Chapter 7: Enrollment (Part 1)

As they spoke, the five disembarked from the ship.

The dock where the White Sail docked was not small, but now it was already crowded with heads, buzzing with voices, a sea of people.

The estimated number of Newbloods exceeded ten thousand!

Originally, the Newblood transport ships docked at the pier were not just the White Sail; four more arrived later!

Lin Ke's earlier estimate of the number of islands in the Storm Sea was far off.

This is the problem caused by incomplete information.

After getting off the crowded sea vessel, they stepped onto an even more crowded dock; Lin Ke's group of five was jostled left and right, making smooth passage difficult.

This reminded Lin Ke of the time in his previous life before the 12306 website was launched, the horrible memory of buying tickets at the train station window during holidays.

That was truly people squeezing people, people pressing against people, people pushing people, people piling on people.

Fortunately, this dock had been specially allocated today to thirty-nine wizard organizations for recruiting Newbloods; aside from the excited, anticipatory, nervous Newbloods, the dock only had the recruitment staff of the wizard organizations.

The recruitment site was also conspicuous, a long row of set-up canopies.

Above the canopies, the names and emblems of various wizard organizations floated in midair, dazzling with colors, full of light-and-shadow effects, brilliantly colorful, vying for beauty.

Lin Ke glanced upward and soon saw the emblem of the Rivocoss Institute of Biology and Medicine.

"Let's go over there first."

Lin Ke bade farewell to Jimni and Chris and headed that way.

Mo Li smiled slightly, actively linking her left hand with Lin Ke's right arm.

Lin Ke didn't think much of it.

Given Mo Li's build, without borrowing some strength, it would probably be hard for her to get over there.

Over a short distance of a little more than a hundred meters, the two took nearly five minutes to walk.

A cordon was drawn about ten meters in front of the canopy, with a sign reading "Queue civilly, enter orderly"; one couldn't rush in all at once, but had to line up properly.

Beside the sign stood a square table, atop which lay a large stack of colorful flyers similar to A4 handouts, introducing the Rivocoss Institute of Biology and Medicine.

Lin Ke and Mo Li stood at the end of the line.

The line wasn't long, so they didn't have to wait long.

After all, the Newbloods had just disembarked from the sea vessel; most were still undecided about where to go, while only a few had clear goals.

Lin Ke casually took two flyers from the table, handed one to Mo Li in front of him, and kept one for himself to read.

The content on the flyers was largely similar to that of the "West Coast Tudor Region Wizard Organization Overview," with a few extra sections introducing the campuses.

The Rivocoss Institute of Biology and Medicine has three campuses: the main campus, the advanced college, and the junior college.

The main campus is not on the main continent, nor even in the wizard world; it is a separate small world, with entry conditions not clearly stated.

Both the advanced college and the junior college are located in the Rivocoss Special Zone of Michelle District, facing each other across the lake.

The junior college is where the Newbloods are about to enter; this is where the Rivocoss Institute of Biology and Medicine cultivates wizard apprentices.

The advanced college is where fully fledged wizards pursue further studies.

After reading it, Lin Ke sucked in a breath of cold air, his eyes involuntarily widening a bit.

He seemed to see the endless education and learning system of his previous life: kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, university, master's graduate, doctoral graduate, associate professor, professor, renowned professor, academician.

Underachievers are advised to withdraw.

Goosebumps rose instantly.

Terrifying, too terrifying!

Lin Ke shook his head, gave a shiver, then, with a thought, activated the Brain Seal Technique to suppress that frightening association.

"What's wrong, Lin Ke?"

Mo Li happened to turn around, wanting to say a few words to Lin Ke, and seeing the slight fearful expression still on his face, she asked with concern.

"Nothing."

Lin Ke tugged at the corner of his mouth, deflecting, "I was startled by so many people; I've never seen such a crowd gathered together in all my years."

"I haven't either."

Mo Li echoed him, then her mood sank a little as she said, "Actually, I've hardly ever left the castle before, let alone the territory; this is my first time leaving home. Often I envy the commoners my age, who can run freely. I, however, am like a caged bird."

Speaking, her voice brightened again: "Fortunately, I'm free now!"

Unfortunately, Lin Ke couldn't empathize with her.

Although you haven't left the castle, although you're like a caged bird, you live without worries.

Unlike the original owner, a blacksmith's son who started helping at the forge at ten, eventually collapsed from heatstroke, hit his head, and died.

However, considering Mo Li's naivety about worldly affairs, Lin Ke refrained from making those cold remarks about social disparities and how people's joys and sorrows don't align.

"It's almost your turn; get ready calmly."

Lin Ke simply hurried to change the subject, which had been odd from the start.

However, the recruitment work of the Rivocoss Institute of Biology and Medicine was indeed proceeding very efficiently.

After a few simple words of conversation, if willing, one signs the agreement and goes behind the canopy.

If unwilling, just leave; don't waste time.

Soon, it was Mo Li's turn.

She stepped forward, sat down, briefly answered the recruiter's questions, then picked up the pen placed nearby and signed her name on the agreement given by the recruiter.

Before entering behind the canopy, Mo Li glanced back at Lin Ke once, her watery green eyes seeming to speak.

"Don't go elsewhere, leaving me all alone!"

Lin Ke got what Mo Li meant to express, and could only sigh, "No wonder she's a noble lady; she's innately skilled at this push-and-pull game."

Too bad she met Lin Ke…

"Women only affect my sword-drawing speed!"

Lin Ke hardened his resolve, activated the Brain Seal Technique, and cut away the charming figure of Mo Li, who looked back like a startled deer; instantly, the six desires ceased to arise, and his mind was free from distraction.

He stepped forward and sat on the stool in front of the recruiter's table, Lin Ke skillfully put on a cute, innocent-boy smile, and waited for the inquiry.

"Name?"

"Linke Grand."

"Where are you from?"

"Quete Archipelago, Huolede Viscounty."

After the two exchanges, the recruiter tapped a few times on a device resembling a tablet, apparently entering Lin Ke's information and checking the records.

After a moment, the recruiter raised his head, carefully examined Lin Ke a few times, and clicked his tongue in amazement: "Wow, not bad—fourth‑class aptitude, quite good, really good."

Saying that, the recruiter flipped open a stack of standard agreements on hand, took a new agreement from the drawer under the table, and placed it before Lin Ke.

"Take a look at the terms; if you agree, just sign it."

Lin Ke picked up the agreement and read it carefully.

The agreement's content is not complicated; it differs little from what is recorded in the ship's Newblood Guide, except for some differences in personal benefits.

Lin Ke can not only study for free for four years, with room and board covered, but also receives an annual subsidy of three standard first‑grade Magic Stones.

It seems that different aptitudes bring different treatment after enrollment.

Lin Ke decisively signed his name.

"All right, go to the back."

The agreement exists in two copies; the recruiter kept one, gave one to Lin Ke, and casually instructed.

Lin Ke obediently went to the back of the arbor.

(End of chapter)