Opening Ceremony

Beneath the high platform, a sea of new students crowded together.

On the high platform, over twenty academy mentors in loose robes gazed out at the new students who had come to pursue their studies. Looking at these young, inexperienced faces, they wondered how many of them would successfully complete their graduation assessments three years from now and bring honor to the academy.

Below the platform, Reilo naturally noticed Mentor Gubo, with a black cat perched on his shoulder, and the old man with a black crow on his shoulder.

Reilo knew that this batch of new students would be under the charge of Mentor Gubo and this old man.

As Grade Director leaders, the graduation assessment results of the new students they led in three years would greatly affect both men's future prospects—whether Gubo could be promoted to Vice Dean, or even enter the Royal Academician Committee.

On the high platform stood the mentors of each class, all under the leadership of these two men.

"It's a pity that Senior Brother Shatuo only obtained a Natural Degree and can't serve as a class mentor, only as a part-time lecturer. Otherwise, I could sit in on his classes," Reilo sighed.

Enlightenment, Natural, Esoteric, Transcendental.

Except for the Enlightenment Scholar Degree Certificate, which was issued by the academy, obtaining higher degrees required strict examination by the Royal Academicians of various nations. The examination conditions were extremely rigorous, making any falsification impossible. One could only rely on academic research to complete various tests and receive the most rational evaluation.

"Silence!"

The one who spoke sternly was none other than Mentor Gubo on the high platform.

As if being watched by a terrifying ancient Magic Beast, an indescribable soul-crushing pressure swept over them. The now-silent new students stiffened, even their breathing becoming cautious.

Everyone could clearly feel the old man's terror from the high platform!

His sharp gaze slightly retracted, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes obscured by black glass frames. Gubo looked down at the hundreds of new students below, his heart surging.

For the next three years, these little ones would be entirely under his charge.

Their results would not only concern themselves but also be his report card to the academy and his answer sheet to the Duchy's Royal Committee!

"Meow, that little one is there too."

Jiahei pointed at Reilo.

Gubo sensed it and looked over, catching a glimpse of Reilo in the vast crowd—a person almost devoid of any distinguishing features among the many scholars, like a short weed among a riot of colorful flowers. Without Jiahei's reminder, he would have completely failed to notice him.

"Hmph, since he's my disciple, even if this kid is a dullard, I'll make him stand on the shoulders of giants! But first, let's temper him a bit."

Gubo glanced briefly at the old man beside him. After a short exchange of looks, Gubo nodded slightly, then looked down again at the many scholars below, at those eyes full of longing and anticipation.

"Hello, everyone! I am your Grade Director, Gubo. For the next three years, you will receive the Enlightenment Scholar education curriculum of the Grand Natural Academy under the guidance of my mentor team and Mentor Liuyan. I hope that in this ancient natural academy, you will find your own academic field, persevere through unremitting hard work, complete your graduation assessments, realize your self-worth, and bring honor to the academy!"

Beside Gubo, the Vice Grade Director Liuyan, with a black crow on his shoulder, took down his clacking pipe, nodded with a slight smile, and said nothing more.

At the same time, Gubo couldn't help but recall the scenes from two hundred and seventy years ago when he had traveled far to study here. Everything was still vivid, as if it had happened only yesterday.

First, one must objectively acknowledge the different starting points in life and the unfairness of fate.

Some people were born with innate wisdom, as if driven by endless curiosity, with an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Even their natural Energy Magnetic Field strength far surpassed others, earning them the title of born scholars.

Some people were immensely wealthy, never worrying about experimental supplies. No matter how precious the experimental items, they could easily purchase them, and so-called rare experimental specimens were nothing new to them.

And what about himself?

His once glorious and prosperous family had lost everything by his generation. The great Lord had forgotten His most loyal servant. Fortunately, at that time, a group of atheist scholars quietly emerged.

His father placed all hopes of reviving the family on him, yet the money he could offer was only five gold coins and over seventy silver coins.

One could say...

He had come to the academy empty-handed, studying alongside scholars who brought large amounts of crystals!

During those hard times, he started at the bottom of the class upon enrollment. Through unremitting efforts, he collected all experimental specimens by himself. He yearned for a set of experimental tools for three months before finally making up his mind to buy them. As for his first Space Box, he obtained it a year after enrollment when his class mentor accepted him as a disciple...

And yet!

Three years later, at the graduation assessment, he was already a prominent figure in the top ten of the Elite Rank, receiving affirmation from many student mentors!

Gubo gazed at the children below.

How many of these people would, like his younger self, change their fate through knowledge?

All kinds of stray thoughts flickered through his mind for a moment.

Gubo was no longer as rigid and stern as usual. He said leisurely, "The academy has always upheld the educational philosophy of 'Respecting teachers and valuing the Way, passing the torch from generation to generation.' The academy believes that as long as future scholars stand on the knowledge foundation of their predecessors, respect their will, and explore eternally and unremittingly, they will surely peel away the veil of natural knowledge and truth, step by step, so that this world will no longer be lost in ignorance. Reason, wisdom, and glory will eventually shine upon the land!"

The young scholars below merely listened passively to the earnest words of this aged mentor, finding it somewhat dry, lengthy, and boring, while trying their best to appear politely expectant.

Compared to listening to this old man ramble on here, what the young scholars truly looked forward to was tonight's class gathering.

"I also hope that as members of the Grand Natural Academy, you will carry on the academy's will, stand on the knowledge ladder pioneered by your predecessors, and surpass..."

Reilo below was caught off guard.

In Reilo's impression, Mentor Gubo was a man of few words.

Yet today, the usually rigid and taciturn Gubo gave a speech at the opening ceremony that lasted a full half hourglass. In the eyes of the scholars below, he had become a chattering old man, and they were growing somewhat impatient.

It wasn't until nearly noon that it was Director Liuyan's turn to speak, pipe clacking in his mouth.

Compared to Gubo's earnestness, this Vice Grade Director was much more relaxed and carefree. After a few casual, joking remarks, he began reading out the class assignment list.

Over six hundred people were assigned to twenty classes, with an average of over thirty per class. As names were called one after another, the students whose names were read hurried over to the mentors of their respective classes.

"Hehe, finally found you!"

Suddenly, as Reilo stood silently by Orn's side watching the opening ceremony, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

Turning around, it was Bailing.

Giggling, Bailing had several other men and women with her, clearly all senior scholars, their expressions calm and unhurried, their gazes toward the newly enrolled enlightenment students carrying obvious arrogance.

The surrounding junior scholars naturally stepped back one after another.

"Senior Sister!"

Reilo replied with delight, his eyes instinctively falling on a female student behind Bailing who was riding a Unicorn. Noticing the smug, human-like look in the beast's eyes, he recognized it as a bonded partner and looked away with envy.

"Senior Sister, why are you here?"

Bailing pouted and complained, "Hmph, after you left, the old man locked me up for three days and wouldn't let me out. So boring! Today's the start of term, and my friends invited me to the Demon Eagle Forest to collect specimens. That old man has no reason to control me anymore, so I took the chance to come see you!"

As she spoke, Bailing smoothed a wrinkle on Reilo's collar, satisfied and cheerful. "Oh, I didn't notice—once you put on the Bachelor Uniform, you look a lot sharper. Not bad, not bad!"

At Bailing's natural, intimate gesture, Reilo gave an embarrassed smile, not knowing what to say.

Seeing Reilo's shy expression, Bailing paused for a moment, then thought of something and couldn't help laughing even more.

Then, pretending to be a mature elder, Bailing tried hard not to laugh out loud, patted Reilo on the shoulder, and put on a show of authority. "While I'm away, you study hard with Second Senior Brother. When I come back in a few days, I'll bring you a natural specimen as a gift!"

"Alright!"

Reilo nodded with a beaming smile.

Bailing seemed to feel immense satisfaction inside, a smug look on her face as she turned to her male and female companions and instructed, "This is my little junior brother, Reilo. If you ever run into him outside, look out for him. If I find out any of you bullied him, I won't let it go!"

Several of them rolled their eyes.

A male scholar leaning on a black magic staff said helplessly, "Only you would be bored enough to bully junior students."

"Hey! Dala, watch your mouth—who bullies junior scholars?"

Amid the laughter and teasing, the group of senior students left the square, paying no attention to the stares of the junior students around them. After Bailing and her party had gone, Orn finally spoke up excitedly.

"Wow, Reilo, you're pretty lucky! You've got a senior sister who looks out for you like that! Got any extra senior sisters to introduce to me, hahaha!"

Teased by Orn, Reilo stuck out his tongue sheepishly and said, "Senior Sister Bailing really is good to me, she takes care of me a lot."

With a "Hmph," Orn looked at the smug Reilo and said, "Alright, they just called my name, I need to go assemble. You follow your enlightenment mentor and study hard. Even though our research directions are different, we can still chat a lot later. If anything comes up, come find me in Class Four!"

"Alright!"

Watching Orn's retreating figure, Reilo picked up the glass tank with the tadpoles and turned to leave.