A smooth enrollment

"You could call it revenge, too."

Lin Mo said.

Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow slightly at the exchange. Why did this look like they had failed to get their stories straight?

Still, he said nothing, merely lifting his chin to signal for them to continue.

"The Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire have faced off for thousands of years, so you should have records of the Star Luo Empire's noble families throughout that time, right? Xiao Xiao's family was once one of them. A hundred years ago, they were even a fairly powerful family."

"But successive emperors have kept suppressing and weakening her family over the past few generations. Although the Xiao Family still counts as nobility in name, they can no longer enjoy most of a noble family's rights. They don't even have the most basic property deeds or landholdings. The only reason Xiao Xiao can still live a stable life now is that her father has considerable talent for business."

After hearing this, Jing Hongchen nodded.

"Since you're willing to tell me all this of your own accord, I'm inclined to believe you. But professional matters need to be assessed by professionals. Until the results come back, you'll still receive all the treatment students are entitled to. Also..."

Jing Hongchen took three empty Storage Soul Tools out of his storage space. They were three bracelets.

He touched each bracelet to the Soul Tool Ring he wore, then handed them to the three of them.

"Our academy has always been fair, but that fairness applies only to background and status. If you have sufficient talent and strength, the academy will give you additional allowances and preferential access to resources."

As he spoke, he had all three put on the rings first and examine what was inside.

"You're all very talented, and I won't stint on praise. Even looking back three or four cohorts, you wouldn't find two people with talent like yours. So what's in these rings is my way of giving you preferential access to resources."

Lin Mo extended his spiritual awareness into the Storage Soul Tool.

Whoa, the Sun Moon Empire really is rich. Five thousand Gold Soul Coins, all kinds of rare metals that look like they add up to thirty jin, and some hundred-year and thousand-year medicinal herbs. What a haul, hehe.

The other two examined theirs as well. Xiao Xiao looked astonished, while Huo Yuyao simply marveled at how much money there was. As for the rest, she couldn't tell much about it.

"Now, which department do the three of you intend to enter? For Huo Yuyao, I would naturally recommend the Soul Tool Department. It's also our academy's largest department. Your Martial Soul and Soul Skills were practically made for crafting Soul Tools. As for Lin Mo and Xiao Xiao, I'd recommend the Practical Control Department. It mainly teaches combat and the use of Soul Tools."

"Of course, the choice is still yours."

Jing Hongchen gave them a general introduction to the two departments.

Of course, the three of them had already discussed this on their way here.

"In short, I trust you. That's also why I've decided to give you these resources now. I hope you won't betray that trust. From today onward, you're members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Welcome."

"Then thank you again, Headmaster."

"Mm. If there's nothing else, Lin Jiayi, take them to the dormitories. Arrange some of the better single rooms for them."

"Yes, Headmaster."

With that, Lin Jiayi led the three of them out of the office building, explaining things along the way.

"As for the dormitories, here's how it works. The academy provides shared rooms for two students in years one through three, each with its own bathroom. Starting in the fourth year, applications open, and interested students can pay an additional fee to move into a single room. Of course, anyone who demonstrates talent or makes a major contribution to the academy before then can choose to move into a single room early."

"However, since you're companions, the headmaster asked me to arrange rooms on the second floor specifically for you. That should make it easier for you to keep in touch."

"There's also a campus map in every room. As for your uniforms, I've already sent someone to leave them outside your doors, along with your room keys."

"Thank you, Teacher Lin. Please thank the headmaster for us, too."

"No need to be so polite. This is the treatment talented students deserve."

Look at that, just look. The treatment at certain academies falls short of this by more than a little.

"If you really want to thank him, don't disappoint the headmaster. Your nationality is a little unusual, after all. If certain people find out, there could be trouble, and the headmaster will have to devote more attention to the matter of your identities."

"Understood."

Soon, the four reached the dormitory area. On the second-floor landing, Lin Jiayi gave them a few final reminders and instructions.

After saying goodbye to Lin Jiayi, the three stood in the corridor.

There were only three rooms on the second floor, just enough for them. Lin Mo's was closest to the stairs, Huo Yuyao's was in the middle, and Xiao Xiao's was farthest out.

"Ah, once classes start tomorrow, I'll be in a different teaching building from you two."

Xiao Xiao, who had chosen the Practical Control Department, spoke with a little dejection.

"Well, you're not interested in making Soul Tools or learning all that theory."

"But both of you are going to the Soul Tool Department."

"I'm only going to give it a try. If I have the talent for it, I'll stay. If I don't, I won't force myself."

In his previous life, Lin Mo had enjoyed assembling and tinkering with little things on civilian machine tools. Naturally, he was deeply curious about this world's Soul Tools, so he wanted to take this opportunity to find out whether he had the talent for it.

"All right, all right. Ah, I'm exhausted today. I'll head back to my room and rest. I still have some tidying up to do, after all. Let's go together tomorrow morning. The two teaching buildings aren't far apart anyway."

"Mm-hmm. Good night, Xiao Xiao."

Huo Yuyao gave her a gentle hug to ease her disappointment. As Xiao Xiao skipped away from the room, Lin Mo looked at Huo Yuyao.

Or rather, he looked at the tiny figure on Huo Yuyao's head, barely the size of a palm.

"Sister Tian Meng."

"Hey, Lin Mo. Little Yao's soul power level is already so low, and you're making her study all this extra stuff?"

"Sister Tian Meng, this is where you don't understand. It's only temporary. Little Yao's body is still too weak. Even if she really can absorb the Ice Empress, it'll still do considerable damage to her body. But once she becomes a Soul Engineer, even making level-one Soul Tools will earn her a decent number of Gold Soul Coins. With that money, she can buy more nourishing supplements. It's better to plant our feet firmly and advance one steady step at a time."

Left reeling by Lin Mo's persuasive patter, Sister Tian Meng felt that he did have a point. He said nothing more, merely giving a "hmph" before returning to Huo Yuyao's Sea of Consciousness.

Watching him leave, the two exchanged a glance, then couldn't help laughing.

"Then, Brother Xiao Mo, I'll go rest, too."

Huo Yuyao looked at Lin Mo's face, then spoke a little shyly.

"Mm. Good night."

"Good night."