Xidu University, School Conference Hall.

Located almost at the center of the entire Xidu University, it covers a very large area.

Although called a conference hall, it is not only used for meetings.

If solely for meetings, it would be a waste of architectural resources.

The main purpose of constructing this hall is, in fact, to host various school events.

Like today, the selection tournament for this year's new students choosing their majors.

Once the tournament is over and everyone's major is assigned, they will officially become first-year students at Xidu University.

The hall not only has an automatic retractable roof but also has a circular audience seating area.

The top layer of the seating area has VIP rooms, mainly for school leaders or to entertain foreign guests.

Given that the school year hasn't started yet, and this tournament isn't attracting much attention, only a few VIP rooms are open today.

Inside one of the VIP rooms, three people are sitting.

An elegantly maintained woman, this year's head of the Battle Department, Mrs. Bai.

A tall and burly man, this year's head of the Life Department, Mr. Hong.

And a somber and taciturn thin man, this year's head of the Nurturing Department, Mr. Lan.

The Battle Department, Life Department, and Nurturing Department are the main regular specializations at Summoner University.

Under them, there are various branch specializations.

However, in their first year, new students must learn foundational knowledge, so they won't be divided into smaller specializations yet.

"I wonder if this year our Life Department can produce a few more talents, hehe."

Mr. Hong, in his early forties, laughs heartily.

At this point, he gets up and walks to the glass floor-to-ceiling window, observing below.

The new students on the stage are fighting energetically.

"I heard last year your Life Department discovered quite a few potential candidates, not sure how many will eventually stay for the research department."

Watching the big screen, Mrs. Bai speaks in agreement.

The Life Department encompasses much more than just clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

A relatively important minor direction within it is various related research, such as the school's mass-produced [Mingqi], which is an intellectual product of the Life Department.

"Don't envy us, Mrs. Bai."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Hong chuckles, "Everyone knows your Battle Department has always been the most prestigious and produces the most talents."

"Moreover, the main responsibilities of our Life Department and Nurturing Department are originally to serve the combat personnel."

The words sound modest, if not self-deprecating, but indeed it is the case.

Ever since Summoner academies were established everywhere, the Battle Department has been the most important in all academies.

Without the materials and data brought back by the Battle Department, many affairs in the Life Department would be difficult to carry out.

As for the Nurturing Department, it's even more crucial.

It not only serves the Battle Department but also the Life Department.

"Hmph."

Mr. Lan snorts at one of Mr. Hong's comments.

Indeed, the Nurturing Department exists to serve the Battle Department and the Life Department.

It mainly handles artificial cultivation, extraction of nurturing materials, and researching formulated scientific creature nurturing plans, among other things.

But looking at it from another perspective, Mr. Lan thinks their Nurturing Department is actually the most prestigious of the three.

Because instead of asking others for help, it's often the Battle Department and Life Department that require their expertise.

After all, summon creatures need nurturing.

"However, speaking of it, I feel this year's new students' average combat level seems slightly higher than previous years."

Surveying the situation on stage, Mr. Hong speaks with a sense of realization.

As the head of the Life Department, he's not limited to only knowing Life Department matters.

On the contrary, he himself comes from the Battle Department.

When a Summoner's level reaches a certain height, many choose to develop horizontally.

Being qualified for the position of Life Department's teacher also requires enough insight and experience.

If one recites by rote without firsthand understanding of how Summoners fight, they can't teach good students.

The principles of the Nurturing Department are largely the same.

Therefore, teachers at various Summoner academies, regardless of their professional position—except for exceptional talents—must have strong skills and rich combat experience. It's not just those from the Battle Department that can be good fighters.

For students, it's the same; regardless of their ultimate choice of major, some foundational combat skills are necessary.

That's why before choosing a major, everyone is asked to learn their Summoner skills first.

Of course, because of specific expertise, the Battle Department's average combat power is surely the highest, undeniably.

"Mr. Hong's judgment is as sharp as ever."

At this moment, Mrs. Bai smiles, as such remarks are equivalent to acknowledging the Battle Department.

"Actually, the average quality of new students each year is about the same."

"It's just that this year's newcomers encountered a few small unexpected events during their racing."

"So they might experience the threat of magical beasts earlier than previous years and start striving earlier."

Then, she narrates the event about the berserk plant magical beasts that day.

"I've heard a bit about it, but haven't found the cause yet, have we?"

Mr. Hong rubs his chin, his expression slightly serious.

Magical beasts going berserk for no reason is not a good sign.

"We figured out the cause, the principal's assistant informed us afterward."

"They said the principal's newly raised small tea tree suddenly triggered the plant magical beasts to riot."

Mrs. Bai's explanation made the other two people's ears perk up slightly.

Being able to cause the whole southern forest to riot, indicates that small tea tree must be extraordinary.

Both of them are enthusiasts of magical beast tea.

[Cricket you cricket!]

Just then, a sharp and peculiar insect call on the VIP room's large screen catches the three teachers' attention.

Through the footage, they can see a cricket magical beast engulfed in flames, knocking down its opponent.

"This kid has quite a potential."

Mr. Lan, who seldom speaks, provides a rare comment.

In terms of actual combat power, these new students surely don't catch their eye.

So the most they evaluate is potential; those familiar with Mr. Lan know he has high standards.

Receiving his comment of "quite a potential," already counts as the highest praise for a newcomer.

"Oh, I heard among this year's new students, one stands out remarkably."

"Is it this person?"

Mr. Hong points at the golden-haired blue-eyed figure on the screen.

"Oh, that's not him."

Just mentioning this topic, Mrs. Bai's expression becomes a bit uneasy.

The term "stands out" is actually quite appropriate.

But it's precisely the word "standout" she's unsure about how well it defines.

For a crippled person to learn [Sprint], that indeed stands out a lot.

However, she had observed attentively by the window earlier; seems like that student still hasn't shown up.

Could it be they've forfeited?

...

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