Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 48：The Freshmen's First Day

Kyoto Huqing University!
Today marks the first day of freshman registration.
"Jiang Fan, look, it's so beautiful!"
Chu Ruoxi pointed to the white swans gliding across the lake.
The entire campus of Huqing University seemed like a vast park, exceptionally beautiful. After wandering around, Chu Ruoxi was thoroughly enchanted.
As Chu Ruoxi's new boyfriend, Jiang Fan dutifully played his part.
He carried her pink suitcase while wearing a backpack, walking through the lush green paths of the campus.
Chu Ruoxi had heard of the university's lovely environment before, but now, seeing it firsthand, she was even more convinced of her choice. She felt fortunate to be studying here for the next four years, certain it would be an enjoyable experience.
Along the way, Chu Ruoxi resembled a child visiting the city for the first time, filled with curiosity about everything around her.
She tugged at Jiang Fan's arm, glancing at one thing after another, and what was supposed to be a short 500-meter walk to her dormitory ended up taking them an hour.
Yet neither of them minded, enjoying each moment.
After helping her settle in, Jiang Fan accompanied Chu Ruoxi to her first lunch at Huqing University.
In the afternoon, they parted ways, and Jiang Fan returned to Longke University.
A few days prior, he had contacted Long Lao to inform him of his decision, and Long Lao had been overjoyed.
Long Lao was relieved; after a month of daily communication with Jiang Fan's parents, his efforts had not been in vain.
If only Long Lao knew that Jiang Fan's parents hadn't actually mentioned Longke University to him and were supportive of his choice to attend Huqing University, he might have been struck speechless.
Long Lao told Jiang Fan that when he came to Longke University to register, he should call him so that Long Lao could arrange his enrollment and housing.
Jiang Fan walked up to the grand entrance of Longke University, where the six bold characters—"Longguo University of Technology"—were displayed in a calligraphic flourish.
A strange sense of belonging surged within him.
Soon, an energetic elderly man emerged from the gates of Longke University.
Upon seeing Jiang Fan, his face broke into a broad smile as he grasped Jiang Fan's hand.
"Jiang Fan, welcome to Longke University! Come, I'll show you to your place!"
Jiang Fan followed Long Lao through the campus.
Though Longke University's campus wasn't as picturesque as Huqing University, the design of the academic buildings had a distinctly technological feel.
After passing through several distinctive buildings, Long Lao led Jiang Fan to a faculty apartment building, where they entered.
Room 302 on the third floor was a two-bedroom apartment.
Long Lao gestured around and asked,
"How do you like it, Jiang Fan? Is it satisfactory?"
"It's great, Grandpa Long. I don't have many requirements for where I live," Jiang Fan replied.
"Good, this will be your place from now on," Long Lao said, handing him the keys.
Jiang Fan accepted them without hesitation.
As the chief engineer at the Northern Base, Jiang Fan had to deal with sensitive data, which made dorm life impractical.
"By the way, Jiang Fan," Long Lao continued, "I'm in my sixties now, and I'm looking for a successor before I retire. Would you be willing to be my student?"
Jiang Fan thought for a moment before answering, "I would be honored!"
Jiang Fan knew that with his scientific system, he was not lacking in research ability, but he was short on connections and funding for scientific projects.
Long Lao, as an elder in Longguo, had no shortage of either.
So, becoming Long Lao's student would be a golden opportunity for him.
"Excellent! Hahaha..." Long Lao chuckled, relieved. He had feared that Jiang Fan might decline.
The two sat down on a sofa and began discussing various scientific matters.
"Jiang Fan, what field of study are you planning to pursue?"
"I'd like to study Space Science," Jiang Fan answered.
"Space Science?"
Long Lao seemed surprised by Jiang Fan's choice.
Space Science encompassed a vast array of topics, but due to humanity's limited understanding of the cosmos, it was still an emerging field with scant resources.
Furthermore, it was difficult to find related research positions after graduation, and the government paid little attention to this area of study.
"Jiang Fan, have you truly considered Space Science? I suggest you look into other fields like Materials Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Information Engineering—those are promising areas," Long Lao advised.
Given Jiang Fan's aptitude for controlled nuclear fusion, Long Lao believed that he could excel in any of these fields.
"Yes, I've thought it through," Jiang Fan replied with determination.
He wanted to explore the mysteries of the universe and connect with higher civilizations. Space Science was the field most aligned with his ambitions.
Long Lao seemed to want to say more but held back. After all, it was Jiang Fan's choice, and he didn't want to interfere too much.
"Do as you wish with your choice of major. The military training starts in a few days, but you don't need to participate. I'm currently researching mecha technology, and tomorrow, you'll be my assistant to help with the project!"
Just as Long Lao finished speaking, Jiang Fan heard the system's voice in his mind:
【System】: "Option 1: Accept Long Lao's invitation to be his assistant and receive a set of blueprints for the future combat mecha from 100 years ahead.
Option 2: Reject Long Lao's invitation with no rewards."
Without hesitation, Jiang Fan chose Option 1.
【System】: "Host has chosen to accept Long Lao's invitation and received a set of blueprints for the future combat mecha."
He glanced over the mecha blueprints and found that this combat mecha was incredibly advanced—almost like a superhuman.
Jiang Fan struggled to contain his excitement. He realized how powerful the system was, effortlessly providing blueprints for a future combat mecha.
He wondered if, in the future, it might even reward him with designs for a time-travel machine.
However, Jiang Fan understood that such a machine was impossible to construct for now. Even if the system provided the blueprints, humanity's technology was far from capable of creating it.
He deduced that the system's rewards were likely based on the current technological level of Blue Star.
With this in mind, Jiang Fan realized just how intelligent the system truly was.
After accepting Long Lao's invitation, the two of them discussed more scientific knowledge. Then, Long Lao received a phone call and left.
The enrollment paperwork had already been handled by others, so Jiang Fan had nothing pressing to attend to.
He decided to take a stroll around the campus of Longke University.
As he wandered, he came upon a large square, where many freshmen were gathered, watching something with great interest.
Curious, he approached and learned that it was the traditional Freshman Mathematics Challenge at Longke University.
Just as Jiang Fan stepped forward to watch, the system's voice rang out in his mind:
【System】: "Ding! Task issued: Participate in the Freshman Mathematics Challenge. Win first place to receive a set of blueprints for the future combat mecha from 100 years ahead!"

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