The Mu Family members ended up retreating in defeat.
No matter how wealthy and powerful they were, they couldn’t afford to be charged with forcibly breaking into the City Defense Center—especially with Tianhai City currently under a state of emergency.
Besides, the six Kun were still on guard nearby; Tianhai City could be mobilized for war at any moment.
If the Mu Family weakened the city’s defenses now, no matter how many high-ranking relatives they had in the Immortal Spirit Association, no one could save them.
City security was paramount!
“Thank you.” I had to express my gratitude to the teachers and classmates who backed me up today.
Even though I didn’t know their names.
But if it hadn’t been for them, Cluru and I would have been in great danger.
“You should be thanking not us, but the people of Tianhai City,” Vermilion Bird Mentor said with a calm shrug.
“The people of Tianhai City need Egg Academy, and Egg Academy needs all the living forces… Any attempt to weaken this power will be punished by the Academy. Whether it’s for you or any other student, it makes no difference.”
Suddenly, this school felt kind of cool.
“Go back and rest. Since there was an emergency at your home, you’re allowed half a day off. Remember to come to class on time tomorrow. Tomorrow’s lessons are very important.”
“Yes!”
The next morning, Cluru and I finally weren’t late.
They had been so righteous; if we had been late, we’d feel really guilty.
“Good, on the third day of the semester, our classroom is finally full.”
Vermilion Bird Mentor lightly pushed up her bright red glasses perched on her nose.
Her fiery figure leaned against the desk, instantly causing a wave of drooling from the boys below.
Cluru and I, however, knew exactly who she was teasing, and we awkwardly lowered our heads to read.
“In this lesson, you will understand the significance of the school’s colleges, and in the next class, you will immediately begin performing your duties.”
Vermilion Bird Mentor wrote the names of the four colleges on the blackboard.
According to the positions of the constellations—the Azure Dragon in the East, the Vermilion Bird in the South, the White Tiger in the West, and the Black Tortoise in the North.
“At Egg University, each of the four colleges has its own responsibilities.”
“Starting with the order of arrival during times of danger, I’ll talk about Vermilion Bird first—”
“Vermilion Bird is responsible for reconnaissance and mobility. They must arrive at disaster sites first, analyze intelligence, and prevent the situation from worsening…”
At this point, Vermilion Bird Mentor added, “Therefore, Vermilion Bird College has the lowest graduation rate—only 30%.”
Zhu Yeqing didn’t quite understand and couldn’t help but ask, “What about the other 70%?”
“You can visit the back mountain of the Academy and pay respects to them.”
Vermilion Bird Mentor’s answer sent chills through the students.
I finally understood why the seniors from Azure Dragon College and White Tiger College had looked at me with pity when I chose Vermilion Bird College.
“Whenever a new fierce spirit appears, Vermilion Bird College is often the first to confront the unknown.”
“The unknown brings uncertainty and high mortality rates. Most of the intelligence in your textbooks—aside from what Senior Baize contributed—was earned at the cost of Vermilion Bird students’ lives…”
“I don’t want to exaggerate how noble this job is, but I hope you’ll be kinder to the Vermilion Bird students around you. Invite them to meals sometimes—who knows, it might be their last.”
The Vermilion Bird students below instantly looked miserable.
Mentor, could you not be so scary? The kids are about to cry!
“Next is Azure Dragon. They must immediately collect intelligence from Vermilion Bird, determine the battle plan, and act as the brain and commanders of the operation. Their decisions are crucial. If they make the wrong call, you can go beat them up—provided you’re still alive.”
“Third is White Tiger, the warriors. Their mission is to deliver devastating blows to the enemy, relying on intelligence from Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon, as well as their own powerful combat abilities!”
“Finally, Black Tortoise is responsible for post-battle clean-up. Repairing the damage caused by fierce spirits, caring for the wounded, and comforting psychologically injured comrades… a bunch of slackers.”
Anyone could tell Vermilion Bird Mentor’s disdain and dissatisfaction toward the Black Tortoise Division.
Probably because the mortality rates between the two colleges were worlds apart.
Besides, many students noticed that when the Vermilion Bird students were risking their lives on the front lines, the Black Tortoise students were leisurely playing games and relaxing.
Who could stand that!
At this moment, after Vermilion Bird Mentor’s explanation, the students below were in an uproar.
I also raised my hand.
“Speak.”
“Teacher, I want to drop out.”
“No. Sit down.”
I sulked and sat down.
Damn, why did I choose the cannon fodder college? If I had chosen Black Tortoise, I could be sitting comfortably gaming instead of this!
“You don’t need to regret your choice,” Vermilion Bird Mentor raised her eyebrows.
“In the first semester, you’re just undergoing internship training. By the second semester, the Academy will reassign you to colleges based on your Immortal Spirit type and personality. You won’t get to choose whichever college you want.”
Great! That means I still have a chance!
I’ll transfer to Black Tortoise College to slack off!
I just don’t know how… Work hard to slack off?
“By the way, if you complete tasks and assignments diligently and perform well, the top three performers can choose their college freely next semester,” Vermilion Bird Mentor squinted. “You get to choose your favorite college~”
Huh?! That’s possible too?
Maybe I should… behave well?
My plan to slack off was instantly shaken.
At the same time, the three other mentors waiting by the door looked puzzled.
Choose your college actively… no one’s ever heard of that before.
“I see now,” Azure Dragon Mentor suddenly understood and looked at the small figure in the classroom, fanning himself with a smile.
“What did you figure out this time?” White Tiger Mentor asked annoyed, feeling intellectually outmatched.
“Can’t explain it to a pig,” Azure Dragon Mentor replied disdainfully.
“Obviously, they don’t want our strongest fighters joining the slacker army,” Black Tortoise Mentor rolled his eyes while holding a tablet. “Our Qilin Lord is just too lazy.”
In the classroom, I sat upright.
I decided to behave well!
Not because I wanted to choose Black Tortoise College next semester… but simply to repay the school’s kindness in protecting us today!
Yes! That was the righteous mindset!
“My explanation is over. Now, we move on to the practical session. Please… put on your watches.”
Vermilion Bird Mentor handed each of us a uniquely designed watch.
Its face was as pure white as snow, and the strap matched the color of each college. Cluru and I had the red straps of Vermilion Bird College.
“This is the Bai Ze Communicator. Inside each communicator is a divine hair from Baize Lord.”
Vermilion Bird Mentor displayed her own communicator and lightly tapped its surface.
Instantly, text appeared like a holographic projection in front of her.
[Connecting to Tianhai City fierce spirit Emergency Management System… Connection successful.]
[Receiving real-time fierce spirit disturbance news.]
[Starting to accept orders.]
[Beep beep—Real-time, 6 km away, Tianhai Garden, Building 27, Unit 6, Apartment 3. Ghost-type fierce spirit. It just poured the homeowner’s freshly made braised beef noodles into the toilet. Exorcism reward: 1 Academy Credit.]
[Beep beep—Real-time, 17 km away, Tianhai Plaza basketball court area. Bird-type fierce spirit, specializes in pooping on the heads of the square-dancing aunties monopolizing the court. Exorcism reward: -3 Academy Credits. Post-exorcism gratitude money from aunties: 20 yuan.]
“That’s basically it,” Vermilion Bird Mentor said, successfully demonstrating how to use the Bai Ze Communicator, then added, “When you enter, choose ‘First Year Freshman’ on the rank interface, so you won’t get assigned tasks you can’t handle.”
Oh.
I was fiddling with the watch, fascinated by the novelty, when suddenly, everyone’s watches rang at the same time!
[Beep—Beep—Beep—]
This time, it wasn’t a light, cheerful ringtone, but an urgent, anxiety-inducing alarm!
[Real-time! Tianhai City maglev train, Zhuiguang, destination Jiangdong Airport.
An unknown electric-type fierce spirit has appeared on the train. The train is out of control, currently traveling at 603 km/h, about to crash into the Jiangdong Airport terminal building!
This is a citywide large-scale emergency mission. All ranks and city defense personnel must immediately proceed to intercept!]