Chapter 4 Iow - scoring student

Within the bustling Freedom City of Infinity Haven, Silas and Liam sat in a cozy café at 68 Lumora Avenue, their eyes wide with astonishment. On the second floor, a crowd of dozens had gathered, animatedly bombarding a woman with questions—a woman who had, until recently, been declared "deceased."

"Miss Olivia, what does it feel like to die? How is this place different from the real world?" a reporter at the front of the group eagerly inquired.

"Olivia, you'll always be my goddess!" a fervent teenage fan, no older than fifteen or sixteen, shouted through tears. "From now on, I'll use my dad's data account every day to listen to your albums, watch your new film tours, and boost your rankings! Olivia, I love you so much—I'm sorry, I'm just a little overwhelmed!" He sobbed uncontrollably, oblivious to the baffled stares of those around him.

In Infinity Haven, three types of entities coexisted: intelligent AI NPCs, living humans from the real world, and "Memory Beings"—individuals who had died in reality but persisted within the virtual realm.

Miss Olivia, the glamorous and captivating actress, was one such Memory Being. Having succumbed to a terminal illness just weeks earlier, she had opted for eternal life by applying for memory download and upload services from Lumora Technologies following her diagnosis.

The technology behind Infinity Haven relied on cutting-edge brain-computer interface techniques, enabling interaction between electrical currents, computers, and neural cells. To achieve a fully immersive experience, individuals required the implantation of tiny electrode chips in their brains. These chips facilitated the resonance of electrical currents, allowing human consciousness to be transmitted to a central computer system, enabling memory downloads, uploads, and more.

In this way, individuals on the brink of death in the real world can transfer their memories into the Infinity Haven terminal, awaiting a form of resurrection in the virtual realm. However, these "Memory Beings," whose brains have entirely ceased functioning, lack sensory perception. This creates subtle but notable differences in their experiences compared to those of living individuals in the virtual world.

The concept and technology underpinning this innovation were first proposed as early as 2016. At the time, Elon Musk, then the world's wealthiest individual, founded a company named Neuralink to explore this frontier. By approximately 2021, Neuralink had developed corresponding technical documentation and applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to initiate human trials. Musk asserted that this technology could enable paralyzed individuals to control smartphones and other devices with their minds, paving the way for breakthroughs such as influencing signals between neurons to solve various human challenges.

In recent years, Lumora Technologies refined this technology to perfection and successfully integrated it into Infinity Haven, fundamentally altering human existence.

Of course, such eternal life comes at a steep cost. Users must possess sufficient bandwidth to pay the community management fees. This bandwidth can either be stored in advance by the individual before death or accumulated by their family in the real world. However, if fees are not renewed within a designated time frame, the consciousness is suspended. If further delays occur, the data is permanently erased.

Since its introduction, this service has sparked widespread debate in human society. Some argue that humanity should adhere to natural laws and accept the inevitability of death. Others question the purpose of preserving oneself as mere data in a virtual world, consuming vast resources in defiance of mortality.

These opposing viewpoints have fueled an ongoing debate that remains unresolved to this day.

First Floor Lobby

Liam glanced at the actress Olivia and couldn't help but sigh. "My parents didn't preserve any of their memories because they were still young, healthy, and resistant to this kind of technology. If only they hadn't been so stubborn… maybe I could have seen them here."

"My condolences," Silas replied gently.

"Olivia, can you look at me just once?! I've been waiting for you to enter Infinity Haven for an entire week! I've had so much coffee my heart's about to give out—can't you spare me a loving glance?" a man in his thirties bellowed with a voice as grating as a broken gong.

Liam rolled his eyes and pressed the private conversation button on the table. Instantly, the surrounding cacophony faded into silence, ensuring that his and Silas's conversation wouldn't be overheard. "Let's begin."

"Understood," Silas said with a measured nod before folding his hands together. "Could you show me your overall stats and personal information within Infinity Haven?"

"What does that have to do with my enrollment?" Liam asked, his expression tinged with surprise and resistance. "I'm just here to attend school, not to undergo some kind of job interview!"

"It's like this," Silas explained after a brief pause. "These metrics are a critical part of the evaluation process and one of the key criteria for determining your eligibility. If you're willing, we can proceed to the next step."

Liam was initially reluctant to agree, as this involved sharing his personal privacy. However, driven by the pressing need to resolve his many unanswered questions and gain admission to the seminary, he hesitated briefly before reluctantly transmitting his data directly to Silas.

Using a consciousness interface, Silas reviewed Liam's personal profile. After a moment, he looked up, visibly surprised. "You're… a private health practitioner in Infinity Haven?"

"Yes," Liam replied, slightly embarrassed. "There are a lot of wealthy individuals here, so it's a fast way to earn money."

"I noticed from your work history that your primary focus is… providing 'sexual health services'? Is that correct?" Silas inquired with a curious tilt of his head.

Liam's face flushed crimson. After a long pause, he admitted, "Yes. I study biology and have some expertise in pharmaceuticals, so… I've made minor advancements in this area. You know how many real-world elites struggle with such issues, right? Coming here for consultations is far less awkward for them."

"Ahem!"

Silas cleared his throat awkwardly, pausing before, unable to resist, he asked, "I have to know… are you a virgin?"

"…Yes." Liam scratched the back of his head, visibly uncomfortable.

"And yet you act as an expert for others?!"

"…Mr. Silas, are you asking all these questions because you're seeking a consultation yourself?" Liam retorted with a sly grin.

"I… am fine, no need for a consultation. Just curious," Silas replied, coughing lightly before resuming his review of the data. After a short pause, he cast a sideways glance at Liam. "By the way, do you have any video tutorials on this subject?"

"I do. They're censored."

"Send me a copy later," Silas said quickly before returning his attention to Liam's profile.

After about ten minutes, Silas's expression returned to normal. "I've finished reviewing your profile. Aside from your outstanding performance in biological studies, it seems you don't possess any particularly unique talents, correct?"

"Yes," Liam admitted candidly, nodding.

"Allow me to formally introduce Ravenwick Theological Seminary," Silas said, his tone serious as he looked directly at Liam. "You've likely already noticed that the environment here is vastly different from what is publicly advertised. To put it simply, we are a third-party talent cultivation institution, primarily funded by Lumora Technologies. Our mission is to train elite professionals for Infinity Haven and the specialized judicial departments expected to emerge in the future."

Liam's expression reflected his surprise. "I see… that explains everything."

"Exactly. As you've surmised, Ravenwick Theological Seminary is not a conventional school. Our admissions process is highly rigorous, and we don't prioritize traditional academic performance. Instead, we focus on identifying and honing an individual's unique abilities, maximizing their potential during the four years of study," Silas continued. "However, if you choose to enroll, you'll be required to sign a confidentiality agreement, as well as a mandatory labor contract upon graduation. Your specific job responsibilities will then be assigned by the institution."

"Isn't that essentially a contract of servitude?" Liam asked bluntly.

"To speak candidly," Silas replied with a furrowed brow, "there are countless people who would give anything to get into Ravenwick Theological Seminary but lack the means to do so. The quality of education we provide is cutting-edge. For instance, in your field of biological genetics, at most other institutions, you wouldn't have access to genuine clinical trials until you were well past thirty-five."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "This place is a paradise for the elite."

Liam, being a thoughtful and meticulous person, didn't let Silas's words sway him easily. Instead, he paused to consider before asking, "I'd like to know—what are the general responsibilities for this future role? Will I be working as a clerk in the judicial department?"

"Not exactly. It's a bit more complex than that," Silas replied. "To simplify, the primary responsibilities involve maintaining the stability of Infinity Haven and addressing issues related to virtual technology in the real world." He offered a straightforward example: "Take the Sophia case from your family, for instance. In the future, tasks such as managing, investigating, or even apprehending AI entities may fall under our purview—at least in the China region."

"I see," Liam replied, his mind already piecing together various implications.

"So, will you sign?" Silas asked. "Or do you need more time to think it over?"

Liam paused for two seconds, internally asking himself two crucial questions:

1.Should I continue investigating my father's death and the unresolved mysteries surrounding the Sophia case?

2.If I decide to leave, will Velmora University still accept me?

After weighing these thoughts, Liam replied without hesitation, "Alright, I'll sign."

"Decisive!" Silas said with a pleased nod. "I'll send the documents to you through the consciousness-sharing link."

Five minutes later, Liam had completed signing all the seminary's stringent enrollment agreements. Silas stood up and said, "Congratulations on joining Ravenwick Theological Seminary! Let's return to reality. I'll introduce you to your mentor—he actually knew your father."

"Dr. William, right?"

"Exactly," Silas confirmed with a nod. "Let's disconnect now."

…

The Real World

Silas removed his neural connector and spoke softly, "Let's head to Dr. William's office. You'll be meeting him along with four other newly admitted students."

Liam immediately grinned and asked, "All elites, I assume?"

Silas chuckled and shook his head gently. "Forgive my candor, but like you, they are among those with the lowest overall scores based on big data assessments."

"???" Liam looked utterly baffled. "I… I'm one of the lowest?"

"Yes. Aside from your strength in biological genetics, your overall score is relatively low," Silas explained, attempting to console him. "But don't worry. Here, everyone starts on equal footing. In fact, we make it a point to pair our lowest-scoring students with the best mentors each year."

"…Damn!" Liam said, his pride clearly stung. "I've been swimming in the sea of knowledge for years, and this is the first time someone's labeled me as a low-achiever."

As they continued their conversation, they exited the administrative area.

In the lobby of the new student reception center, Liam finally met the four students who would be his peers and fellow mentees.

Three men and one woman stood there, and to Liam's astonishment, one of them was none other than the greasy man he had encountered at the station!

Good grief, Silas wasn't kidding after all. That guy oozed poor quality, and just one glance was enough to tell he was absolutely at the bottom of the barrel!

The other three were equally unconventional in appearance. One was an obese man, weighing well over 200 pounds; another was a gaunt, sickly-looking young man with a perpetually cold expression; and the third was a girl with a blue ponytail, dressed in a garish, punk-inspired outfit that verged on unwatchable at first glance.

Liam held back his thoughts for a long moment before silently musing that, based on appearances alone, these three fellow disciples certainly fit the profile of underperformers.

"Let's go, all five of you. It's time to meet Dr. William," Silas said with a welcoming gesture.

...

In Dr. William's office, he carefully stored the profiles of Liam and Caleb in his private email. Still uneasy, he compressed the data into an encrypted file. After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly slapped his forehead. "The terminal!"

Meanwhile, outside the dormitory area of Ravenwick Theological Seminary, a young man carrying a modest amount of luggage muttered into his smartwatch, "Liam, is it? Don't worry. Within a week, I'll have an answer for you."