gifts, along with their ID cards.
It was evident that both Asta and Arlan were very fond of this gift.
Asta even tried to give Bai Luan money as a return gift, but Bai Luan refused, stating that he was not short on cash.
"If you really want to spend some money, just see what the Space Station needs."
"I can spend money on the Space Station!?"
Bai Luan's single sentence seemed to open a new world for Asta, and she went back to place orders frantically.
Soon after, Arlan, carrying a stack of bills, knocked on the office door.
"Station Master, can you please talk to Ms. Asta? She's bought too many things."
Bai Luan looked at the bills that almost drowned Arlan.
Hmm, he really should talk to her.
Bai Luan went to speak with Asta.
She should buy things in batches; otherwise, it would cause logistics congestion.
Bai Luan spoke earnestly, and Asta listened attentively.
Arlan, standing by, tried to speak several times but held back.
Is the point how to buy things?! Is it about whether logistics will get congested?!
Isn't the point that she's bought too much!?
And why does the Station Master have experience with this kind of thing too!?
Is this right!?
Forget it.
As long as you're happy.
Arlan gave up.
At least for now.
Regarding department assignments, Arlan naturally chose the Defense Department. As for Asta, Bai Luan decided to keep her by his side and slowly teach her some daily tasks.
How to mediate conflicts among staff, how to politely fob off the Genius Society, how to adapt to the Space Station's various facilities, and complete projects.
These things were as routine as drinking water for Bai Luan, done effortlessly, but for Asta, learning them was still somewhat difficult.
Bai Luan was not in a hurry about this. When he saw that Asta had learned enough to digest for a while, he would pause the lessons.
Once she had processed enough, he would teach her new things.
As for how to be a Station Master, that was even simpler: Bai Luan would leave a letter and then disappear for a period.
During this time, whatever happened would be left for Asta to handle. Bai Luan would observe secretly and only return to put out fires if Asta truly couldn't manage.
Although he said that, Bai Luan never actually had to rush back to put out a fire, which only goes to show Asta's talent in management.
Thinking about it, it seemed normal. After all, Asta came from a prominent family, a young lady who had probably experienced many grand occasions.
It would be strange if she didn't possess the demeanor of a superior. Asta just needed some time to mature; time would teach her how to better handle interpersonal relationships, and even… manipulate them.
As for Arlan, he was completely an athlete. He didn't even need to mature; he directly conquered the entire Defense Department with his fists.
He was now the big brother of the Defense Department.
Once he was thoroughly familiar with the daily operations of the Defense Department, he would officially become the undisputed big brother of the Defense Department.
Indeed, fighting was faster than diplomacy.
Efficiency was truly mastered.
Through their respective learning and growth, half a year quickly passed. Both of them had fully integrated into the Herta Space Station and completely understood their responsibilities.
Now, even if Bai Luan left nothing behind and simply disappeared, the Herta Space Station would not encounter any problems.
Everyone had tacitly adopted the model of finding Bai Luan when he was around, and finding Asta when he wasn't.
Bai Luan nodded with satisfaction at the current state of the Herta Space Station.
Herta also moved to the Herta Space Station and began to set up the simulated universe.
With Herta herself overseeing it, even if the Antimatter Legion attacked, there wouldn't be much of a problem.
From every angle, Bai Luan could temporarily leave the Herta Space Station.
Yes, he planned to temporarily leave the Herta Space Station for a while.
On one hand, he wanted to find a place to improve himself.
On the other hand, Herta was coming here to build the simulated universe, and he planned to hide.
Otherwise, if Herta caught him to write the basic code for the simulated universe, his good days would be over.
Of course, what Bai Luan feared wasn't doing hard labor, but being unable to handle it.
Letting Bai Luan participate in a project of a Genius Society member's caliber?
He'd rather go one-on-one with Sukuna; that would be less difficult.
If he wrote a string of "corpse-mountain code" that crashed the entire project, then it would be over for him.
Facing Herta, a genius, Bai Luan could barely manage with the Little Black Room. But facing Screwllum, Ruan Mei, and Herta—three geniuses—at the same time?
Wouldn't he be exposed the moment he opened his mouth?
When the few of them sat down for a meeting, and he just babbled, wouldn't he lose all face?
Moreover, this wasn't a short-term project; it looked like something that would consume half his life if he joined.
Even if he wasn't exposed in the short term, what if the battle line was extended?
Could he work on the simulated universe for a lifetime?
Could he?
Answer me!
Can he not do it?
Probably not. He had tried to refuse before, and from the results, it didn't seem to have any effect.
Herta would not easily change her mind.
Since she suggested he join this project, she would try to implement it until she got a 'yes' or 'no' from Bai Luan.
What if Bai Luan gave up the title of 'genius' and just confessed, no longer pretending?
That didn't seem to work either.
The problem with doing that was…
Over the past few years, Bai Luan had performed too well.
Given this premise, if Herta brought Bai Luan into the project team and he performed poorly, she might think he was deliberately slacking off.
Even if he completely gave up and explained that he wasn't pretending, that he just couldn't do it, he still couldn't explain his previous performance.
Bai Luan couldn't expose the system.
Even if he did, no one would believe him.
Heh heh, truly a difficult situation to back out of.
After careful consideration, Bai Luan ultimately chose to go improve himself.
Since he chose to pretend to be a genius, he might as well pretend all the way.
Otherwise, when his 'little chicken feet' were exposed, how pathetic would that be?
He still had some pride.
As for where he was going, Bai Luan had already decided.
To college!
To complete the last map of his previous life!
He would go to First University of Truth!
He would go find Doctor Truth!
He would cling to Truth Father's thigh!
Knowledge should be shared!
Praise Professor Ratio!
Although Professor Ratio's courses were very difficult, he was learning precisely because of the high difficulty!
The more painful the spur, the faster the progress!
Truth Father's sharp tongue?
No fear!
Bai Luan had spent who knows how many years with Herta in the Little Black Room; his mental resistance to sharp criticism was already maxed out!
Now, no matter who sprayed Bai Luan, he could laugh and use authentic Zu'an-style text to reply:
"Bro, when you insult people, you sound like you're pouting."
Of course, he wouldn't say that to Truth Father.
That would be too blasphemous.
The kind of blasphemy that needed to be burned at the stake.
The kind of blasphemy that wanted to be hit square on the forehead with a piece of chalk.
So, the question was.
How would Bai Luan get admission to First University of Truth now?
That would naturally be…
Through the back door.
Just ask Herta to write him a recommendation letter, and it would be done.
Otherwise, what else could he do?
Test his way in?
He could, but it would take up a spot unnecessarily.
Both methods yield the same result; the only difference is whether the world would have one more failed applicant.
Hmm, it's better to have fewer failed applicants.
Isn't this also a kind of merit?
"You're going to college?"
"Yes."
"Who will manage the Space Station?"
"I've left it to Asta."
Herta raised an eyebrow and said:
"Is that what you meant by her value?"
"Just tell me if she's doing well, won't you?"
Herta thought back for a moment and realized that she was indeed doing quite well, making things rather easy.
"What are you going to college for?"
"To improve myself. Didn't Ms. Herta want to pull me into the project team? I always have to find a way to improve myself."
"That's a pretty good reason… What's the university called? First what University?"
"First University of Truth."
"I don't have much of an impression… Are you sure you can learn anything there?"
"For Ms. Herta, it might be a bit childish, but for me, it's just right."
Herta looked at Bai Luan, seeing his serious expression and valid reasons, and she seemed to have no reason to stop him.
"Alright then."
Herta casually pulled up a void terminal, opened a purple recording channel, and said:
"Hello? Hello? This is Herta. His name is Bai Luan, my assistant. He plans to take some classes at your place. You handle it."
After recording this brief audio, Herta waved her hand and sent the file to Bai Luan.
"Done. I'll send a copy to their admissions office. You just use this audio to connect with them."
"Uh… Will they believe it with just the audio?"
"That's my audio. It has my insignia. Anyone who has read a book will recognize it."
"That's good then."
"Since you've decided to go, then go. As my assistant, don't embarrass me out there."
"I wouldn't dare."
Bai Luan put away his phone, smiled, waved to Herta, and said:
"I'm off."
"Come back quickly."