Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Dean (院长) |
| Entity Type | Academy leadership title |
| Known Holder | Unnamed dean of Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy 29 |
| Gender | Male 29 |
| Affiliation | Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy, also rendered as Notting Junior Academy 30 32 33 |
| Occupation/Role | Academy administrator responsible for staff complaints, disciplinary decisions, and mediation 29 30 32 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in connection with Yu Xiaogang’s expulsion threat; appears directly in his office afterward 27 29 |
History
Complaints Against Yu Xiaogang
Yu Xiaogang invokes the Dean’s authority when threatening to have Su Mo expelled for disrespecting him. However, a teacher subsequently informs Yu Xiaogang that the Dean wants to see him and appears displeased 27.
The summons concerns Yu Xiaogang’s experiments with Luo Sanpao. The Dean reprimands him for nearly burning down the faculty dormitory and for the foul, potentially toxic smells disturbing other teachers. When Yu Xiaogang describes the incidents as promising soul-skill research, the Dean rejects this justification. Teachers have threatened to resign unless Yu Xiaogang is removed, but the Dean postpones a decision out of consideration for their friendship and agrees to speak with the staff again 29.
Tang San’s Disciplinary Hearing
A teacher brings Tang San to the Dean’s office after a blacksmith and his daughter accuse him of watching her bathe. Tang San insists that he fell into the river accidentally, but admits that he glanced at her. The Dean interrupts Yu Xiaogang’s defense, emphasizing that the dispute cannot be settled solely by the teacher and disciple’s account 29 30.
Concerned about the academy’s reputation, the Dean offers to mediate while warning that Tang San may have to leave if the family refuses a settlement. He also urges them to speak with the accusers themselves and consider monetary compensation 30.
Expulsion of Yu Xiaogang and Tang San
An uncontrolled soul-skill experiment sends Yu Xiaogang and Tang San into the same river, where they are again caught near the bathing girl. Her father pursues them to the academy, prompting the Dean to expel both despite their insistence that the encounter was accidental 32.
The Dean explains that the repeated scandal has ruined their standing within the academy. He recommends moving to another city, encourages Yu Xiaogang to seek a position elsewhere, and promises Tang San a certificate allowing him to enroll at another academy 32.
Personality
The Dean is protective of the academy’s reputation but initially reluctant to abandon his friend. He delays Yu Xiaogang’s dismissal despite staff pressure and offers Tang San mediation rather than immediately expelling him. After the second river incident, he places institutional interests above that friendship, while still providing a route for Tang San to continue his education 29 30 32.
Relationships
- Yu Xiaogang — Friend and academy resident. Their friendship initially delays disciplinary action, but repeated disruption ultimately leads to Yu Xiaogang’s expulsion 29 32.
- Tang San — Student whose bathing-related dispute the Dean attempts to mediate. He later expels Tang San while offering documentation for enrollment elsewhere 30 32.
- Academy teachers — Staff members whose complaints and threatened resignations force the Dean to address Yu Xiaogang’s dangerous experiments 29.