Stelle's expression was very strange.
March 7th once again took the initiative to introduce the "Slumbernana Monkey."
"This is the hottest meme at Paperfold University College right now."
"Everyone is playing with this meme!"
"As a new college student, how could I possibly be left out?"
Then, she pulled out her phone and began showing everyone things related to the Slumbernana Monkey.
She even thoughtfully added Dan Heng and Stelle into the group chat.
Looking at this chat called [Paperfold University College New Slumbernana Group],Dan Heng and Stelle both sent their greetings.
...
Dan Heng: Hello.
Stelle scratched her head and decided to send a more "trendy" greeting.
Stelle: Nice to meet you~☆ .. .(^▽^)o .. ☆ -- This is Stelle, but you can also call me Galaxy·Baseball·Batsman! (strikes a cool pose)! I'm just a cute little freshman, feel free to add me, let's be friends, please ignore the awkwardness~
Seeing this over-the-top, non-mainstream greeting on the screen, Dan Heng and March 7th both covered their faces, looking like they didn't know him at all.
The audience burst out laughing.
One could only say that Mihoyo's surfing strength was really too high.
And the reactions from the group members were even more enthusiastic. They echoed Stelle's style, warmly welcoming the new member.
And so, the three of them officially began their university life.
They headed to the campus of Paperfold University College.
Even before arriving, they could already feel the atmosphere of the enrollment season.
On the streets near the university, there were small stalls set up everywhere by students.
The bustling crowds were full of young people radiating youthful energy.
Such a scene was vibrant and lively.
At the stalls, they saw plush dolls of the Slumbernana Monkey in all sorts of shapes and styles.
No matter the stall, at least one or two of these furry dolls would always be displayed.
"Wow, Slumbernana Monkey is really popular!" March 7th's eyes sparkled as she quickly leaned closer to the stall.
The vendor, noticing her enthusiasm, happily said: "Student, you're a fan too, right?"
March 7th nodded rapidly: "Mhm! I'm also a fan of Slumbernana Monkey!"
"That's great! Then you must be able to tell how realistic these little monkeys I bought at the creative market are, right?"
"You know, these model no. 387 ones are especially popular, it's really hard to get them."
The vendor eagerly explained while holding onto March 7th.
"Huh? So they're not for sale?" March 7th said, disappointed.
Her disappointed expression actually made the vendor even more delighted. But she added kindly:"It's fine, as long as you're a fan of Slumbernana Monkey, I believe you'll definitely get the one you want eventually! After all, that's the best destiny, right?"
After finishing the conversation, March 7th left the stall, still a little down.
On the road, Stelle and Dan Heng exchanged glances, then asked: "March, you just arrived at Paperfold University College, and you're already this into Slumbernana Monkey?"
March looked puzzled: "Eh? Am I? I mean, I like it, but I don't think I'm that obsessed…"
Dan Heng said calmly: "But just now, you looked really disappointed."
March 7th froze, then frowned: "Now that you say it, maybe… but really, I don't like it that much."
Even she hadn't realized how excited she was just then.
Looking back, it was a little suspicious. But it wasn't that big a deal, so the three didn't dig deeper and just kept walking toward the school.
The viewers, however, noticed March's reaction very carefully. They immediately began discussing in the comments:
...
: The little monkeys are getting more and more suspicious.
: March's unusual excitement is just not normal.
: Do the monkeys have some kind of hypnotic ability?
: Could this be another Ena's Dream thingy?
: I don't think so. My guess is, it's not the work of the local Penacony people.
: After all, that huge battle with Sunday wiped out most of the "opposing" forces.
: So whose handiwork could it be?
...
The viewers all agreed that there was something wrong with the monkeys.
But as for whose scheme it was, no one could guess.
After all, the story had just barely started.
On screen, the three continued exploring the sights around the university.
Besides the monkeys everywhere, there were also endless sources of amusement.
...
"We are Slumbernana Fans! Whether you're a brand new Slumbernana or a battle-hardened old Slumbernana, we're all family!"
"Now, let's sing the Slumbernana Song together!"
"Ba na na na~ Ba na na na~"
"Ba na na na~ Ba na na na~"
"Achoo!"
"Who was that! Kick that sneezing banana out!"
...
"Attention, everyone! I have an announcement: my school is stupid [bleep]!"
"Hey, you can't just say that, we're on live TV!"
"Wha, ?!"
...
"Hello, could you tell us your thoughts on Paperfold University College?"
"Huh? What's there to say? The classes aren't that great, and it's hard to find a job after gradu, wait, hold on, are you filming this for TV?"
"Please re-record that part, ahem…"
"Hello everyone, I'm a graduate of Paperfold University College, and I deeply love this school."
"Our Paperfold University College has a long history…"
...
Young people gathered together. The chaotic, absurd scenes made the viewers laugh and cry.
But at the same time, this was exactly the feeling of youth.
Soon, the three, dazzled by everything, arrived at the university gates.
There, they encountered a group who called themselves "Slumbernana Teachers," acting as teaching assistants.
These people were very strange, their bodies resembling the 'Dream Troupe' from Penacony.
But their speech and manner were surprisingly sophisticated.
They explained why they were invited to serve as assistants: most of the school's teachers had gone to attend a closed-door academic conference.
With manpower lacking, they were filling in. It sounded odd.
But since it was the school's arrangement and the other students had no objections,the three freshmen accepted it too.
Seeing their doubts, one Slumbernana Teacher said: "Don't worry, Slumbernana Teachers are loaded with the memories of senior professors. Our academic skills are absolutely reliable. But no need to rush into studying now, everyone should go enjoy themselves at the Dream Festival!"
The statement had way too many questionable points, but March's eyes lit up and she happily said: "Great! I never planned on studying seriously anyway!"
Dan Heng's words, which were just about to leave his mouth, were choked back by March 7th.
Helplessly, he said: "Don't be so carefree…"
The assistant teacher burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha, it's fine! It's perfectly fine! Paperfold University College is a free academy, please feel free to unleash your youth here to the fullest!"
After the meeting ended.
Under the assistant teacher guidance, everyone finally arrived at their destination, the central plaza of Paperfold University College.
The new students would listen here to the speech of the university president, and officially step into campus life.
At this moment, the plaza was already packed to the brim.
Unable to squeeze in, the three could only stand outside, watching from a distance.
But when they saw the figure standing on the podium, they were utterly shocked.
"No way?"
"Why is it a monkey again!?"
Stelle rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the figure was even clearer than before.
Standing on the podium was a bizarre monkey with a human body and a monkey's head, wearing glasses!
A smiling face, two big buck teeth sticking out from its lips, and a pair of protruding ears catching the wind.
It looked utterly comical.
Yet the students below showed no objections at all, on the contrary, they respectfully cheered the monkey's name.
This was far too strange!
Monkey!
Monkey!
Damn it, monkeys everywhere!
...
: I can't take this anymore, it's getting more and more abstract.
: Don't tell me Penacony is really going to be renamed Monkey's Paradise?
: Something's clearly wrong here, where the hell are the others?
: Even that assistant teacher just now was way too abstract. The more I think about his welcome speech, the more off it feels.
: Exactly! You know that feeling, right? We know something's wrong, but everyone around us acts like it's totally fine. It's so eerie.
: Everything feels harmonious in absurdity, and absurd in harmony.
: Damn, this scene feels like a dream. Everything is wrong, yet somehow it all feels weirdly reasonable.
...
While the audience discussed, the "Professor" on stage had already finished his self-introduction.
He said the reason he looked like this today was to get a little closer to the students.
And since the little "Slumbernana" look was popular recently, he decided to adopt that image.
"So, don't worry, the reason I appear this way is only to present Paperfold University College's new image."
"Dreams are colorful, ideals are free!"
At this, the Professor sighed: "Ah, what a beautiful wish that is. But now it has become nothing but an empty phrase. Everyone is crushed under the weight of academics, assignments, homework, there's simply no time left for ideals."
"So, after discussion, the faculty has decided: all courses and exams for this semester are canceled! You only need to participate in the school celebration to receive credits!"
These shocking words fell like a bomb, throwing the students into a frenzy.
Amidst the mad cheers, March, Stelle, and Dan Heng exchanged wide-eyed looks with each other.
Even March 7th, who always said she didn't want to study, thought this decision was way too insane.
Not even a drunkard could say something this wild, he'd have to have eaten three pounds of wild mushrooms and seen Aha himself to come up with this!
But… Seeing everyone so happy,
March 7th and Stelle exchanged glances, and gradually got swept up in the atmosphere too.
Though it was reckless, still… "This mood is just too good!"
Beside them, Dan Heng managed to stay calm, but in the midst of the frenzy he reflected:
"It seems Paperfold University College's school culture is even more open than rumored. In a way, it does fit the spirit of Penacony."
The three withdrew from the crowd.
Finally, after experiencing an abstract stroll and an abstract speech, the trio at last entered the university itself and, under the school's guidance, stepped into their very first class.
This class carried great significance.
Its results would determine which branch campuses the three would be assigned to.
So, though called a class, it was in fact an exam. When the trio entered the classroom, it was already packed.
Besides the chattering examinees, many others were still buzzing about the monkey Professor.
As soon as the three came in, someone instinctively glanced over, and immediately froze.
"You… you're…"
"Oh my god! It's them!!"
"What? You mean those unknown guests who became shareholders?"
"Ahhh! It's true! We're seeing them in person!"
"Am I dreaming? I never thought the day would come when I'd sit in the same room as these people!"
"Oh my god, can I get your autograph?!" Screams instantly drowned everything else out.
The students' reactions were far more passionate than expected!
"Eh?!"
"Wait, wait a second!"
The trio were immediately surrounded by enthusiastic students, photos here, signatures there.
It went on for a long time before the feverish excitement finally died down.
Only then did March 7th and Stelle, along with Dan Heng, find an empty seat.
"To think the celebrity would be me…"
"Everyone's enthusiasm is… a bit overwhelming."
March 7th had just breathed a sigh of relief when yet another student came up asking for an autograph.
Though a little tired, she still smiled and signed her name.
Just then, the door was pushed open.
Amid the nervous whispers, Dan Heng was the first to lower his book and look at the entrance.
Even the drowsy Stelle was nudged awake by a classmate behind her.
"Quiet, actors, quiet."
"Stop the loud chatter, stay disciplined."
A tall man entered, his hair and clothes meticulously arranged.
Many students couldn't hold back their delighted cries.
Some even pulled out their phones to record.
"It's Mr. Reca."
"My god, it's really him."
"So… so handsome." The lovestruck voices rang out in the classroom.
With a playful smile, Reca glanced at those who had raised their phones.
With just a single look, the students' phones suddenly shut down, screens blacking out completely!
"Recording and filming are forbidden." Reca smiled again as he spoke.
With Reca's arrival, the audience became even more excited.
First of all, Reca had real presence, which made many lovestruck fans scream.
At the same time, the "three little ones" blended back into the crowd like ordinary people.
...
: Could it be? That Professor Banana and those monkeys, were all his doing?!