Academic Affairs Office, Nuoding Academy
The head of the Academic Affairs Office, Director Su—a man who appeared to be in his sixties—took the Spirit Hall certificates that Qi Lin and his companions handed over. After reading the contents, he gave them a rather peculiar look.
He thought to himself, "How strange. In the past, even a child with innate soul power of level five or six was rare. But this year, three children with full innate soul power show up all at once?"
Unlike the gatekeeper, Su was no stranger to the inner workings of the Spirit Hall.
If your status is high enough, it's technically possible to have someone from the Hall falsify a certificate... But what would be the point?
No matter what the certificate says, your soul power level doesn't change. No one would go through so much trouble just for an empty title.
And besides, in this small Nuoding City, who had the power to order Spirit Hall around? Even the City Lord's Mansion couldn't.
Which meant… the certificates in his hand must be real.
"Children, welcome to Nuoding Academy," Director Su said kindly. "I've reviewed your Spirit Hall documents. I'll now arrange for someone to take you to your dormitory."
He turned and instructed the two young teachers behind him, "Take these three to their assigned dormitories."
Qi Lin felt a pang of disappointment in his heart.
It seemed he and Xiao Wu wouldn't be able to stay in the same dorm as the main character, Tang San. After all, he and Xiao Wu weren't working students.
He had really hoped to meet the original characters from the novel, especially controversial ones like Grandmaster and Tang San.
But just as the thought crossed his mind, one of the young teachers behind Director Su hesitated.
"Director, this year's freshman intake is larger than expected. These three also arrived late. The regular dormitories are already full."
Director Su's brows furrowed immediately.
"What's the logistics department doing? Didn't they prepare backup accommodations?"
The other teacher chimed in, "Director, there's no need to complicate things. The working students' dormitory still has plenty of space. We could temporarily house Qi Lin and Xiao Wu there."
Each dormitory at Nuoding Academy was massive, capable of housing fifty students.
Even counting Tang San, there were only twelve working students currently living in Dorm Seven.
Director Su hesitated briefly, then looked toward Qi Lin and Xiao Wu.
Qi Lin, ever considerate, didn't want to make things difficult. He smiled and said, "Director Su, let's go with the teacher's suggestion."
Director Su's eyes lit up—what a sensible child!
"Since this young man agrees, take them to the working students' dormitory," he said in a slightly authoritative tone.
Then, with a warm smile, he added, "If anyone bullies you here, just come tell me. I'll take care of it."
Qi Lin laughed cheerfully. "Thank you, Director."
—
After they left the Academic Affairs Office, Xiao Wu tugged on Qi Lin's sleeve and whispered, "That old Director seems like a nice guy."
Qi Lin didn't answer. Instead, he gently pinched her soft, pink cheek.
So soft!
Soon, the two young teachers led the trio to the entrance of Dorm Seven.
"This is the working students' dormitory," one of the teachers said with a smile. "It's a bit rough compared to the regular dorms."
"You'll have to make do for now. Once the new dormitories are built, you can move in."
Qi Lin and Xiao Wu nodded and pushed open the door to Dorm Seven.
Inside, eight or nine boys of various ages were horsing around. When they saw the newcomers, they all turned to look curiously. Qi Lin and Xiao Wu didn't look like working students at all with their clean clothes and confident demeanor. Only the last boy, dark and skinny, seemed to fit the image.
The teacher following them stepped forward and explained the situation, and the other students quickly understood.
So, it's just a temporary arrangement because the regular dorms are full.
The working students looked at Qi Lin, then at Xiao Wu—with obvious envy.
Especially Xiao Wu. She's so cute!
Among them, a plain-looking boy with a mature air first showed curiosity, then a flash of amazement as he stared at Xiao Wu.
What a cute girl!
Then he frowned and muttered to the boy beside him, Wang Sheng, "We're allowed to mix boys and girls in the same dorm?"
Wang Sheng swallowed nervously and nodded. "Of course. I heard they only separate dorms by gender in intermediate academies."
At that moment, the teacher gave a final reminder—"Get along with your classmates"—and left.
Once the teacher was gone, Qi Lin smiled at everyone in Dorm Seven, radiating harmless friendliness.
The students immediately had the same thought:
This guy… seems easy to get along with.
Only Tang San remained calm, watching everything quietly.
Having lived over thirty years across two lifetimes, he wouldn't be fooled by appearances.
As someone skilled in poisons, he knew best: the more beautiful something appeared, the more dangerous it often was.
And the same applied to people.
Of course, he wasn't saying Qi Lin was hiding some deep schemes—he was still just a child.
But Qi Lin's presence served as a reminder to Tang San: never judge by appearances and always trust your instincts.
"Hi everyone, I'm Qi Lin. My spirit is Four-Leaf Clover," he said with a bright smile.
Xiao Wu blinked her big eyes and followed suit. "I'm Xiao Wu—'Wu' as in dancing. My spirit is the Soft Bone Rabbit!"
"I'm Qi Yue. My spirit is a scythe," the last boy added.
After the three introduced themselves, Wang Sheng nudged Tang San.
As Dorm Seven's boss, it was only natural for Tang San to step up.
Tang San sighed and walked forward. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tang San, currently the dorm leader. My spirit is Blue Silver Grass."
Upon hearing "Blue Silver Grass," Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. She tugged on Qi Lin's hand excitedly.
"Brother Qi, his spirit is Blue Silver Grass too!"
Tang San blinked and looked at Qi Lin, confused. Wasn't his spirit Four-Leaf Clover?
Qi Lin chuckled and explained, "My Four-Leaf Clover spirit is a mutated version of Blue Silver Grass."
Tang San suddenly understood. He'd heard the teacher mention spirit mutations earlier.
Most mutations were negative, but rare cases like this were positive.
Clearly, Qi Lin was one of those rare lucky cases.
After all, normal Blue Silver Grass typically didn't come with any innate spirit power.
Tang San then took some time to explain the rules of Dorm Seven.
Before Qi Lin or Qi Yue could react, Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"These rules are so fun!"
"Sister Xiao Wu loves it!"
She raised her little fist eagerly and looked straight at Tang San, her expression full of anticipation.
"That means… Sister Xiao Wu wants to be the boss of Dorm Seven too!"
Tang San, now under her intense gaze, felt his heart skip a beat for reasons he couldn't explain.
Even after two lifetimes, this was the first time he'd felt something like this.
His instincts told him that this energetic, bold girl in front of him–
—was a pure and kind soul, through and through.
Qi Lin: So... I look like a villain or something?