Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: One of the Marvelous Constructions Chapter 47: Chapter 46: One of the Marvelous Constructions This book isn’t thick, just over fifty pages, and with Chaoyang skimming only the content he’s interested in, he practically flipped through the entire book in a quarter of an hour.

He discovered that Glaik Academy isn’t truly an academy in the traditional sense, but a powerful company.

The content this company deals in is knowledge itself.

And the reason they are able to do this is that they possess the First-Rank Miracle Construction, the “Panlogical Machine”.

The receptionist’s explanation wasn’t entirely accurate, as there is in fact only one real Panlogical Machine, situated in Star Peak City on the Old Continent, its size almost matching that of a building. Whether for reasons of secrecy or not, “The Chronicle” didn’t contain any photographs of it, instead using hand-drawn sketches to show its grandeur and incredibility.

Its appearance is completely different from the “mechanical giraffe” in the room, more like a vast assembly of pipe organs, with tens of thousands of metal pipes tightly packed together, with a human figure used for scale appearing no larger than a matchstick. Chaoyang conservatively estimated that the mass of pipes, both large and small, was at least thirty meters tall; if there was any resemblance to the machine before him, it was that the pipes eventually converged into an octahedron.

As for the structure beneath the “pipe organ,” it was equally complex. At a glance, it resembled a series of massive server racks, but what exactly was inside those steel cabinets, the sketches couldn’t convey.

Chaoyang also noticed a detail, that the entire Panlogical Machine was housed within an even larger building, around which no windows could be seen. Given the building’s astonishing span, he deduced, with his modest architectural knowledge, that this accommodating structure was likely located below the earth’s surface.

The entity the old man referred to must be this remarkable machine.

As for how other Panlogical Machines were connected to the main one, and how they accessed book information, “The Chronicle” provided no detailed explanations. Keep in mind that this world still lacked wireless radio technology, let alone ultra-long-range directional data transmission! Chaoyang didn’t know whether Glaik Academy was deliberately hiding this, or they thought it not worth mentioning at all.

After finishing the book, he felt goosebumps on his arm.

Despite the streaks of wishing power that had showcased this world’s extraordinary nature, there was always an intangible sense of distance. Now, he realized he was standing before extraordinary power.

What’s more crucial is that this extraordinary power wasn’t half-hidden or subtle; its influence on the mundane world had expanded to every corner.

For example, the Panlogical Machine could not only look up books but also record knowledge. “The Glaik Academy Chronicle” clearly stated that any useful knowledge could be uploaded via various local terminals, and once incorporated by the Panlogical Machine, would result in a handsome reward. Further, anyone accessing that knowledge would generate additional rewards for the contributor.

This is practically a tax on knowledge!

No wonder Magnificent Castle in the New Continent could afford to build such a resplendent hotel-style Academy. Just think, if all the world’s books were contained within the Panlogical Machine, the wealth generated from the cut taken alone could be astronomical!

And it has no competitors.

Because there is only one Panlogical Machine in the world.

In a sense, Glaik Academy has become a monopoly in the commerce of knowledge.

So the question arises, how did the company come into possession of the Panlogical Machine?

The answer undoubtedly lies within the curious term “First-Rank Miracle Construction”.

Filled with enthusiasm, Chaoyang made a new query to the Panlogical Machine.

…

“Hello, we have recorded a total of six consultations and three book printings from you, totaling a charge of five hundred and ten Serriels,” the receptionist said with a smile, “After deducting the deposit, you still owe four hundred and ten Serriels.”

Such carelessness!

As Chaoyang paid, an inner wail echoed through his mind. Carried away by his enthusiasm, he had forgotten the Academy’s exorbitant rates, only to discover at the bill that he had spent nearly half of his savings!

Although he could have used his replication ability to dodge the fee, it was not a wise choice. After all, one visit to this “super library” clearly wasn’t enough, and he wasn’t ready to arouse suspicion in such a place just yet.

“Thank you for your support!” The man beamed as he counted the money, his mustache curling with his smile, “It is increasingly rare to find someone like you who loves knowledge and is willing to spend on books. This is my business card—” He handed over a small card, “May I ask how to address you?”

Chaoyang took it and saw it read, “Glaik Academy Manager of Magnificent Castle, Cavry Bode.”

“You are… the manager?” he asked in amazement.

“Yes, you thought I was the receptionist, right? In truth, there is no difference,” said the old man, seeing through it all without minding in the least, “Serving those who love books is my honor.”

“A pleasure to meet you, I am… Chao,” Chaoyang hesitated before deciding to go with the same name as that given to the detective. “I have a question, the books that are printed out, they end up in the Academy, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then doesn’t the person who checks first lose out? After all, consulting the main body and printing costs a hundred silver together, while those who come later only need to pay ten silver to access the information.”

“Indeed,” he nodded, “But that is only a financial gain or loss. The person who looks first gains the knowledge and is more likely to achieve a competitive advantage. It’s like with someone like you—”
“Me?” Chaoyang blinked in surprise.

“Those who can spend five hundred Serriels on their first visit to the Academy, I can count them on one hand, and each of them shines brightly in their respective fields. I think… you will be no exception.”

Uh… to become a super Demon shining in the collection of wishing power? Why does that image seem a bit odd?

“As for the later arrivals, although they’ve lost the initiative, they can access new knowledge at a lower cost, which is also beneficial for the advancement of humanity,” Bode continued, “One of the Academy’s main goals is to continuously push the world forward, and knowledge is indispensable in this process.”

Chaoyang coughed twice, “If that’s the case, then why doesn’t the Academy just lower its prices? Or simply sell the books?”

“Mr. Zhao, knowledge has its barriers. If the Academy were to indiscriminately lower its prices, people wouldn’t be eager to visit, and they might even look down upon those who spend a great deal to acquire knowledge,” he said with a smile. “Of course, we also implement many mechanisms to ensure more people can read the books, like providing content for textbooks in schools everywhere, for which Glaik Academy only charges a tenth of the fee, and so on. In short, it’s a complex consideration, and I believe headquarters has its reasons for these rules.”

Chaoyang remained noncommittal, but he also knew that whatever he said now, it was unlikely to change the gigantic entity that was the Academy.

On the carriage ride back, Chaoyang saw a steam train passing through the city district. It moved slowly but with power, spewing billowing white smoke from its top, which stretched far behind, like a five-clawed cloud dragon.

But this time, the sight of this iron beast instilled in him a feeling entirely different from before.

Because Chaoyang knew, it too was a sort of Miracle Construction.