Transcendent Dawn

Federated calendar 287, October.

Su Lu, dressed in a white researcher assistant lab coat, exited his dormitory.

A red-haired young man was loitering by the roadside. Seeing Su coming out, his eyes lit up and he enthusiastically greeted him:

“Good morning, Su Lu!” “Good day, Andrew!”

Su Lu replied with a smile.

“Let’s go grab breakfast together!” Andrew suggested as he walked closer.

“Alright.”

Su Lu did not refuse.

After a month of adaptation, he was barely accustomed to the lifestyle at this electrical research institute.

The management was strict and leaving the institute required a written report, but the facilities were indeed glorious.

Not only was there a reasonably priced staff canteen, but there were also various shops, entertainment facilities, and even a bar.

Essentially, for science nerds, the institute had everything they needed. With their everyday needs catered to, their only concern was their research.

The work as a research assistant didn’t require much effort either. Their main job was to help the researchers with clerical tasks, maintain data records, and occasionally perform the experiments themselves.

Comparatively, Andrew’s life seemed quite unfortunate.

Not only was he tasked with cleaning the lab, he was occasionally bullied by the researchers, allocating him more work.

This wouldn’t matter too much if Andrew was capable. The problem was that his capabilities appeared to be lacking, and his chances of promotion to research assistant seemed slim; there was even a possibility of being kicked out.

Hence, he was grateful towards Su Lu; Su was the only one willing to help him.

In the canteen, the two sat opposite each other with their meal trays.

Breakfast for the day was sandwiches with milk. As Su quickly ate, he heard Andrew conversing from the other side of the table, “Su Lu… do you have time tonight? I’d like to ask you for some tutoring.”

This institute specialized in electrical studies, knowledge of which is not easily accessible to the public.

However, Su Lu seemed to be catching on quite quickly and had received several praises from his mentor, William. “Sorry… I need to read tonight!”

Without a second thought, Su Lu declined.

Helping out a little was one thing, but setting his own matters aside to help someone out was another.

Moreover, the reason he picked up things so quickly wasn’t because he was exceptionally smart or knowledgeable but due to the memories from his previous life.

Because of the research records, Su Lu had a general understanding of the electrical research institute.

‘At this time, the White Eagle Federation has only discovered the existence of electricity and have just started basic research… They do not have many leads.’ But things were different for Su Lu!

As a transmigrator, he knew the direction of the development of electricity, and more importantly, he knew how to utilize it!

Even some of the great scientists couldn’t necessarily surpass this point.

‘Because I’m not only standing on the shoulders of giants, but also being guided by them?’

Thought Su Lu cynically to himself.

“You’re reading again… You’re really hardworking, Su Lu!” Andrew, who was of a shy personality, immediately apologized, “My mistake… how could I occupy your precious time.”

Su Lu shook his head. He liked to spend his time in the library, not only because of his interest, but also because he genuinely had matters to take care of: “I’m currently writing a paper, I truly don’t have the time! Sorry…”

“What? A paper? For internal publication?”

Andrew’s eyes widened. “That’s… amazing.”

From their second day, they were made aware that in the Green Tree Castle Lab, the predominant currency wasn’t gold dragons, but points!

This was a system set up by the Green Tree Council. Points couldn’t be traded and were assigned to individuals, representing their contributions to scientific research.

For instance… leading several teams, completing a specific experiment, proving a certain theorem, achieving a research outcome, or publishing papers after verification could all earn points.

Yet, for the lowest-level work ants like Andrew, even a full month of lab cleaning might not earn them 0.1 points.

On the other hand, after becoming an ordinary researcher, they could receive a salary of 1 point per month. Mentors could receive even more than this.

The usefulness of points was extensive.

The most common use was to use them in exchange for cutting-edge knowledge beyond the free, public resources.

Of course, points could also be directly exchanged for currency at a high rate, without allowing for reverse exchanges.

Cecilia even once said: ‘Points are everything! If you have enough points, you can directly upgrade your position or request from the council to lead a team to begin a specific research.’

In the Green Tree Castle Lab, research assistants or those in higher positions could also rely on points to climb ranks!

But this kind of promotion didn’t require spending points. Accumulating a certain amount of points was sufficient to directly upgrade one’s position.

According to what Su Lu had learned, becoming a formal researcher required 10 points.

And a simple internal publication, after being audited, could approximately earn 2 to 3 points.

In these calculations, the lowest-level assistants or assistant researchers, after publishing two or three papers and assisting the formal researchers with some research, could generally qualify for promotion, even if they used these points in other areas!

However, even to accomplish this, it typically took several years.

Therefore, in the Green Tree Castle Lab, climbing the ranks was never an easy task! It was extremely difficult!

Regardless, Su Lu wanted to give it a try.

He was aware that his lab, the Green Tree Castle Lab, was only peripheral and not core to the operation.

‘If I had more points… perhaps I could directly exchange them for Transcendent knowledge? But this doesn’t seem accessible to peripheral members.’

That’s why he had a straightforward rationale.

To steadily climb the ranks of research assistants, in hopes of reaching the core secrets of the lab as soon as possible!

‘In this aspect, I have the advantage… I can write innovative papers however I want.’

After Su Lu finished eating, he bid Andrew goodbye and headed to the lab.

Recently, it felt as though he had stepped away from the Transcendent world and became an ordinary person.

Even in Green Tree Castle Lab’s outer circle, he dared not overly utilize the [Mystical Scholar]’s capabilities and could only spend every day doing some meditation-like training. Aspirations like soul trancing weren’t even on his mind

Fortunately, he wasn’t too concerned. He could always improve his skill later, and in the worst-case scenario, he could still use his experience points to increase his level.

Though not as good as hard work, he could still frugally beat the levels.

“Cecilia, Victor!”

Upon seeing two researchers still within the lab, Su Lu was the first to greet them.

“Su Lu, you’re here, today we’re collaborating with the mentor on an electrical experiment!” exuded Angelia excitedly, “If completed, the implications are significant for our mentor!”

Victor was a proud, indifferent man in his thirties. He silently nodded in acknowledgment..