After becoming familiar with his new skill, Song Jie didn't dwell on it for long and soon resumed his daily practice.
Still, he couldn't help but look forward to the next outrageous transformation — the Intermediate Light Magic.
After all, the Beginner level had already given him such a huge surprise.
The Intermediate level couldn't possibly disappoint.
With that thought, he closed his eyes and began meditating again.
Once he calmed his mind, time seemed to flow quickly.
Before he knew it, the darkness outside had turned into dawn.
Song Jie opened his eyes, stood up, and walked to the window.
The sun was rising on the horizon, golden light spilling across the rooftops.
"It's time to report in," he murmured.
Today was the registration day for Mingzhu Academy.
After washing up and grabbing breakfast from a nearby stall, he made his way toward the academy.
When he arrived, the entrance was bustling with students coming and going.
"There are quite a lot of people here," he muttered under his breath before stepping through the gates.
Since he was the only student in the Summoning Department, he went straight to report to its head.
He soon found himself in the office area, standing outside a door labeled Jiang Yunming – Director of the Summoning Department.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in," a voice replied.
Song Jie pushed open the door and entered.
"Student, you are…?" Jiang Yunming looked up curiously.
"Hello, Director. I'm Song Jie — I'm here to report to the Summoning Department."
"Oh! So you're Song Jie!" Jiang Yunming's expression brightened. He stood up and walked over with a smile.
"Sit down, sit down. I'll pour you some water."
He went to the dispenser and filled a cup, handing it over warmly.
Seeing the director's politeness, Song Jie suspected that Dean Xiao must have mentioned him in advance.
Although he and Jiang Yunming had spoken before, this was their first time meeting in person.
"Director, you really don't have to be so polite," Song Jie said with a modest smile.
Jiang Yunming chuckled. "By the way, how's your summoned beast?"
"With your help last time, I already have one of my own," Song Jie replied.
"Oh? What kind?"
"Plant-type."
"Plant-type, huh?" Jiang Yunming nodded approvingly.
"That's a solid choice. If you train it well, a plant-type summon can become a reliable ally."
Song Jie nodded in agreement.
However, he noticed Jiang Yunming's expression shift — as if the director had something else on his mind.
"Director, is something wrong?" Song Jie asked.
Jiang Yunming sighed lightly. "The academy has always held a special event for our Summoning Department — a sort of orientation program."
He paused, then added helplessly, "But now that you're the only student in the department… I'm afraid we can't hold it this year."
At that, Song Jie immediately realized what he was referring to — the Beast Fighting Competition!
He thought for a moment and quickly recalled the competition's rewards.
If he performed well, he could even obtain Beast Refining Blood, a rare material that could greatly enhance the strength of a summoned beast — potentially allowing it to advance from the Slave Level to the Commander Level!
There was no way he could miss out on something like that.
Still, he decided to confirm the details first, just in case.
Feigning ignorance, Song Jie asked, "Director, what kind of program is it?"
Jiang Yunming briefly explained the rules of the Beast Fighting Competition.
When he finished, Song Jie frowned. "So, they're planning to take away the Summoning Department's resources just because we can't defeat a hundred people?"
Jiang Yunming sighed. "That's the problem. You're the only one in the department — how could you possibly defeat a hundred students alone?"
He had already decided to speak with Dean Xiao to see if the event could be canceled this year.
"Song Jie, don't worry," Jiang Yunming said sincerely. "I won't let them bully our department."
Song Jie could tell what he was thinking — he wanted to plead with Dean Xiao to cancel the program altogether.
"Since you're here, let's go together," Jiang Yunming said. "We'll talk to the dean directly."
"Alright," Song Jie nodded and followed him out.
A short while later, they arrived at the Dean's Office.
Before they entered, Song Jie could already hear several people talking inside.
Jiang Yunming knocked. After Dean Xiao's voice granted permission, they stepped in.
Inside were several department heads seated around a conference table.
Jiang Yunming gave a polite nod. "Dean Xiao. Directors."
Song Jie immediately recognized one familiar face — the Dean of the Light Department, Old Deng — who was glaring at him with barely concealed irritation.
Clearly, he was still upset that Song Jie had chosen the Summoning Department instead of the Light Department.
"Director Jiang," Dean Xiao greeted with a calm smile, "what brings you here?"
"Dean Xiao, it's like this," Jiang Yunming began.
"Song Jie is currently the only student in the Summoning Department. I was hoping we could cancel this year's orientation competition."
The room fell silent for a moment before several deans exchanged glances.
Then Old Deng spoke, his tone sharp.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. The Beast Fighting Competition is a long-standing tradition of Mingzhu Academy. You do have a summoning student, so I see no reason to cancel it."
A few of the other deans smiled faintly — they clearly agreed. No one wanted to go against Old Deng.
Jiang Yunming's brows furrowed. "Dean Deng, there's only one student in the Summoning Department. Song Jie only recently obtained his summoned beast — how could he possibly fight a hundred students?"
Song Jie remained silent, observing quietly. He could tell this old man was clearly targeting him.
Old Deng continued, "Student Song Jie isn't just a Summoner — he also possesses a mutated Light Element. His strength isn't weak. Surely he can handle a few battles."
Jiang Yunming shook his head. "Even for a mid-level mage, defeating a hundred opponents consecutively is impossible. His magic energy would be exhausted long before that."
He turned to Dean Xiao. "Dean, the Summoning Department already lacks resources. If we lose what little we have…"
But Old Deng interrupted, his tone righteous. "Director Jiang, you can't let students back down just to preserve resources. If they can't face a little hardship now, how will they face real challenges in the future?"
Jiang Yunming sighed and looked helplessly at Dean Xiao.
After a moment of silence, Dean Xiao stood up and said evenly, "Let Song Jie decide for himself."
At those words, all eyes turned to him.
Jiang Yunming let out a small sigh of relief — he assumed Song Jie would choose to withdraw.
But instead, Song Jie raised his head and said calmly, "Dean, I think this rule is unfair."
"Unfair?" Dean Xiao's brows lifted slightly. "How so?"
"Why is it that if the Summoning Department loses, its resources are taken and divided among the other departments — yet if we win, we gain nothing in return?"
Song Jie said steadily. "That doesn't sound fair to me."