In Eternal Ascendancy, at the training grounds of Central Academy.
Galaxy asked Ruyi and Jina, "Hey, you two are old students, right? So why are standing here? You should start your Cultivation session, right?
Ruyi replied first. "Well, We're going to be tested for our talents. That's why we are standing here."
Galaxy nodded in understanding. So their talents would be evaluated—just like in those novels. She then asked, "So, if someone gets the highest talent, will they become the academy's favorite? And all the resources will go to them? Just like in those novels? Well, I don't really like that kind of treatment. It's so unfair to everyone else whose share of resources gets fed to those favorites."
Hearing her, Ruyi and Jina looked at each other. Then they turned toward Galaxy in unison, eyes serious.
"Galaxy," they said together, "our teachers told us that everything in the world is unfair. The strong hoard resources for themselves. The weak struggle for whatever scraps are left.
Wealthy become wealthier. Poor struggle to cross their poverty line.
Some are born with rich parents, some with influential ones. The moment you're born, it's already unfair.
So you don't have to feel wrong because of those people. Even if they have strong talent, what can they achieve without hard work?
We can only struggle to break our own limits. To surpass even our talents with effort and determination. You understand?"
"Yes… s… seniors," Galaxy said, a little flustered. She had even called her friends "seniors" by mistake. She was overwhelmed by the sudden change in Ruyi and Jina—they looked so wise while speaking those words.
Jina and Ruyi were also surprised by Galaxy calling them seniors, but they didn't think much of it. She could call them seniors or by their names—it didn't matter. They were already familiar with each other.
After a short silence, Galaxy asked another question. "By the way, tell me. What steps should I take so the academy doesn't say anything to me if I practice a different cultivation system—not their cultivation system? You should have already gone through it, right?"
When Ruyi and Jina heard her, they were confused at first. But then they understood what she meant. Ruyi replied, "Galaxy, there's nothing like that. You don't have to take any steps. There's no rule or restriction stopping students from learning other things. You can practice whatever you want.
We reacted the same way when we first learned about both cultivation systems. We were worried the academy would stop us from learning anything else. We even went through the academy rule book.
In the end, we found there was no rule against it. We were relieved. And later, when we started learning the academy's cultivation system—thinking it would help and inspire us—we discovered both systems are the same! The cultivation system of the academy and the one provided by Sect Leader are identical. I even think they come from the same source."
Galaxy nodded her head, listening carefully. Her worries vanished completely. It was good—she didn't have to go through any extra steps. She could practice the cultivation system of her sect freely without fear of academy. And she also support the assumption of both system from same source. They already have suspiciousion that sect leader have connection with the academy, so it's not surprising that both cultivation systems are same and even from same source.
Then her gaze wondered to a person sitting on the training ground floor.
She immediately called out to her buddies, pointing subtly ahead. "Hey, look. Doesn't that person look sad, angry, and helpless all at the same time? You know anything about him?"
Ruyi and Jina both shook their heads. "Well, we don't know him," Ruyi said. "And why do you even think we would?"
Galaxy grinned mischievously. "It's because you're old students here. I thought responsible seniors like you would surely know about your new juniors."
Seeing her giggle, Jina and Ruyi just shook their heads with small laughs. As seniors, they weren't going to argue with these little juniors.
Ruyi then asked Galaxy, "Galaxy, which field did you choose?"
"Oh… that." Galaxy shrugged with a tired look. "I haven't chosen any. I'm not interested in any field. My previous university already made me hate them. I'm not picking one."
Just as she finished, Jina spoke up. "If you don't like any known field, you can just ask for something else. You can explore any field, just like the headmaster said. There are many more."
Galaxy blinked in puzzlement. "I'm interested in becoming a woman—a woman who captivates everyone. Is there some field that can help with that?"
Jina and Ruyi both froze, bewildered. They asked in unison, "Why… do you want to become a woman? You already are. And you're beautiful. So why?"
"Well… you know about my knight outfit and my previous game character, right? That's the reason." Galaxy sighed. "Now I don't have any field to choose. So I guess this will be a fine choice. Tell me—is there someone in the academy like that?"
Jina shook her head. "There's no one like that here. But you can give an application to the headmaster. He said he'll call an expert in any field if needed. You can try."
"Okay. I'll apply later."
"Hmm."
Their talk ended there. After that, they stayed silent—until the teacher finally arrived.