Recognition of Punishment

"Making money is indeed useful, but if it affects my studies and training, it will do more harm than good. The Talent Spirit from the altar may not be what I want, and besides, the chances of obtaining a powerful talent are minuscule. I can only obtain an ordinary talent. Moreover, many talents cannot directly increase my strength. They need to be converted into greater power through sufficient training and knowledge."

"So even if I make money, I'll minimize the time it takes as much as possible. Either I'll hire others or cooperate with them."

"As for studying and training..."

Suye spent the second class conducting a detailed comparative analysis. In the end, for the sake of a more distant future, he gritted his teeth and made an extreme choice.

"At least for the next month, I'll give up making money and training. I'll focus on studying knowledge like crazy, laying a solid foundation and making up for my weaknesses. After a month, once I understand this world better, I'll make money again. I'll definitely get twice the result with half the effort. Only long-term benefits are truly beneficial. Any short-term benefit could become a disaster, because once you grow accustomed to short-term benefits, you'll no longer see long-term benefits—or may even give them up voluntarily."

"I won't be the Mouse in a Rice Jar!"

Suye reread the table, then read the written analysis beneath it and formally made his decision.

Suye understood that even without spending two class periods thinking about it, he would have made the same choice.

But writing it down was equivalent to making a promise. It clarified the things hidden in his subconscious, giving his brain enough of a sense of security to make him more willing and able to carry it out without producing any resistance.

After thinking for a moment, Suye added another line at the very bottom of the page.

If it isn't recorded, it didn't happen.

Suye looked at the line and sighed inwardly.

For many years, Suye had always trusted his brain, valued feelings and intuition, and believed himself smart and good at thinking. But after repeatedly running into obstacles, he changed his way of thinking. He no longer relied purely on his brain, instead recording everything in full and using various methods to turn his ideas into written analyses.

As a result, Suye's understanding of everything improved more than ever before, and his life underwent unprecedented changes.

After making his decision, Suye continued studying the mathematics from the previous school year that morning.

Suye did not open his textbook or his notes. Instead, he chose a blank sheet of paper, extracted memories from thin air, and drew a Mind Map.

During this process, Suye not only reinforced his memory of mathematical knowledge, but also classified it, clarified the relationships between different points of knowledge, and formed a complete process from input to output.

However, Suye had forgotten many points of knowledge.

Not only was Suye not discouraged, he was delighted, because the things he had forgotten were likely things he had not understood deeply enough, yet had mistakenly believed he understood.

Suye turned back to his notes and read them quickly, focusing on the points of knowledge he had forgotten.

Afterward, Suye used the recall-and-extraction method again to extract the points of knowledge and add them to the Mind Map.

After several rounds, Suye finally completed a Mind Map containing every point of knowledge from last year's mathematics textbook before the end of the second-to-last class.

Suye felt as though his brain had been wrung dry, leaving him dazed.

At the same time, however, he felt an unprecedented sense of achievement, satisfaction, and pleasure.

Suye carefully savored this comfortable feeling.

Strengthen the reward.

When...

The bell signaling the end of class rang.

Suye sat in his seat, staring blankly ahead, his energy completely exhausted.

"Suye, are you all right?" Hote looked at Suye worriedly.

"I'm fine."

After saying that, Suye forced himself to rally his spirits, picked up his Magic Book, and walked outside.

"Where are you going?"

"To find the teacher and accept my punishment."

Hote was puzzled. Seeing that Suye did not seem to be in good condition, he followed him.

Pallas glanced at Suye's back, then continued burying herself in her studies.

Suye soon found the building where the second-year teachers were located. It was divided into several rooms.

Suye found Niedern's room, knocked on the door, bowed politely halfway, and said, "Good day, Teacher."

Niedern looked at Suye in surprise, then remembered what had happened that morning. He had not expected this student to be so polite—knocking, bowing, and greeting him. Compared to Suye, the other students were practically barbarians from Northern Europe.

"Hmm." Niedern nodded once.

Suye wore a remorseful expression. "Teacher Niedern, I've been feeling guilty about being late this morning all day. I couldn't focus on any class, and my heart has been filled with pain..."

"When you hit Horton, did that lessen your pain?" Niedern interrupted him, his tone rather teasing.

Suye froze for a moment. You're a teacher. Is it really okay to be this mean to a student?

Suye pretended not to hear him and continued, "Therefore, I've decided to punish myself and uphold the school's academic discipline!"

Niedern stared blankly at Suye. Even the artificial eye on his left flickered with confusion.

Suye continued, "Please punish me by having me serve my classmates. I've already thought of the punishment. Every day before school ends, I'll find a teacher and ask about the key points of that day's lessons and what we should review at night. At the same time, I'll ask what lessons will be taught tomorrow and which points of knowledge we should preview. Finally, I'll write today's review material and tomorrow's preview material on the Magic Blackboard to serve my classmates!"

Niedern quietly looked at Suye without saying a word.

After a long while, Suye cautiously asked, "Teacher Niedern, the kindest teacher in the entire Plato Academy, what do you think?"

Only then did Niedern ask, "Did you come up with this yourself?"

"Yes, but I'm mainly doing it to punish myself and demonstrate the fairness and impartiality of the Plato Academy. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to do this either." Suye's face showed a helpless expression.

Niedern fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Tell me honestly. Did you spend your entire summer studying drama, mainly acting?"

"Teacher, please trust your student!" Suye's gaze was resolute.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of Niedern's mouth. He nodded and said, "All right. I agree to this punishment. It will last one month. After one month, whoever is late will receive the same punishment..."

Suye said decisively, "Please punish me for at least a year! Only then can I remember the lesson. Only then can I serve as a negative example for the other students and make them deeply understand the dangers of being late."

Niedern stared at Suye for quite a while longer, then nodded lightly. "Since you have this kind of spirit, I agree."

Suye opened his notebook and said, "Today's lesson was a review of last year's material. The content was too extensive to review, so there's no need to arrange anything for the students to study. So, Teacher Niedern, which subjects and what content should we preview at home tonight? What are the key points?"

Without even looking at his Magic Book, Niedern answered, "Tomorrow I have Basic Magic, Giant Language, and meditation. For Basic Magic, preview the first chapter in advance. The key points are the four elements of earth, fire, wind, and water in the magical world, the magical characteristics of the Four Countries, the basic spells of apprentice magic..."

Niedern spoke at a steady pace while Suye recorded everything quickly. He soon finished.

"Thank you, Teacher Niedern. I'll go find the other teachers now."

"Won't you use a Magic Letter?" Niedern asked.

"That wouldn't make the punishment effective enough!" Suye's reply was utterly resolute.

Niedern nodded lightly, deep in thought.

"Then I'll go ask the other teachers who have classes tomorrow. Goodbye, Teacher."

Suye bowed halfway again, then turned and left.

Just as Suye stepped out of the office, Niedern's voice came from behind him.

"Study a little less drama in the future!" Niedern's voice carried a hint of cheerfulness.

Suye quickened his pace, but inwardly muttered, What happened to the serious and kind teacher you promised me? Where was he serious? Where was he kind?