News of their victory in the regional qualifiers traveled faster than the carriage carrying the Shrek group home.
By the time they arrived at the southern outskirts of Suotuo City and saw the academy's new flag fluttering in the distance, a small crowd had already gathered at the gates.
Li Yusong, Shao Xin, and Lu Qibin stood at the front. Behind them were the three new students, Wang Hao, Zhang Lei, and Liu Qingshan. Farther back stood more than a dozen villagers from nearby villages. Aunt Li held a basin filled with freshly picked melons and fruit, smiling as she watched the carriage come to a stop.
"They're back! They're back!" Wang Hao was the first to rush over. His short, stocky body moved surprisingly fast, and he nearly crashed into Ma Hongjun's legs. "Seniors, did you really win? The whole city is talking about it!"
"Of course we did!" Ma Hongjun jumped down from the carriage and threw an arm around Wang Hao's shoulders. "When your seniors take the field, one of us is worth ten! Look what I brought you."
He pulled out a sweet pancake bought in Barak City and stuffed it into Wang Hao's hand. Wang Hao's eyes lit up, and he took a huge bite.
Aunt Li came forward with her basin of fruit, pressing some into the hands of every student who got off the carriage. "I heard you won the competition. Our whole village was overjoyed! Dean Flender, you'd better treat these children properly."
Flender chuckled as he accepted a piece of fruit and bit into it. "Naturally. The academy's having an extra feast tonight. I already spoke to Aunt Sun."
They entered the gates surrounded by the crowd. The newly rebuilt brick walls cast neat shadows in the afternoon sunlight, while fresh