Chapter Seventeen: Azure Cloud Academy

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“Junior Xu, when did you get involved with these three girls?” Mi Xue and her companions entered the room with smiles.

Xu Wen, looking as though he’d been set up, dispelled the magic in his hand and shrugged helplessly. “If I remember correctly, this should be our first proper meeting. They sought me out. Oh, and I don’t even know their names yet.”

Seeing Xu Wen’s resigned, victimized expression, Mi Xue couldn’t help but laugh. “Trying to win someone as a maid without even asking their name? Listen carefully: the straightforward, lively girl with a tomboyish air is called Xiang Nan. The one who challenged you alongside her is Shi Ya; both are quite capable. The one who brought us here to stir things up… Jin Yu, a two-star, third-level fire mage. Among the girls we observe, she’s the most promising candidate for becoming an inner disciple.”

Xu Wen wiped his nose, memorizing their names, secretly vowing that one day he’d pay them back for today’s humiliation, lest he become a willing steed for the three girls.

“Judging by your look, you really intend to win those two girls as maids?” Senior Li had never seen Xu Wen so out of sorts. He patted Xu Wen’s shoulder and asked.

“They’d better not bother me again, or old grudges and new will all be settled! Hmph! None of them will escape.” Xu Wen tightened his fists, gnashing his teeth, which caused Mi Xue and her companions to laugh again.

In their hearts, Mi Xue and the others already regarded this youngster as an inner disciple, different from ordinary registered disciples. That’s why Xu Wen didn’t appear reserved.

“Little brother, just now I saw you force the Flame Blade halfway off its trajectory without losing control, and you didn’t seem strained… You’ve reached two-star, third-level, haven’t you?” Senior Sister Wang finally voiced the question the trio had been focusing on.

“Yes. I thought reaching two-star, third-level would let me sleep in every day without worry, but those two girls seem to have two-star, second-level strength… Looks like my days of leisure are still far off.” Xu Wen spread his hands and smiled wryly.

“Don’t be so modest. Those three girls, when they first joined, had strength between one-star, fifth-level and one-star, seventh-level. They train diligently every day and are as hardworking as you. Now, not only is their alchemy inferior to yours, you’ve also surpassed them in fire magic. They’re the ones who should feel disheartened…”

“Thank you, Senior Sister. Hearing that makes me feel much better.”

Seeing Xu Wen’s irreverent manner, Mi Xue suddenly sighed involuntarily. “If you could put that glib tongue to work with Master, perhaps you’d earn a spot in this term’s ‘Azure Cloud Academy’ admissions.”

“Azure Cloud Academy?”

Xu Wen was momentarily stunned.

“Ha, Mi Xue’s mention reminds me—there’s still that matter…” Senior Li looked reminiscent. “Every year, each peak sends inner disciples to compete for admission to Azure Cloud Academy.”

Senior Sister Wang sighed. “Yes, but only inner disciples under eighteen qualify. The three of us have passed the age limit for Azure Cloud Academy… Otherwise, with our current strength, we’d have a fair chance.”

Seeing their regretful expressions, Xu Wen couldn’t help but feel curious about the so-called Azure Cloud Academy.

“Senior Sister Mi Xue, what exactly is Azure Cloud Academy?”

“The empire’s highest institution of magic and martial arts!”

“The highest?”

“That’s right. Azure Cloud Academy is the greatest magical and martial arts academy in the Azure Cloud Empire. Most young elites are proud to become students there, for anyone who graduates successfully from Azure Cloud Academy has already taken the first step on the Azure Cloud path.” Senior Li’s tone grew passionate, evidently longing for it.

“Is it really so good to study at Azure Cloud Academy? Better than staying with our Horton-Kelin family?”

“Well… ahem, you can’t really compare them.” Senior Li was about to say “of course,” but stopped abruptly, looking awkwardly at Xu Wen and the two women, then explained, “Azure Cloud Academy possesses the empire’s largest and most comprehensive library of magical and martial arts techniques, hundreds of magi and grand magi, as well as the greatest alchemy and artifact research systems. It’s said that new formulas and forging techniques emerge there daily. In terms of resources and competitiveness, it’s unmatched across the continent. Additionally, the three-year graduation requirement is at least four-star warrior, allowing you to return to serve your family or join the imperial army! Of course, our family has its own advantages, such as… adequate supply of basic herbs, and… Master… it’s very peaceful…” Despite his efforts to tout the Horton-Kelin family’s virtues, Senior Li could only list awkward “benefits” in the end.

“An academy run by the imperial family—no wonder…” From Senior Li’s information, Xu Wen deduced several interesting points. It seemed that the ‘grand’ Horton-Kelin family was quite weak compared to Azure Cloud Academy, to the extent that each year they sent their best young members there for further study.

Beyond gaining new battle skills, alchemy formulas, and forging techniques, there was likely another crucial motive—helping family members advance further in the imperial army and other systems.

“Are there any restrictions for entering Azure Cloud Academy?”

Xu Wen was long unsatisfied with the beginner books in his storage pouch. Now, knowing the academy had a super library, he was truly tempted.

At his question, the three exchanged meaningful glances. Mi Xue replied, “The restrictions are strict. Under eighteen, you must be a three-star intermediate warrior to enter; under fifteen, two-star, seventh-level suffices. Little brother, you have a real chance.”

“Two-star, seventh-level…”

Xu Wen pondered, then learned more useful information from Senior Sister Mi Xue.

The annual Azure Cloud Academy admissions took place a month after the training concluded, giving him ample time to reach two-star, seventh-level.

Each year, some three hundred thousand students are admitted. The fifteen branch campuses can accommodate over a million, creating a new city beside the capital, ‘New Moon.’

A million students, drawn from elite academies across the Azure Cloud Empire—family prodigies like those from Horton-Kelin, ordinary children from common households, and descendants of nobility. The diversity and complexity are easy to imagine.

Competing with a million students—the intensity and pressure are unpredictable. Even Xu Wen found it hard to picture… After all, Earth never had an academy on such a massive scale. Still, it was something to look forward to!

“If you want to enter Azure Cloud Academy, give up your dream of lazy days and keep training. While few registered disciples can match you, there are plenty of three-star intermediate inner disciples under eighteen. Besides, many begin preparing early for the annual admissions, so the number of talented youths increases rapidly each year. If you have only ordinary two-star, seventh-level strength, you’ll find it hard to get in.” Mi Xue finished with a smile, already heading outside.

Senior Li and Senior Sister Wang glanced curiously at Mi Xue’s back. “Good luck, little one.” With that, they left for the training grounds.

“……”

Xu Wen was deeply stirred by Mi Xue’s words.

Azure Cloud Academy!

Of course I’ll go! I have to go!!

Just as he was about to shut the door, Xie Zhan slipped in like an eel.

“Hey, what did you chat about with the senior sisters?”

“We bonded.” Xu Wen replied while closing the door, not surprised by his arrival at all. “You again, slacking off?”

“Slacking off? Don’t mistake kindness for a donkey’s liver. I heard those three girls came to see you, and Senior Sister Mi Xue too. I’m only asking out of concern for a friend. Well, how did it go? Who won?”

Clearly, this was Xie Zhan’s real reason for coming.

Xu Wen shot him an annoyed look. “You seem familiar with them. They challenged you too?”

“Of course. Not just me—anyone past two-star. They challenged us all. Oh, right, these bathtubs here: except for me, everyone else lost to them…” Xie Zhan glanced at the large tubs still in the room.

“So that’s it.” Xu Wen frowned, then suddenly asked, “You won?”

At the question, Xie Zhan’s face changed, gritting his teeth. “How could I? Those three girls are cunning—if things go wrong, they immediately cut the match short and slip away…” He paused, glanced at the tubs, then at Xu Wen’s knowing expression. “…You’re just like me.”

After Xu Wen nodded in confirmation, Xie Zhan became restless, his face exaggerated as he clutched his head and howled, “You’re a monster! Winning against them requires at least two-star, second-level strength. Don’t tell me you’ve caught up with me already!”

“I don’t think so.” Xu Wen said to himself, “I’m only at two-star, third-level now… You were at that stage a month ago, so you should be at two-star, fifth-level by now, right?”

“Nonsense!” Xie Zhan shouted, frustrated. “You think everyone’s as abnormal as you? I need at least seven more days to reach two-star, fifth-level! Heaven! You’re already at two-star, third-level… No, I can’t talk to you anymore! I have to go into seclusion! Damn, you’re killing me! If I don’t work harder, you’ll really surpass me! I don’t know how you train!” With that, he rushed out the door in a hurry…