My tiny apartment landlord was thrilled when I returned the keys. No wonder—Bo City was booming population-wise, driving up apartment buy/rent prices.
It wasn't profitable renting to me at our old rate, but the year-long contract blocked a hike.
Two High Tier mages even moved here, so Mu Zhuoyun can't bully the city anymore—he's not the fattest toad in the pond now.
To reach Mingzhu University, I taxied to Shanghai suburbs first, then took a train to the right station in Shanghai proper.
Mingzhu University, or Pearl University, was imposing—a huge complex of brown buildings.
The university split into two campuses:
Main Campus—the core of Mingzhu University. To study there, you need Intermediate Tier; to graduate, advance to High Tier. Main competition happens here.
Faculty rankings here offer big rewards for high spots, up to Three-Step Tower cultivation. Even low ranks get decent resources.
Green Campus—the gateway to Mingzhu University. Only way to Main Campus is through it. All freshmen and those not yet Intermediate Tier study here; four years to advance, or get expelled.
Green Campus has no real competition except summoning department's enclosure defense as a freshman show. So the vibe is chill, unlike Main Campus where everyone aims sky-high.
August 16, special enrollment day. Event where self-proclaimed geniuses face the judging panel of teachers and the Director for evaluation.
The panel decides if they're geniuses. If yes, they pass; if no, shame on you—take the regular exam in two days like mortals.
Special enrollment has no real perks. No privileges.
It's just a talent scout where teachers spot prospects to invest in later. They might evaluate regular enrollees too.
But it's a chance for a strong first impression. And skip the massive queue and written exam, sure.
Arriving at the auditorium, two guys were ahead. A slightly chubby Intermediate Tier mage, and Mo Fan. Someone—likely Tang Yue—must've told him about special enrollment. Oh, he spotted me.
"Hey, fancy meeting you," I smiled, making him grimace.
"Looks like we're heading to the same university after all, and you'll have to keep your promise," I teased. His expressive face made it fun.
"…Yeah, thrilled," he said. His face and tone said otherwise.
"Which department? I'm going summoning—always few applicants, but same resources as others," I shared, planning to pry his. Boring queue anyway.
"I wanted summoning first, but I awakened it just a month ago and haven't fully tamed the stars. So lightning department—smallest after summoning," he shared his plans.
Without Holy Spring breakthrough and absorption, he broke through to Intermediate Tier on his own.
Balancing fire and lightning evenly, it took him 11 months—genius level with good talent. Among freshmen, he'd rank top five.
"Next two," called a cute mid-30s brunette, releasing the previous pair with downcast faces. They felt like Beginner Tier mages, and their mood said they failed.
Chubby guy and Mo Fan went next. The latter even nodded to me before entering. Unfamiliar turf made him rethink me as a "fellow earthling." Might trick him again later.
Thirty minutes later, they emerged. Chubby now clearly hated Mo Fan.
Canon-style: they fought, and the earth-department hopeful used ice to not lose. So they slotted him into ice department—hence the rage.
"Next two," the cute brunette scanned the hall where I stood alone and, not correcting herself, just waved me in.
Inside sat the judging panel—one teacher per department—plus Director Xiao. I silently handed over my document folder.
"Last one left? We'll check you extra thorough then, heh," chuckled a balding middle-aged uncle. Badge said earth department dean. Bummed the chubby guy didn't pick him. Intermediate Tier freshman is rare.
"Mu Bai, 20. No clan affiliation. Intermediate Tier in two elements? Second step even?" The little guy eyed me surprised. Others crowded to peek over his shoulder.
"Talent…Ever Youthful?" Now I got weird looks. Hey, what? "Like first grade every time" is too wordy and lame.
Reading on, they gawked more, especially at my talent effects.
A talent granting other talents? Unheard of for normals. Even elites barely know someone like that existed over a century ago.
"…Also used special technique to reinforce body to junior Leader Level?" Some eyes lit with greed. Good technique on a clanless guy. No mind-reading needed to guess their thoughts.
Go ahead, try. I'll even sell the technique to Director Xiao later for perks. All for humanity's monster-fighting strength, naturally.
And it has zero to do with me being the only one with a lightning elemental—without it, they'd kill themselves trying.
I'll sell only up to Leader Level anyway. Until I hit High Tier, good luck proving I have more stages.
"Young man, we believe you, but protocol requires a demo of your achievements," Director Xiao addressed me.
On paper, I'm one of this country's top geniuses—no one takes that at face value.
For demo, I sequentially released ice and summoning pressure at second-step Intermediate Tier, then jogged the auditorium's mini-arena to show my physique.
Also demoed Heart of Three Apertures, firing three Beginner Tier ice spells at once.
After ample oohs and aahs, they validated my power docs.
"I want summoning department. Slot me elsewhere, I go to Imperial University," I warned upfront. Saw the ice teacher whispering to the director.
"Khm." Director Xiao flushed a bit.
"Fine, no issue—you're in summoning," he ruled. All nodded, even grumpy ice teacher. With my talents, they'd be idiots not to.
"But indulge an old man's curiosity—what's your summoning or contract creature?" The rest perked up, eager for a genius's beasts. Maybe even a Leader Level one.
"Find out at summoning trials," I smiled, shutting them down. If they knew my monsters, no tricking them for what I want. And I really want Three-Step Tower time.