In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar!

After explaining the difference between runes and writing to Wang Yan, Falushan began to explain runes in more detail.

"Since you've chosen the wind element rune, I'll use the most basic [Flow] rune as an example to explain the construction logic of the wind element rune."

As she spoke, her fingertips moved swiftly through the air.

Wang Yan only saw her wrist turn slightly, and a faint blue light trace appeared at her fingertips. A simple rune with lines like swirling air appeared out of thin air.

"Wind is an ever-flowing force," Farusan said briskly, "so [flow] is the core foundation of the wind element runes."

The runes she drew were of the [flowing] quality.

Before she finished speaking, she pointed her left index finger in the air, and another rune with sharp lines, [Sharpness], was already superimposed on the side of [Flow].

The moment the two talismans touched, a bright blue light shone, and a semi-transparent wind blade flew out with a "whoosh," slicing through a piece of scrap paper on the corner of the table. The paper silently split in two and floated to the ground.

"Look, [flow] plus [sharpness] equals the most basic [wind blade]."

Farusan's movements didn't stop; she clenched her right hand, and another rune with a thick structure and a sense of vibration appeared next to the [Flowing] rune.

Then she pushed her palm forward, and a condensed vortex of air shot out, crashing into the wooden frame in the corner, causing the parts on the frame to rattle, but they did not fall apart.

"This is a wind element shockwave, composed of [flow] and [impact]."

As she spoke, she withdrew her hand and turned around, her fingertips tapping repeatedly, and different runes such as [Gathering], [Diffusion], and [Swirling] appeared one after another around [Flow].

As she sketched and whispered, the airflow in the room changed accordingly: sometimes it gathered into a fist-sized ball of wind that hovered in mid-air, sometimes it dispersed into a gentle breeze that brushed past the pages of the book, and sometimes it swirled around the pillar, stirring up fine dust—it was truly magical.

Wang Yan was so engrossed in watching that he subconsciously followed suit, gesturing with his fingers and trying to trace the trajectory of the [Flowing] runes.

However, no matter how intently he tried to imitate it, his fingertips remained empty, without a trace of wind gathering.

Farusan stopped her demonstration, noticed Wang Yan's actions, and smiled knowingly: "You don't have the Eye of God, so you can't directly drive elemental power. But that doesn't prevent you from learning rune construction—once you master the rune rules, you can make mechanisms, inscribe runes on them, and then use the energy core of the mechanism to drive the runes. The effect is about the same."

This is also the most common way for ordinary people to use supernatural powers: by using mechanical devices.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan stopped his gesture and nodded calmly, "Yes, I will study hard."

Seeing that Wang Yan did not seem disappointed, Farusan nodded in satisfaction.

Often, the inability to directly apply knowledge learned can be a blow to scholars.

The reaction is even more pronounced when it comes to things like the Eye of God.

Think about it, everyone learns the same things, but the holder of the Eye of God can directly drive elemental power and give you an integrated production, learning, and research system on the spot, while you have to spend energy and use mechanical devices to barely apply your knowledge.

In comparison, the sense of disappointment is unimaginable.

Some might even go to extremes to acquire even more dangerous powers to directly drive elemental forces, such as... the Abyss, or some kind of buried ancient power.

Therefore, Farusan nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Wang Yan did not show much disappointment.

"Let's stop here with runes for now. Next, let's talk about mechanisms."

Farusan continued her lecture: "Mechanisms are not a very difficult technique. Simple ones include clocks we see every day, step mechanisms in ruins, and even seesaws for children to play on... These all belong to mechanisms. More difficult ones include the self-regulating mechanisms in Fontaine, the Celestial mechanisms in Liyue, the elemental mechanisms in the desert, and the secret source mechanisms in Nata... These are also mechanisms."

"Of course, these mechanical arts are presented in different ways and have different basic theories, so mastering mechanical arts is more difficult than mastering rune arts."

As Farussan spoke, a hint of pride inevitably crept in, for she was undoubtedly a scholar well-versed in mechanical arts.

There are actually many schools of thought regarding runes, such as primal elemental runes, celestial talismans, Yin-Yang techniques, alchemical runes, and so on.

But in general, no matter how different the runes of different factions are, they all originate from the same source: they all evolved from the most primitive extraordinary runes.

In theory, as long as you master the basic runes of each element, you can deduce the other runes little by little.

However, the underlying logic of mechanical arts is indeed completely different between different schools.

The simplest reason is that different schools of mechanical arts use different energy sources and intelligent modules to drive them.

For example, the Yuan Energy Mechanism and the Secret Source Mechanism rely on different energy sources. One relies on Yuan Energy and its intelligent brain module relies on the Spirit Suppressing Fragments, while the other relies on the Burning Essence and its intelligent module relies on the [Engraved Light Imprint] editing. Even though they both appear to be autonomous mechanisms, upon closer examination, they are no longer part of the same system.

As Wang Yan listened, he not only gained a basic understanding of mechanical arts, but also realized why Farusan, as a senior member of the Epistemological School, held such an awkward position within the school.

Because mechanical arts have now been incorporated into the Mystic School.

Farusian, however, continued to boast about her mechanical skills, even claiming that they were more difficult than runes.

In the academic world, "more difficult" is not a derogatory term; on the contrary, it means that the subject is more challenging.

In this way, the epistemological school's "Hapandal" and even the "Sages" would naturally want to avoid Farusan gaining too much influence.

What if we lead the good students of the epistemology astray and they end up learning mechanical arts?

You know what, these students who are proficient in runes and ancient languages ​​are actually quite well-suited to studying mechanical arts.

Farusan was unaware of Wang Yan's thoughts. After explaining some background stories about mechanical arts, she began to explain them in more detail to Wang Yan.

"Mechanical arts are actually very similar to runes. A single rune is not enough to exert its power; multiple runes need to work together to drive elemental forces to form spells."

"The same applies to mechanical arts. A single component may be useless, but when different parts are combined, they can form amazing mechanisms."

"Among them, the three most important things are: first, the drive core, which provides energy for the mechanism; second, the logic circuit, which provides the mechanism with the logic of movement; and third, the mechanism's body, which is the mechanism itself."

Then, perhaps finding this too monotonous, Farusan gave an example: "Have you ever seen the guardians of the ruins left behind by Kanria?"

Wang Yan nodded: "I haven't met him, but I know a little about him."

Farusian smiled and said, "Become my student, and you'll be seeing me often from now on."

As she spoke, she explained, "The guardians of the ruins of Kanria are the most standard mechanical creations. They are powered by the Chaos Furnace and their behavior is guided by the Chaos Circuit. There are also chaotic devices connecting the bodies. It can be said that many of the mechanical arts of the Order of the Church were developed based on the mechanical arts of Kanria."

Farusan did not say "death" because another subject of study for the Institute of Mechanical Arts was the Red King Civilization.

The Crimson King civilization also left behind a large number of mechanical constructs, and those elemental constructs actually had a greater impact on the Order of the Church.

However, the Elemental Energy Agency has a major problem: without a control matrix, it needs Spirit Suppression Fragments to have sufficient intelligent logic, and the Order Academy obviously does not have such Spirit Suppression Fragments.

(Yuaneng Technology itself does not require the Spirit Suppressing Fragments; it is a derivative technology of the Heavenly Nails (speculation). However, the Desert Dynasty is truly inhumane, forcibly developing the Spirit Suppressing Fragment construct.)

"Of course, this kind of self-regulating mechanism is only one part of mechanical arts. In many cases, we use mechanical arts more for things like ruin traps."

Farusan smiled again, her tone full of admiration for mechanical arts.

She certainly loved mechanical arts more than runes.

Wang Yan nodded slightly: "Indeed, it is profound and extensive. Instructor Falushan, I will study hard."

Runes are the inner essence, while mechanical arts are the outer essence; only by mastering both can one survive well in Teyvat.

Farusan beamed with joy and continued lecturing Wang Yan.

Time passed slowly, until it gradually darkened outside the window and the sound of the Academy dismissing students could be heard from outside. Only then did Farussan reluctantly stop lecturing.

While Wang Yan was still processing what was happening, Farusan got up, went to the bookshelf next to her, took down two notebooks, and handed them to Wang Yan.

"These are my old study notes. Take them back and look at them. If there's anything you don't understand, write it down. I'll give you a lesson every three days after that."

Wang Yan quickly reached out and took it. The notebook cover had no design, only a delicate signature with the name Farusan on it.

However, judging from its condition, it should be a notebook from after Farusian's return, not an antique from a hundred years ago.

As for giving a lecture every three days, it may seem like a small amount, but in reality, at the [Hebantu] level, being willing to take the time to give a one-on-one lecture is practically VIP treatment.

Wang Yan had previously inquired and learned that many of the [Hebantu] were wholeheartedly devoted to research, and it was already considered quite good if their scholars would ask them academic questions once a month.

"Then I'll head back now, Instructor Farusan." Wang Yan stood up and said goodbye.

Farusan nodded: "Wait for me at Shravasti Academy tomorrow morning. Once the teacher-student relationship is settled, we can apply for an education grant."

Wang Yan smirked: "Okay, mentor."