Beneath the high platform, the new students crowded together.
On the platform, more than twenty instructors in loose robes gazed out at the new students who had come to the academy to pursue their studies. Looking at those young, innocent faces, they wondered how many would pass their graduation assessments three years later and bring honor to the academy.
Below, Reilo naturally noticed Instructor Gubo, with a Black Cat perched on his shoulder, as well as the old man with a black crow perched on his.
Reilo knew that Instructor Gubo and the old man would be responsible for this year's new students.
As Grade Directors, the graduation assessment results of the students they led three years from now would greatly affect their future prospects—including whether Gubo could be promoted to Vice Dean, or even enter the Royal Academician Committee.
The instructors standing on the platform, each responsible for a class, were all under the leadership of those two.
"It's a shame Senior Shatuo only earned a Natural Degree. He can't become a class instructor and can only teach part-time. Otherwise, I could've sat in on his classes."
Reilo sighed.
Enlightenment, Natural, Esoteric, Transcendental.
Apart from the Degree Certificate for an Enlightenment Scholar, which the academy issued, all higher degrees required rigorous examination by the Royal Academicians of various nations. The standards were extremely strict, leaving no room for fraud. Candidates could only pass the tests through academic research and receive the most impartial evaluation.
"Quiet!"
The one who called out was Instructor Gubo, standing on the high platform.
It was as if a terrifying ancient Magical Beast had fixed its gaze on them. An indescribable pressure swept through their souls. The new students fell silent, their expressions tense, even breathing more cautiously.
Everyone could clearly feel how terrifying the old man on the platform was!
His sharp gaze softened slightly, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes hidden behind black glass frames. Gubo looked down at the hundreds of new students below, his heart surging.
For the next three years, these youngsters would be entirely under his care.
Their results would matter not only to them, but also serve as his report to the academy and his answer to the Principality's Royal Committee!
"Meow, that little fellow is here too."
The one Jiahei meant was, of course, Reilo.
Gubo sensed where Jiahei was looking and gazed over. His eyes swept casually across the sea of people before settling on Reilo, who was almost utterly unremarkable among the many scholars. He was like a short blade of grass among a riot of colorful flowers; without Jiahei's reminder, Gubo would never have noticed him.
"Hmph. Since he's my disciple, even if the boy's a complete Muggle, I'll make sure he stands on the shoulders of giants! But first, he needs a little refining."
Gubo glanced at the old man beside him. After a brief exchange of looks, he gave a slight nod, then once again surveyed the scholars below, looking at their eager, expectant eyes.
"Hello, everyone! I'm your Grade Director, Gubo. For the next three years, you'll study the academy's Enlightenment curriculum under the team of instructors led by Instructor Liuyan and me. I hope you'll find your own field of study at this ancient Natural Academy, work hard and persevere, pass your graduation assessments, realize your potential, and bring honor to the academy!"
Beside Gubo, Vice Grade Director Liuyan, with a black crow perched on his shoulder, took the pipe from his mouth, gave a slight nod and a smile, and said nothing.
At the same time, Gubo couldn't help recalling his arrival here two hundred and seventy years ago, having traveled a great distance to study. Every detail remained vivid, as if it had happened only yesterday.
First, one had to acknowledge objectively that people began life at different starting points, and that fate was unfair.
Some were born clever, driven by an endless curiosity, with inspiration that never ran dry. Even the strength of their Energy Magnetic Field far exceeded that of others, earning them the title of natural scholars.
Some came from wealthy families and never had to worry about experimental supplies. They could easily buy even the rarest equipment, and unusual specimens were nothing new to them.
And what about him?
His once powerful, illustrious family had lost everything by his generation. The great Lord had forgotten his most faithful servant. Fortunately, at that time, a group of atheist scholars had quietly appeared.
His father had placed all his hopes of restoring the family on him, but could give him only five gold coins and a little over seventy silver coins.
It was fair to say...
He had arrived at the academy utterly empty-handed, alone, to study alongside scholars who had brought bags of crystals!
During those difficult years, he had started at the bottom of his class. Through relentless hard work, he collected every experimental specimen himself. He had longed for a set of lab equipment for three months before finally making up his mind to buy it. As for his first Space Box, he received it a year after enrollment, when his class instructor took him on as a disciple...
And yet!
By the graduation assessment three years later, he had already become a prominent figure in the top ten of the Elite Rank, earning the approval of many student instructors!
Gubo gazed at the children below.
How many of them would change their fate through knowledge, as he had?
Lost in thought for a moment, Gubo softened. He was no longer as stern and rigid as he had once been. In a measured voice, he said, "The academy has always upheld the educational principle of 'respecting teachers and valuing the Way, passing the torch from one generation to the next.' The academy believes that if future scholars build on the foundation of knowledge laid by their predecessors, respect their predecessors' legacy, and explore without ceasing, they can peel back the layers shrouding the truth of nature. Then this world will no longer be lost in foolishness. Reason, wisdom, and light will one day shine across the land!"
The young scholars below merely listened as the elderly instructor spoke earnestly. His words seemed a little dry, long-winded, and dull, so they tried their best to look politely attentive.
Compared with listening to the old man ramble on, what the young scholars were really looking forward to was tonight's class gathering.
"I also hope that, as members of the Grand Natural Academy, you'll carry on the academy's ideals, stand on the ladder of knowledge built by those who came before you, and surpass them..."
Reilo was taken by surprise.
In his impression, Instructor Gubo was a man of few words.
Yet today, the usually stern, taciturn Gubo spoke for half a sandglass at the opening ceremony. In the eyes of the scholars below, he had become a nonstop chatterbox of an old man, and they were starting to grow impatient.
It wasn't until nearly noon that Director Liuyan, pipe in hand, finally got his turn to speak.
Compared with Gubo's earnestness, the Vice Grade Director seemed much more relaxed and easygoing. After a few casual words, he began reading out the class assignments.
More than six hundred students were divided into twenty classes, with an average of over thirty students per class. As each name was called, the student hurried over to their assigned instructor.
"Hee-hee, I finally found you!"
Reilo had been quietly watching the opening ceremony beside Orn when someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned around. It was Bailing.
She grinned, accompanied by several young men and women who were clearly upperclassmen. They looked calm and composed, their gazes carrying an unmistakable air of superiority as they looked at the newly enrolled Enlightenment Scholars around them.
The lower-year scholars nearby naturally stepped aside.
"Senior Sister!"
Reilo replied with delight. His gaze naturally fell on the Unicorn beneath one of the female students behind Bailing. Seeing the humanlike smugness in the creature's eyes, he realized it was a Medium Companion and reluctantly looked away, envious.
"Senior Sister, what brings 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. I was so bored! Since classes are starting today, my friends invited me to collect specimens in Demon Eagle Forest. The old man can't stop me now, so I took the chance to come see you!"
As she spoke, Bailing smoothed a wrinkle in Reilo's collar. Looking pleased, she said, "Hmm, I didn't expect it, but you look a lot more spirited in your uniform. Not bad, not bad!"
Embarrassed by Bailing's familiar, affectionate gesture, Reilo smiled awkwardly, unsure what to say.
Seeing how bashful he was, Bailing paused briefly, then seemed to realize something and smiled even more brightly.
Then Bailing put on a mature, elder-like air, trying hard not to laugh as she patted Reilo on the shoulder and said, "While I'm away, make sure you learn from your Second Senior Brother. When I get back in a few days, I'll bring you a natural specimen as a gift!"
"Okay!"
Reilo nodded, his face bright with a smile.
Bailing seemed deeply satisfied. Smugly, she turned to her male and female companions and instructed them, "This is my little junior brother, Reilo. If you run into him out there, look after him. If I find out any of you picked on him, you'll have me to answer to!"
The others rolled their eyes.
A male scholar leaning on a black magic staff said helplessly, "You're the only one bored enough to pick on younger students."
"Hey! Dala, watch your mouth! Who's picking on younger scholars?"
Amid the laughter and banter, the upperclassmen left the square without paying any attention to the younger students watching them. After Bailing and her group had gone, Orn finally spoke, visibly excited.
"Wow, Reilo, you're lucky! You've got a senior sister who looks after you so well! Got any more senior sisters? Introduce me to one too! Hahaha!"
Teased by Orn, Reilo stuck out his tongue bashfully and said, "Senior Sister Bailing really is good to me. She takes great care of me."
"Hmph," Orn said, looking at Reilo's pleased expression. "All right, they just called my name. I have to go join my class. Study hard with your Enlightenment instructor. Our fields of research are different, but we can still talk more in the future. Come find me in Class Four if you need anything!"
"Okay!"
Watching Orn walk away, Reilo carried the tadpoles in the glass tank and turned to leave.