"Students over thirteen years old whose Soul Power Level is below fifteen can turn around and leave," the admissions teacher shouted to the long line of people.
"Teacher, I'm thirteen years and two and a half months old. Can I apply? My soul power is already at level sixteen."
A student in line raised his hand and asked.
"I've already said this! Shrek Academy will not admit anyone over thirteen whose soul power is below level fifteen!"
"If you fail to meet even one requirement, Shrek Academy will not accept you, unless you're a specially invited student of our academy. Those exceptional cases are exempt."
The admissions teacher emphasized it again. So many people were asking the same questions.
He had answered no fewer than five times already, and it was giving him a terrible headache.
"It's only two and a half months! Teacher, is it really not possible?" The student still refused to give up.
"Exactly! We can't fall short by even a tiny bit?"
The people in line kept discussing it.
Huo Yuhao yawned as he stood in line, quietly watching them chatter.
It was truly too boring. He gently squeezed the hand gripper he held. "Ninety-nine, one hundred, one hundred and one..."
Huo Yuhao looked at the distant scenery and paid them no more attention.
"I'll say this one last time! Shrek Academy has only ever accepted monsters, not ordinary people!"
"Anyone who doesn't meet the requirements should leave now. If you still insist on trying to register, we will not refund the tuition of ten Gold Soul Coins per academic year."
"What?! You won't even refund the tuition!"
"That's why I said anyone who doesn't meet the requirements should leave as soon as possible."
The admissions teacher offered another reminder. He had truly done everything he could.
These were Shrek's school rules. He could not change them and could only do his best to warn those hoping to fish in muddy waters.
Soon, urged on by the admissions teacher, those who did not meet the requirements finally left in twos and threes.
The long line instantly shrank by half.
"Are you here to register?" a senior student handling admissions asked.
Only then did Huo Yuhao snap out of his daze.
"Yes, Senior. Here's my recommendation letter."
With that, Huo Yuhao took a recommendation letter bearing a tiger-head design from his storage ring and handed it to the senior.
The senior took the letter. His pupils trembled slightly at the tiger head on it. "Wait here a moment. I'll be right back." He hurriedly took the letter to the teacher beside him.
The admissions teacher took the letter and examined it. After confirming it was genuine, he glanced at Huo Yuhao in the distance.
Huo Yuhao kept his eyes narrowed and wore a faint smile as he raised a hand in greeting.
The admissions teacher nodded and told the student beside him, "He's exempt from the entrance test. Just have him pay the tuition."
The senior nodded and returned to Huo Yuhao. "Junior, congratulations on your admission! Please go to the payment desk on your right. Once you've paid, you can enter the academy."
Huo Yuhao nodded, still smiling with narrowed eyes. "Thank you, Senior."
"Wait, what? Hold on! Why doesn't he have to take the test? What gives him the right to get straight in?"
A chubby boy nearby who had just passed the test watched Huo Yuhao gain admission without a test and felt deeply indignant.
The chubby boy's father chimed in beside him, "Why should he? Even a genius like my son had to take the test, but he doesn't? I suspect you're letting him in through the back door! You're showing favoritism and cheating in the tests!"
"Sir, please watch your words. Shrek Academy has always been fair and impartial!"
The senior handling admissions frowned but still explained amiably.
"Then explain what's going on with him!" The chubby boy's father pointed at Huo Yuhao and shouted.
"Exactly, exactly..." The chubby boy fanned the flames beside him.
Everyone nearby taking the tests turned to look.
"He falls under the exceptional cases I mentioned. Shrek's specially invited students are all exempt from the entrance test!"
The admissions teacher slowly walked over. His soul power surged out, stirring faint currents of air around him as soul rings appeared one after another beneath his feet.
"One, two, three... six... six rings!"
"A Soul Emperor! A Soul Emperor expert!"
Awe filled the onlookers. They no longer had any desire to watch the spectacle. A Soul Emperor expert would disdain lying to them.
No one would question Huo Yuhao's status as a specially invited student anymore.
"Th-this..." the chubby boy's father stammered.
The admissions teacher's gaze sharpened. "Do you have any further questions?"
"N-no more questions." He tucked his tail between his legs, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Dad, let's go pay first..."
The chubby boy hurriedly dragged his father toward the payment desk.
The admissions teacher nodded to Huo Yuhao, signaling that everything was settled.
Huo Yuhao cupped his fist in thanks and headed toward the payment desk with his recommendation letter.
"Kid, don't get cocky. So what if you're a specially invited student?" the chubby boy threatened, his nostrils pointed skyward.
"Ah, yes, yes, you're right."
Huo Yuhao stood in line behind him and agreed without arguing.
Only, invisible threads shifted in his hand. No one noticed what he had done.
"Ten Gold Soul Coins. Hurry up," the student at the payment desk urged.
The chubby boy came to his senses and reached into his pocket. "Right, right, here's my..."
"Huh? Where's my money? Dad, is it with you?"
Growing flustered, the chubby boy turned the white linings of his trouser pockets completely inside out but still could not find his tuition money.
His father grew anxious too and hurriedly searched his own pockets.
"Wasn't it with you? Hurry up and look again!" the chubby boy's father urged.
"I don't have it either! I can't find it!" The chubby boy was so frantic that he burst into tears.
The father and son could only keep rummaging through their pockets, as frantic as ants on a hot pan.
The student at the payment desk grew impatient waiting. "The next person can pay first. You two, go look off to the side."
Without another word, Huo Yuhao tossed ten Gold Soul Coins in his hand.
The coins' harsh clinking kept grating on the father and son's nerves.
Huo Yuhao arranged the coins neatly and held them out. "Senior, here's my tuition."
"All right, Junior... hmm? Junior, could you loosen your hand?" The senior at the payment desk gave a wry smile and pointed at Huo Yuhao's hand.
"Oh, right, sorry, Senior. My grip's been a bit strong lately."
Huo Yuhao laughed and reluctantly let go of the Gold Soul Coins, his eyes brimming with reluctance.
The senior's mouth twitched as he tossed the Gold Soul Coins into the cash box.
"Junior, here's your basic identification badge and your new student uniform. The dormitory is that way. Just head over there." The senior still politely handed the items to Huo Yuhao and pointed him in the right direction.
Huo Yuhao cheerfully accepted the items and headed toward the dormitory, leaving the father and son still searching the ground for their missing Gold Soul Coins.