10 Chapter 10: Interviewer's Tea Party_1

"The First University has four colleges under its jurisdiction, several research institutes, and many other related institutions."

"The four colleges are Jiuyou Academy, Alpha Academy, Atlas Academy, and Starry Sky Academy. The school is reportedly planning to establish another new academy to accommodate the ever-increasing number of new students. However, as far as I know, there has not been any progress yet."

"The Jiuyou Academy you will be attending is the world's oldest-established academy. A long time ago, there were two or three academies that could compare with Jiuyou Academy, but they have all disappeared in history. Maybe you will be able to find some traces they left in the cultures of Alpha or Atlas Academies."

"Every year, the four colleges independently set papers and recruit outstanding students who meet their own academy standards. However, each school has a different focus—this is the fundamental difference between the four colleges—In short, Jiuyou Academy selects students through exams, Alpha values students' natural talents, Atlas only recruits students with firm beliefs, as for Starry Sky Academy." Thomas showed a nostalgic smile, "As long as you can fight, you can safely stay in Starry Sky Academy."

"What do you mean by 'can fight'?" Zheng Qing thought of the four doors in the hall and couldn't help but be curious.

"It's the literal meaning." Thomas retracted his smile. "Starry Sky Academy is the only university among all universities that measures students by their combat power."

Brief and full of implications.

Zheng Qing swallowed, seemingly envisioning a passionate high school for wizards.

Names like Yuan Zhi and Qinzhe flashed across his mind. He wondered whether the serious Thomas would fit into any of their images.

"The initial intention of the First University was to eliminate the contradictions and conflicts between the world's major powers. Looking at the current situation, although they seemingly share the same goal, there is, well, some healthy competition between the major colleges. After entering the school, you have to get used to this."

"Healthy competition?" Zheng Qing cracked another peanut, chewed the peanut kernels and pondered on this phrase.

"Let me put it this way." Thomas scratched his smooth chin and added, "In the eyes of a student from Starry Sky Academy, those at Jiuyou Academy are all bookworms, those at Alpha are hypocritical gentlemen, and those at Atlas are religious fanatics. Of course, in the eyes of other academies, the students of the Starry Sky Academy are all battle enthusiasts. The distinction is so clear, it's like a well-mixed cocktail, smooth but with distinct colors."

"I'm still somewhat confused." Zheng Qing pried open a fig with his nail, popped it in his mouth, and appeared a bit worried.

"What don't you understand?" Thomas seemed to have a lot of patience.

"I was just following a gentleman... I mean, I was only following a Taoist and learned a few tricks. I can't even subdue a fierce spirit, and only know how to draw basic talismans. And why have I never heard of these things before?"

"Do you really expect the daily news to give you updates about the latest laws passed by the wizard world? Stop kidding... just like the Blood Race's seclusion treaty, the wizard world also has its own seclusion rules." Thomas ridiculed without mincing words.

"Rules."

"Yes, the wizarding world has its own laws. Like mentioning the words 'little trick', you have violated the rules of the wizards." Thomas warned very seriously, "Never say these words to a professional wizard, it is the greatest insult to a wizard. Every year, countless duels are triggered because of these words, even the Wizard Covenant can do nothing about it."

"I noticed the phrase 'Wizard Covenant' in your newspapers earlier," Zheng Qing couldn't help but add.

"The Wizard Covenant is an organisation that manages all wizards around the world. You can think of it as the government of wizards. The Wizard Covenant has three branches, which are the Wizard Council, the Under the Moon Council and the First University."

"The First University is a government institution?"

"You can see it that way. To be precise, the First University is a university and also the core power of the wizarding world."

"Then why did they admit me? Isn't it hasty? What if I can't keep up with the pace of learning, will I be sent home?" Zheng Qing was a bit apprehensive, "If I get sent home, should I have to repeat a year to apply to other universities?"

"As I mentioned, Jiuyou Academy selects students through exams, and for its students, grades are almost everything. Since you scored high on the global wizarding examination, there is no doubt that you are a qualified new student for the academy."

"As for not keeping up with the learning progress," Thomas set down his cup and looked at Zheng Qing with equal curiosity, his emerald eyes gleaming, "Every year, the campus directory adds a few hundred new names, along with their information. These are this year's new students. Let me assure you, some of them are just like you. They had not had any formal education before, but this does not stop them from becoming outstanding students of the First University."

"It's about time." Before Zheng Qing could ask any more questions, Thomas stood up and motioned for Zheng Qing to come along, "It's time to prepare something for you. I have to travel a few thousand miles tonight to report and write a report. Being an interviewer is not a fun job."

"There's still an interview?" Zheng Qing just realised Thomas' role and asked a little nervously, "Do I need to prepare anything? Is there any interview material or something like that?"

"From the moment we met, the interview has already begun. For new students at Jiuyou Academy, this interview is just a procedural thing. Your exam scores have already confirmed that you can assuredly be admitted to the First University."

"But," Zheng Qing felt a bit apologetic for asking so many questions, "Do my parents know about this stuff? How should I explain to them? My gentleman does not allow me to talk nonsense."

"No, they don't." Thomas replied in a gentle tone, opening the glass door and pushing Zheng Qing out of the tea garden while walking and talking, "They don't even know the nature of the school you're going to. In fact, all they know is that the First University is a good school guaranteed by the Education Bureau, and that you luckily got a full scholarship. The major you will be studying in their eyes is the very ordinary astronomy. Of course, we promise you will continue your studies for a master's and doctorate degree, it's just that the university is located abroad."

Zheng Qing nodded satisfactorily, his hair bobbing along with his head.

"Let's see, what do you need?" After exiting the tea garden, Thomas took Zheng Qing's notice and squinted to read it, "Keep in mind, although there's a supermarket in the school, it is not a good supermarket... many things are more worthwhile to buy in the market square. Your scholarship is very limited."

"This paper," after pulling out the light blue A4 sized paper, Thomas merely skimmed over it before handing to Zheng Qing, saying, "If you have received intermediate education, actually, elementary education would be enough, you would know how to proceed."

"Don't worry, these things are actually quite simple," sensing that Zheng Qing was somewhat uneasy, Thomas comforted, "Although it involves some basics, the things studied at university are not greatly related to the basics you learned before, of course, except for some special disciplines...Judging from your knowledge, you should easily fit into this world."

Zheng Qing sighed heavily, took the light blue paper where densely-packed Regular Script characters now appeared.

He was more certain that he would definitely be the weak link in his class.