The fact is, you need to be connected to the internet - the only why to get a license onto your key is by downloading it in the elicenser. That’s how it works.
Please post a link to the instructions you referenced.
Clearly, I read too fast. But in fairness, it would be helpful if the instructions explicitly said, “To activate Cubase on an offline computer, you must FIRST plug the USB-elicenser into an online computer and then download the license. Once done, you simply remove the USB-elicenser from the online computer and plug it in to the offline computer.”
Or something like that. The instructions eventually say the same thing, but never do they clearly convey the big picture concept. This is instructional writing 101. First you say, “Here’s what you have to do.” Then you say, “Here’s how you do it.”
But I should have read more carefully so thanks for the assist.