Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Ning Zhu was quite glad that she wasn’t the only one going up on stage.

Ye Jianrong’s proud demeanor also influenced her, making her feel that going on stage wasn’t such a bad thing—it even seemed… rather honorable?

Not only Ning Zhu was confused; countless freshmen from ordinary backgrounds in the hall didn’t quite understand either.

Most of the new students had watched the “Harry Potter” series and still remembered the sorting hat scenes vividly.

But the system of division in front of them was clearly different.

Aside from Ye Jianrong and Ning Zhu, everyone else had already known which department they would enter the moment they received their admission letters, and did not need any “sorting hat” to determine it on the spot.

If it were all like that, it would be fine—like having two good schools in one district and being assigned randomly through a lottery.

But there just had to be two exceptions, which made the situation intriguing.

If it wasn’t random, then what exactly was the basis for this division?

They hadn’t even officially learned cards yet, and already they were being treated differently?

The Spirit Card Academy clearly had plenty of experience.

Every year at this time, the heads of both departments would personally introduce the White Aries Department and the Libra Department to the specially selected student (sometimes two), while also explaining the rules of division to all freshmen in the hall.

Li Suwen immediately spotted Ning Zhu.

This was the second time Ning Zhu had seen this professor. The last time was in the Spirit Charm Land, when the card ring shop had been robbed and the store was in chaos. Thanks to Professor Li maintaining order, a stampede had been avoided.

Ning Zhu greeted her.

Li Suwen smiled at her warmly.

Ning Zhu paused, feeling a sense of familiarity.

It was probably because they were both from the White Aries Department—Professor Li gave off the same feeling as Principal Yang, warm and reassuring.

Ye Jianrong’s voice sounded out, and Ning Zhu quickly also greeted Jiang Binglun.

This was also the second time Ning Zhu had seen Professor Jiang. He was still cold, his expression openly showing his attitude—he appreciated Ye Jianrong and disliked Ning Zhu.

Ning Zhu clearly felt it and found it uncomfortable.

She originally had a good impression of the Libra Department because of Senior Li Jin, but now, because of this Jiang director, her impression had dropped sharply!

Li Suwen clearly had a good impression of Ning Zhu. She said, “Ning Zhu, could I ask you to come up and do a demonstration later?”

Ning Zhu also felt friendly toward Li Suwen and immediately replied, “Okay.”

She didn’t know what she would be demonstrating, but clearly Li Suwen would guide her then.

Li Suwen looked to be in her thirties or forties. Under her red robe was a neat white shirt and fitted high-waist trousers. She stood upright, her face refined and clean. Because she wasn’t wearing makeup, her complexion looked slightly dull, but her eyes were bright and full of energy.

“I’m sure everyone is very curious about how the Spirit Card Academy assigns departments to students.”

As soon as she said this, she fully captured everyone’s attention—of course, except for the preparatory students, who already knew.

If it weren’t for the blow he had suffered, Li Leyang would already be quietly hosting an impromptu discussion session, spoiling everything for those around him.

However, at this moment, Little Sheep Li’s mind was filled with: “I am a clown, I am not a clown, I really am a clown, I am such a clown…”

After saying this, Li Suwen suddenly changed the topic: “Before that, I will first introduce the White Aries Department.”

With a flick of her wrist, her card ring activated, releasing an “Image Card.” On the circular screen behind her appeared a PowerPoint presentation.

Even though Ning Zhu was mentally prepared, she still found it quite amusing.

Cards were mysterious, yet tightly integrated with technology…

Yes, this was very modern!

On the screen appeared four large characters: White Aries Sequence.

Following Li Suwen’s voice, lines of text appeared one after another.

“The so-called White Aries Sequence is a cultivation system established based on the White Aries Card. For card users, it is equivalent to a set of ‘mental methods’ that can help card masters better create and use cards.”

“Aries Sequence” has a maximum rank of Sequence 1, which corresponds to the Aries Card Master, and then descends in order down to Sequence 7.

“Everyone might wonder: why isn’t a higher number stronger? That’s because Sequence 1 is full, meaning 100%. This relates to the three core elements of this system.”

The PPT screen changed again, showing more text.

Professor Li Suwen continued her explanation: “The symbolic element of the Aries Sequence is ‘fire’, the emotional attribute is ‘fervor’, and the specialty is ‘explosive power’. These are the three cores of the Aries Sequence.”

An image appeared on the screen behind her.

It was the Aries emblem.

In the center was the outline of a white ram’s head, surrounded by a ring of blazing flames. The flames spread outward in a highly explosive shape.

After the image disappeared, a new page of text appeared.

Li Suwen said, “As you can probably guess, Aries Sequence card masters are skilled at creating and using ‘fire’-element cards. The ‘fervor’ corresponds to the character card class 【Warrior】. In other words, the Aries Sequence enhances 【Warrior Cards】. As for the final ‘explosive power’, that refers to the card master’s personal qualities.”

The PPT displayed a clearer summary:

The Aries Sequence enhances “fire-element” cards.

The Aries Sequence is skilled in using 【Warrior】-type character cards.

Aries card masters have stronger explosive power.

Li Suwen continued: “Now that we understand the three core elements, we can also understand why the sequence is numbered from 1 to 7. Simply put, a Sequence 1 Aries Card Master has 100% compatibility with ‘fire’, ‘fervor’, and ‘explosive power’. What does that mean? A one-star 【Arson Card】 used by an Aries Card Master produces more than ten times the effect of an ordinary card user.”

A simple animation appeared on the PPT.

A chibi-style little ram that looked a bit like Principal Yang activated a 【Arson Card】, and flames instantly filled the entire screen.

Then another chibi ram wearing a freshman uniform used the same 【Arson Card}, but only a small patch of flame appeared in front of it.

The simple animation made the difference immediately clear to all the freshmen.

Li Suwen continued: “Sequence 1 has 100% compatibility with the three cores. Starting from Sequence 2, it decreases progressively—Sequence 2 is 80%, Sequence 3 is 70%, all the way down to Sequence 7 at 30%.”

A student in the front row asked curiously: “So we are selected into the Aries Department because our compatibility is 30%?”

Li Suwen smiled. “It doesn’t reach 30%, but it is certainly the highest relative value.”

The PPT changed again, this time showing a clear chart.

“Humans are complex. The three core elements are tendencies, not absolute values. For example, if a student has 15% compatibility with the Aries three cores and 10% with the Libra three cores, then they will belong to the Aries Department.”

Now everyone understood. So that was how departments were assigned.

It was quite scientific—also a form of optimal cultivation.

Another student asked, “So Ning Zhu and Ye Jianrong have equal compatibility with both Aries and Libra?”

Li Suwen smiled. “Not just equal—they are both the highest.”

She looked at Ning Zhu and extended her hand. “Come, hold my wristband.”

Ning Zhu nodded and reached out. Li Suwen’s palm was facing upward, and Ning Zhu grasped downward, their wristbands aligning perfectly as they made contact.

Li Suwen said, “Please look at the screen.”

On the screen behind them, a bar chart appeared with six columns—three red and three blue. As the red light from Li Suwen’s wristband surged, all six columns rose continuously, evenly and rapidly, until they reached the maximum.

Li Suwen released Ning Zhu’s hand. Ning Zhu also turned to look.

She was too close to the screen and could not see it clearly.

Li Suwen said, “Red represents the three cores of the Aries Department, and blue represents the three cores of the Libra Department. Ning Zhu’s compatibility with both reaches 30%.”

“Without systematic training, 30% is already the highest possible compatibility.”

“As you may have noticed, the growth of these six columns is perfectly uniform. This is also an important indicator for departmental assignment.”

To provide comparison, Li Suwen displayed several anonymized six-column charts of other students…

These six-column charts were all uneven. Even when all six columns were level, none of them reached the maximum, let alone showing uniform growth—there wasn’t a single one with a consistent rate of increase.

Hearing this, the freshmen finally understood what was going on. Their gazes toward Ning Zhu and Ye Jianrong also changed.

They really were different.

They really did have the qualification to choose which department they wanted.

After Li Suwen finished introducing the Aries Department, Jiang Binglun then introduced the Libra Department.

He didn’t use a PPT, and his words were brief and to the point: “The three core elements of the Libra Sequence are the element ‘ice’, the emotion ‘calmness’, and the specialty ‘endurance’.”

Upon hearing these three cores, a student couldn’t help but let out an “ah” and said, “They’re opposites.”

“Fire” and “ice.”

“Passion” and “calmness.”

“Explosive power” and “endurance.”

The Aries Sequence and the Libra Sequence were opposing, and at the same time complementary.

Li Suwen added, “That’s why they are so rare.”

At this point, the freshmen all looked at them with newfound respect. Someone even used a gaming term: “Hexagonal warriors!”

The term was quite fitting.

Looking at those perfectly maxed six-column charts, weren’t they exactly hexagonal warriors?

Baize let out a scoff. “Hexagonal? That’s nothing.”

Ning Zhu: “?”

Baize said, “You are the Star God Card Master. You are Sequence 0!”

Ning Zhu was full of curiosity, but she couldn’t ask.

Baize snorted. “I told you before—you are compatible with all cards. What’s a hexagon? Out of the thirty-six core elements of the twelve zodiac signs, you are compatible with all of them.”

Ning Zhu: “………………”

Only at this moment did she truly understand how powerful the Star God Card really was.

No wonder card masters were so obsessed with it.

Li Suwen looked at Jiang Binglun and asked, “Does Director Jiang have anything to add?”

Jiang Binglun: “No.”

Li Suwen then looked at the two girls. “Do you have any other questions?”

Ye Jianrong was a preparatory student; she understood far more than ordinary freshmen. At this moment, she said, “No.”

Ning Zhu thought for a moment and still asked, “Director Li, if I choose the Aries Department, does that mean I can only develop the Aries three cores in the future?”

Li Suwen slapped her forehead. “Look at me, I almost forgot this.”

She looked at all the freshmen and said, “Students, departmental assignment is not absolute. During your studies, if a certain core suddenly grows stronger, you can also apply to the corresponding department head. After assessment, you can change departments.”

“Not only can you change departments, you can even apply to transfer schools. Of course, transferring is more troublesome, so everyone should think more carefully.”

With this, the atmosphere in the hall became even more relaxed.

So you could actually change departments—great!

As for transferring schools…

Forget it, forget it. The Secret Card and Illusion Card academies were across the ocean; not everyone wanted to leave home and go that far.

Li Suwen finally answered Ning Zhu’s question: “The basic courses for both departments are the same. Specialized courses will have some directional emphasis. However, it also depends on your learning progress. If your core development is relatively slow, you can also try switching departments.”

Ning Zhu more or less understood.

In general, it was quite free—it wouldn’t lock them in rigidly.

However, she was very self-aware and clearly understood that human energy is limited.

It was already quite good to specialize in one sequence—trying to do too much would only lead to doing nothing well.

Li Suwen let out a soft breath, looked at Ning Zhu and then at Ye Jianrong, and said, “So, have you decided which department you’re going to?”

As she finished speaking, she looked at Ning Zhu with anticipation.

Jiang Binglun, on the other hand, didn’t even glance at Ning Zhu, his gaze fixed on Ye Jianrong.

Ning Zhu and Ye Jianrong almost spoke at the same time, but their answers were different.

“Aries Department.”

“Libra Department.”

They were about the same age, and their voices were equally clear and pleasant. Speaking almost simultaneously made it impossible to tell who had said what.

The freshmen in the hall were even more confused.

They only knew that among these two geniuses of the freshmen, one chose the Aries Department and the other chose the Libra Department—so… who was Aries, and who was Libra?

Ning Zhu then added proactively, “I choose the Aries Department.”

Now it was clear.

The one who chose the Libra Department was Ye Jianrong.

The joy on Li Suwen’s face was completely unconcealed as she sincerely said to Ning Zhu, “Welcome to the Aries Department!”

Ning Zhu was infected by her smile, and her gaze couldn’t help but fall on her dimples.

Mm… her uncle also had a pair of dimples.

Ning Zhu finally understood why she felt a sense of familiarity toward Li Suwen.

She said, “I’m very happy to join the Aries Department.”

Ye Jianrong looked at Ning Zhu and suddenly said, “For the freshman assessment, I will be first place.”

Ning Zhu: “????”

Ye Jianrong dropped that sentence and turned to leave.

Li Suwen smiled and said, “No rush, the freshman assessment is in a month. Speaking of which, last year the Libra Department took first place. Our Aries Department has to work harder this year.”

Li Jin was last year’s freshman.

He chose the Libra Department and also secured first place in the freshman competition for the Libra Department.

This year…

Mm, it would be even more interesting than last year.

—

Next came a series of admission-related formalities.

The freshmen needed to be divided into classes. Because the number of students had sharply decreased this year, the Aries Department dropped from fifty classes in previous years to only nineteen this year.

Each class had one hundred students.

But although the number sounded large, it was actually a flexible class system.

Students would choose their courses before each semester based on their learning progress, interests, and teachers’ suggestions for future development.

So even if they were in the same class, they might not necessarily attend classes in the same classroom.

Classes mainly served to organize group activities and make it easier for counselors to manage students uniformly.

Ning Zhu was assigned to Class One, and she immediately spotted Li Leyang.

Li Leyang hurriedly avoided her gaze.

Lu Xuanle and Lin Ting were assigned to Class Seven. The two of them were very disappointed that they couldn’t be in the same class as Ning Zhu. However, Lu Xuanle quickly figured it out and said, “Is Class One the key class?”

Lin Ting also understood and said, “It should be classes divided based on compatibility.”

Lu Xuanle was very optimistic: “So from that perspective, we’re still above average?”

Lin Ting also smiled and said, “Makes sense.”

Ning Zhu noticed the prompt on the big screen and said, “Huh, we have to choose our dorms ourselves!”

The three girls immediately understood and said in unison, “Move fast!”

Since students chose their own dorms, there was no doubt it would turn into a scramble.

Although they weren’t in the same class, they could still live in the same dorm. Moreover, with the flexible class system, not being in the same class didn’t matter—they could still take the same courses.

In the dorm competition, the Aries Department fully demonstrated what “explosive power” meant. They were each faster than the last, striking decisively… or perhaps, rashly.

Meanwhile, the Libra Department students were still considering floor levels, layouts, lighting, facilities, and even distance to the teaching area, and by then nearly half of the dorms had already been snatched up by the Aries Department.

Lu Xuanle fully demonstrated the sharp, fast, and precise nature of an archer. She managed to grab a three-person dorm: sunny exposure, a large balcony, a private bathroom, and it was also in the dorm building closest to the teaching area.

Lu Xuanle panted, saying, “The only downside is that there’s no elevator, and we’re on the sixth floor.”

Ning Zhu said, “Climbing stairs is good, it counts as exercise.”

Lin Ting immediately agreed, “Right! Exercise is very important!”

She had suffered from lacking strength, which was why she had been so helpless in the [Scene Card].

Lu Xuanle also became happy: “Then no problem—we got the perfect dorm!”

The three girls quickly packed up their luggage again, excitedly preparing to leave the hall and take a look at what the Spirit Card Academy was really like.

Yes, they had come directly from the [Scene Card] into the hall and hadn’t yet seen the campus.

Now they not only needed to settle into their dorms, but also properly explore the campus where they would be studying for the next six years.

Suddenly, Professor Li Suwen called out, “Student Ning Zhu!”

Ning Zhu immediately turned back. “Director Li, is there something?”

Li Suwen looked at Lu Xuanle and Lin Ting and said, “Could I trouble you to take Ning Zhu’s luggage to the dorm first?”

Lu Xuanle and Lin Ting immediately replied, “Okay!”

After they left, Li Suwen said to Ning Zhu, “Come this way. Principal Yang wants to have a private chat with you.”

Ning Zhu’s heart immediately tightened, and she nervously agreed.

Li Suwen comforted her, “It’s fine. You probably have a lot of questions about the Star God Card. The principal will try his best to answer them for you.”

Baize flapped his small wings and flew beside Ning Zhu, saying, “Hmph, what could he possibly know that I don’t?”