Chapter 2: Kulantin Academy

The next day, Bing Zhi Xie woke up, checked out of his room, and asked a waiter, "Excuse me, is today the registration exam for Kulantin Academy?"

"Yes, these three days are the annual admission exams for Kulantin Academy," the waiter replied, noticing the large magic hat he was wearing. "Are you here to take the exam for magic studies at Kulantin?"

Bing Zhi Xie nodded.

The waiter smiled and said, "You're very brave. However, Kulantin's exam requirements are very strict, and the tuition is quite expensive. If you don't pass or can't afford it, it might be better to choose another school."

Bing Zhi Xie nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your advice. I understand. Could you please tell me which way to the teleportation array?"

The waiter said, "Turn left when you go out, then take the right at the fork, and walk straight after the crossroads. If you forget, there's a map of this area by the door."

Bing Zhi Xie thanked him again, went out, and indeed found a map carved on a large stone slab on the wall. Following the directions, he arrived at the teleportation array, where a long queue was already formed. From their conversations, he learned that they were all heading to Kulantin Academy for the registration exam. With no other choice, he joined the queue.

The magic teleportation array consists of an entry and an exit. It can only be used when the entry and exit are connected. Typically, a regular magic entry can connect to ten to dozens of magic exits, allowing one to reach various parts of the city through the array.

The magic teleportation array is usually powered by a magic crystal array. In most cities, there is a small magic altar next to the teleportation array, where the main magic crystal is stored. When the main magic crystal is depleted, it is usually replaced by city management or local magic guild personnel. To reduce the burden on the local government and extend the usage time of the crystals, the magic array is often in a semi-active state, just enough to keep the array operational. To use it, the user must contribute a magic crystal, which is why there is a magic altar next to the array. Therefore, each country sells some low-quality magic crystals specifically for using the teleportation array, which are quite cheap and do not add much economic burden to the people.

"Hey, young man, are you going to Kulantin Academy?" It was a middle-aged man in his thirties speaking to Bing Zhi Xie, holding a five or six-year-old boy in his arms.

"Um-hum," Bing Zhi Xie replied.

The middle-aged man smiled, "Then come in, I have two crystals, enough for all three of us."

"Thank you," Bing Zhi Xie smiled and stepped into the magic array. Just as the man was about to place the crystals on the altar, Bing Zhi Xie beat him to it.

Bing Zhi Xie placed his hand on the center of the magic altar's array, and the magic power flowing from his palm immediately activated the altar. The teleportation array beneath his feet soon emitted a strong light, and the small map carved on the altar's slanted surface also glowed. As the middle-aged man exclaimed in surprise, Bing Zhi Xie extended his finger and pressed it on the teleportation marker for Kulantin Academy. In a flash of light, the three of them disappeared from the magic array.

Exiting the magic array, the middle-aged man said in surprise, "Young man, I didn't expect you to be a magician. I thought you were just a magic apprentice because of your hat, but most apprentices don't have such strong magic power."

Bing Zhi Xie nodded, a slight smile on his lips, "Nothing much, if you want to enter Kulantin, you need to have some skills."

"Are you here to study magic?"

"Um-hum."

The middle-aged man said, "Then we'll part ways here. I need to take my son to the magic kindergarten. You should go to the other side, not the same way as us."

"Goodbye," Bing Zhi Xie, uninterested in small talk, adjusted his magic hat, bowed in a magician's gesture, and ran off.

The middle-aged man smiled and said to his son, "Son, you should also strive to become a magician."

"Um-hum," the cute child nodded vigorously.

The registration area for Bing Zhi Xie's age group was already crowded. After waiting in line for a long time, it was finally his turn to register. The muscular man in charge of registration said, "Those applying for magic studies are over there. This is for combat classes."

Bing Zhi Xie pushed his magic hat, which was covering his eyes, and saw that the line for magic studies was even longer. He immediately said, "No, I'm here to apply for combat."

The muscular teacher looked up at him, pinched his thin arm, and laughed, "Kid, you're really joking. To become a true warrior, you need a strong physique, you know? Go over there, don't hold up the line." Bing Zhi Xie was pulled aside by one hand.

Bing Zhi Xie sighed lightly, looked at the long queue, and bought an ice cream before continuing to wait in line.

The person in charge of magic registration was a beautiful and kind silver-haired female teacher. Many boys who had finished registering were still lingering around the table, making it difficult for Bing Zhi Xie to squeeze in.

The silver-haired teacher looked at the thin Bing Zhi Xie and smiled sweetly, "A cute little magician. What's your name?"

"Celes Bing Zhi Xie."

The silver-haired teacher asked, "Are you recommended by another school, or are you here on your own?"

"I'm here on my own, ma'am."

The silver-haired teacher laughed at being called "ma'am" and handed him a form, "Please fill in your name, age, parents' names, and home address."

Bing Zhi Xie said, "I'm an orphan."

"Oh, I'm sorry," the silver-haired teacher said seriously, "Then fill in the names of the closest people who raised you."

Bing Zhi Xie quickly filled out the form.

The silver-haired teacher looked it over and asked in surprise, "Why did you fill in your own name for everything?"

"I've always taken care of myself, and the closest person to me is myself," Bing Zhi Xie asked, "Is that not allowed?"

The silver-haired teacher's eyes showed surprise and pity, "Don't you know anyone?"

Bing Zhi Xie remained silent for a long time, refusing to speak.

The silver-haired teacher sighed, pulled him aside, and whispered in his ear, "You're so pitiful, but that's not acceptable. I'll give you another form. Fill in the names of people you know, but don't tell anyone."

Bing Zhi Xie nodded and took the new form to fill out.

The silver-haired teacher took the form and asked, "Who is Abigail Dain?"

"A deceased old man," Bing Zhi Xie said.

The silver-haired teacher was taken aback and asked, "What about Bernice? Is she a friend you know?"

"Yes," Bing Zhi Xie said, "She was my dog, but she's also dead."

The silver-haired teacher was speechless but, considering his situation, signed the form, "Go to the location on the form for the exam. If you don't know the way, you can ask the students in the academy."

"Thank you, ma'am," Bing Zhi Xie took the form and walked into the academy without looking back.

Bing Zhi Xie looked around, but the academy was so large that he didn't know which direction to go. He stopped someone and asked, "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the entrance exam room?"

"It's over there," the student pointed in a direction, "I'll take you there."

"Thank you," Bing Zhi Xie said.

The student leading him was slightly taller than Bing Zhi Xie, with short, messy golden hair. It was the start of the new semester after the holiday, and his face was full of vitality, giving the impression of a very sunny person.

"Hi, I'm Peg Lo," the student said while leading the way.

"Hi, I'm Celes Bing Zhi Xie," Bing Zhi Xie replied.

Lo scratched his golden hair, "Celes, a name symbolizing heaven and happiness, a good surname. Can I call you Bing Zhi Xie? Sorry, please don't be offended by my enthusiasm."

"No, of course you can," Bing Zhi Xie said.

Lo led him through several buildings in the academy and turned a corner, "You look like you're here to study magic. Is your dream to become a famous mage?"

"Um, maybe," Bing Zhi Xie replied indifferently.

Lo laughed, "That's a distant and great dream." Lo expected him to ask about his own dream, but after a while, seeing that he didn't speak, he felt a bit disappointed and said, "You don't ask about my dream?"

"Sorry, I'm not much of a talker," Bing Zhi Xie said, "What's your dream?"

Lo immediately became excited, "My dream is to become a proud knight and bring glory to the Peg family."

"Knight?" Bing Zhi Xie glanced at him, "That's a very expensive profession."

Lo said, "Yes, my family is a minor noble in the empire. My parents have saved for years and have already set aside money for a set of armor. When I stop growing, my father will ask a familiar alchemist to forge a good set of magic armor for me."

"Magic armor is expensive, but it's a long-term investment," Bing Zhi Xie said, looking down, "We've been walking for a while, are we not there yet?"

"We're almost there, just ahead," Lo smiled, "If you need to order equipment in the future, let me know. The alchemist is a good friend of my father and can offer a discount. You know, you can't deal with blacksmiths and alchemists without bargaining, and my father's friend can save you a lot of money."

"Thank you, you're really helpful," Bing Zhi Xie said faintly.

They arrived at a row of unassuming wooden houses, surrounded by many people, mostly teenagers around Bing Zhi Xie and Lo's age.

Lo said, "We're here. This is the preliminary test area, one of Kulantin's testing points. If you pass, you can take the final exam in five days. Only those who pass the final exam can become students at Kulantin, one of the world's greatest academies. The first row of wooden houses is for magic tests. You should try your best; the preliminary test is quite easy. I'll be going now."

"Um-hum," Bing Zhi Xie nodded and walked into the crowd.

The first row of wooden houses had many rooms. Bing Zhi Xie looked around, and every door was surrounded by people, some waiting for friends, others queuing. It seemed he would have to queue for the preliminary test.

Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder. Bing Zhi Xie turned around and saw Lo, "Why are you back? Is there something else?"

Lo said, "I saw you were alone and thought I'd keep you company."

"Oh, I see," Bing Zhi Xie thought for a moment and didn't refuse, "Thank you, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"No problem," Lo said, "These houses are for testing different types of magic. If you have a favorite or a specialty, you can enter that room. After the test, the examiner will make a rough note, and if you pass the final exam, they will record your specialties in more detail to tailor your studies."

"I see," Bing Zhi Xie replied and remained silent for a while.

Lo said, "Hey, you don't seem to talk much. You've never initiated a conversation with me, always waiting for me to ask first."

Bing Zhi Xie apologized, "Sorry, that's just my personality."

Lo laughed, "No problem. Have you decided which room to enter?"

Bing Zhi Xie looked around, "Isn't it the same, I have to queue no matter which room I choose?"

Lo said, "Queuing is boring. When I came here two years ago, it was the same. If you find it tedious, you can look around; you might discover some small secrets."

"Oh," Bing Zhi Xie nodded and looked around.

Kulantin Academy had many flower beds and gardens, making the campus peaceful and beautiful. In the flower beds, many things seemed to be flying around. On closer inspection, they were tiny fairies, and upon further inspection, they were magical illusions. He saw an entrance on the ground by the flower bed, which seemed to be the hub for these magical illusions.

Lo, seeing Bing Zhi Xie looking at the entrance, said, "Do you know what's down there?"

Bing Zhi Xie looked at him in confusion, "Isn't it a magic array?"

"Yes, but it's more than that," Lo smiled, "It's also a small shop."

"Oh, I see," Bing Zhi Xie looked and indeed saw a few people coming out, holding ice creams with smiles.

Lo said, "It's very hot today. Wait here for a moment, I'll buy two ice creams, and we can eat while we wait."

"That's not right, I should go with you," Bing Zhi Xie didn't want to trouble him, "I should be the one thanking you."

As they entered the underground area, they immediately felt much cooler. The underground space was large, but already crowded with people seeking refuge from the heat. A large ice block, supported by a magic array, stood among the crowd, and some people occasionally touched it and then placed their hands on their faces.

Lo walked up to the counter and asked, "Hey, Dor, it's been a while. Do you have any good ice drinks?"

Dor, a female server, was busy handing out ice creams to customers, "Why are you here? The boss knew it was time for new student recruitment and prepared new ice treats to make a profit. This one is called 'Snow World,' and I tried it; it's very good."

"Great, give me two," Lo said.

Dor replied, "Wait a moment, sales are very good today. The boss went to the ice storage to get more, but he should be back soon." Dor finished her work and leaned on the counter, looking at the young man with the old magic hat next to Lo, "A little magician, is he your friend?"

"Yes, a friend I just met. He's here for the registration exam today, his name is Bing Zhi Xie," Lo said.

"Hello, ma'am, I'm Celes Bing Zhi Xie," Bing Zhi Xie politely said, removing his hat.

"Wow, what a handsome young man," Dor, as enthusiastic as Lo, touched Bing Zhi Xie's white hair, "I'll just call you by your name, okay? If you become a Kulantin student, I'll be your senior."

Lo looked around at the chatting people and said to Dor, "Dor, you'll earn a lot helping the school this time. Don't forget to treat us when you get paid."

"Sure," Dor laughed, "When have I not treated you after getting paid?" Dor got them two stools and they started chatting.

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