"This is your dorm. Keep the key and access card. The welcome banquet starts at six tonight—wear your uniform and school badge. Don’t be late."

"Got it. Thanks, senior." After thanking the guide, Ouyang Xue opened the door and stepped into her room.

It was a spacious single dorm—thirty to forty square meters—with a private balcony, an en-suite bathroom featuring a shower, and basic appliances. Central climate control provided year-round heating and cooling, hot water flowed on demand, and a dedicated practice area stood partitioned off by an isolation wall.

A single bed fitted with a mosquito net and standard bedding occupied the space. A small cabinet for personal items sat by the headboard. At the foot of the bed stood a bookshelf and desk, textbooks and stationery neatly arranged. The desk even held a Multifunctional Crystal Ball—essentially a palm-sized computer—and a short staff. Both were standard gear for an Elemental Mage, items Ouyang Xue had always dreamed of owning.

Opening the wardrobe beside the bookshelf revealed complete seasonal uniforms: three sets each of winter, summer, and autumn attire, plus three military-style outfits. She had no idea why they needed military uniforms, but the conditions here were undeniably lavish.

"No wonder this is the top academy. Absolutely incredible!" Ouyang Xue bounced with excitement. No more practicing magic under scorching sun or biting wind. No more straining her eyes under dim, flickering Magic Stone lamps. No more sleepless nights on a hard wooden plank.

With this environment, she knew she could fully devote herself to her studies and achieve even greater results.

Still, she couldn’t help worrying about her brother: *I wonder how Brother is doing?*

---

Meanwhile, Ouyang Tao had reached his dorm building after chatting with his guide about campus life.

"We’re here. This is your dorm—Special Zone, Room 6. It’s a quad room, but only two others live here: seniors doing secondary training. Here’s your key and access card. The welcome banquet begins at six in the auditorium. Wear your uniform, badge visible. Be punctual. I’ll take my leave."

The guide bowed smoothly and turned to go, but Ouyang Tao stopped him, pointing at the building. "Wait—what’s this about?"

"Is something wrong?"

"This is a dorm? It looks like a villa!"

Indeed, the "Special Zone" was a villa district. Each three-story Baroque-style mansion featured a small courtyard, compact garage, stable, and rooftop terrace. Groundskeepers were even trimming the lawns.

Ouyang Tao had noticed these villas earlier, assuming they housed nobles or privileged faculty. He never imagined they were student dorms—and that he’d get one.

"Well, all Special Zone dorms are like this. Are you dissatisfied?"

"No… it’s just…" *This is ridiculously extravagant!* He bit back the words. "Why’s it different from the other dorm areas?"

"The Special Zone is for the three elite departments and secondary trainees. Naturally, it’s different."

"And why’s it different?"

"Haha… I’m not entirely sure."

Ouyang Tao sensed the thin, polite senior wasn’t clueless—he just couldn’t say. He dropped it. "Alright. Thanks anyway."

"My duty. Farewell."

The guide left. Ouyang Tao hesitated outside the gate. *Is this really my room?* Doubt gnawed at him.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath, swiped his access card at the gate—it opened. *Correct place, then.*

Heart pounding, he approached the front door and inserted the key.

Inside, a tall, curvaceous blonde leaned against the entryway wall. Dressed provocatively, she held a candy between her teeth and smirked down at him. "Yo~ Been waiting ages for you, fresh meat."

Ouyang Tao’s reaction?

"Sorry. Wrong room." He slammed the door shut, left hand clamping his nose as blood trickled between his fingers—*way* too much stimulation.

"Don’t be shy! Come in!"

"Wait, I—"

The door flew open. The woman grabbed his collar, yanking him inside along with his luggage. She dragged him straight to the living room. Towering over him and incredibly strong, Ouyang Tao couldn’t resist—like luggage on wheels.

Worse, her outfit: just an unbuttoned short-sleeved shirt over lingerie. From his low, angled view, the teasing glimpse was more provocative than full nudity. Her swaying chest nearly made his nose bleed anew.

In the living room, she finally released him and called out, "Silent Sword! Our cute junior’s here!"

A man in white martial robes sat cross-legged with his back turned, rhythmically tapping his fingers with a small metal rod. He rose slowly at her call, nodded at Ouyang Tao, then shot the woman a stern look.

"Hehe, sorry! But this junior was so shy—he stood outside forever!" she chirped.

Silent Sword said nothing, just kept staring.

"Alright, alright! I apologize!" She scratched her head sheepishly. "Sorry, junior. Scared you just now."

"Uh… it’s… fine." Calmer now, Ouyang Tao pieced it together—these were his two quad-mates, secondary trainees.

Secondary trainees were top graduates selected for advanced studies. These two were seniors by several years.

Composing himself, Ouyang Tao introduced himself. "I’m Ouyang Tao. Mechanical Department freshman. May I know your names?"

"Monica. Monster Girl Department, secondary trainee." She seized his hand in a firm shake. "Roommates now. Wonder how tasty your meat is?"

"Uh…" Ouyang Tao froze.

"Haha! Kidding!"

But her eyes—sharp as a predator’s—told him she wasn’t joking.

Monster Girl magic absorbed other creatures’ abilities for self-enhancement, focusing on transformation and physical augmentation. Rumor said it infused practitioners with primal wildness. Seeing Monica, Ouyang Tao believed it.

*Please just button your shirt,* he pleaded silently, eyes darting anywhere but at her.

Next, Silent Sword approached and shook Ouyang Tao’s hand—still silent. Unlike fiery Monica, his face was an impassive mountain, radiating quiet reliability. Yet his silence unnerved.

Ouyang Tao noticed his index and middle fingers: abnormally thick, triple the normal size. After the handshake, the man resumed tapping them with his metal rod.

"Silent Sword’s my buddy," Monica explained. "Magic Sword Department, secondary trainee. He can’t speak due to old injuries—but he’s a good guy."

*That explains it.* Ouyang Tao marveled that Monica understood his unspoken words.

Suddenly, Ouyang Tao remembered etiquette. *Should I give a welcome gift?* Panicked, he rummaged his backpack and pulled out coconuts. "I… didn’t prepare anything… just these coconuts…"

Offering coconuts as gifts in this luxurious villa felt painfully humble.

"Huh. First time a Mechanical Department junior’s this polite." Monica snatched one. "Thirsty anyway. Thanks!" She squeezed—and crushed the shell to pieces. Coconut water splattered everywhere. "Oops. Overdid it."

Silent Sword shook his head, took another coconut, cradled it in his left palm, then *thwip!*—his thick fingers pierced the shell cleanly. He handed it to Monica.

"Hehe. Thanks!" She winked at Ouyang Tao. "He’s asking for another."

"Ah! Yes, please—take as many as you like."

Monica grinned. "Oh? You read Silent Sword’s eyes. Sharp kid."

"Not at all. Your skills are the impressive ones."

Crushing shells and piercing husks barehanded—no Mana used. That took years of brutal training.

Ouyang Tao thought: *No wonder this is the nation’s top academy. Full of monsters.*