Missing Admissions Notice

Xiao Lin was not the only one who was confused. Many of Dawn Academy's rooms were brightly lit that night.

In the dean's office, the white-haired old man sat on the sofa and took a swig of strong tea. He looked up, scanned the baby-faced boy who stood next to him, and said, "Don't be so tense. Tell me, what brings you here to me so late at night? "

The student union's president smiled and said, "It's about the freshmen's course reports today. More specifically, it's the performance of several acting class monitors, including that Gu Xiaoyue who has thirty-six intelligence points..."

The president slowed his words so he had enough time to observe every single detail on the dean's face, but he was disappointed again. The dean's expression did not change at all, and he gestured to interrupt before the president even finished speaking. Dissatisfied, he said, "You're the president of the student union. You're responsible for all the new students. You don't have to tell me all this. I'm going to the New World tomorrow. I don't have the energy to be concerned with all these teeny little things!"

"Understood. You're going back so soon?" Doubt disappeared from the student union president's face. Other than making an exception to attend the opening ceremony, the dean seemed to show no other interest in those freshmen.

"America's Demon Queen is making too much of a ruckus in the New World recently. We may be their allies, but we're still their competitors…" the dean said halfway and shook his head. He did not continue that sentence; it was still too early to say anything, even to the student union president.

The student union president exclaimed, "Demon Queen? She's already in the New World. She's still a sophomore!"

After hesitating, the president lowered his voice and carefully asked, "Rumor has it that America's Demon Queen has an SS-level talent. Is that true?"

The dean appeared evasive. He set the teacup down, narrowed his eyes, and rubbed his temples wearily. He then changed the topic. "I'm a little tired right now. Is there anything else?"

The student union's president shook his head, but something suddenly came to mind and he casually asked, "Oh yes. The head of the Admissions Department told me something during the day. A total of 1,360 students are enrolled in this batch, but when he did his routine inspection, he discovered that there were only 1,359 admission notices recorded in the system. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't find the last remaining one. It was very strange, because, as we're all well aware, it's impossible for anyone to enter the academy without an admission notice, especially when our notice is made of special materials. How could any ordinary person possibly fake it?"

"Negligence! There's no need to look into these little things. Plus, the group of eliminated individuals has probably already returned to Earth by now. Just make sure the head of admissions is more cautious next time!"

The student union president did not notice anything out of the ordinary when the dean played the incident down. He too felt that it was not a big deal and was simply giving his routine report. Finally, the president left after finishing what he had to say.

The dean opened his eyes again and looked up at the ceiling, as if he was thinking about something. After a prolonged silence, he suddenly stretched out his right arm and chanted in a low voice. "Advanced Strengthening Barrier! Advanced Silencing Barrier! Advanced Anti-Stealth Barrier! Advanced Anti-Missile Barrier! "

Four magic rays shot out consecutively from the palm of his hand and lit up the office. Everything appeared to be in a state of calm; the dean's advanced magical barriers sealed the area so no ordinary person could ever approach.

"With the authority vested in me as the dean, I summon the Central Smart Computer System!" the dean's deep voice boomed.

A curtain of light covered the office ceiling and, manifesting from thin air, was the image of a girl in a white dress. With a delicate face and fair-skinned feet, she looked ever-so lifelike, even though it was merely a virtual image. She covered her mouth and giggled. "Master Dean, how may I be of service?"

The dean was expressionless. "You seem to be rather obsessed with Lolita appearances as of late."

"I heard that lolicon is all the rage on Earth nowadays. My appearance may be more attractive to the new students." The virtual Lolita smiled sweetly and wandered around the office like a ghost.

"As Dawn Academy's central control system, you're not allowed to directly come into contact with anyone except a few of those with higher authority. I don't need to remind you, do I?"

The virtual girl pouted, and her crisp, bell-like voice echoed in the office. "It's been a century and you're still as boring as ever. Alright, out with it. Why did you summon me with your dean's authority so late at night?"

The dean asked in a deep voice, "I'm sure you have a backup copy of the freshmen's admission notices."

The girl giggled and said, "I know what you're going to ask. I heard your chat with that pesky president just now. Unfortunately, there were a total of 1,360 admission notices issued to the freshmen. There's no issue with those notices."

The dean raised his eyebrows to some surprise, then buried his head in thought. He trusted the student union president because he was the one who personally appointed the boy. Besides, the president had no reason to deceive him in that respect. At the same time, Dawn Academy's central computer system was right in front of him, making it doubly unlikely that it would conceal anything from the dean, especially considering his authority.

Suddenly, the dean looked up in surprise. "Are you saying that neither the admissions head nor the student union president has the authority to view that one single admission notice?"

The girl's respect for the dean gleamed and she smiled teasingly. "Your brain seems to be working quite well even though you're getting older!"

The dean then ordered in an imperative tone, "Show me the admissions notice right now!"

The girl spread out her fair palms and had a helpless look in her glazed eyes. "As much as I'd like to do that, you don't have the authority to view it either."

The dean got up at once, and for the first time, had a shocked look. "Not even I have permission to view it? Even though it's just a copy of the admission notice?"

The girl's hands were tied. "That's right. I was surprised too."

After a moment's silence, the dean lamented, "I understand. We'll set this aside then. Right now, with the highest authority I have, I order all the copies of the freshmen's admission notices to be encrypted. Only I, or those with authority higher than mine, can view them. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"No problem at all. Wait a moment." The girl closed her eyes and opened them again after a few seconds. "Done. You don't want anyone else to know who the disappeared admissions notice belongs to, am I right? Or, have you already guessed whose it is? "

The dean paced to the window. Dawn Academy was very quiet at night and he remarked indifferently, "Yes, and no. During the opening ceremony, I noticed how interesting this batch of freshmen were. But before that, I don't want too many busybodies or interferences hindering their growth. I'll be returning to the New World tomorrow and they'll remain in your capable hands."

… 

Not a single soul knew about the conversation in the dean's office. Similarly, no one was aware that the copies of that batch's admission notices had been restricted and were accessible only for those with higher-authority.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lin was still troubled by his basic meditation. Although he had gained plenty of valuable fundamental knowledge from Zhang Tingting, it was still of little use at present.

"Isn't there any other way?" Xiao Lin asked grudgingly. His initial intelligence value was too low, and if his initial intelligence value represented the ability to attune to the elements, it was a clear sign that he might really need a month or two to raise that zero to one. He could not afford to wait that long!

"Unless you're a talented student. I know that there are some talents which can enhance your ability to be more aware of the elements. Tsk, tsk, I'm so jealous. I know a senior who has that talent, and she practically rockets through her meditation!"

Zhang Tingting spoke unhindered and chatted away animatedly. However, she immediately heard a cough from behind her. It was her boyfriend, Gu Fantian, reminding her helplessly in a low voice, "Don't wander too far from the topic!"