After finishing his introduction of the statues, Bei Bei continued explaining to Huo Yuhao, "From here on, the path splits. The left side leads to the Martial Soul Branch, and the right to the Soul Guide Branch. These are the two main divisions of our Shrek Academy's Outer Court. The Martial Soul Branch is larger and has more subdivisions. We'll head to the Martial Soul Branch first for registration. You must pass the first freshman assessment there before you're eligible to apply for the Soul Guide Branch."
With Bei Bei and Tang Ya leading the way, Huo Yuhao's registration went smoothly. The tuition fee, which Bei Bei paid for him, turned out to be a hefty ten gold soul coins per school year—and that didn't even include meals.
If a student dropped out due to failing the assessment, the tuition was non-refundable.
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but recall the Shrek admission scene he had witnessed in Elder Ye's memory. The resemblance was uncanny—ten gold coins, no refund if unqualified. In that memory, Shrek Academy charged like that because they were short on funds. But even after ten thousand years of development, Shrek still operated like this? Then it could only be called a "tradition."
They probably got used to scamming people. After all, even a mosquito is still meat.
To be honest, Huo Yuhao found this behavior from Shrek quite disgusting. Ten gold coins might be nothing to a prestigious academy like Shrek, but to the average applicant, that was a significant amount of money. And yet they still stooped to taking it?
Having grown up poor, he understood better than anyone what ten gold coins meant. This further lowered his impression of Shrek Academy.
On the way here, Bei Bei and Tang Ya had repeatedly praised Shrek's glorious legacy. But now, in just a few short moments, half of that lofty image had crumbled in his mind.
Still, he had already come. Besides, he didn't have anywhere else to go. Shrek was, after all, the continent's most renowned academy—surely they had some unique training methods, right? He decided he'd stay for a while and see for himself. If things turned out bad, he could always just leave later.
Now that he had received Elder Ye's transmission of innate mediation technique, Huo Yuhao felt supremely confident. He no longer doubted that he could become a strong individual.
Come on, with a divine technique like that, even a pig could soar—let alone someone like him.
After receiving his dorm room key, two sets of uniforms, and a white freshman badge, Huo Yuhao followed Tang Ya and Bei Bei out of the freshman building.
Tang Ya said, "Little Yuhao, the dorms are just behind the academic building. The largest building in the academy—that's the one. You can go on your own. The new school year officially starts in three days, so take these days to get familiar with the surroundings. We paid your first-year tuition, but from now on, you're on your own. The academy holds various competitions with prize money."
She continued, "Also, since you're now a soul master, after registering you'll receive a monthly stipend from the Three Great Empires. Use it wisely—it should be enough to cover your meals."
Huo Yuhao memorized everything Tang Ya said. Just as he was about to bid farewell to Teacher Xiaoya and Senior Brother Bei, he noticed Bei Bei frowning slightly while looking at a notice on the bulletin board in the distance. Huo Yuhao didn't need to walk over. With a light circulation of soul power, his Spirit Eyes' enhanced vision allowed him to clearly read the words on the notice.
His mother had taught him to read from a young age. Though he never had formal schooling, his literacy was quite decent. The notice read: "Freshman Class 1 homeroom teacher: Zhou Yi. Freshman Class 2 homeroom teacher…"
Zhou Yi?
Wait, wasn't he assigned to Freshman Class 1?
Since he had registered early, Huo Yuhao had been directly placed into Class 1. Tang Ya noticed what Bei Bei was looking at and exclaimed softly, "Ah? How could it be that crazy old spinster Zhou Yi? Wasn't she teaching the third years? Why is she now handling the freshmen?"
Bei Bei smiled bitterly and said, "I heard that while teaching the third years, Teacher Zhou was too strict. Only one-tenth of her class managed to advance to the fourth year; the rest either dropped out or were expelled. Students filed multiple complaints, so she was demoted to teaching freshmen. Little junior brother, you'd better be careful. Shrek's Outer Court may not have many monstrous students, but it sure has monstrous teachers—especially this Zhou Yi."
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao asked in surprise, "Senior brother, if a teacher behaves like that, doesn't the academy do anything about it?"
Bei Bei lowered his voice, "Though strict, Teacher Zhou is actually an excellent instructor. Nearly a quarter of the students she taught who advanced grades ended up entering the Inner Court. That statistic is among the best in the academy. This time the only reason she was demoted was because the situation stirred too much trouble. But if you're hardworking and talented enough, her guidance will definitely benefit you."
A quarter of her students entered the Inner Court? That sounds impressive… but why does it feel off somehow?
Huo Yuhao instinctively picked up on something strange in Bei Bei's explanation. Then Elder Ye's voice echoed in his mind: "Have you forgotten? Only one-tenth of her class advanced to the fourth year under her."
Right!
Huo Yuhao suddenly understood what felt wrong. Bei Bei had previously said that nine out of ten students were expelled. That meant out of 100 students, only 10 made it to the fourth year. The ones who survived had to be the most talented. If only the gifted remained, then naturally the success rate of entering the Inner Court would rise.
One-fourth?
One-fourth of 100 and one-fourth of 10—those numbers are worlds apart.
But if this teacher really is as I'm imagining, then why hasn't the academy fired her? Huo Yuhao asked Elder Ye mentally.
"There are only two possible reasons," Elder Ye replied. "Either this Zhou Yi has trained one or two extraordinarily talented students, and the academy doesn't want to lose those talents. Or she has powerful connections, and the academy is giving her face by turning a blind eye to her behavior. As for which is true, this old man cannot say for certain."
That makes sense.
While replying internally to Elder Ye, Huo Yuhao turned to Bei Bei and Tang Ya and said, "I see. Teacher Xiaoya, senior brother, you two go on ahead. I'll head to the dorm."
Bei Bei smiled and said, "Alright, Teacher Xiaoya and I are going for our advancement tests. If we pass, we'll move up to the fourth year. I live in Dorm 316. If you need anything, come find me there."
With that, the two left to handle their own matters.
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