Fallen Chronicles

Chapter 214 Chapter 214: The True Face of Academic Exchange

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Renji frowned inwardly, his guard instantly raised, yet on the surface, he appeared amused, asking the young man before him in a relaxed tone:

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"It's quite simple. Honestly, I've been paying attention to you since you boarded the aircraft. First off, look around us. Apart from those assistants handling miscellaneous tasks, how many young people like us do you see among the doctors and professors?"

"Even if there are a few, don't they all look like outstanding individuals? I bet they would fit right in receiving the 'Sin City Top Ten Outstanding Youths' award without any sense of incongruity. They might be used to it, but their overwhelming arrogance, ah! I can barely stand it even from a distance!"

"But you are different. Just from your taste in clothing, I instantly felt a strong connection with you!"

Clearly, Keyji had nothing but scorn for the "Sin City Top Ten Outstanding Youths" award, reflecting his attitude towards these young talents.

Renji couldn't refute this. Indeed, most scholars, especially those at the level of doctor or professor, are typically older. It's mostly middle-aged individuals in their forties and fifties.

Being in your thirties is considered young, let alone their age group, which is obviously in their early twenties. Plus, Renji had been quite low-key since boarding the aircraft, keeping to himself, so it wasn't surprising that the young man opposite felt a sense of kinship with him.

But could one really conclude that he had gained entry through backdoor means, just based on being "young" and his "taste in clothing"?

With Keyji's next words, Renji realized he was mistaken.

"So, Brother Renji, you really are 'that'"

Keyji gave him a thumbs-up, then his expression turned less serious as he winked and said:

"Actually, if it were just based on you, I wouldn't be so sure. What really convinced me that we're definitely birds of a feather was seeing that beautiful assistant accompanying you!"

"Seriously, I have been quite charming and have dated many girls. Look, some of them are even from the law department! Amazing right? Even I wouldn't dare to bring them openly into the lab, but Bro, you not only brought a girl in but even dared to bring her to an event like this. That's why I say you're really awesome!"

As Keyji spoke, he pulled out his electronic phone to show Renji pictures of his girlfriends, especially the one from the law department. However, he ended up smacking his lips and looked at Renji with a gaze full of admiration that seemed to say, "I can't compare to you"

Renji: "Actually..."

Seeing that Renji seemed about to explain something, Keyji widened his eyes and quickly interjected:

"Wait, wait, wait! don't tell me your female assistant is actually into academics? Is this a novel? There's no such thing as a vibrant and beautiful girl in reality who's willing to do academic research in black stockings, right?"

"Look at the assistants other professors have brought. Even if there are girls, which one of them is as youthful and beautiful? Which one dares to roam around as if they are on a sightseeing tour after boarding the aircraft?"

Renji: "…"

Seeing the young man opposite him with a "no need to say more, we all understand" expression, Renji quickly changed the topic.

"Aren't you afraid of being found out for taking the backdoor here? It's one thing to take shortcuts in other matters, but we've been hired by Kael Technology as consultants. Won't you expose yourself if you can't answer any questions when the time comes?"

After hearing Renji's words, Keyji first paused, then looked at Renji with a puzzled expression, asking, "Brother, don't tell me you don't know about the nature of this so-called consultancy and academic exchange?"

"Nature?"

Renji's frown deepened, sensing a bad premonition. It seemed that from the beginning of their conversation, the young man had described this academic exchange as a kind of "tourism."

Seeing Renji's reaction, Keyji became even more convinced that Renji had indeed used backdoor means to get here and hadn't done his research.

Since they were similar and now friends, Keyji quickly explained to Renji, "Brother, our so-called academic exchange with the Mechanical Alliance has been happening for several sessions now; it's almost a tradition, happening every year. Although it's under the guise of inviting us as consultants, in reality, it's about them inviting us to showcase their latest research achievements!"

"Showcase their achievements?"

"Right, I don't have the exact details of how this all started, but from what I've heard, initially, this academic exchange was quite normal. It was only until one time when the Mechanical Alliance made some major breakthrough, developing some impressive technology. As a result, during that exchange meeting, our scholars from Sin City were completely overshadowed by the Mechanical Alliance, feeling utterly frustrated. When they returned to Sin City, our City Lord couldn't tolerate that, and with strong support, Sin City developed advanced technology. They then hired people from the Mechanical Alliance for so-called discussions, which were actually a way to show off."

"And so, it went on like this, and eventually, it became what it is now. Every year Sin City and the Mechanical Alliance take turns. If one side makes a groundbreaking technology, they'll hire people from the other side to show off their superiority and advertise their products. The idea is to make you come over and buy my products."

"Unfortunately, in recent years, it seems that Sin City's research hasn't had any major breakthroughs, while the Mechanical Alliance has been on a roll, making technological breakthroughs year after year. Especially in the field of ancient studies, this year, they even took the initiative to invite us from Sin City."

Keyji shook his head, seemingly sighing at the fact that Sin City has been overshadowed by others for so long.

Afterward, he patted Renji on the shoulder.

"So, Brother Renji, do you understand now? They didn't really hire us as consultants; we were just being used! They deliberately bring some of their latest knowledge in ancient studies to exchange with us, knowing that we can't understand it, and then they can't communicate effectively with us. This way, they can sell us their products!"

"Since no one can answer their questions, why should I be afraid? Instead, I might as well treat this as a sponsored trip. I'll use the money from this year's host to have a good time in the Mechanical Alliance, enjoy for a week, and give Sin City some face!"

"How about it, Since we get along so well, why not be my companion when we get to Dream City?"