Gene Research Institute

"Xu Tui, Mysterious Academy, Wisdom Heart System. Tuition at Mysterious Academy is 16,000 yuan a year, and textbooks and uniforms cost 1,000 yuan.

"You have D-grade lower authority. Under the regulations, you're entitled to an additional five percent government subsidy on your tuition.

"Right, that comes to 16,200 yuan." The teacher at the registration desk looked over Xu Tui's records, a little surprised.

"Teacher, doesn't D-grade lower authority come with a subsidy for textbooks and uniforms?" Xu Tui asked.

"No. Subsidies and discounts tied to personal authority are generally for government or public-interest expenses."

"Understood. Thank you, teacher."

Xu Tui then paid by scanning the code with his Personal Communication Device.

Watching Xu Tui, Chai Xiao eyed him with disdain for asking about the subsidy. His three streaks of colorful hair fluttered as he looked on with undisguised envy.

That was one of the perks of authority.

It came with tangible subsidies and discounts in many areas.

The tuition subsidy had saved Xu Tui 800 yuan. It wasn't much, but every little bit counted.

That was enough to cover ten days or half a month of meals.

"Come over here. Pay the insurance fee, sign here, then pay for your accommodation, and you're all set."

Chai Xiao had already gone to another counter and was eyeing Xu Tui from the side.

There were only three counters for registration fees, but at least thirty for insurance.

A staff member sat at each one.

"Hello. The basic insurance fee for students in the Mysterious System at Huaxia Gene Evolution University is 5,000 yuan per year.

"The government subsidizes 2,000 yuan, leaving you to pay 3,000.

"We also offer supplemental insurance. For every 1,000 yuan, you can increase accidental medical coverage by 30,000 yuan and death compensation by 100,000 yuan. You're free to choose whether you want it."

As the staff member explained, he slid two documents over to Xu Tui.

"This one contains the insurance terms and supplemental insurance details.

"This one is a special accident disclosure and acknowledgment form for Gene New Humans in the Huaxia region.

"Before signing the insurance terms and supplemental insurance, you need to read and understand this special accident disclosure and acknowledgment form. You must agree to it and sign it." The staff member explained.

"I have to agree to it first? What if I don't?" Xu Tui asked, puzzled.

"Read it first, then decide. It explains the details in there as well," the staff member said.

"Okay."

Xu Tui nodded and carefully read every word.

Now he understood why there were thirty counters for insurance.

This insurance counter offered a choice.

More than that, it demanded a decision.

Its opening theme was protection!

Protecting Huaxia, humanity, and Blue Star.

You had to pay the corresponding price for the benefits you received.

The greater your ability, the greater your responsibility.

By signing this special accident disclosure and acknowledgment form, you agreed to be included in the Huaxia region's special talent pool. Under certain special circumstances, you could be assigned by the Huaxia Gene Committee, including, but not limited to, deployment to off-world battlefields.

But such assignments weren't without compensation.

If you signed and then refused to carry out an assignment, the Huaxia Gene Committee would seek repayment. If you couldn't repay the costs, you would be held legally responsible, and you and your immediate family would be placed on the list of untrustworthy persons.

If the Huaxia region entered a state of emergency, everyone would have to obey the Huaxia Gene Committee's orders without question. Refusal would be considered treason.

Actually, this was already stated in the Covenant and Great Charter as a civic duty.

But listing it separately here gave it special significance.

"If I sign this, does it mean I'll definitely be sent to an off-world battlefield after graduation?" Xu Tui suddenly asked.

"Of course not."

The staff member shook his head. "It's just a contingency plan for emergencies. Most of the time, you're free to choose.

"Even if you're assigned somewhere, they'll take your personal preferences into consideration."

"Of course, if you're set on joining an off-world battlefield after graduation and willing to serve on the front lines, there's a more generous letter of intent here.

"Basically, the benefits you receive during university will be raised by one full grade—that means your scholarship will be increased by one full tier." The staff member explained.

Xu Tui nodded. Tang Ting had signed this in advance, which was how he'd been admitted to Huaxia Military University of Gene Evolution ahead of schedule.

"What if I don't sign?" Xu Tui asked.

"Whether to sign is entirely up to you. But as the form said at the outset, you have to pay the corresponding price for the benefits you receive.

"If you don't sign, your benefit tier at Huaxia Gene Evolution University will first be lowered by one full grade, then cut in half.

"On top of that, there are some restricted courses you won't be able to take," the staff member said.

Xu Tui nodded.

The rule made perfect sense.

You couldn't expect to enjoy all the benefits without giving anything in return.

Xu Tui signed his name on the form with a flurry of strokes.

Then it was time to pay the insurance fee.

He was entitled to the same five percent government subsidy on his 3,000-yuan insurance fee thanks to his D-grade lower authority.

He'd saved a little more—enough for at least two days of meals.

After thinking it over, Xu Tui bought an additional 5,000 yuan of supplemental insurance. The increased medical coverage and death compensation both seemed useful.

The basic insurance's death compensation was 600,000 yuan. If something really happened to him, the supplemental insurance would bring the payout to over a million yuan for his parents.

Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.

No matter how dangerous the future was, as long as there was even the slightest chance, Xu Tui would do everything he could to survive.

Until then, his task was to grow stronger.

"So, after signing this, do you feel a sense of heaviness and danger?" Chai Xiao patted Xu Tui on the shoulder.

Xu Tui smiled without answering.

"You'll understand eventually. Our world is going to be completely different from the one ordinary people live in. I guarantee the world you saw before coming to university was all a lie!"

Next came the final step: choosing accommodation.

As the most prestigious university in all of Huaxia, Huaxia Gene Evolution University offered good dorms in several different price tiers.

Which one you chose depended on your preferences and finances.

The most affordable option was a six-person room.

Six people to a room, with air conditioning and shared bathrooms and toilets. It cost just 1,500 yuan per semester.

A four-person room had air conditioning and private bathrooms and toilets. It was a little more expensive, at 3,000 yuan per semester.

A double room had air conditioning and private bathrooms and toilets, and cost 8,000 yuan per semester.

A double suite was slightly larger than a regular double room, with a separate living area for each person. It had individual air conditioning but shared bathrooms and toilets, and cost 18,000 yuan per semester.

A single suite was the same size as a double suite, with separate living, reception, and wash areas. It cost 50,000 yuan per semester.

The accommodation prices were listed clearly, which was helpful.

"Buddy, I recommend getting a nicer room. Definitely don't pick a six-person room, especially since you're in the Mysterious System," Chai Xiao suddenly said.

"Why's that?"

"People in the Mysterious System need a better environment for cultivation. Sharing a room with too many people is distracting.

"Someone might snore or fart at night, and that could interfere with your cultivation.

"Generally, six-person rooms are for people in the Limitless System.

"Everyone in the Mysterious System chooses a single suite," Chai Xiao said.

"A single suite?

"I'd like one too, but I'm not rich. It's too expensive. That's 100,000 yuan a year, not counting utilities," Xu Tui said.

"By the way, what kind of room did you get?"

"Me? A double room," Chai Xiao said.

"You've gotta be kidding me. You don't even live in a single suite, and you're telling me to get one?" Xu Tui said, wincing.

"Single suites are too cold and lonely. They're suited to people in the Mysterious System. I like having people around, so I picked a double room," Chai Xiao said.

Actually, Chai Xiao had a point about shared rooms disrupting cultivation.

Xu Tui had considered that too.

The six-person rooms were out.

The single suites were out.

The best options for Xu Tui were a double room or a double suite.

The double room was the most affordable at 8,000 yuan.

The double suite was the best environment, but 18,000 yuan per semester was a bit steep.

"Hello, teacher. I have personal D-grade lower authority. Is there any discount or subsidy on accommodation?" Xu Tui suddenly asked.

The staff member handling the paperwork froze. Looking at Xu Tui, he sat up straight with newfound respect.

"Sorry, student. Personal authority doesn't come with discounts or government subsidies for accommodation.

"However, if you're having financial difficulties, you can apply for a hardship grant. The six-person room fee will be waived."

Beside them, Chai Xiao was speechless. He shot Xu Tui another sideways glare.

So Xu Tui had gotten used to using his personal authority to get benefits.

He was trying to squeeze every last drop out of it wherever he went.

"Thank you!"

Xu Tui wrestled with the choice between 8,000 yuan and 18,000 yuan per semester.

Finally, under Chai Xiao's scornful gaze,

Xu Tui made his decision.

He chose a double suite for 18,000 yuan per semester.

I am, after all, a man who just got a 550,000-yuan reward.

All for the sake of cultivation!

"Damn, a double suite? You're loaded, man!" Chai Xiao joked with Xu Tui.

Xu Tui paid and completed the paperwork.

The staff quickly assigned him a dorm room.

With the matter An Xiaoxue had entrusted to him on his mind, Xu Tui didn't rush to move his things from the New Student Reception Center to his dorm.

Instead, he sent An Xiaoxue a message.

As for Chai Xiao, he went back to guiding other new students, struggling to earn those few merit points.

"Teacher An, I've finished the enrollment procedures. Where can I find you?"

An Xiaoxue didn't reply right away.

While he waited, Xu Tui hurried off to grab a meal.

It felt great that his personal authority had saved him nearly a thousand yuan today.

Xu Tui treated himself to braised pig trotters.

A little vinegar cut the richness and made them taste even better!

Before he'd finished eating, An Xiaoxue sent back a message.

"I'm at Research Institute No. 14, Gene Research Institute. Come find me there. Call me when you get to the entrance and I'll let you in."

Xu Tui was stunned when he read the message.

The Gene Research Institute?

The Gene Research Institute in Kyoto Prefecture was the headquarters of the entire Huaxia region's Gene Research Institute, wasn't it?

An Xiaoxue was at the Gene Research Institute?

Xu Tui immediately realized that Professor An might be even more mysterious than he'd imagined.

The problem was, Xu Tui didn't know where the Gene Research Institute was.

"Teacher An, where's the Gene Research Institute?"

"It's right next to the university. Are you helpless or what? Can't you look at a map or use navigation?" In her message, An Xiaoxue, the goddess-like warrior, revealed her fiery temper.

Xu Tui: "..."

Xu Tui opened navigation and searched for the Gene Research Institute.

Then he was stunned!

The two mythical beasts at home had been giving their Beast-Tamer Queen a hard time all weekend. Zhu San, the supreme ruler of the household, had been busy and fed up, so this update came late. Well, there's one more day tomorrow, and then Zhu San can cut loose again.

Finally, please toss me a few recommendation votes.