Chapter 674: Absurd

Parent-teacher meeting...

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

In recent times, 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 ranks equaled true gods.

Without false modesty, 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 possessed the ability to influence the world—albeit a very small part of it.

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

It was quite odd.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Li Ang fail to answer 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 two... 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 schooling 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-tier academies—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; once a clear academic goal is established, the next three years—fourth, fifth, and sixth—are dedicated entirely to intensive study.

During those 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..."

Holy hell, is it this cutthroat?

With little prior knowledge of 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 just over six, graduate around thirteen, then must choose their middle school. Over ninety percent of students end up in ordinary middle schools, learning one trade to earn a living, graduating at sixteen—right when they become adults—and 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 elite middle schools, spend three years striving, then attempt to earn recommendation letters and exam eligibility to enter prestigious universities. If you don't start early and push hard, how can you possibly succeed?"

"..." 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 right after middle school.

So though they still seem like "children," the final three years of community academy carry nearly the same weight as "high school" in his understanding—this early, intense competition is normal.

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

Given the Kingdom's admissions system isn't a fair, unified exam, but rather each school independently recruits, conducts its own interviews and written tests, the loopholes and connections multiply.

Even if the basic requirements are minimal—just a community academy graduation certificate and passing scores in all core subjects, theoretically allowing anyone who passes both tests to enroll—

Yet when your opponent has spent years at Bridge Academy, starting in second grade with "career investigations," then intensively training for a target school for years, occasionally attending its events, befriending interviewers so thoroughly they know the exam scope inside out, a child from an ordinary family or school, lacking explosive talent, stands no chance.

So while it looks equal—everyone runs the same route to the same finish line—in reality, while you're still practicing running, they've already installed cybernetic limbs, or even begun 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... hmm...

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 always 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 academy teachers handed out surveys asking students to write down 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 having fun!"

"..."

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

"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: 'first half of life, let you support me; second half, let William support me—then spend every day playing with dolls, snacking, drinking milk tea, and living happily ever after!'"

"..."

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

"I told you it's a bit too early!"

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

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

"His answer... was surprisingly 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."

"..."

6.

(End of chapter)