Chapter 272: 271 Absurd

Parent-teacher meeting...

Hearing this term—both familiar and strange—from Anna's lips, Li Ang momentarily drifted into a daze.

Lately, he'd been embroiled in a string of bizarre events: outwitting enemies with wildly varied abilities, even ascending to an asteroid seventy thousand kilometers above ground, where he faced off solo against the Aquarius Director before dozens of branch directors whose status equaled that of true gods.

Not being modest, though his strength was still weak, he could no longer be called an ordinary person; add to that his hollow title of Duke, and now he Yinyin had begun to influence the world—albeit a very small part of it.

And this man who had just thwarted the Aquarius Director's plot and indirectly protected the world's vital figures was now heading to his younger siblings' school to attend a community parent-teacher meeting, and as the decision-making parent, discuss the future academic prospects of those two little rascals at home...

It was quite strange.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Li Ang remain silent and his expression distant, Anna glanced at him with concern, then leaned close and whispered:

"Still have a headache? If you're still unwell, just stay home and rest today—I'll go to the parent-teacher meeting alone."

"Hmm… no, my hangover's cleared."

Noticing the worry in his sister's eyes, Li Ang snapped back to himself, warmth spreading in his chest, and smiled as he shook his head:

"I just remembered something interesting, so I got distracted. And my work's been so busy—I rarely get time to spend with you. The carriage's here—let's get in!"

…

When the public carriage pulled up and stopped by the roadside, Li Ang shielded Anna's head with his hand as she bent to step inside, then followed her in and sat beside her by the window.

"By the way."

As if remembering something, Li Ang asked curiously:

"I recall Bridge Academy's elementary division lasts how many years? William and Melanie enrolled over half a year late—they still have two months before second grade. Isn't it a bit too early to be discussing future academic advancement now?"

"Not early enough."

Anna shook her head, her expression a mix of delight and worry:

"Unlike the school I attended, Bridge Academy is among the very top institutions—they begin planning students' future paths from the very start.

In the first year, they teach basic knowledge and observe where potential lies; in the second and third years, they begin cultivating students toward corresponding directions and testing different paths.

If a student's aptitude in a chosen direction proves limited, they switch to another field. Once a future academic goal is roughly confirmed, the next three years—fourth, fifth, and sixth—are dedicated entirely to intensive study.

During these three years, besides targeted subjects, students must communicate with advanced middle schools, participate in their activities, build good relationships with teachers, and strive to secure direct admission or recommendation letters from their instructors..."

Holy hell, is it this cutthroat?

Having little familiarity with this system, Li Ang winced after hearing Anna's explanation:

"William and Melanie aren't even seven yet—isn't it a bit too soon to be thinking about this?"

"It really isn't too soon."

Anna shot Li Ang an exasperated look and explained:

"They enroll at over six years old and graduate near thirteen—then they must choose their middle school. Over ninety percent of students end up in ordinary middle schools, learning one trade to earn a living, graduating right at sixteen when they become adults, then heading straight into work. Even jobs like newspaper typesetters or factory furnace operators are considered rare good positions.

Less than ten percent make it into the elite middle schools, spend three years striving, then try to earn recommendation letters and exam eligibility to enter prestigious universities. How could you not start early?"

"..."

Oh right—according to the kingdom's laws, sixteen is already adulthood, and universities are far from common; only a tiny fraction of students with both exceptional background and talent even consider them. Most people enter the workforce immediately after middle school.

So although they still seem like "children," the final three years of community school are nearly equivalent to high school in his understanding—this early, intense competition is normal.

As Li Ang reflected on Anna's words, he pieced together the school's underlying logic.

Given that the kingdom's academic advancement system isn't a fair, unified exam but rather each school admits students independently through its own interviews and written tests, there are far more loopholes to exploit.

Even if the entrance threshold seems low—just a community school graduation certificate and passing scores in basic subjects, theoretically allowing anyone who passes both tests to enroll—

Against opponents from Bridge Academy who begin "path investigations" in second grade, then spend years intensively preparing for target schools, occasionally attending their events, becoming intimately familiar with interview teachers, and possibly even guessing exam content, children from ordinary families and schools stand no chance without explosive talent.

So while it looks equal—everyone runs the same route toward the same finish line—in reality, while you're still training to run, they've already installed cybernetic limbs, or even started building teleportation gates straight to the finish.

Truly absurd...

Shaking his head slightly, Li Ang looked at Anna, whose expression was tense, and gently patted her hand, whispering reassurance:

"Don't rush. William and Melanie are just mischievous, not stupid—they're both sharp. If they keep studying steadily, they'll both have decent futures. Besides, my salary isn't low, and... well...

In short, even if they can't get into the best schools, helping them find good jobs won't be hard. If all else fails, I can support them a few more years."

"That's exactly what I'm most worried about!"

Hearing Li Ang's words, Anna snapped:

"A few days ago, the school gave students a survey asking about their future aspirations. Do you know what Melanie wrote?"

"Uh... what did she write?"

"She wants to marry a handsome, wealthy husband who'll spoil her—then spend her whole life eating, drinking, and being happy!"

"..."

Mentioning Melanie's "parasite" dream, Anna clenched her fists and growled bitterly:

"The teacher pulled her aside and lectured her for half an hour—not to pin her future on such nonsense, that a husband can't support her forever, and to reconsider her future plans.

This little rascal thought for ages, then deleted 'find a husband' and changed it to: 'Let you support me for the first half of my life, William support me for the second half, then spend every day playing with dolls, eating snacks, drinking milk tea, and living happily ever after!'"

"..."

That's... actually perfectly in line with my understanding of Melanie...

"I told you it was too early!"

After a stunned silence, Li Ang struggled to comfort her:

"Asking a child what they want to do in the future—they naturally won't understand. Giving such childish answers is normal. You shouldn't be so angry... By the way, what about William? What did he write?"

"His answer... was mature."

Anna took a deep breath, her eyes filled with despair:

"He wants to rebel, overthrow the royal family, become king himself, then lead an army from west to east, crushing all twelve kingdoms and ruling the entire world."

"..."