Chapter 403: Departing for Home
Although the president’s tone was a bit serious, he still remained somewhat cheerful. “Some things might not be as simple as they seem to be on the surface. Many things, such as the contest between the academies, the covert battle between the academy and the Normans, and even the power struggle within the academy, are more complicated they look.”
Xiao Lin asked back, “So it means they’re actually aware of the current situation but they refuse to admit it just to avoid panic?”
The president was a little helpless. “That’s not true, perhaps they’re subconsciously alert, but most people might not feel so strongly about it. I believe you’re aware of the differences between the dean and the military by now.”
Xiao Lin nodded. “The dean advocates long-term suppression of the orcs and other threatening races in Planet Norma, but the military believes that the Norman natives should be united against other academies.”
“Which one do you think is right?”
“I support the dean, but not everyone thinks that way. In fact, since the end of the orc war and the affirmation of the resurrection law, the dominance of Earthlings in Planet Norma has been continuously strengthened, in addition to the knowledge that has been instilled in the new students from generation to generation. Until now, almost everyone believes that we’re very strong, and the Normans have no choice but to bow before us.”
Xiao Lin did not comment on that, but asked instead, “What’s your personal opinion, President?”
The president smiled noncommittally. “I don’t know. The situation in Planet Norma has become more and more complex since about ten years ago. By the way, starting from the second half of the semester, there should be one more basic course in your basic course, called Basic Norma Political Science. I strongly recommend it, and I hope that freshmen can get a general understanding of the basic political structure of Planet Norma from now on.”
After a pause, the president’s complexion eased slightly and he smiled, “But you don’t have to think too much. If there really is a war with the Normans, it will only happen in the future. It can’t possibly happen so soon. We’re still quite strong when compared to the Normans, and it isn’t that easy for the tables to be turned.”
Xiao Lin decided in his heart that war, regardless of the circumstances, was not something to be happy about.
After listening to all that, Xiao Lin began making preparations to go home, but there was nothing much to prepare actually. According to the regulations for returning to Earth, all kinds of weapons and equipment from there were not allowed to be taken back. It was not that the balance of space might be destroyed, since the freshmen’s equipment were mostly Black Iron- or—on rare occasions—Bronze-rank, which only caused very limited fluctuations in space.
Rather, the academy was worried that freshmen would cause trouble when they head back. Such an incident was not without precedent. When it came to ordinary people who suddenly obtained superhuman power and returned to Earth’s normal environment, the academy wanted to prevent untoward situations by imposing strict management and punishment rather than relying on an individual to suppress their own desires.
In order for the freshmen to have a more intuitive understanding of their own strength, the student union even told them unceremoniously that there was no way for them to block the damage of a firearm without the academy’s armor and equipment, even if their strength had surpassed ordinary people. If they did not want their lives to be wasted for no good reason, they ought to spend their holidays on the earth in an earnest manner. In any case, the preferential exchange prices basically ensured that most people who went back would become millionaires. Such an amount of money could basically let them enjoy themselves for a long time.
There are more than 800 people in the freshman year, and some people have already started the journey since the afternoon of the announcement. The academy had specially prepared an extended spatial carriage for that purpose, but it still took some time as there was only one spatial channel.
Although it was just a short 10-day holiday, everyone was already brimming with excitement. In the few months of academy life, people who got along well would get together in twos and threes, walk in groups, and exchange ways to communicate with each other on Earth. Of course, there were also others who refused to disclose too much out of caution.
Xiao Lin asked Gu Xiaoyue about it, and she seemed unwilling to board a very crowded carriage with too many people, so she said she would leave a few days later. She did not seem to mind that her vacation days were reduced by a few days, but in fact, in the two days after the exam, Xiao Lin noticed that she went to the meditation room or library every day.
Since Xiao Lin said she would accompany her, he had no choice but to leave a few days later. Song Junlang was disgruntled about it and grumbled heavily. He seemed anxious to return to Earth, so he left early, but he informed Xiao Lin to contact him again when they were back on Earth.
Cheng Ming wanted to tag along with Xiao Lin, but left with a knowing smile after hearing that the latter was accompanying Gu Xiaoyue. Chen Dao also looked for Xiao Lin, as he and Cheng Ming were the two who could be considered to have the best relationship with Xiao Lin. Rather than asking to come along however, Chen Dao asked him for his gaming ID.
Xiao Lin rubbed his ears vigorously to make sure that he heard it right. Rather than asking for a phone number or address on Earth, Chen Dao’s first order of business was to ask for a gaming ID. They had talked about playing one of those large-scale online games together before, but there was nothing of the sort in Dawn Academy to entertain them.
It had been difficult for them to get an opportunity to return home, and Chen Dao’s first thought was to invite Xiao Lin to play a game...
Xiao Lin wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave Chen Dao his ID in a dumbfounded manner. However, he also reminded Chen Dao that there was a lot for him to do after going back and that he might not have time to play any online games...
Two days later, there were not too many freshmen left and the rest were basically those who failed the assessment. It was worth mentioning that the passing rate of that year’s freshmen was the lowest ever. The news that Xiao Lin got from Song Junlang was that only 60% passed, which meant that more than 300 people had to stay back in the academy.
Gu Xiaoyue finally started packing her things up. After meeting up with Xiao Lin, he noticed that she was holding a couple of books and was briefly lost for words before asking, “Do you plan to read books all day after you go back?”
“What else can I do?” Gu Xiaoyue looked at him strangely.
“It’s a holiday. It might be good to keep your sister some company.”
“But she’s in class.”
“Class? It’s January, so I think it’s going to be winter vacation... Ah, you’re right.” The hapless Xiao Lin realized the time difference meant that it was probably around April or May on Earth, which was still schooling time.
“What are you still thinking about?” After taking two steps forward, Gu Xiaoyue noticed that Xiao Lin was still standing there and looking suspiciously at him.
Xiao Lin hurriedly followed. He was actually thinking about whether to invite Gu Xiaoyue to travel or something, and in the end, he gritted his teeth and made the invitation. Although he received the rejection that he had expected, she seemed even more surprised than he was and even showed disdain for his time-wasting action.
Indeed, traveling might just be a meaningless waste of life for someone with a life span of only two years.