235: Admission

"Who is this? Is he a student here for registration too?"

"I'm not sure. Everyone knows the Time Book House values punctuality above all else. Arriving this late means he's destined to fail."

"Just watch, he's going to be thrown right off the island."

Some of the students who had failed commented gloatingly.

Although it wasn't a secret that Zhang Huaiyuan had been taken in as a disciple by two Tower Masters from the Association, not many people knew what he actually looked like.

However, while ordinary students might not recognize him, the mentors at the Time Book House were all active Scholars of the Association; how could they not know about this new favorite of the Association?

The mentor responsible for the assessment sized him up, and a trace of a smile suddenly appeared on his previously unapproachable face.

"Why didn't you notify the academy in advance of your arrival?"

"What?"

Some of the candidates waiting for a show were all stunned.

Was this really the same examiner who hadn't wanted to say more than half a word to them just moments ago?

Why was he being so friendly to a student who was late!

Meanwhile, a few others stared at Zhang Huaiyuan's appearance, looking thoughtful.

"I wouldn't dare disturb the academy over such a small matter. It's my first time coming to the Sea of Time on my own, and I wasted some time looking for a ferry, so I'm a bit late. I hope the mentor can forgive me."

Zhang Huaiyuan said with a touch of respect.

"It's fine, you'll get used to it after a few more visits."

The mentor smiled and glanced at the group of students from the Elite Zone who had come to help, saying apologetically:

"I have to preside over the freshman entrance assessment here and can't leave. I'll send..."

"Mentor."

Before he could finish, a cool voice rang out from among the student helpers.

"I'll take him to the freshman office to register."

"Hmm?"

The mentor was slightly taken aback, but his expression immediately softened upon seeing who had spoken. He nodded and said:

"Then you take him, Qingran. It just so happens he's also assigned to the Elite Zone, the same area as you, so you'll be familiar with it."

"Alright, Mentor."

From the crowd, a woman with a refined face gracefully walked up to Zhang Huaiyuan, her exceptionally bright eyes blinking at an angle invisible to others:

"Junior Zhang, we meet again."

"Seventh Princess? Why is it you? Weren't you taking an assessment at the Association?"

Zhang Huaiyuan spoke with some surprise.

"Didn't I say you could just call me by my name, or call me Senior Sister?"

The Seventh Princess frowned slightly and explained:

"I was originally a student in the Elite Zone of the Time Book House. After completing the assessment, I came back to participate in the orientation volunteer activities; after all, it's worth one grade point."

She tilted her head and chuckled:

"Junior, you are a disciple of two Tower Masters, so I imagine their expectations for you are quite high. To be considered an outstanding graduate, you need to accumulate at least 300 grade points."

"300... that many? How many grade points do you have now?"

Zhang Huaiyuan frowned slightly and couldn't help but ask.

"I have 280 now, almost there."

The Seventh Princess leaned in a bit closer and lowered her voice, saying mysteriously:

"I'll tell you a secret. With a student status in the academy, doing research or borrowing ancient texts and materials only costs one-tenth of the price. Plus, you can consult mentors for free."

"So there's no need to rush to graduate. Becoming an outstanding graduate also earns you an additional bonus of Association credits."

"I see. I'll do my best. Thank you, Senior Sister."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded, his heart at ease.

Since someone of her level could get 280 credits, it should be easy for him.

Naturally, the Seventh Princess didn't know what he was thinking and continued to say with a smile:

"Alright, come with me. I'll take you to the Elite Zone to register."

"Much obliged."

Zhang Huaiyuan bowed slightly with his hands clasped and followed her.

As the two figures gradually disappeared, the crowd erupted into a commotion.

"On what grounds? Why doesn't he have to take the assessment?"

"Does the Time Book House also have people getting in through connections?"

"It's unfair, unfair! So there were reserved spots all along; no wonder I couldn't get in."

Some of the failed and waitlisted students, especially those with narrow horizons, couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Even some of those who had already passed showed looks of resentment on their faces.

They had put in countless efforts, yet this person with connections just walked through the back door and even went straight into the Elite Zone!

"Those who make unauthorized noise will be expelled from the academy."

However, the academy's mentors weren't ones to indulge them.

He was polite to Zhang Huaiyuan partly because he knew the boy was a disciple of two Tower Masters, and partly because he himself came from the Tower of All Things!

As for these people, what were they? Trash who couldn't even get a perfect score on such a simple exam dared to question the academy.

His face returned to a cold expression. With a wave of his hand, a wave from the Sea of Time swept over, instantly blowing away thousands of candidates.

"Nonsense."

The mentor snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the students in the waitlisted area, and said indifferently:

"Get ready. The second round of assessment starts in two minutes. The top twenty-three can enter the academy; those after twenty-third must leave the island on their own."

"If anyone is dissatisfied with my Time Book House, you may also leave the island on your own. I won't see you out."

As soon as these words were spoken, the discussions came to an abrupt halt.

Some students with limited experience looked in disbelief at the crowd that had been swept away; among them were those who had scored over 90 and had already been admitted!

So even this sacred land of knowledge was so dark!

Meanwhile, the senior volunteers in the back watched this scene with sneers.

The path of academia is the most fair; you either have it or you don't.

Although they didn't know Zhang Huaiyuan's specific identity, they knew that everything within the range of the Sea of Time was controlled by the Virtual Tower. Any violations would be punished.

"It seems another peerless genius has been discovered somewhere."

"Sister Qingran must know him. It's the first time I've seen Sister Qingran take the initiative to welcome a man. And her attitude was so good, it's like..."

"Shh, keep it down."

Two senior students whispered a few words while cautiously looking toward a tall, handsome man nearby.

He seemed to have deliberately transformed into a humanoid form; fine scales could be faintly seen on the skin outside his school uniform.

At this moment, he was staring expressionlessly at the receding figures of Zhang Huaiyuan and the other as they walked into the school, his eyes somewhat gloomy.

He came from the Myriad Spirit Grotto, a power on the same level as the Silver Splendor Empire. The two were currently allies on the Ascension Battlefield.

Both sides hoped to further consolidate their relationship.

And he himself was a genius. He naturally looked down on those stupid princesses who couldn't even pass the entrance exam for the Time Book House, but he had a special fondness for the Seventh Princess.

Unfortunately, she had always seemed to dismiss everything except academia.

He had admired this before, thinking she was the only woman truly worthy of him. He was willing to continue waiting silently.

Seeing this now, she was actually being so proactive.

"Damn it..."

The hand hidden inside his baggy school uniform unconsciously clenched into a fist.

"Yao Heng."

At that moment, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and gripped him.

"Don't be impulsive. Anyone who can make the academy's mentors so easy-going is definitely no ordinary person. Given your status, a woman isn't worth it."

Those words were like a bucket of cold water, timely extinguishing the flames of anger.

The man's gloomy eyes gradually returned to calm.

"You're right... Find out this guy's identity for me."

"If he's the descendant of some major power, then fine... otherwise... hmph."

...