Settling Down

In fact, after Dai Mubai's introduction, everyone discovered that Shrek Academy was even more run-down than they had imagined.

They didn't know the reason for the dilapidation, but based on what they already knew, they understood that life here would likely be very difficult.

The academy rented one-third of a village as its campus at an extremely low price, practically a giveaway. A large part of the reason, they heard, was that the villagers felt safer with some Soul Masters around, even though they had never seen such a down-on-their-luck group of Soul Masters.

"Huh? What? You're saying our academy only has three students?"

Dai Mubai explained as he led everyone to the dormitories. When he mentioned that Shrek Academy only had three students, everyone looked as if they had seen a ghost. Hermione, whose family owned an academy, couldn't help but exclaim.

"That's right. Including me, there are only three students in the entire academy. This year is probably the year with the most new students in the school's history," Dai Mubai said with some helplessness. He himself found it incredible that the academy could operate with so few students.

Zhao Xuan's expression shifted upon hearing this. "So, that means there are more teachers than students in this academy," he said in surprise.

"That's right," Dai Mubai shrugged.

"..." Everyone was speechless for a moment.

Arriving at a wooden house, Dai Mubai said to the girls, "You girls can sleep here. There are exactly four beds inside."

The wooden house before them looked very old. The wooden planks on the exterior walls had a weathered, time-worn appearance, and moss had even begun to grow on the bottom.

The girls froze on the spot. Then, Ning Rongrong, trembling as if she had seen something terrifying, asked, "This... this is... our future... dormitory?!"

"That's right. The school's conditions are just like this. Complaining is useless. These wooden houses were left behind by the villagers. Although we didn't expect so many people to come this year, we did ask the villagers to clean them up a few days ago," Dai Mubai, acting as their guide, explained.

While the girls stood outside in shock, Tang San, having recovered somewhat, walked in carrying Xiao Wu.

Zhao Xuan stood at the doorway, peeking inside.

The furnishings inside were simple, or more accurately, rudimentary. Four empty beds were arranged in two pairs, symmetrically placed, two on the left and two on the right. There was a cabinet at the head of each bed.

The floor was covered with wooden planks. He looked up at the roof; there were no light leaks, so it shouldn't leak during rain.

"Xiao Xuan, come help me make Xiao Wu's bed," Tang San called from inside.

"Coming, coming," Zhao Xuan quickly responded and walked in. Tang San's body was still somewhat weak, his face pale.

However, when Zhao Xuan had offered to help carry Xiao Wu earlier, this guy had been stubbornly insistent.

Tang San summoned Xiao Wu's belongings from his Soul Tool. A large stack of pink bedding and blankets landed on the bed, and Zhao Xuan quickly helped to make it.

After Zhao Xuan finished making the bed, Tang San settled Xiao Wu down and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Xuan glanced at Tang San. Why bother? Such a doting brother!

The others quietly watched the three of them. When Zhao Xuan turned his head, he was startled by their gazes. However, he relaxed the next moment, realizing their strange looks were all directed at Tang San.

But there seemed to be an exception...

"Why are you looking at me like that? Tang San is the doting brother, not me," Zhao Xuan said, walking out of the room and meeting Hermione's brown eyes, which were fixed on him. He asked in confusion.

"It's nothing!"

Hermione pursed her lips, and seeing Zhao Xuan's bewildered expression, she quickly turned her head away. Her fluffy, beautiful blonde hair brushed against Zhao Xuan's face.

The others beside them secretly glanced at Zhao Xuan. Big brother, can't you smell this obvious jealousy?

Dai Mubai suddenly felt a pang of frustration. Damn it! When has this young master Dai ever been fed dog food by others? And why do all these new students come with partners?!

Thinking of something, Dai Mubai secretly glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. Sensing his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing slightly turned her head to look at him. Immediately, her delicate, pretty face furrowed, and a look of disgust appeared.

Dai Mubai was stunned at first, then felt a surge of anger. He instinctively clenched his fist, but after a moment's thought, he loosened his grip and said coldly, "Zhao Xuan, Tang San, I'll take you to see your dormitories next."

Zhao Xuan and Tang San followed Dai Mubai out. Zhu Zhuqing's expression of disgust vanished completely. Looking at Dai Mubai's retreating figure, she seemed to let out a sigh of relief, her gaze lost in thought. However, she soon resumed her cold demeanor.

Ning Rongrong watched these scenes unfold. Looking at the wooden house, a deeply hidden disgust and disdain flickered in her eyes. As the others walked away, a hint of loneliness and desolation, which she herself hadn't noticed, suddenly appeared on her.

Dai Mubai led Zhao Xuan and Tang San to a wooden house not far from the girls' dormitory.

He pushed the door open. The inside of the wooden house was not as desolate as they had imagined. On the contrary, it seemed somewhat lively, and judging by the scene, someone else was living there.

"Besides you two, another student lives here – the one selling sausages earlier. My roommate and I live elsewhere."

Zhao Xuan surveyed the room and said with some surprise, "It looks quite clean."

Dai Mubai nodded. "Although Xiao Ao looks a bit slovenly on the outside, there's nothing he can do about it. His body hair is too thick, and over time, he's become too lazy to manage it. However, he's actually quite clean in his daily life."

"That's good."

Zhao Xuan nodded with satisfaction. Although he was lazy himself, he didn't want to live in a pigsty.

Turning around, he saw Tang San's pale face and was startled. He quickly went to support him. "Xiao San, you should get some rest early today."

"Yes, Tang San, you should get some rest early. The Dean will probably be back tomorrow."

"The Dean? Right, where is our Dean?" Zhao Xuan asked with interest. The Dean who could run such an academy must be an extraordinary person.

"Uh... because we're running out of money for food, the Dean went out to open a shop to earn money," Dai Mubai said, scratching his head awkwardly.

Zhao Xuan's expression stiffened. This Dean was indeed an extraordinary... eccentric person.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

"Oh, right. The academy's dining hall is a few hundred meters to the east. It's the dining hall for this village's elementary school. They prepare meals for us every day at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM. Remember to go early, or you'll go hungry," Dai Mubai reminded them as he turned back, as if he had just remembered something.

"Thanks."