Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 453 - 91. Baizhu Star Ministry of Education asked a question on Zhihu overnight: How to assess Leoz?

Chapter 453: 91. Baizhu Star Ministry of Education asked a question on Zhihu overnight: How to assess Leoz?

Baizhu Star, Office of the Minister of Education.

"...That’s the situation."

The head professor of the Academy Committee, Chief Atkez, put down the report documents nervously and asked the minister in front of him:

"So much has happened in just a few days."

Baizhu Star’s Minister of Education—Balkmon Barlevi Bast—crossed his hands lightly in front of him, eyes deep and contemplative.

After pondering for a moment, he asked:

"Is the information accurate?"

"Since the news came from the Union Group’s Narrative Civilization No. 13, it can’t be false. Narrative-level civilizations wouldn’t spread a Gamma Rank mortal’s rumors carelessly..."

"So," Balkmon slightly straightened up and stared at Atkez, "the genius student we recently enrolled, during the rest period before the course started, first fought with the academic titan Mr. Liue from the Life Commune, then went to the Valenkov Autonomy, bombed a building, destroyed a warship, and forced Velazquez Corporation to withdraw from Valenkov with its tail between its legs?"

"Uh, overall, that’s correct, but there are many details in between. Velazquez Corporation wasn’t driven away by Leoz but by the masses and the new government of Valenkov..."

"Regardless, he has already caused such a fact. In the cosmos, rumors always turn into legends and myths."

Balkmon sighed:

"This kid is a troublesome fellow. I initially thought he was just here to test and contact us on narrative level. Now it seems Leoz not only possesses divinity but has considerable combat prowess. A Gamma Rank mortal, surviving under Velazquez’s offensive and single-handedly defeating a Delta Rank—with divinity—Leoz, haha, if Leoz hadn’t died so thoroughly, I’d suspect he was genuinely Leoz reincarnated."

"There’s no reincarnation in the Layer Abyss," Atkez reminded.

"Whether there is or not, I don’t care. At least this kid has nothing to do with the narrative level, but rather has a strong connection with the deities. The exam might have been by chance, but combat doesn’t lie."

Balkmon’s words made Atkez equally troubled. Unlike the Minister of Education, he was the one who had to actually come into contact with Leoz.

He raised his hand, organized his language, and tentatively asked:

"...What did the Supreme Council say? Do they have any special opinions on Leoz?"

"Special opinions? What special opinions could they have? I tell you, don’t mythologize those people in high positions too much. The Supreme Council is just a group of bigwigs waving the flag of democratic voting while arguing amongst themselves. Everyone knows that the decision was made by a few mage families long ago; they come out to perform deliberately to make you feel mages are all equal."

Balkmon held the Supreme Council in contempt:

"The Supreme Council is busy dealing with the frontline battle situation; they have no comments and let us make our own decisions. Idiots just occupying their positions... Alright, think about how to deal with Leoz."

"So since we’ve been given some operational space, it actually indicates—that in the eyes of the Supreme Council, Leoz’s situation is not worth worrying about?"

"You could understand it that way," Balkmon thought for a moment and said: "Leoz, at least for now, seems friendly to us, but do you think he holds any strategic significance?"

Atkez shook his head:

"A single person can’t change the war, but Leoz’s actions do prove he has little to do with narrative-level civilizations."

"You think he’s from a third-party faction?"

"More than that, I suspect Leoz doesn’t have a backing faction at all. He’s not a third-party; he’s a faction of one."

Balkmon pondered for a moment:

"This matter needs serious handling. In terms of public opinion, our people have always been out of touch with the interstellar scene, so it’s easy to control, but Leoz’s background needs careful consideration."

"About that."

Atkez immediately grabbed the opportunity and produced a pre-prepared document:

"After you mentioned divinity last time, I immediately applied for Level 3 borrowing rights at the Alfred Great Library. I conducted investigations and research on deities, and based on our past interactions and interviews with deities, I have three primary hypotheses about Leoz’s identity."

"First, Leoz inherited divine traits from some fallen deity. This is a significant possibility because, considering the Layer Abyss situation, there are hundreds of indigenous rogue deities scattered throughout the cosmos. Most of them aren’t Sigma Rank (∑, the eighteenth Greek letter), and since rogue deities lack stable followers, they can easily fall into corruption and become evil gods. Based on Leoz’s behavior, this is unlikely."

"Second, Leoz innately possesses divine traits, but this requires a divine lineage within three generations. A significant trait of Starry Abyssal Spirits is their porcelain-like skin, which Leoz obviously does not have. We’ve also checked his genealogy; he’s merely the descendant of ordinary construction laborers, with no spellcasters in even two generations. This is highly unlikely."

"The third situation is easily understood," Atkez said. "He is a god, born as a god, destined by the heavens."

"A Chosen One innately possessing divine traits. This is exceptionally rare in the current environment because, after the widespread dissemination of the Pathway education in the Layer Abyss, various civilizations have recognized the ’God Embracer’ pathway of ascending to godhood after birth. Primitive, naturally-born deities, in contrast, are generally given lesser evaluation."

The reason is straightforward; such deities typically possess highly self-centered thinking and do not recognize the ’Narrative Pathway’ of narrative-level civilizations. Thus, they are often distanced and suppressed by narrative-level civilizations—except for the Obliteration Sanctum."

He displayed his academic bureaucrat demeanor admirably, presenting his rigorous logic and information-gathering capability. Every page was prominently highlighted and appropriately annotated, making it exceedingly reader-friendly, concise, and well-founded, earning Balkmon’s appreciation.

Although Atkez did not explicitly point it out, Balkmon already understood which category Leoz belonged to.

Natural deities? That’s outdated.

In this era where everyone strives to climb the Pathway, self-realization, self-transcendence, and self-ascension themselves define the Grand Narrative depicted by narrative-level civilizations.

By employing such means and slogans, narrative-level civilizations can genuinely unite hearts and minds across racial and geographical divides, both ideologically and materially. Naturally-born deities garner no fondness as they are not considered the rightful heirs of narrative-level civilizations.

Balkmon didn’t mind getting early information on divinity but instead being educated by Atkez now. To him, this further confirmed that his chosen successor had solid learning qualities.

"Since Leoz poses no real problem, that’s good news."

Balkmon nodded:

"Natural deities are considered harmless and neutral figures, and it will take at least four or five hundred years for him to truly ascend to godhood. Until then, we will continue to educate but not nurture him, allowing Leoz some freedom and room to act."

"What do you mean?"

"Let him learn some techniques if he wants to. Allow him to organize some groups, register workshops, and businesses, and even join the military if he desires. Provide some welfare subsidies to let him feel the goodwill of the Crystal Tower."

Balkmon said:

"Baizhu Star’s education level is high, and our students are outstanding mages. The objective idealism thought of deities holds no allure for them. Even if Leoz gathers a few followers, with his personality and intelligence, he won’t be able to split lands or create fiefdoms."

"As for his disputes with Liue, Valenkov, and Velazquez, let’s not mention them—it’s awkward for everyone. Oh, and quickly get his household registration done. If he wants to explore other civilizations, we should have the flexibility to either let him go or create obstacles."

"One thing: Leoz must never be allowed to participate in politics. The Crystal Tower is a noble materialistic civilization, and we do not recognize deities holding legitimate political positions. It would negatively impact our civilians; do you understand?"

Balkmon’s instructions released a signal to Atkez: The Crystal Tower Civilization is now highly tense. Previously, deity research could be openly discussed, but due to unfavorable conditions in the ongoing war with the Night Butterfly Federation, those subjective idealists received no goodwill.

Atkez also discussed Leoz’s course arrangements with Balkmon, who vaguely stated, "Handle it as you see fit. I don’t understand teaching. No need to deliberately publicize the Crystal Tower Civilization’s image, but feel free to highlight the Night Butterfly Federation’s messy affairs."

This further deepened Atkez’s conviction that one could infer much information from such subtleties.

For instance, in areas with high birth rates, the death rates are often also high, suggesting people are forced to adopt a quantity-over-quality strategy to combat natural disasters, war, and poverty. In peacetime, as urbanization progresses, sanitation improves, death rates significantly decrease, and the cost of raising children rises, leading people to choose quality over quantity, reducing birth rates.

Balkmon’s remarks indicated concern over the enemy’s image, suggesting something must have gone wrong on the frontline. The Night Butterfly Federation might have achieved a critical battle victory or made some significant progress.

So, after discussing Leoz’s arrangements, he casually mentioned:

"Minister, the Vellia you asked me to find earlier can be confirmed to be resurrected. The ruins and tomb were excavated five years ago. It’s only a matter of time before we locate her. When do you plan to bring our Golden Dragon volunteer hero to Baizhu Star?"

"Ugh, don’t mention it."

Balkmon stated offhandedly:

"The Night Butterfly Federation seems to have developed some kind of weapon. All information we send to the Galactic Eye front falls into a void. We have no idea what’s happening there—so your matter isn’t urgent. The Supreme Council has issued a new round of conscription. We need Baizhu Star to provide 3,000 Zeta Rank elite spellcasters—loyal to civilization, firm materialists, academically excellent, and with strong patriotic enthusiasm—help find suitable candidates."

Atkez nodded in agreement, sweating coldly behind his back.

——The last time Crystal Tower Civilization conscripted university students was four hundred years ago.

Back then, they were invaded by the Society and were nearly destroyed.

Despite Balkmon’s casual tone, the actual situation seemed dire. Perhaps the civilization had already lost four or five key battles.

Balkmon didn’t make it explicit, but he knew one thing very well:

In just seven days, the Galactic Eye Campaign suffered significant setbacks. Both sides incurred massive casualties and losses. Even the renowned Golden Dragon Monks couldn’t take action due to inadequate logistical rest.

Now, the Galactic Eye Battlefield had turned into the greatest meat grinder in the Layer Abyss.