Free Web NovelChapter 1565: Chapter 1574: Academy Tournament (Part 2)
Great Hall
The principal and all the teachers were already seated in a fan shape at the very front of the hall.
As they saw the students appear, all eyes turned toward the door, and eventually the gaze settled on Su Li, who was being escorted at the forefront.
There were curious glances along with various complex emotions.
The commotion caused by the students within the academy wasn’t something they cared much about, but they had heard a bit.
After all, previously they always had to guard against these little troublemakers causing chaos, which was quite a headache. It had been several months since the school year started, yet surprisingly, everything was peaceful and not a single troublemaker was acting up. This peculiar phenomenon was something anyone with a hint of curiosity would want to understand.
But that was it, nothing more.
Though they were teachers, they didn’t truly care about whether the troublemakers in the school were good or bad.
The teachers’ eyes lingered on Su Li for a moment, then they quickly regained focus, wondering what significant announcement the principal had that warranted gathering all the faculty and students in the hall.
"Please have a seat. The reason for gathering everyone in the Great Hall today is to announce something important."
The principal’s frail body appeared unhealthy, and using spiritual power to amplify his voice throughout the hall made his complexion look worse.
Despite a calm expression, Su Li sensed a hint of urgency in his tone.
"As you all know, the once-a-decade Interstellar Academy Competition is about to begin. I have already enrolled our school."
This announcement from the principal not only left the students stunned but also caught the teachers off guard, displaying shocked and surprised expressions.
Xue Jian frowned deeply, not understanding the principal’s intention, and was the first to ask, "But our school has not participated for over a century."
This competition is a major event, allowing students from all interstellar academies to communicate, a grand occasion indeed.
It’s also a great opportunity to test the teaching quality and student potential of an academy.
The top hundred academies on the interstellar academy rankings use this competition as an important benchmark.
However, not all academies participate in the Interstellar Academy Competition, and academies like theirs often do not register.
No matter how lacking in insight a principal might be, they wouldn’t blatantly humiliate themselves with their foolishness under the scrutiny of interstellar citizens.
That would be a disgrace to the universe’s black hole.
"Exactly, Principal, we cannot participate. Just look at our school’s students, do we have anyone impressive?" An already critical teacher disdainfully scanned the well-behaved students below.
"You..." Hot-tempered Liao Jian couldn’t help but want to burst out, but Qin Ran beside him pulled him back.
Qin Ran hinted towards Su Li, whispered, "Sit tight."
The small commotion among the students quickly calmed down, and Su Li, with slightly raised corners of her mouth, seemed satisfied.
She remained unmoved, and so did the people behind her.
The teacher who had made disdainful remarks earlier waited but didn’t see any students erupting in anger, feeling secretly amazed, murmuring, "They are more tolerant than before."
Voices of opposition were numerous, yet this time the principal was resolute in his decision.
"No more words, I have already registered our school."
"Next, we will select fifty outstanding students from the school to represent us in the competition."
"Why not seize the day, let’s have a thrilling match right here and now. It’s important to note that the fifty who qualify for the Academy Match will travel to the Central Star and witness the appearance of the most prosperous and affluent planet in the interstellar."
For most present, perhaps they might never get the chance to leave Shuimu Star in their lifetime, so even a brief journey of this magnitude is a significant opportunity.
Following the principal’s words, he didn’t see the anxious restlessness he had expected from the students.
Compared to other academies, their students often have a stronger sense of opportunism, not missing any chance for self-benefit.
Logically, they should be quite thrilled and anticipating.
Yet... the scene remained frozen. They seemed unresponsive to the principal’s words.
Not entirely indifferent though, at least their excited eyes revealed their hearts were stirred.
But they still firmly sat in their seats, without even a slight move.
Xue Jian’s confusion grew like a snowball, rolling larger and larger, unable to resist breaking the awkward atmosphere, solemnly asked, "Even if we are to choose, there is no rush, right?" Time before the Academy Competition was ample, allowing them enough room for careful arrangement.
The more Xue Jian thought, the more he sensed the principal’s actions held deeper meaning.
He just couldn’t fathom why.
The principal replied, "In three days, a small cargo Transport Fleet will pass by, capable of accommodating one hundred fifty people, allowing students from our academy and two other academies in Fog City to board the fleet to transfer on Golden Planet. If we miss this fleet, who knows when the next convenient ship will come by. We also don’t have enough money to pay for a commercial ship."
The travel costs for participating in the Academy Competition are self-funded, which has always been one of the reasons the academy refrained from entering competitions.
Such convenient Transport Fleet rides cost considerably less than commercial ships.
This reason was logical enough. Although Xue Jian felt something was off, he restrained his thoughts in the presence of so many people.
In reality, the academy, being an unpopular haven, had increasingly fewer students enrolling each year, with each year’s graduation thinning their ranks further. Hence, there were fewer students remaining in the school, totaling not even a hundred.
The fifty slots would cover most of the students, barring those absolutely lacking in quality, allowing others to participate without contests.
The so-called match the principal mentioned... Jingang and Ming Lan glanced at Su Li, observing her lazy demeanor, they spontaneously stood up and separated the students into two groups.
No one knew the students’ capabilities better than them.
The principal’s eyes widened, suddenly laughed heartily, his gaze brightened with significance, looking at Jingang and Ming Lan, "You’re doing well."
"Unexpectedly, there are still some good seedlings in the school."
The situation played out dramatically, seeming initially like the assembly would need quite the hustle to conclude, yet it swiftly wrapped up within mere tens of minutes.
The principal appeared invigorated, excitement peaked, "Now that the list is finalized, go prepare after you return, we will..."
His sentence interrupted by urgent, intense beeping alerts on him.
"At 3:40 PM, the Transport Fleet has already set off, and will leave the planet’s atmosphere in one minute."
