Applying to Blazing Academy

Upon returning to reality, it was already the next morning.

Jia Youcai slowly removed his helmet, sat up in bed, gently set it aside, and could not help letting out a soft sigh.

No matter how wonderful the game world was, it was ultimately nothing more than an illusion, unable to replace real life.

Even if he could ride roughshod through the game and slaughter enemies in every direction, once he returned to reality, he was still an ordinary loser.

He slowly got dressed and went to the bathroom. Looking at himself in the mirror, he sighed again. He lightly pressed his hands against his cheeks. His features were fairly well-defined, and he thought that with a little grooming, he might even look somewhat handsome.

However, the moment that thought arose, he quickly dismissed it. No one paid attention to him anyway. Why should a grown man dress himself up so gaudily?

A few days ago, his previous company had "optimized" him out of a job. Though he had received some compensation, he was unemployed now, no matter how he looked at it. He still had to keep his feet on the ground and find a new job as soon as possible.

He picked up his phone and opened a recruitment app. After checking the time, he felt it was about time to leave. He could review some interview questions on the subway.

Hopefully, everything would go smoothly today.

As expected, all three of today's interviews had most likely fallen through.

Jia Youcai lay flat on his bed listlessly, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"It's fine... it's fine... I'll definitely succeed next time." He consoled himself like this.

Then he turned his head, his gaze falling on the helmet beside the bed.

He returned to the game world once more.

When he completed the first Main Quest, "First Encounter," the system had presented an option. Jia Youcai could directly skip time ahead by eight years, allowing himself to instantly grow from six to fourteen.

Jia Youcai did not want to keep looking like a little brat forever, so he decisively moved the timeline forward to age fourteen.

At this point in time, Jia Youcai's Soul Power automatically rose to level 35, while Qian Renxue's Soul Power also automatically rose to level 34.

Jia Youcai's Third Spirit Ring had been a gift from an earlier package, so his three spirit rings were now configured as follows: 2,000-year, 5,000-year, and 1,000-year.

The Lorraine Duchy lay in the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire and was one of the four major duchies under its jurisdiction.

There were two strategic locations within the Lorraine Duchy. Its capital, Morning Star City, was the Duke's seat and housed the nation's largest Soul Master Academy and weapons workshops. The other was Twilight City, located in Emerald River Valley, which produced more than seventy percent of the duchy's Soul Crystal mines.

Both cities were garrisoned by the duchy's most elite Silver Eagle Knights, guarding the lifeblood of the duchy.

It was early summer, and dusk was deepening when two young travelers arrived at Twilight City's southern gate. They looked about fourteen or fifteen, carrying simple packs. One was male and one female, plainly dressed yet unable to conceal their extraordinary bearing.

The young man stood tall and straight as a pine, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. His short hair was neat and crisp, and he wore a fitted black outfit that made him look particularly heroic.

The young woman had a graceful figure, yet she also carried a valiant air. Her golden hair was as dazzling as the blazing sun, cascading softly down to her waist. Her skin was fairer than snow, with a lustrous glow, as though it had been carved from the finest white jade.

Her brows resembled distant mountains brushed with dark pigment, concealing an aloof and cold pride. Her deep blue eyes seemed to hold a flowing galaxy within them. Her nose was high, and her cherry-red lips were as vivid as peaches, lightly pursed at the moment and carrying a hint of distance.

She wore a moon-white fitted outfit with faint silver patterns hidden within it, covered by a pale-blue gauze cloak that fluttered gently in the wind.

They had received an invitation to apply for admission to Blazing Academy.

Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue walked side by side toward Twilight City's southern gate. Seeing their extraordinary bearing, the guards did not give them much trouble. After asking a few simple questions, they let them through.

Upon entering Twilight City, they found the streets bustling with people. Shops lined both sides of the road, their cries and sales pitches mingling together.

"Let's find somewhere to stay first. We can go to Blazing Academy tomorrow," Qian Renxue said softly.

Jia Youcai nodded and searched the surrounding area for an inn sign. Before long, they spotted a place called Yuelai Inn. The two entered, and the waiter warmly came forward to greet them.

"Are you two here to eat or stay the night?" the waiter asked with a broad smile.

"We're staying. Two best rooms," Qian Renxue said, casually tossing out a gold coin. The waiter caught it, his eyes lighting up as his attitude became even more attentive.

"Right away. Please follow me, honored guests." The waiter led them upstairs to the second floor and brought them to their rooms. "Honored guests, these are your rooms. If you need anything, just let me know."

Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue each entered their own room. Jia Youcai briefly sorted out his luggage before lying down on the bed to rest.

Jia Youcai skipped the entire night and entered the next morning.

The next morning, he quickly came to Qian Renxue's door and knocked gently.

"Xuexue, are you up? It's time for us to go to Blazing Academy," Jia Youcai said.

The door soon opened. Qian Renxue was already neatly dressed in a clean fitted outfit, looking valiant and heroic.

"Let's go," she said.

The two left the inn and headed toward Blazing Academy. Located in the eastern part of Twilight City, Blazing Academy was one of the most renowned Soul Master Academies in the Lorraine Duchy. Countless young Soul Masters came here every year, hoping to learn profound soul skills and improve their strength.

When they arrived at Blazing Academy's entrance, they saw that its gates were grand and imposing. Two students wearing Blazing Academy uniforms stood outside, their expressions stern as they watchfully observed the passersby.

"Stop. What are you here for?" One of the students stopped Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue and asked.

"We received invitations to apply for admission to Blazing Academy," Jia Youcai said, taking the invitation letter from his clothes and handing it to the student.

The student accepted the invitation and examined it carefully before nodding. "Go in. The application site is at the academy's martial arts grounds."

Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue thanked him before entering Blazing Academy. The academy was shaded by lush trees, with broad, clean paths. From time to time, they could see students training on the field. Following the signs, they arrived at the martial arts grounds.

Quite a few young people applying for admission had already gathered there. Some were warming up, while others were chatting with one another, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere. Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue found a corner to stand in and waited for the application process to begin.

Before long, a middle-aged man stepped onto the raised platform at the martial arts grounds. He wore a magnificent Soul Master robe, and his gaze was sharp.

"Welcome, everyone, to Blazing Academy's admissions examination. I am the chief examiner for this assessment. You may call me Teacher Li," the middle-aged man said.

His voice was loud and resonant, spreading through the entire martial arts grounds like a great bell. "This examination consists of three stages. The first stage is a Soul Power test. Only students whose Soul Power has reached level 20 or above may proceed to the next stage. The second stage is a practical combat assessment, testing your combat ability. The third stage is a comprehensive test, assessing your adaptability and intelligence. The admissions examination now begins. Students, please come forward one by one for the Soul Power test."