Volume One: The Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 37: The Dormitory Meeting

After finishing their boxed meals, the four of them gathered around the table.

Across from Mo Xing sat Zhang Zhihao, and Mo Xing noticed that the “master” had been watching him intently since earlier.

“First of all, let’s congratulate Mo Xing on successfully passing the freshman assessment!” Zhang Zhihao suddenly announced.

“Congratulations, junior!” Senior Mianhua and Senior Cai Hong both started clapping enthusiastically.

“Huh? Master, how did you know?” Mo Xing was startled—he hadn’t even told his roommates yet!

“Intuition,” Zhang Zhihao replied with a gentle smile.

“Generally, those who fail the assessment come back to the dorm looking miserable, packing their things to leave. They’re in no mood to care about anything else,” Senior Cai Hong explained. “But you were still in the mood to cook and feed the cat, so you probably passed.”

“That reminds me of my three former roommates,” Senior Mianhua chimed in, shaking his head, “they all failed the assessment. So I had the whole dorm to myself until last year, when Zhang Zhihao and the others enrolled, and I got assigned here.”

“By the way, little junior, what was your score?” Senior Cai Hong asked.

“Oh, I only got six hundred sixty-six,” Mo Xing shrugged.

“Not bad! That’s a lucky number, ha ha ha!” Senior Mianhua burst out laughing.

“This year’s passing mark was six hundred fifty. I only just scraped by,” Mo Xing muttered.

“No worries, you did fine. Your Senior Mianhua only got six hundred forty back then, just barely making it,” Senior Cai Hong grinned.

“Outrageous! That’s not true!” Senior Mianhua pouted and protested, “Besides, you only got seven hundred, still just a B-rank student yourself.”

“My apologies, I was promoted to A-rank this semester,” Senior Cai Hong narrowed his eyes in mock arrogance.

“A-rank and B-rank students? Is that about strength too?” Mo Xing scratched his head, completely lost.

“It’s about priority,” Zhang Zhihao explained.

“Like getting to cut in line at the canteen?” Mo Xing asked.

Both Senior Mianhua and Senior Cai Hong couldn’t help but laugh, while Zhang Zhihao remained his usual calm self.

He was always calm.

“You could put it that way. After the freshman assessment, you receive your initial priority level. Those who pass become B-rank students; the top one hundred are A-rank. A-rank students get first pick of mentors and courses, priority access to school facilities and support, and can take on assignments,” Zhang Zhihao explained. “It’s also a key factor in selecting positions and awarding scholarships.”

“Oh, I see now,” Mo Xing said with sudden understanding. So, A-rank students were like model students—standouts among their peers!

“What can you do to be promoted to A-rank? Like Senior Cai Hong,” Mo Xing asked.

“Grades,” Zhang Zhihao said.

“You need to meet standards in your usual scores, theory classes, and practical courses. That’s just the basics. Most importantly, you need to take on assignments.”

“Assignments?” Mo Xing echoed, puzzled.

“From the school,” Zhang Zhihao replied. “Remember, I told you last night in the carriage—besides credits and scholarship rewards, school assignments can boost your hidden priority score.”

“I see!” Mo Xing nodded. “Then I’ll take on more assignments and get promoted to A-rank as soon as possible!”

“Great spirit!” Senior Cai Hong gave him a thumbs-up in approval.

“Keep it up, little junior. The school updates the A-rank list every month. As long as you make it into the top one hundred of your year, you’ll be an A-rank student and enjoy special benefits,” Senior Mianhua added.

“A-rank is one in a hundred—ten thousand students per year, only a hundred selected, and the list rotates every month. You’ll have to keep working hard. Don’t pick up certain seniors’ bad habits of skipping classes,” Senior Cai Hong reminded him.

“Outrageous! That’s not true!” Senior Mianhua protested again. “If I don’t skip classes, A-rank is in the bag for me!”

“I’m looking forward to seeing your name on next month’s third-year A-rank list,” Senior Cai Hong teased.

“Hmph. We’ll see,” Senior Mianhua muttered under his breath.

Mo Xing watched the two of them bicker and thought they really were a pair of clowns, always lively and cheerful. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhihao quietly sipped his tea, his expression as serene as ever. He’d seen this many times before.

“Mo Xing, remember to hand in the assignment confirmation form I gave you earlier to the Academic Office,” Zhang Zhihao said suddenly. “Otherwise, they can’t properly record your hidden points.”

“Alright, I’ll go tomorrow,” Mo Xing nodded. “It’s still in my storage ring.”

“This week is a bit special. You freshmen don’t have fixed classes,” Zhang Zhihao continued.

“Huh?” Mo Xing was once again at a loss.

“This week, you can attend any mentor’s open lecture, and by Friday, you’ll need to choose which mentors you want to follow for the semester. Once the slots are filled, that forms your class,” Zhang Zhihao explained.

“A-rank students get to pick mentors in advance; the rest have to scramble or wait to be chosen,” Senior Cai Hong added.

“That sounds a bit unfair,” Mo Xing said, surprised.

“Don’t worry, you’ve made headlines so many times. You’re a campus celebrity now—the mentors will be fighting over you,” Senior Mianhua laughed.

“Uh, I wouldn’t bet on it,” Mo Xing scratched his head. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“By the way, this week is also club recruitment week. If you’re interested in any clubs or student organizations, you can apply to join,” Senior Cai Hong said. “I think starting tomorrow, they’ll be setting up recruitment booths in the plaza.”

“Little junior~” Senior Mianhua suddenly leaned in. “Interested in singing or music? You could try out for the singers’ troupe.”

“Uh…”

Mo Xing didn’t know how to respond.

“Thank goodness that scoundrel Li Qingchi got caught; I’m the new recruitment officer this year, ha ha!” Senior Mianhua declared, puffing up with pride. “Come find me at the booth tomorrow if you want to join. I’ll give you a discount on the membership fee!”

“There’s a fee to join?” Mo Xing frowned—he barely had any gold coins left.

No, he had none at all!

All the gold he’d had since coming to this world was a gift from the village chief. Thank goodness the Sacred Sky Royal Academy had tuition waivers, and as a recommended student from Scarf Town, he studied on a full scholarship.

The food here was delicious, but also expensive. After just a few meals, his gold was almost gone.

“Of course, clubs need operating funds—equipment and venues cost money. Membership fees are a must,” Senior Mianhua lamented, shaking his head. “That’s how society works—everything costs money.”

“You could also join a student department; most of the costs are reimbursed by the school. But you’ll need to pass several interviews. You could give it a try,” Zhang Zhihao smiled. “The Student Council welcomes you.”

“Uh?” Mo Xing was taken aback.

So fast? He had just passed the assessment and was already being recruited by the president?

Zhang Zhihao met his gaze, calm but earnest, as if saying, “I’ve put it out there—you need to make a choice.”

“Of course, it’s your decision. If you join a club, you can develop your interests; if you join a department, you can cultivate your abilities. Don’t overthink it. Just follow your heart,” Zhang Zhihao said with a faint smile.

“Yeah, follow your heart. If you have free time, you could also work part-time at my shop and earn some pocket money,” Senior Cai Hong nodded.

“Part-time? You’re a student, focus on your studies!” Senior Mianhua huffed. “Don’t mislead the junior.”

“Who says a part-time job would interfere with studying? What’s wrong with earning some money?” Senior Cai Hong shot back. “Is skipping class something to be proud of?”

“Hmph? Isn’t your scholarship from school assignments enough?” Senior Mianhua retorted. “And I don’t skip class—that’s called strategic relocation!”

“Ha! Keep telling yourself that,” Senior Cai Hong glared at him.

“Uh… can we not argue, please?” Mo Xing tried to intervene, seeing the two seniors bicker so noisily, but Zhang Zhihao reached out and gently pulled him back.

“What is it?” Mo Xing followed his gesture and saw a small black shadow darting inside.

“Meow—”

At the sound, Senior Mianhua froze, then slowly turned around, wooden-faced.

“A cat?!” Senior Mianhua’s face went pale as he, chair and all, toppled to the floor.

“Meow—” The kitten ran straight towards him.

“Stay back, devil! Don’t come near me!” Senior Mianhua shouted.

But the kitten paid him no mind and pounced.

“Ah!”

“Senior Mianhua, are you alright?” Mo Xing saw his eyes roll back as he slumped to the floor and hurried over to check on him.

“Ha ha ha, he’ll be fine,” Senior Cai Hong picked up the kitten. “Be good now, don’t bully the strange uncle.”

“Meow—” the kitten replied sweetly.

“It’s getting late. I’ll go shower,” Zhang Zhihao said as he got up.

“It’s only seven. Isn’t that early?” Mo Xing asked.

“I need to read at eight,” Zhang Zhihao waved as he headed to his room.

“Zhihao’s always had that habit—reading before bed,” Senior Cai Hong explained as he carried the kitten back to its little cabin.

“Ugh…” Senior Mianhua slowly opened his eyes.

“Where am I? Is this heaven? Am I still alive? Is that giant cat demon still here?”

“You’re in the dorm, and you’re perfectly fine, senior!” Mo Xing reassured him with a smile.

“Oh, good.” Senior Mianhua took a deep breath.

“Meow—” came another call from the balcony, and before he could exhale, Senior Mianhua fainted again.

“Senior? Senior!” Mo Xing shook him urgently.

Later, when Mo Xing thought back on that cool autumn night, he felt that they hadn’t done anything particularly meaningful. The stars shimmered in the night sky; Zhang Zhihao, the “master,” read a book titled “The Life of Rain” in the living room; Senior Cai Hong played with the kitten on the grassy lawn outside the balcony; Senior Mianhua hid behind his chair like a thief, peeking out and asking Mo Xing to help collect the towels and clothes drying on the balcony.

Such a night might seem ordinary.

But he always wished nights like that would last a little longer, happen a little more often, and never come to an end...