DKIE CH52: First Experience

The night was deep. The ferret licked its fur.

“Professor Yu.” After Luka explained his three-part plan to prove the value of the network, he called out with a smile.

The Quill Pen shivered slightly.

For some reason, the title “Professor Yu” had inexplicably started to feel more impactful than “Your Majesty,” “Your Excellency,” or even his real name.

Luka had already floated over like a ghost.

The magical framework he had previously written was still on the table. Luka looked at these exquisite and meticulous points of knowledge. “As it happens, I need to consult you on some issues regarding the magic system.”

The Quill Pen looked noble and aloof. “Go on.”

After he had explained in detail the specific points he needed to consult on, the Quill Pen sat down beside him. “So this is the method you came up with?”

It sounded very ordinary.

Luka: “I’m going for a big win with a small bet.”

The more elaborate and flashy the actions, the more it would lower the perceived value.

Only by using seemingly perfunctory actions to create a sense of contrast could the mystery of the terminal be highlighted.

He had always been a man of his own ideas. Hearing this, the Quill Pen said no more and returned to the matter of magic.

“It’s not difficult. It can be done in a day.”

Luka immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to burn the midnight oil.

“Half a day is enough. We’ll give birth to it tonight!”

“…”

In the middle of the night, when even the ferret was about to fall asleep, Luka was still buried in research and discussion with the Quill Pen.

Since the content wasn’t complex, the entire construction process was very smooth. By the next day, before the sky was fully light, a relatively complete framework had been successfully born.

“It’s done,” Luka stretched. “The details can be updated in later versions.”

The Quill Pen got straight to the point. The other had mentioned when he returned last night that the test would require pulling in an outsider. “Who are you planning to pull in?”

Luka’s eyes sparkled as he looked over. “You really know me.”

He was just about to ask the Quill Pen to help him deliver something.

Leaving the address, Luka said solemnly, “My rich family’s fake little brother, please.”

Professor Yu when I need him, fake little brother when I don’t. The Quill Pen, carrying Luka’s ‘eager expectations,’ began a brief trip.

Luka, on the other hand, went to the palace alone.

The Elf King had already given the order. The guards along the way let him pass. The small animals performing on the stage had seen Luka before and happily took the lead.

Following the underground river forward, just as Luka was about to arrive, he saw the Elf King standing under the Tree of Wisdom, a hint of hidden worry in his expression.

Luka concealed the deep thought in his eyes. It seemed that the Quill Pen’s deduction was correct; the Tree of Wisdom was likely in a hurry to find a breakthrough.

As he approached, he said, “Good day, Your Excellency.”

The next sentence was mainly directed at the Tree of Wisdom. “I wish to implant a magical framework within your consciousness space.”

During the testing period, all actions required the Tree of Wisdom’s permission.

A branch gently landed on Luka’s shoulder.

The Elf King pointed to the forked part of the branch. “The Tree of Wisdom likes you very much. It will allow you to implant two.”

Luka: What a V-sign.

But he had only invented one.

To describe the Tree of Wisdom’s consciousness space as vast was a gross understatement.

It could even achieve asexual reproduction at any time it wished, creating new life through the projection of its consciousness space and life essence.

Luka saved himself the trouble of uploading.

The Tree of Wisdom’s branch swept over the magical framework he had written on paper and automatically generated a copy within itself. At almost the same time, a small magic program appeared on all the oval terminals.

Luka, who had witnessed the entire process: …A truly high-tech scanning sacred body.

The Elf King had been paying close attention to the process. On the screen, which had been crudely smelted yesterday, a shape of an azure flying fish appeared, with a few words rippling in the waves: [Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate].

Out of curiosity, he clicked on it directly.

The startup screen first popped up an account registration. Since there was a process introduction, the Elf King operated it quickly.

After filling it out, the screen showed a gameplay introduction.

[Welcome to the world of the flying fish. Quick, help the little fish leap over the dragon gate!]

So it was a game.

The Elf King’s interest was instantly halved.

Luka: “Your Excellency might as well give it a try.”

After scanning the rules in a glance, the Elf King’s interest diminished even further.

The game rules could be said to be very childish. During the game, musical notes would fall continuously, and the player needed to tap or long-press them in a timely manner when they reached the designated area.

A simple version of a rhythm game, without much of a game plot.

The Elf King’s first reaction was: That’s it?

After entering the game, he found: That’s it.

The game content was highly consistent with his first impression. It wasn’t until the music came out that it was somewhat refreshing. The music library was implanted with tunes Luka had written when he was a trainee. Whether they were good or not was another matter, but their novelty was a plus.

Luka waited quietly by the side.

Watching the Elf King play a rhythm game was like watching a master arrange flowers—very pleasing to the eye.

Unfortunately, this process did not last long. The screen’s sensitivity was very low at present, and it was difficult to accurately time the long presses. The Elf King died on the second level.

[Choose to revive for free?]

The Elf King was puzzled.

Since it’s free, why emphasize it? Is there a paid option?

This thought was just a fleeting one. After choosing yes, another pop-up appeared:
[Answer ten questions correctly in a row to get 1 revive chance].

The Elf King’s patience ran out. He didn’t even look at the subsequent pop-ups and forcibly quit the game.

Luka’s eyes were full of expectation. “How was it?”

After a rather long silence, the Elf King gave a reasonably fair evaluation. “The melodies inside are not bad, but if you want to use this to prove your influence, it is far from enough.”

In his expectations, no matter how bad the result, it shouldn’t have been to this extent.

Luka was not in a hurry. “May I ask if the other elves have received the terminals?”

“Over three thousand have been distributed so far.”

Luka wasn’t the only one working overtime last night.

The leaves of the Tree of Wisdom could be regenerated at any time. Even if hundreds of millions of leaves fell at once, they could be replenished in a short period. It was just that the further forging process was very time-consuming.

The Elf King knew his people well and said slowly, “Their opinions won’t differ much from mine.”

“Not differing much” was putting it nicely.

The melodies in the music library Luka implanted were simple and clear, which, on the whole, deviated from the current aesthetic.

The game operation was repetitive and monotonous, and the difficulty jump from the first level to the second was large. There were many obvious shortcomings.

Luka was not in a hurry. “Let’s wait for a feedback period first.”

…

There were always some things that were beyond Luka’s expectations. For example, he had guessed the Elf King’s opinion of the rhythm game, but he didn’t know which group the latter had distributed the terminals to.

The Council of Elders had held a special discussion, and the Elf King had requested that the High Priest be avoided throughout the entire process.

So, at present, those who had come into contact with the terminals, besides the elven guards who had received a confidentiality mission, were the relatively closed-off schools.

In the early morning, the top of the huge tree was divided into nearly a hundred different spaces, each space an independent large classroom.

The living classrooms, surrounded by green plants, were fresh and vibrant.

“What a terrible design.”

The elven race had high aesthetic requirements. Just seeing the crudely made terminal was already enough to make them feel disgusted.

But next was the most boring music theory class. Compared to reviewing their books, they were more willing to try this ugly thing.

“Even the sound quality is crude.” The top student in the grade did everything quickly. He had already finished registering. Hearing the game’s startup music, he wrinkled his brow in a picky manner.

The innate wisdom and coordination of the elven race far surpassed other races. In the process of operating the terminal, they almost skipped the adaptation process.

The top student started playing the game.

The first time was inevitably a bit tense. He failed on the second level.

[Revive for free?]

It was almost time for class. He chose no without hesitation.

In the next second, a few conspicuous large words suddenly popped up in the center of the screen, and the game automatically entered the settlement screen.

[Congratulations! You have defeated 99% of the players on the Saint Demon Continent!]

[Current Continent Rankings

1. Lancaerus 2
   
2. Finn 1]
   

[Current Season Ends in: 52 hours 36 minutes 25 seconds]

Lancaerus… After being stunned for a few seconds, the top student elf’s hand trembled. Isn’t that the King!

Currently, when registering, almost everyone chose to use their real identity.

After the initial shock passed, Finn the elf’s ears turned red with excitement. Is it the King? Is it really the King!

It must be.

“No one would dare to use the King’s name.”

Avoiding the same name as the one at the top of the pyramid was a default iron rule. It was impossible to find a second person named Lancaerus on the entire continent.

Didn’t this mean that he had almost beaten the King just now?

“Damn it!” I should have chosen to revive.

He muttered to himself. His deskmate, who was drowsy and hadn’t started yet, said in disgust, “What are you muttering about?”

Finn ignored him, sat up straight, and began to flex his fingers. As he lowered his head to start his second attempt, a few sounds of regret came from nearby.

Obviously, more and more elves had finished their games and discovered the rankings.

Just a little, just a little bit more!

It wasn’t just because of the Elf King. There was a Wisdom Fruit symbol next to the first place, and the entire nameplate was flashing.

Their subconscious desire to win was aroused. Everyone had the same thought: It’s just one level away, how can I not rush for it?

With the experience from the first level, Finn tried two more times and successfully passed the second level.

The difficulty jump to the third level was too great. He failed even with a revive.

“This time it should be okay.”

[You have defeated 10% of the players on the Saint Demon Continent]

Finn: “?”

[Continent Rankings

1. Wendini 3
   
2. Nim 3
   
3. Beth 3
   …]
   

[Current Season Ends in: 52 hours 29 minutes 25 seconds]

The number of players had actually exceeded a hundred.

Finn looked up and saw that at some point, everyone in the classroom was looking down, including his previously dozing deskmate, who was tapping the low-sensitivity screen so hard it almost sparked.

Suddenly, he saw something.

“Hey…”

The elf at the next desk didn’t look up. “Don’t talk to me!”

I’m about to pass the third level.

Finn went to poke the back of the elf in front of him. The other person flicked his tied-up hair, giving off a “don’t mess with me” vibe.

A shadow was cast in front of him. The teacher who had just entered the classroom stopped coldly beside the front desk. “The bell has already rung. Can’t you hear it?”

Wendini was frantic. But there was only a little bit left. Her fingers hadn’t left the screen yet. The result was predictable. After being reprimanded by the teacher, her terminal was temporarily confiscated.

Finn looked at her tearful face and the corner of his mouth twitched. “You’re too brave.”

Still not putting it away even when the teacher is here.

Wendini sniffed, aggrieved. “You don’t understand.”

Finn didn’t understand, until, due to several students in a row having their terminals confiscated, he smoothly rushed to first place during the break. Then he understood.

Once you were in that position, there was a natural pressure.

He would absolutely not allow himself to be surpassed!

For a whole morning, Finn’s mind was full of jumping musical notes.

On the other side, since seeing Luka’s work, the Elf King had been silent until the afternoon. The Tree of Wisdom was entering a period of decline. Without the Tree of Wisdom’s blessing, the entire clan would face a low point. This problem had been troubling him for years, so even if he found a single breakthrough point, he would take it very seriously.

Unfortunately, the results were often not to his liking.

Just as the Elf King was greatly disappointed, a guard came to report on the distribution of the terminals.

“The professors at the academy are so angry their throats are hoarse. It’s said that many students were playing games in class and are still being kept in detention.”

The Elf King frowned. “Are you sure?”

The guard: “When I went in, the professor pointed at my nose and said, if I don’t study hard, I’ll be on guard duty like him in the future.”

“…”

For the first time, the Elf King questioned his own aesthetic. Could there be something special that I didn’t discover?

He didn’t believe it and opened the game again.

Having quit early and not being very interested before, the Elf King didn’t have a deep impression of the game.

Now he began to observe it in detail. His overall opinion remained unchanged: very sloppy.

“This is…”

In the upper right corner was a small golden trophy. He hadn’t noticed it before because he had quit too quickly. The Elf King casually clicked on it, and a shining leaderboard entered his field of vision.

He scrolled down a bit, then again. His casual gaze suddenly froze.

[You are not currently on the leaderboard. Please try again.]

The leaderboard only counted the top one hundred.

The names on it were all unfamiliar. The guard had just seen the list of students whose terminals had been confiscated and proactively said, “They are the students who were kept in detention.”

The Elf King’s expression was subtle.

He had actually lost to little elves who were still in school?

“I was just trying it out this morning.” I wasn’t serious. It’s normal to lose.

The Elf King played another round seriously and was defeated.

“…”

The leaderboard was actually the result of many elves playing many times. Interestingly, the strong habitually paid more attention to the results.

The Elf King wrestled with his emotions, trying his best to restrain himself from wasting time on this.

It’s not an important ranking anyway. Winning is useless.

One more game, just one more.

He put in an excessive amount of focus, but the result was even worse than the last time.

I’m not playing anymore.

The Elf King seemed calm on the surface. As the leader of a clan, how could he not have this much self-control?

As he was about to forcibly quit the game, his gaze suddenly darkened. It seemed he had seen something dirty. He decisively restarted and threw himself into the ranked match.

Time and time again, as the Elf King kept trying to clear the levels, another guard came in to report, “Your Majesty, the High Priest of the Holy Court requests an audience.”

There was originally no item on the agenda for a report, but this time the situation was special. It was rare for a visitor to have a second audience with the Elf King after the first.

“Have him wait in the outer hall.”

The guard was dazed for a moment upon hearing this, before accepting that the King was actually making the High Priest of the Holy Court wait outside just to play a game.

Isn’t this a bit ridiculous?

And my own colleague, instead of advising against it, is actually making a cheering gesture.

The Elf King was defeated again. It was at this moment that the reporting guard saw the ranking on his terminal.

First place, Krulci.

Due to his duties, he was familiar with all his kinsmen, but he had no impression of this name.

As he walked out, the guard was still thinking about this name. He also had a terminal. He clicked on it to view the player’s detailed information, and his emerald green eyes almost turned red.

A dark elf.

It was actually a dark elf!

The light elves and dark elves had been at odds for centuries. Now, seeing an unknown dark elf suppressing a crowd of his own kind, how could he tolerate this?

Luka had proposed introducing an outsider yesterday, and had actually mentioned choosing a dark elf.

The reason was that the two races shared a common ancestry and had past grievances. This could be detrimental to the network in the future and was of great observational value.

The Elf King had agreed. This morning, the Quill Pen had specifically sought out a high-level dark elf to distribute the terminal. How he had managed to persuade the other party was unknown, but now, the dark elf had rushed to the top of the leaderboard.

…

The outer hall of the royal palace.

The tea had gradually grown cold. The High Priest frowned and looked at the guard who had gone to announce him earlier.

“His Excellency the Elf King?”

The guard was still in a daze and didn’t answer his question.

The High Priest’s pupils were nearly black, now dark and bottomless.

If this were the Holy Court, this guard would have been expelled at the very least. But soon, perhaps out of a guilty conscience, he began to wonder if the Elf King’s delay in appearing was because he had discovered something.

Otherwise, why would even a guard dare to ignore him?

The High Priest spoke again, but this time with a hint of probing.

The guard was still thinking about the terminal.

The King hadn’t come yet, which probably meant he hadn’t won yet. Didn’t that mean the dark elf was still firmly in first place?

It would be better if I played instead.

The guard was anxious. Isn’t it just accurately tapping the falling notes? He was absolutely confident he could knock that dark elf down.

Finally, the guard beside him couldn’t take it anymore and coughed lightly. Realizing he still hadn’t answered the priest, he said somewhat distractedly, “His Majesty is handling a very important matter.”

The High Priest’s expression completely changed.

Something is indeed wrong.

If it were an important matter, he would have said so at the beginning. Why would he make me wait like this?

The Elf King had, nine times out of ten, discovered something. But if he had really discovered something, he shouldn’t just be leaving me hanging.

Is he testing me, or is he using this time to confirm something?

“Something must have happened.”

The High Priest stood up abruptly. The sooner the better. He had to find a way to leave this place immediately.

Rising to his feet, he prepared to leave in a hurry without any explanation. Coincidentally, a man with golden hair and turquoise eyes walked out from another room in the palace.

Suddenly meeting a cold face, the High Priest’s eyes reflexively darted away.

The Elf King, who had arrived many steps late, saw this and became thoughtful, a smile not reaching his eyes.

“Where is the priest in such a hurry to go?”

__

Author’s note:
Luka’s diary excerpt:
Leaderboard fishing—the willing take the bait.
The elves and dark elves have begun a fierce gaming battle, no time to ‘like’.

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