Chapter 8: Enrollment

"The Master's pretentious entrance is gone..."

Seeing the gatekeeper let them pass, Shi Quan also smiled inwardly. He swept his gaze behind him, and sure enough, the Master behind them must have heard the gatekeeper's words, as his pace had clearly quickened significantly, and he was walking toward them with rapid strides.

Just as Shi Quan had expected, the Master, who was returning to Notting Academy, had happened to hear what the gatekeeper said in a daze. Although he hadn't heard it very clearly, he had grasped the key points: Blue Silver Grass, Innate Full Spirit Power.

As someone who prided himself on being the number one person in the continent's Spirit Master philosophy, how could he not understand the meaning represented by these few words? Knowing he had encountered a genius, how could he not hurry up to prepare to pick up a bargain?

At the main gate.

"Thanks, brother."

Shi Jian nodded with a smile, pulled the carriage to the side of the archway to tie it up, and together with Li Meili, nimbly shouldered the items from the carriage. Just as they were about to enter Notting Academy together, they heard the gatekeeper at the entrance fawningly nodding and bowing to someone behind them, saying: "Master, you've returned."

Behind the group was the Master who had hurried over.

Seeing the gatekeeper's appearance, everyone subconsciously turned to look.

What came into view was a thin man in his forties or fifties, with short black hair parted in a three-to-seven ratio. His appearance was very ordinary, his hands were behind his back, and his eyes held a hint of laziness and decadence as they opened and closed, giving him the look of a world-weary man who had failed to achieve his ambitions.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this kidney-deficient look really needs a few bottles of kidney tonic," Shi Quan inwardly chuckled and complained.

Although there was no pretentious entrance from the Master, the gatekeeper's fawning manner still showed the Master's status in the academy.

"Are you all new students?" The Master ignored the gatekeeper, his murky gaze sweeping over Shi Quan and Tang San.

"Yes, Master." Shi Jian and the others hurriedly responded respectfully.

"Follow me." The Master nodded slightly and led the group toward Notting Academy. Just as they entered the academy, he spoke again: "You two, can you show me your Spirit Proof again?"

"Of course."

Shi Jian and Old Jack hurriedly handed the proof in their hands to the Master.

"Isn't he just wanting to see who the buried genius is?"

Shi Quan continued to complain inwardly. Sure enough, after looking at the Spirit Proof, Shi Quan clearly felt that the Master's gaze toward Tang San had become a bit more affectionate. As for him, the Master still went through the motions on the surface, simply nodding at him.

However, it seemed that because there were many people around, the Master didn't say anything, only holding their Spirit Proof and putting on an inscrutable expression.

Notting Primary Spirit Master Academy was not as large as it looked from the outside. It was mainly divided into several areas: the main teaching building, the Playground, and the dormitory building on the east side of the Playground.

Under the Master's guidance, they soon arrived at the registration office.

The teacher specifically responsible for receiving new students was a man who looked to be over sixty, with two young teachers under the age of thirty assisting him.

The Master placed the two proofs on the table and said to the elderly teacher: "Director Su, two Work-study Students came to the academy this year. I met them at the gate and brought them over on my way."

Director Su smiled all over his face and said: "Is that so? Master, would you like to sit for a while?"

The Master shook his head. "No need, I still have some things to deal with."

Before leaving, the Master took an extra look at Tang San and Old Jack beside him. Seeing that the two had no luggage, he already had a plan in mind.

"Hello, Director Su, I am Little Shi from Shi Family Village. I wonder if you still have an impression of me; I came to the academy before to deliver the sculptures I made."

Once the Master left, Shi Jian leaned over and greeted Director Su with a smile.

"Little Shi?" Director Su pondered for a moment and then said with a smile: "Oh, I remember now. So it's you? Is this your son?"

"Yes, yes." Shi Jian nodded hurriedly.

"Shi Quan, right?" Director Su looked at the Spirit Proof in his hand and nodded slightly at Shi Quan.

Shi Quan said respectfully: "Hello, Director Su."

"Hmm. Innate level one? Martial soul Blue Silver Grass?" Director Su looked at the Spirit Proof in his hand. When he saw the words "Blue Silver Grass," his expression clearly carried a hint of surprise, and he sighed: "What a pity."

"Little Shi, your family shouldn't be that poor, right? Although Work-study Students are exempt from tuition, their treatment is also a bit worse than that of regular students."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Shi Jian's expression changed slightly, especially Li Meili, whose face revealed reluctance and heartache. He only knew that Work-study Students were exempt from tuition and thought he could save a little where he could, but he hadn't expected there to be a difference in treatment between Work-study Students and regular students.

Shi Jian said repeatedly: "Director Su, then do you think I can pay the tuition now and transfer our Xiao Quan to be a regular student?"

"You can, but you will need to pay one more Gold Soul Coin." Director Su nodded.

One Gold Soul Coin was enough for a normal family of three to live on for several months; this tuition was definitely expensive. But in order for Shi Quan to have a more comfortable life in the academy, Shi Jian and Li Meili did not hesitate at all and took a Gold Soul Coin directly from their money bag.

Fortunately, they were well-prepared when they came to Notting City, otherwise, this Gold Soul Coin would not have been something they could just take out.

Old Jack, who was on the side, could only sigh helplessly when he saw this scene. If he had the money, it wouldn't be impossible to subsidize Tang San to become a regular student, but it was one Gold Soul Coin—it was simply not something he could afford.

After the money was collected, the procedures became very simple. Soon, Shi Quan's enrollment procedures were completed. After receiving the Notting Academy uniform from Director Su and saying goodbye to Old Jack and Tang San, the three of them walked toward the academy's dormitory building.

Just after walking a distance, Shi Jian suddenly said: "Xiao Quan, that Tang San's martial soul is the same as yours. You might be able to learn from him in the future."

Shi Quan smiled, understanding Shi Jian's meaning, and replied: "I know, don't worry, Dad."

Although he agreed with his mouth, Shi Quan didn't think so in his heart. He would absolutely never follow Tang San's path. He would absolutely never add any poison attributes to his Blue Silver Grass, which was known for its vitality.

Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor was almost ruined, let alone his ordinary Blue Silver Grass.

He had already planned his future direction, but in order not to make his parents worry, he naturally had to echo their words.

There was only one dormitory building, right next to the administration building, so it was easy to find. There were few people who could become Spirit Masters, let alone in a remote city like Notting.

The number of students and teachers in the entire academy was not large, and one dormitory building was completely sufficient. Having students and teachers in one building was simple and also very convenient to manage.

The student dormitories were on the bottom three floors of the dormitory building, with a total of seven student dormitories, which were Dormitory One through Dormitory Seven.

Dormitory Seven was the dormitory where all the Work-study Students lived, while other regular students were assigned to dormitories based on their grade.

The dormitory for the first grade that Shi Quan was attending was Dormitory Three this year, located on the left side of the second floor of the dormitory building, which was easy to find.

Just as they reached the second floor of the dormitory building, the three of them saw the large dormitory on the left with the sign "Dormitory Three" hanging on it. A table was placed outside the dormitory door, and a middle-aged man with his eyes slightly closed sat behind the table. Hearing the movement from the stairs, the middle-aged man opened his slightly closed eyes a bit more and asked Shi Quan and the others: "First-grade freshmen?"

"Hello, teacher, my child is a freshman." Shi Jian hurriedly said with a smile, and at the same time, he handed the proof given by Director Su during registration to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man took the proof, looked at it, scanned the three of them from head to toe, and nodded slightly. "I am Su Yun, responsible for managing Dormitory Three. Just call me Teacher Su. There are still plenty of beds inside. You can choose an empty bed yourselves and put your things there. Except for students, no other people are allowed to stay overnight in the academy."

"Alright, Teacher Su."

Shi Jian and Li Meili both nodded at the same time to show they understood.

Su Yun continued: "Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Classes will officially start the day after tomorrow. The first grade will have classes in Class One on the first floor of the teaching building. Remember to be on time for class tomorrow morning. If you have any other questions, you can come directly to find me."

Shi Quan nodded and said: "I understand, Teacher Su."

Walking into the dormitory, the room was very spacious, nearly four hundred square meters. There were a total of fifty beds inside. The beds were made of solid wood, with the bed on top and a desk below, and there was also a wardrobe connected to the side of the bed, which was simple and very practical.

There were not many people in the dormitory; just three children about the same age as Shi Quan were chatting inside. Seeing a newcomer arrive, they all turned their curious gazes toward Shi Quan in unison.

Compared to Shi Quan and his parents, the clothing of those three was clearly much more luxurious. Shi Quan's clothes were just like those of ordinary people in the city, but compared to those nobles and members of Spirit Master families, it was naturally a case of a minor wizard meeting a major one; the gap was visible at a glance.

Seeing someone enter, the three had originally intended to go up and greet them to get acquainted, but after seeing the attire of Shi Quan and his parents, they exchanged a tacit look, turned their heads away, and went back to chatting among themselves.

"Dad, let's take that bed." Shi Quan glanced at them, not wanting to pay them any mind, and instead fixed his gaze on a bed in the corner of the dormitory.

Li Meili frowned slightly as she looked at the bed Shi Quan was pointing to, "Xiao Quan, why do you want to sleep there?"

The bed was located in the right-hand corner at the very back of the dormitory, against the wall and by the window. It was noon, and the sunlight from the window was falling there in scattered patches.

Ordinary people preferred to choose beds in the middle, where it was convenient to enter and exit, but what Shi Quan chose was the innermost corner, the most overlooked spot.

Shi Quan explained, "Mom, you know I don't like dealing with people. Sleeping there means I won't be disturbed, and it's convenient for reading and studying."

Li Meili paused and looked at Shi Jian beside her. After a moment of thought, Shi Jian nodded and said, "It's fine, Meili. If Xiao Quan has his own ideas, then let's follow his wishes. It's just a bed; the dormitory is so big and there are plenty of empty ones. If Xiao Quan isn't used to it later, he can move to another bed; it's no trouble."

"Alright."

Hearing Shi Jian say this, the hesitant look on Li Meili's face dissipated a little. The two took their things to the bed, and in no time at all, they helped Shi Quan make it.

With the dormitory matters settled, Shi Quan suggested, "Dad, Mom, since it's still early and you have a carriage to go back in, let's go stroll around the academy."

Just as Shi Quan walked out of the dormitory, he happened to see Master walking downstairs. He was holding a quilt in his arms, and by the looks of it, he was likely going to find Tang San.

Sure enough, after Shi Quan and his parents followed Master downstairs, they saw Master holding the quilt and heading straight toward Dormitory Seven on the first floor.

Walking out of the dormitory building, Shi Jian sighed softly, "It looks like that Master has taken a liking to that child named Tang San."

Shi Quan said proudly, "Dad, what's there to be envious of? Your son is so smart, I can be self-taught; I don't need anyone else to teach me."

"Haha," Shi Jian laughed, his large hand gripping Shi Quan's small one, "That's right, our Xiao Quan doesn't need to admire him."

On the other side, in Dormitory Seven.

Tang San had just finished his short tenure as the boss of Dormitory Seven when Master walked in holding the quilt.

"Tang San."

Hearing Master's voice, Tang San hurriedly walked over from the side of the bed and said, "Teacher, is there something you need from me?"

"Teacher?" Master looked down at Tang San's stiff cheeks, revealing an awkward smile, and said indifferently, "This quilt is for you, and I am not a teacher at the academy..."

"For me?" Tang San looked at Master in confusion. He did not step forward, but instead tilted his head to look seriously at the Master before him.

With Tang San's cautious habits, how could he casually accept things from others? Moreover, Master said he wasn't an academy teacher; at most, the current Master was just a stranger he had met twice.

Master looked at the eyes that were staring blankly at him, and that stiff smile lifted higher, "A clever child indeed. It seems my persistence was correct. Come with me for a moment, and I will explain it to you."

As he spoke, Master placed the quilt in his hands onto an empty bed nearby and signaled for Tang San to follow him.

After a brief thought, Tang San chose to follow Master out of Dormitory Seven. Master did not take Tang San anywhere else, but instead brought him to a room in the corner at the top of the dormitory building; that was Master's own room.

Once in the room, Master began his familiar routine and rhetoric to hoodwink Tang San.

Hearing Master reveal his Twin Spirits, Tang San was naturally stunned and uncertain.

"... I once investigated six hundred and forty-seven people whose martial soul was Blue Silver Grass. Among them, sixteen possessed soul power, a probability of less than three percent..."

"Of course, there are some exceptions that can allow one to possess Innate Full Spirit Power, and that is a Mutated Spirit..."

Although the time and place were different, it had no impact on the outcome; very quickly, Tang San was dizzied by Master's set after set of theories and data.

Thump, thump, thump!

With both knees on the ground and after three respectful kowtows, Tang San successfully knelt to acknowledge his master.

Caught off guard, Master listened to Tang San's explanation, and his affection for the disciple before him grew even deeper; both of them regarded the other as a treasure...

(End of chapter)