Akademiya Graduation Shock
The chat exploded again.
Lumine:
"Wait… you need to learn 20 languages before graduation??"
Paimon:
"You two are joking, right?!"
Keqing:
"Key words: 'only' and 'easy'…"
Yoimiya:
"Is this the world of geniuses? Terrifying… (shivering.jpg)"
Layla:
"W-wait… does the Akademiya really have such graduation requirements?!"
Kaveh:
"Of course not. Or at least, not for everyone."
Kaveh:
"They only need twenty languages because they belong to the Haravatat Darshan."
"After all, that school studies languages and linguistics."
The chat instantly understood.
So that was the reason.
Even so—
Twenty languages was still absurd.
Most people felt proud knowing two or three languages.
Twenty?
That difficulty level was insane.
Lumine suddenly felt extremely relieved.
Thankfully she had abandoned the idea of becoming Grand Sage earlier.
Otherwise she might not even graduate…
That would be embarrassing beyond belief.
Luo Chen Explains the Akademiya
Back in the villa, Luo Chen continued.
"Now that we've introduced the Akademiya, you should have a basic understanding."
"If we ignore their crooked actions like creating a god and imprisoning their own Archon, they actually achieved some results in research."
"For example:"
Bountiful Boon — elemental energy that improves crop harvests
Remelting Tablets — alchemical devices that launch reagents with explosive pressure for combat
"These inventions greatly helped Sumeru."
"But the most important creation is still the Akasha Terminal."
The Akasha itself was invented by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
The Akademiya simply refined it into a usable system.
With the terminals, knowledge could be organized and accessed easily.
Any ordinary citizen wearing one could instantly retrieve information.
Luo Chen repeated the earlier point:
Having knowledge doesn't guarantee wisdom.
But wisdom requires knowledge.
And because of the Akasha—
Sumeru's citizens could access knowledge faster than anywhere else in Teyvat.
Calling it the Nation of Wisdom was completely justified.
The Problem with the Akasha
However—
The system eventually went wrong.
First problem:
Knowledge access depended on social status.
Different ranks received different information.
Second problem:
People became overly dependent on the Akasha.
Originally it was meant to save time so people could think more.
But human nature is lazy.
Once the shortcut existed, many people stopped thinking entirely.
Eventually they even began to worship the authority of the Akasha.
Whenever their own ideas conflicted with it—
They would abandon their own thinking.
This weakness had already been demonstrated during the rescue plan for Nahida.
Alhaitham used the Akasha itself to manipulate the Akademiya sages like fools.
Because they trusted the system blindly.
Luo Chen sighed.
"In such an environment, true academic breakthroughs become impossible."
"Even if Rukkhadevata returned, it wouldn't change anything."
"Because people have already stopped thinking."
"And those who abandon thought lose the right to pursue wisdom."
This was one reason Nahida eventually shut down the Akasha.
What True Wisdom Means
Luo Chen concluded with a powerful statement.
"When humans face the unknown and lack knowledge…"
"They should pursue it."
"They should create it."
Because ignorance sparks curiosity.
Curiosity leads to exploration.
Exploration leads to questioning.
Questioning leads to creation.
And creation allows the weak to overcome the strong.
Just like in the original future—
When Nahida united the wisdom of Sumeru's citizens with the Traveler to defeat the Shouki no Kami.
That was true human wisdom.
Not blindly waiting for answers from the Akasha.
Not waiting for divine blessings.
Otherwise—
Sumeru would only be giant babies on the road of wisdom.
Sumeru Scholars Reflect
Hearing this, many Sumeru scholars fell silent.
They realized something painful.
For centuries they had relied too heavily on the Akasha.
Whenever they encountered a question—
They immediately searched for an answer.
Instead of thinking.
At first it felt convenient.
But eventually they discovered something terrifying.
They had forgotten how to think at all.
Now they understood.
Their lack of progress had nothing to do with Rukkhadevata.
It was entirely their own fault.
Many scholars bowed respectfully toward the light screen.
In gratitude for this awakening.
Nahida's Turn
Luo Chen continued.
"Now that we've discussed Rukkhadevata and the Akademiya…"
"It's time to talk about Nahida."
Compared to the previous two, her situation was unique.
She lacked:
Rukkhadevata's thousands of years of experience
The Akademiya's large academic community
She was a young Archon who had been imprisoned since birth.
Her only source of knowledge was the Akasha.
So her understanding of wisdom was still growing and evolving.
That was perfectly normal.
No one could expect her to match Rukkhadevata.
But even so—
Nahida still had brilliant moments of wisdom.
Luo Chen said:
"I'll show two examples."
The screen began playing a video.
Video 1: Nahida vs The Doctor
The setting was the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
After removing the corruption from Irminsul, Nahida, Lumine, and Paimon returned.
Lumine asked:
"Do you remember… what just happened?"
Nahida tilted her head and recalled.
"We used the power of two Gnosis to connect with the past of the Irminsul."
"And then we removed the contamination."
Lumine instantly realized something.
Nahida had forgotten Rukkhadevata.
Only she remembered.
Perhaps because she came from another world.
Paimon looked confused.
"What's wrong? You were there too, Lumine."
Lumine frowned.
Even Paimon had forgotten.
Did everyone in Teyvat lose those memories?
Should she tell the truth?
But suddenly—
A strange sound echoed.
A piercing hypnotic wave.
Nahida resisted it.
But Lumine and Paimon—
"What's that sound…?"
"So sleepy…"
The Traveler staggered.
Vision blurring.
She tried to stay awake.
But ultimately collapsed.
Paimon fell beside her.
Before losing consciousness, Lumine saw Nahida become alert.
Footsteps approached.
And a shadowy figure appeared.
Chat Group Panic
The chat exploded instantly.
Lumine:
"??? I got attacked again?!"
Paimon:
"And me too! What's happening?!"
They were both stunned.
Last time Nahida had been stabbed right in front of them.
Now they themselves were knocked out.
Where was the powerful Traveler reputation now?!
Guessing the Attacker
Jean analyzed calmly.
"Someone probably wants to speak with the Dendro Archon alone."
Ningguang nodded.
"The figure is too blurred to identify."
Then Tartaglia suddenly spoke.
"That's The Doctor."
"As a Fatui Harbinger, I recognize him instantly."
Dehya was shocked.
"But we saw him leave earlier!"
Diluc sneered.
"The Doctor is cunning."
"You were probably deceived."
Alhaitham analyzed further.
"He likely returned for the Gnosis."
Yae Miko teased.
"Looks like you've been abandoned, Scaramouche~"
Tartaglia laughed.
"Congratulations!"
La Signora added coldly.
"Poetic justice."
Scaramouche's face turned black with rage.
A Dangerous Situation
Alice suddenly pointed out the problem.
"The Doctor's power rivals the gods."
"Nahida might not be able to fight him."
Venti chuckled.
"From the future we know it works out."
Zhongli added thoughtfully.
"From a rational perspective, Nahida is currently at a disadvantage."
"If she simply hands over the Gnosis, she might avoid danger."
"But…"
Raiden Makoto finished the thought.
"The screen said this was Nahida's moment of brilliance."
"So she must seize control somehow."
Everyone became curious.
How could she gain the upper hand against such overwhelming strength?
Lumine Realizes Something
Furina joked.
"Also… Lumine and Paimon might become hostages."
The chat went silent.
Lumine: "…."
Paimon: "…."
They suddenly realized the terrible possibility.
They were supposed to protect Nahida.
Instead—
They might become the bargaining chips.
Paimon cried.
"Waaaah! Nahida, we failed you!"
Lumine also looked devastated.
"What kind of First Sage am I?!"
Nahida laughed softly and comforted them.
"You're my best friends."
"If exchanging the Gnosis could save you…"
"It would be worth it."
Lumine and Paimon hugged her emotionally.
Nahida Thinks
But Nahida began thinking quietly.
If she were truly in that situation—
How could she gain control?
"The Doctor wants the Gnosis…"
"The Gnosis…"
Then suddenly—
Her eyes widened.
"…Wait."
"Could it be…?"
Even she felt surprised by the thought.
"That doesn't sound like something I'd normally do…"
Lumine noticed her expression.
"You figured it out?"
Nahida smiled slightly.
"Let's keep watching."
Meanwhile — The Doctor Watches
Far away in Sumeru's borders—
Il Dottore watched the screen with interest.
"Facing me at a disadvantage and still seizing control?"
"I'm curious what tricks the God of Wisdom will use."
The video resumed.
Nahida noticed Lumine and Paimon unconscious.
Then the figure stepped forward.
"I've been waiting a long time for a chance to speak with you alone."
"It seems my patience was worthwhile."
The Doctor had arrived.
Nahida immediately entered a defensive stance.
"Fatui Harbinger—what did you do to them?"
The Doctor smiled calmly.
"Just a sonic wave that forces unprepared people into dreams."
"Sadly ineffective against gods."
"Something the sages researched."
"I borrowed it."
Then his gaze shifted toward the unconscious Traveler and Paimon…
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