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File: 1658027746264.jpg (397.93 KB, 1200x600, 1552703808896.jpg)

 No.761208[View All]

Did you get registered for all the classes you need? I sure hope you did! Anno Classroom is up next, only on mlpg.
427 posts and 6 image replies omitted. Click reply to view.

 No.763706

>>763705
Qhapaq frowns a little bit as it seems like the other masked griffon is out of his reach without immersing further… though, doing so would be a risk. He'll have to keep a close watch on him, and decide some time soon. Or, simply force the simulation to end, and the other masked griffon would be deposited out as well?

Either way, he thanks Peyote with a soft headpat.

>>763705
"Exam schedule? A… test, of sorts? A test of our reflexes? Or, strength? Or is it book knowledge?"

 No.763707

>>763705
Zamrud contemplates the conundrum before him as he recognizes his sitting on the fence is holding back his ability to contemplate whatever it was that Kirk had written down. However, for the time being at least, he determines if Kirk was able to come across this by only being half-submerged, he could as well.

As he communicates with the others regarding the Schedule of Exams, he checks to make sure if anyone is failing anything that ISN'T his own Chemistry class: with his resources as a teacher, if anyone needs tutelage in other subjects, he feels he should have the pull to get them that help they need.

With any down-time left available while waiting for his tutoring session at the end of the month, Zamrud also tries to see if he can pick up any sign of Kirk's trail to see where he might have disappeared to as well.

 No.763708

>>763706
"Several such tests, actually." Zamrud clarifies. "Though I doubt any of them will be of a physical nature. They'll cover mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, and the like. You'll have to train your mind rather than your body for this one."

 No.763709

>>763705
Unsatisfied, Billy continues with his efforts to apply himself in the classes and seeing the other students. He needs to apply himself, to understand what is now and the grimoire before.

 No.763710

>>763708
"Mmm."

 No.763711

>>763705
I am curious if these exams are physical or purely writing now."

 No.763712

>>763706
Peyote fits nicely in the palm of your hand.

>>763706
>>763707
>>763709
>>763711
>"We've been around the block a few times," Herb types in the groupchat. "Exams are tailored to what you've taken as classes. So like Zamrud said, most of them are on the more intellectual stuff, but those of you with PE on your roster will have your share of physical tests."
>"Pending the professor's approval, I believe a group study guide is in order," Peyote suggests. All of Ride's team and Herb's flood this message with affirmative emoji reactions.

 No.763713

>>763712
Zamrud types in the field,
>"Group study is an excellent idea, if any of us have any weak areas someone should be able to cover them."
>"If by the end of the session anyone should prefer more tutoring, I think I can use my resources as a professor to see some of the others make time in their schedules for you specifically."

 No.763714

>>763712
"Mmm. So, there will be a test of reflexes. Good. I will do my best to prepare."

 No.763715

>>763712
"I am honestly not feeling confident in myself, I might have missed my chances to understand as much as I could have." Billy speaks up feeling shameful.

 No.763716

>>763712
In some useful news, I've learned the systems in this school are terrifyingly easy to break if you put your mind to study."

 No.763717

>>763714
>>763713
>>763715
>"We'll get everyone up to speed on what the tests will cover," Ride says in agreement. "It's natural to feel apprehensive about tests, but teamwork overcomes all obstacles."

>>763707
Even when canvassing your other students and fellow faculty, they don't seem to have any other leads as to Kirk's possible presence.

>>763709
>>763714
You put your nose to the grindstone and get to studying in your chosen classes.

>>763716
>"For real?" Assembly asks. "How… strange. I had hoped that was a problem exclusive to our modern, degraded computing knowledge, and not the situation of the Time Long Forgotten… maybe some things never really change, after all."

>>763713
>>763714
>>763715
>>763716
In the midst of your fourth week studies, Zamrud is contacted by a member of the mathematics team. He doesn't completely recognize them, as they are, as of yet, an apparition to him. But, they're ready to perform a special seminar on RNG. As such, those of you who wish to accompany Zamrud make your way with him to the reserved lecture-room.

As you enter, you see that you have arrived ahead of the lecturer. It's a decent-sized room, with seats for twenty-four more students. Ride's crew and Herb's are both busy, so most of them opted to get your notes after the fact. However, Origami, despite his workload, has opted to join you. This was Kirk's obsession before his disappearance, and the weight of that is obvious upon his brows…

When you have all finished taking your seats…

[25d10]

Roll #1 9, 6, 1, 8, 4, 10, 10, 9, 2, 3, 9, 2, 9, 8, 5, 6, 5, 10, 2, 9, 9, 2, 10, 6, 3 = 157

 No.763718

>>763717
https://youtu.be/4_mr8Lz3LUg

An unseen force flings twenty-five dice into the air. They bounce off of walls and the ceiling and floors and desks and windows, narrowly grazing you from time to time.

One of the seated figures, believed until now to have been a student, stands and starts to examine the dice, taking great care to step over each one so as not to disturb the roll. They too are an apparition, but as they check each die, the apparition slowly gains a semblance of form and color…

After recording each roll, the figure strides to the front of the classroom. You can see the figure is feminine, with a quadrupedal figure. She is practically a silhouette at this point, having become slowly more real over the course of observing the dice. But, without fully immersing yourself, you won't be able to see her true form, you surmise.

With a flourish, the figure picks up a bit of chalk, and gives a small bow in greeting.

 No.763719

>>763717
>Poorly thought out programming languages seem to be as old as computers.

>>763718
Good decided to focus for now on trying to understand her, dipping a toe into this worlds illusion again.

 No.763825

>>763717
>>763718
Zamrud takes his seat on the side wing of the class room, keeping attentive as the mysterious apparition of the teacher walks in and tosses the dice about. Zamrud is taken off guard by the unorthodox introduction, ears propping up and carefully ducking his head lest one of the dice hit him.

As the silhouetted teacher approaches the front, Zamrud's eyes strain to try and recognize her, hoping his sitting on the fence between reality and illusion of the Academy would give him the means to understand or see them better

[1d10+1] Perception

Roll #1 5 + 1 = 6

 No.763826

>>763718
Billy follows along in the class scratching at his fuzzy chin unsure where to rest his eyes as his neck swerves to look around the class. "Maybe I can get this right?"

[1d10] Perception

Roll #1 1 = 1

 No.763827

>>763718
"…The buck?"

>Perception
[1d10]

Roll #1 3 = 3

 No.763828

>>763717
>>763718
Frowning a little bit, he tries to get a better look. This is the second time now they've been engaged directly by a sihlouette…
>Immerse a little bit more?

 No.763829

>>763825
You take a seat by the window, fourth row from the front. For some reason, you feel you have seen this in a cartoon from a land, far east of […….]

>>763719
>>763827
>>763828
>>763826
Your fellow classmates fade into view as you allow yourselves to soak in the parallel reality of the school… At the head of the class stands a changeling mare. Somewhat larger than others, though not so tall as to be a queen, she has a white mane styled in a bulbous bouffant, and with a set of twintails coming off of the back.

"Yeah… hello, hello," the mare says. "Erm… I think this is the correct classroom. I'm told I'm to give a seminar somewhere on RNG and its applications? To be honest, I just sort of picked one…"

Her manner of speech is languid, and her eyes are clear, yet relaxed, in spite of her apparent uncertainty and unpreparedness. It conveys the calm of one filled with assurance. Without looking at the blackboard, she telekinetically writes her name in chalk: Truth Dares.

Those not yet immersed cannot hear the figure speak, nor read their scrawl; only vague murmurings.

 No.763830

>>763829
Zamrud grumbles as he can only make out snippets here and there. Frustratingly, he nervously looks at Kirk's journal once again, and sighs as he realizes this is not going to be enough. With no small amount of trepidation, he speaks a mantra to himself.

"Don't think about the Outlands, there is only the Academy. Don't think about the Outlands, there is only the Academy…"

[1d10] Attempting to immerse more in the illusion of the school in order to understand her lecture.

Roll #1 10 = 10

 No.763831

>>763829
Billy not being able able to understand without the immersion decides that what is next is best and makes do by attempting to copy others notes, and failing that to take them for himself.

 No.763832

>>763829
Good blinked as he wondered if that was a name he had known before, but he kept listening to her.

 No.763833

>>763829
"What is the application, if I might ask?"

 No.763834

>>763833
>>763830
>>763831
>>763832
Zamrud wills himself to hold his head beneath the waters of the other reality, a phenomenon disorienting, yet grounding. That which is water gradually distills into breathable air… that which is gravity collects itself and everything it is to hold together…

As Professor Zamrud feels himself newly righted, he starts to transcribe notes for Billy, who jots down a copy for his own purposes.

"Good, I was hoping someone would have a question," Truth says. "Else I would have had to roll for our starting point."

Other students exchange looks, unsure if the dice-throwing mare was joking or sincere.

"Random number generation has lots of different purposes, from games of chance both analogue and digital, to cryptography and security. Certain ancient cultures practiced divination based on, essentially, the interpretation of dice rolls or card pulls… though, in modern times, you'll find people who still do that.

"I wouldn't say this's an exhaustive list, though. Really, any task which requires the generation of many randomized elements benefits from a robust RNG system. Take gambling, for example. You've probably played games where victory or loss comes down to 'Lady Luck,' as they call her. People get annoyed when they lose, but take out the random element, and they'll get even more annoyed, right? Lots of people subject themselves to that kind of harrowing, and they have plenty of fun doing so – even when money isn't on the line."

She stops to fiddle a bit with a d10 perched upon the table. "Erm… was there something specific I could go on about?"

 No.763835

>>763834
>>763831
The Professor, now clear of his senses and able to see the Changeling teacher for the familiar face she was, starts jotting down notes as she explains the history of random systems.

As she asks if there is anything specifically, Zamrud eyes pique in interest at one particular thing she mentioned. "Ah, yes, I might have one Professor."

"This may be something of a tangent but, you mentioned that random number generation had historically been used to practice divination - Tarot cards come to mind, for example. Given their belief in it holding answers to the future, would you say there is any correlation between random systems of numbers and… and 'time'?"

 No.763836

>>763834
Billy makes sure to follow Zamrud as best as he can, drowning everything else out with the click of his writing utensil to understand what is currently being said.

 No.763837

>>763836
>>763835
"Hmm… well, not to editorialize, but there's a bit of a problem with these supposed oracles' thinking.

"If the future is so set in stone as to be readable from a point before it, such as with tarot, then the process of shuffling a tarot deck then drawing from it – the randomization – is totally pointless… But attempt a tarot reading without shuffling, or even, by stacking the deck beforehand, and the practitioners will assert that you didn't do it right, or that you're going to upset whatever supposed force or other spirit – the Daemon – assists in the divination. One might just think it's irrational superstition, but it raises a serious problem: If the future isn't set in stone, how can it be divined at all?

"The resolution, as you suspect, is found 'just in time.' Logically, divination could only predict the future with a degree of accuracy at the very last point of time before the future is revealed. Because once you know what's going to happen in the future, any action you take will be colored by that knowledge. As such, that future won't come out exactly as it's been predicted. Whether the change is slight or dramatic, the future will be changed either way. The act of observing the future can only destroy that future.

"A common way of generating random numbers in programming is to invoke time with a certain function. Doing so gives you a randomization seed unique to that point of time. Call that function at a later time, and it'll give you a different seed, and thus, different RNG. But if you were to somehow call it repeatedly, each with the exact same point of time, then you'd have the same randomization seed for each repetition. Thus, the same RNG. Not that that's feasible or practical."

 No.763838

>>763837
At this point Billy was tilting his head at his own copied notes. Was the teacher telling them there was no randomness, or that predicting the future isn't feasible. Billy hoped that it would become clear to him if not now, then later.

 No.763839

>>763834
"Cryptography?" He cocks his head to the side, frowning a little bit. "Divination, I suppose, I know more."

>>763837
Qhapaq cocks his head to the side… admittedly, he's far from an intelligent, thoughtful griffon, but he can understand part of it. "Maybe a diviner would find a likely outcome, but not a guaranteed one?"

 No.763840

>>763837
Zamrud's fur stands on end as she mentions the word 'Daemon' - though he can't say for sure *why* - but he continues listening intently as she offers her explanation.

"That makes sense. Knowing the future would ultimately change it in ways you may not even be aware of consciously. Every single little moment, therefore, holds significance of holding one particular possible future from unfolding…"

These words make Zamrud ponder what his students said about the school year repeating… that the 'time' chosen was constantly re-chosen over and over again without fail due to specific seeds chosen from the same moment.

"How difficult, precisely, would it be to game such a system to reproduce the exact same results over and over again? In a completely controlled environment, if you were to time things out exactly with, say, rolling the dice or the precise manner of shuffling the cards, are there any other factors that could prevent the same result from coming about?"

 No.763841

>>763837
"While luck is an undeniable force, I've never found it to be something someone should rely on."

 No.763842

>>763839
"What you've just described is similar to the modern theories of divination– that divination is not so different from, say, an advanced weather forecast. According to these theories, divination takes nearly or all of the possible constants and variables in a given situation and charts the most likely outcome of the situation. This could be thought of as being 'at runtime,' in computing terms, as opposed to say, an ancient prophecy of the distant future, which would be a 'compile time' style of divination. The former checks the likely outcome of an event by plugging in the relevant information around the time that the event is about to happen. The latter has predicted the event itself regardless of the relevant information surrounding the event. You might say that in the latter situation, the event is 'fated' to happen – a concept I take particular umbrage with."

>>763840
>>763841
>>763838
"Well, in a word, 'luck' is – sort of – the answer to that question," Truth says. "Think about what a 'completely controlled environment' implies. In that situation, you'd require nothing less than a completely omnipotent and probably omniscient being to roll the dice and dole out the cards, in order to get the same results every time. The only true variable in that case is… well, it's something that even that omnipotent dealer could not control…

"…Well, 'luck' is perhaps not the most precise term, but when people say it, they're referring to this sort of… je ne sais quoi that makes things work out one way or another, beyond the control or knowledge of anyone or anything. If I had to relate it to computing, the most accurate concept would be a glitch that enters the system, and throws off the calculations, in the style of 'just in time' compilation."

Truth Dares tosses two dice into the air – a d4 and a d5.

[1d4]
[1d5]

"Anyone here familiar with the concept of quantum mechanics?"

Roll #1 4 = 4 / Roll #2 1 = 1

 No.763843

>>763842
Billy only grew to be more confused as the lecture went on, very perplexed by the jump to quantum mechanics, whatever it was the study of. It didn't sound like the study of luck or random chance, did it?

 No.763844

>>763842
"I am aware of the theory of observation changing the effects of quantum phenomena."

 No.763845

>>763842
"A glitch… yes, I think I see what you're saying. Something that messes with the system itself that forces the same results to occur over and over."

Zamrud considers the implications of this, wondering if the key to this time-loop might be found only at the end right before the school year is over, that connects it to the identical year it is about to replay. As he contemplates this, he follows up her next question.

"Only conceptually. I assume RNG plays a role in quantum mechanics?"

 No.763846

>>763842
"Mmm, I see. Weather forecasts and Divinations being similar is… interesting. Though, I do not know what "Quantum Mechanics" are…"

 No.763847

>>763845
"A glitch could do that, or it could be just what you need to prevent the same result from happening more than once. A glitch is the gateway to countless new outcomes intended by neither the developer nor the user. I mean – what's the name of that one popular game from a few years ago? The one where you catch bugs or whatever they are, and make them fight. It's infamous for glitching out at the slightest provocation. In theory, they'll never document every possible new application of that game's glitches."

>>763843
>>763844
>>763846
>>763845
Truth Dares chuckles. "Ya… gomen, gomen. I can already feel the physics students cringing in anticipation. Is this what they call a prophecy? Ha. Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahaha. Well, I won't embarrass myself or frustrate the audience by punching above my weight class at a concept I don't entirely get myself."

She gestures with her chalk at Good. "We've got another oracle in the room. They call it the Observer Effect – at a low enough level, reality is not quite determined, until it is observed. However, observing a system changes the system. Instruments designed to measure quantities necessarily change those quantities. When you open your hand, the coin is either heads or tails, but until that moment, it could be either result. Well, you see, this presents yet another philosophical problem for divination:

"If there is, as some people believe, a singular omniscient observer – a 'God' in other words, then surely that singular, all-powerful observer's observations will overrule those of a common mortal's. The common rebuttal to this idea is that the singular God observes all possible 'realities', and simply permits one reality to exist over another, when his, her or their beloved mortals make their own observations.

"But if there is not one singular God, but rather, a group of gods, say, four, five…"

Perhaps deliberately, or by chance, Truth glances at Qhapaq. "…Or six, of them, then which god's observations would be the 'true' ones? Do gods rule democratically?"

Truth pauses… and leans on the desk. "Okay… gomennasorry. I need a break."

 No.763848

>>763847
Billy couldn't help but concur with the last statement. He felt poofed out from all the philosophy, and not quite understanding what the point of the deduction is. Best to ask the others in hopes that they can clarify.

 No.763849

>>763847
"I remember something about a cat with a similar scenario."

 No.763850

>>763847
"I cannot say I understand, ah… much of this- these are not concepts I understand. It all seems very complicated, but… with multiple gods, would they… compete? Coexist, somehow?"

 No.763851

>>763847
Zamrud nods as he listens to the lecture. "I see. It sort of reminds me of another lesson involving a box and a certain cat."

>>763849
Zamrud smirks at Good as he arrives at the same result.

>>763847
As she explains how the observer is, in essence, affecting the system, and that multiple observers can therefore affect it in different ways, the possibilities of what that could mean for this school - this simulation - if perhaps the key to understanding it is something to do with their perceptions combined, much in line with the theory about how the flow of time can be eschewed with perception.

"That's… a very interesting insight, Professor. If a single onlooker changes the outcome, what then of multiple ones?"

 No.763852

>>763851
>>763849
"From what I understand, that particular researcher came up with that thought experiment in an attempt to dispute this very concept. What a spoilsport."

>>763850
>>763851
Truth shrugs. "I dunno. But if that were the case, a pantheon of gods would have to get along, unless they wanted lots of disagreements about basic reality, leading to conflicting, anomalous realities."

>>763848
>>763849
>>763850
>>763851
Truth reaches behind her desk and produces a huge cup with a slushy inside. She has a long and noisy sip. "…Did that cover your questions? Or is there anything else you wanted to know?"

Most of the students look like their brains have tripped a breaker… except La Senorita. She's over there drawing in her notebook.

 No.763853

>>763852
"For the most part." he said as he did his best to see what Senorita was drawing as he sat near her.

 No.763854

>>763853
[1d10] Perception

Roll #1 10 = 10

 No.763855

>>763852
Billy settling down keeping up with his notes scratched at his chin. "I might get it eventually." Billy had mumbled to himself.

 No.763856

>>763852
Zamrud, thinking now is as best an opportunity as any to see if this expert has any more insight into Kirk's journal.

"If you don't mind looking at something, Professor…" he says as he pulls out Kirk's journal in its brevity. "Another student was working on some advanced material from your course. I was wondering if you can take a look at it and tell me what exactly he was working on specifically?"

 No.763857

>>763852
Qhapaq is very wholly confused, but he nods. He'll have to think over this more.

 No.763858

>>763852
[1d10+1] Perception

Roll #1 7 + 1 = 8

 No.763859

>>763854
>>763853
La Senorita is sketching a landscape of a magnificent capital city – built into a mountain, fed by a wondrous waterfall, full of brilliant, gleaming domes, high spires and magical towers… something out of a fairy tale. A strange sphere, with a crescent within, hovers behind the grand capital.

>>763857
>>763855
Herb and Ride's crew look just as perplexed… perhaps a group study session may yield clarity.

>>763856
>>763858
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvMJH6ZMtT0

Truth looks over the notebook… and Zamrud can see the faintest of disturbances. A moment of surprise, intrigue– deftly caught with the reflex of one used to concealing their true emotions. But not so swift as to escape the notice of an all-seeing observer.

"This looks like the theory behind cryptographic RNG – salts as they're called," Truth says. "Was he taking an interest in cybersecurity, maybe?"

…Was that… misdirection?

 No.763860

>>763859
Deadweight thought Truth's entrance was a little extra, but she's been enjoying the seminar so far. Pretty interesting stuff. And she's glad the speaker didn't go on that polytheism tangent.


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