Chapter 9: Reentering the Roguelike

After dinner, Feng Xue returned to his single cell. Despite it not being lights-out yet, the activities available in the prison were extremely limited. After spacing out for an hour without any progress in sensing G·I particles, Feng Xue decided to stop sitting idly. He made himself comfortable on his bed and initiated a command to his visual interface:

"Activate Pigeon."

As consciousness hovered between waking and dreaming, text materialized before his eyes:

"The morning sun has already risen, and all things are reviving. Opportunity and danger, one will always arrive first."

Shaking off the dreamlike sensation, Feng Xue oriented himself within the new level of the game.

"Second layer? 'Morning Ascent'? Why does it feel like I'm about to do a morning exercise routine?" Feng Xue commented to himself as he scanned the title of the second layer. Shaking off the surreal feeling, he sorted through his thoughts and began to explore the second level.

He noticed that his previously depleted Veihui points had increased to three.

"Is this from clearing the first layer? But then, I've fought three battles and haven't leveled up. Does this broken pigeon even have a concept of leveling up? Relying solely on clearing layers for Veihui points seems a bit meager."

Despite his concerns about the acquisition of Veihui points, Feng Xue composed himself and focused on the main interface. The nodes were still interconnected by lines, but the branches had become more complex with three divergent paths often crossing each other.

Without a clear strategy yet, Feng Xue didn't bother to overthink the paths. He chose a node with the most subsequent branching paths after noticing that the first column nodes were all labeled as "Chance Encounters."

"Seeing this message, I always feel like I'm being set up."

As the fleeting text faded completely, Feng Xue found himself in a small room facing a middle-aged woman with a kind expression. The room appeared to be designed for one-on-one consultations.

As Feng Xue surveyed his surroundings, a line of text appeared in his mind:

"Since you have not shown sufficient innate talent for the Native Path, and by law, you must begin education at the age of twelve, the orphanage director has found you and hopes you will make your own choice—"

1. Attend a public general education school through a work-study program.

2. Enter a technical college through an apprenticeship contract.

3. School? Heck no! I'm going to be a folk dance star (Note ①)!

With the knowledge accompanying these options, Feng Xue furrowed his brows.

The so-called Native Path talents referred to a particular route within the architect system:

Architects' abilities depend on their imagination, but there are different ways to cultivate this imagination, leading to two distinct branches in the architect system.

One is the "Scholastic Path," which involves arming oneself with knowledge to frame and fill imagination, thereby reducing the mental load during construction. This path is also known as "Cannon Jade" in Hongying, the birthplace of architects.

The other is the "Native Path," which emphasizes nurturing one's inherent imaginative abilities. While the Scholastic Path may seem superior due to its stability, it can also constrain imagination with knowledge.

For instance, to create fire underwater, a Scholastic might imagine magnesium or aluminum powders, compressed gases like hydrogen, or even construct an incendiary device, while a Native only needs to imagine their fire as an unquenchable mystical flame.

The phrase "without studying physics, life is full of magic" sarcastically captures this notion, but in the context of architects, it highlights their ability to defy scientific principles in their constructions.

Generally, children in this world are allowed to grow carefree until the age of twelve, receiving only basic education in literacy and arithmetic. If they show enough talent for the Native Path, they proceed to specialized academies; otherwise, they are directed to general schools to ensure they can at least learn a trade.

In Feng Xue's "Introduction to War Architecture," a third path was mentioned—the "Oblivion Path," which involves extensive learning followed by the erasure of specific memories, retaining only a subconscious personality shaped by knowledge. This enables the preservation of imaginative power while fostering a knowledgeable persona. However, the technology to precisely erase memories without stifling potential is not something most families can afford.

Now, as Feng Xue—or his predecessor—lacked significant Native Path talent, he faced a choice between traditional schooling and vocational training.

Weighing the options, Feng Xue decided that while traditional schooling offered a higher ceiling, the stress of balancing work and study was daunting. Technical school, though with a lower ceiling, promised a guaranteed livelihood and less financial stress.

With this rationale, Feng Xue chose the work-study program, dismissing the notion of becoming a folk dance star as ludicrous.

As the choice was made, the scene animated, and the director handed Feng Xue an envelope with a warm, yet slightly worried, tone:

"If you've made your decision, then I support you. Don't forget to visit sometimes."

As Feng Xue took the envelope, intending to offer pleasantries, the scene froze again, and text appeared:

"After careful consideration, you chose the work-study program. The director was relieved by your decision but couldn't help feeling a bit worried."

"You received Emergency Funds (White)."

Name: Emergency Funds

Category: Survival Aid

Quality: Common White

Effect: +10 Dream Points

Note: A modest final gift from an orphanage to its departing children—meager but sufficient for emergencies, though many never end up spending it."