High tech

Lin Feng curiously examined the small silver device in his hand, feeling both excited and puzzled.

It was a device the size of a palm, with a silver metallic luster. However, it did not feel cold in the hand, but rather warm and smooth, unlike common metal materials on Earth. This small device was a perfect hexagon, only a few centimeters thick at its thickest point. Its surface displayed a slow pulsing flow of blue and white light, as if a living entity was breathing. Curiously, Lin Feng touched the surface of this "metallic plate," and the central hexagonal area immediately lit up, followed by a holographic image suddenly appearing in the air—which startled him!

Lin Feng was relieved that he didn't accidentally throw away his first month's labor insurance. He held the metal plate and stared at the holographic image above: a blue cross emblem made up of four crystals slowly rotated, with a background of chaotic blackness. Below the projection was a line of Chinese characters: "Temporal Management Bureau - EN35 Node - World No. AZ655 - Universal Data Terminal, current operator has passed authorization, device is on standby."

"Fully Chinese interface, idiot-proof operation, even beginners can master it proficiently." Raven 12345 pointed a finger at the "data terminal" in Lin Feng's hand, diverting his attention. "Here are your job instructions, an introduction to the Imperial Temporal Management Bureau, basic intelligence about the Empire, as well as information on the Macrocosm, space-time routes, World Gate codes, authorization procedures, distribution lists for supplies, and application for support agreements, and so on. It's too troublesome for me to explain all this to you. It's better for you to read it yourself. Take your time to learn. After you have memorized all this information... well, you should complete the first stage of your apprenticeship and then enter the second stage..."

Lin Feng suddenly felt pessimistic about his future life: Heaven pity him, he had just graduated from school, how had he returned to student life in the blink of an eye?!

"What is this? How do I use it?" Lin Feng temporarily set aside his possible miserable study life and curiously pointed to the blue cross emblem in the holographic image. Although he didn't know what it was, he felt that it must be of significant importance—because this blue emblem could often be seen in Raven 12345's mansion, and even on some magical servants. He reached out and tapped the holographic image a few times, only to find that his finger passed straight through the picture: it wasn't as he had imagined, where he could control the image by touching it.

Raven 12345's expression instantly became unusually serious, a seriousness that even startled Lin Feng: he couldn't imagine that this eccentric and abnormal "goddess" could have such a solemn moment. Raven 12345 stared into Lin Feng's eyes, as if trying to pierce his thoughts directly into his mind: "This is the emblem of the Hesperian Legion, the symbol of the Empire, the mark of the Hesperian civilization. It represents the Empire—you are still a newcomer, and probably cannot understand the significance of this emblem. Just remember its extraordinary meaning. In the entire void, countless races survive under the protection of this emblem, and countless warriors fight under the guidance of this insignia."

Lin Feng suddenly understood. He nodded vigorously, "So, how do I use this?"

"Place your hand on any facet, and it will respond to your thoughts. It will automatically interpret your command, so there won't be any misoperations." Raven guided Lin Feng on how to start the small device. "Of course, at the beginning, you may need some time to adapt, as it responds very quickly and is almost as intelligent as you. It will help you automatically do some things, and sometimes you may think you've done something wrong when you haven't—it's fine. Here, try to start the main system and tell it you are a novice."

Lin Feng listened with wide eyes, a single thought swirling in his mind: "Wow, this is such high technology!"

"You said that the Apostles of Hesperia are gods, so why are gods using such high-tech stuff... Do gods also follow a technological path?" Lin Feng muttered while focusing on communicating with the "metallic plate" in his hand, not very proficiently. Raven 12345 answered his question, "Is there a difference between technology and magic? The Hesperian divine system has been developing two paths simultaneously from the beginning. They use whatever is effective. They are tools to control the world. If you were to give this gadget to an undeveloped civilization, it would be considered a divine artifact. But speaking of which, I'm not very good at these technological products. I prefer mysterious creations. Unfortunately, those things are not for you to use."

Lin Feng didn't have time to listen to what Raven 12345 had said, because he had successfully activated the small data terminal!

The holographic projection refreshed rapidly, displaying a series of images that seemed chaotic, but Lin Feng had no trouble keeping up with the pace or understanding them. The speed and manner in which these images refreshed and changed perfectly matched his comprehension, as if the data terminal could scan the human brain and push new information based on its immediate working state. Lin Feng's eyes quickly moved around the holographic image, and the most important information he needed always remained in the center of his vision. Whenever he wanted to know something new, he didn't even need to consciously give a command—the images on the holographic projection would switch accordingly, allowing him to always obtain new information in the most efficient way possible. At first, Lin Feng thought he might not be able to handle such an advanced device, but he soon realized one thing: for a civilization so powerful that it could traverse multiple universes, creating a simple and easy-to-use tool was not a problem at all. It was like how humans could create feeding machines that even chimpanzees and pet dogs could use. The more perfect the technology, the simpler it became to use, with the complexities hidden where the user couldn't see them.

For example, Lin Feng was sure that if he were to dismantle this small device in his hand, probably no one on Earth could put it back together...

"What... does 'request support' mean?" Lin Feng suddenly saw a phrase that caught his interest in the rapid refresh of information, without him giving any command. This item that aroused his curiosity automatically stopped in the center of his vision, followed by a large amount of pictures and videos on the holographic image: various images resembling weapons and equipment, rows of soldiers, and charts that he couldn't understand at the moment, all neatly listed in front of him, but everything was in grayscale.

"Do you think a Reviewer works alone? Just taking care of the abnormal creatures who freeload at home is enough?" Raven 12345 shrugged. "Wait until you are confirmed, and you will understand. A Reviewer's usual tasks are complex. What if I send you to quell a rebellion in the Centaur Constellation? What if I send you to mediate a military dispute in the Scorpius Nebula? This is where requesting support and armament agreements come in handy. You can choose these things when you are about to be beaten to death—of course, they all require corresponding permissions, which require various strict assessments. We cannot give weapons to a

 rookie who is not mentally strong enough, even though those things are basically harmless civilian products in our eyes... Well, those civilian products could probably survive four or five ice ages if you threw them on your planet."

Lin Feng listened, feeling a cold sweat. Although he hadn't had the chance to read the "Reviewer's Guide" and the "Temporal Management Bureau Work Outline," he heard something extremely serious from Raven 12345's words... This job seemed to be deadly!

Lin Feng opened his mouth, "I now..."

"You cannot resign." Raven 12345 smirked. "Even if you die, your soul will still be on my attendance list. I'll just give you a new body, and you'll continue working. It's not easy for me to hire a new employee. Do you still want to run?"

Lin Feng: "..."

"Don't make that face." Raven 12345 teleported next to Lin Feng in an instant, startling him, then patted his shoulder. "I never scare people. You will soon know that this is an opportunity that ordinary people cannot seek— as long as you don't act recklessly, you can basically live... well, for quite a long time. After all, Reviewers are not military personnel. There aren't that many big battles for you junior officers every day."

Lin Feng wanted to speak several times but was rebuffed by the imposing white-haired witch. In the end, he could only force a smile and put the data terminal in his pocket: there was too much to see, and it was obviously unrealistic to do it here. He decided to go home and study slowly.

"Let's talk about that nightmare." Lin Feng sat down resignedly on the chair. "I think you are hiding something from me—I am honest, but that doesn't mean you can bully me. At least tell me a little more, so I can sleep peacefully when I go back."

Raven 12345 glanced at Lin Feng and finally sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, you are also stubborn. I'll tell you some things I can say."