The Dean's Office
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide windows and spilled across the office's deep red velvet carpet, bathing the entire room in warmth and light.
Yan Shaozhe stood before the window with his back to the door, gazing down at the stream of new students along the Academy's main road. A satisfied smile played on his lips.
As the dean of Shrek Academy's Spirit Department and a Level 95 Super Douluo, he carried a heavy burden. Every year's enrollment season was both an important time for the Academy to replenish its ranks and a key test of its reputation and appeal.
This year, things seemed especially promising.
"Knock, knock, knock." A polite, measured knock sounded.
"Come in." Yan Shaozhe did not turn around. His voice was gentle, yet carried an air of authority.
The door opened, and Du Weilun strode in, tall and straight in his black teacher's robe. He stopped three steps from Yan Shaozhe's desk and bowed respectfully. "Dean."
"Weilun, sit down." Only then did Yan Shaozhe turn, pointing to the chair opposite his desk. He looked about fifty, though his actual age was far greater. His features were refined, his eyes bright and alert, and his black hair was combed to perfection. His calm bearing carried the ease of someone long accustomed to being in a position of authority.
Du Weilun sat as instructed, though he kept his posture straight. Opening the folder in his hands, he began his report. "Dean, today's freshman check-in and audit at the east gate is nearly complete. As of noon, we've verified and registered 1,247 new students. Forty-three of them met the criteria for direct admission without an entrance exam."
Yan Shaozhe settled into his broad leather chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the smooth mahogany desk. His smile deepened. "Good. That's nearly a ten percent increase over the same time last year. It seems there are plenty of promising young talents across the continent this year."
"Indeed." Du Weilun nodded and continued his report. "The proportion of high-quality recruits has also increased this year. Most noteworthy, three of today's new students have reached Soul Power Level 30 or higher, and all three are from our Spirit Department!"
"Oh?" Yan Shaozhe's eyes visibly brightened. "Three new Soul Elders? What are the details?"
Reaching the Soul Elder level at twelve was a mark of top-tier talent, even by Shrek Academy's standards! Many students were considered outstanding if they could break through Level 20 and become Soul Grandmasters by that age.
Du Weilun spoke clearly. "The first is Dai Huabin, twelve years old, from the Dai family of the Star Luo Empire. His Martial Soul is the White Tiger, and his Soul Power is Level 33. The second is Ning Tian, twelve years old, from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Her Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and her Soul Power is Level 31. The third is Xie Huanyue, twelve years old, from the Heaven Dou Empire. His Martial Soul is the Rubber Elephant, and his Soul Power is Level 31. All three have passed bone-age and Soul Power tests. Their talents are beyond question."
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but slap the desk lightly, a heartfelt smile spreading across his face. Three new Soul Elders, all with powerful Beast Martial Souls—what did that mean? It meant they had the potential to reach at least the Soul Douluo level, and might even have a shot at becoming Titled Douluos! They would be vital to maintaining the Spirit Department's dominant position and improving the Academy's overall strength.
"Additionally," Du Weilun continued, "there are two other new students with Soul Power above Level 20 who are worth noting. One is Wang Dong, twelve years old, with Soul Power at Level 24. The teacher who recommended her mentioned privately that she seems to have an unusual background, possibly connected to some powerful, reclusive force."
Yan Shaozhe nodded, his expression returning to calm. "Having a background is all well and good, but at Shrek, what matters in the end is talent, character, and strength. Make a note of her and keep an eye on her for now."
"Yes." Du Weilun turned a page. "The other is Su Chen, twelve years old, with Soul Power at Level 27. He was brought back from the Star Dou Great Forest and recommended by Bei Bei and Tang Ya, two students from our Academy's outer court."
"Twelve years old, Level 27..." Yan Shaozhe mused, his fingers continuing their rhythmic taps on the desk. In previous years, that level of talent would have made him one of the best among the new students, worthy of special cultivation. But this year, especially beside the brilliance of those three new Soul Elders...
It didn't seem all that impressive.
A Level 27 Soul Grandmaster and a Level 30 Soul Elder might seem only three levels apart, but the difference was an entire major realm.
A Soul Elder had a third Soul Ring, and their Soul Skills, total Soul Power, and physical strength all underwent a qualitative leap. In a contest among true geniuses, those three levels were often an impassable chasm.
"Level 27 is still quite good." Yan Shaozhe finally gave his assessment. His tone was gentle, but held a faint note of indifference. "Since Bei Bei and Tang Ya recommended him, he must have something going for him. Put him through the normal process. For now... there's no need to give him too much special attention."
"Our resources and energy should be focused more on the recruits with greater potential."
He was being practical. Shrek had plenty of resources, but they were not unlimited. The attention and personal instruction of the Academy's senior leaders and the elders of the inner court were even scarcer.
With three new Soul Elders certain to draw the vast majority of attention, a Level 27 Soul Grandmaster, however outstanding, seemed a little... ordinary.
"I understand, Dean." Du Weilun closed the folder and answered respectfully. He understood the dean's unspoken meaning. For now, Su Chen's name would simply be entered into the records, not added to the senior leadership's priority watch list.
"Mm. You may go. Keep monitoring enrollment, and report any exceptional talents to me immediately." Yan Shaozhe waved a hand.
"Yes, Dean." Du Weilun rose, bowed again, and then slipped silently out of the office, gently closing the door behind him.
The office fell quiet again. Yan Shaozhe stood and returned to the window, his gaze distant. He was thinking about the placements of the three new Soul Elders, which elders might take an interest in them, and how best to bring their potential to fruition.
Freshman Dormitory Building, Room 108
After a simple meal in the Academy cafeteria, Su Chen returned to the dormitory building.
When he unlocked the door to Dormitory 108, he found the room already lit. The soul-guidance desk lamp cast a gentle white glow over half the room.
The bed on the right, which had been empty before, was now made up with clean, tidy pale blue bedding that looked high-end at a glance. A dark leather suitcase with a simple design and fine craftsmanship sat beside it. Several pieces of clothing were neatly folded on one side of the desk, along with a few brand-new books.
The room's other occupant had his back to the door and was bent slightly over, apparently arranging something on the bedside table.
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