Bai‑Xue listened with interest, her eyes sparkling.
"Wow..." she murmured. "That sounds like an elite college from my previous world."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Well... whatever it is, it sounds kind of cool."
Jia‑Hai chuckled.
"Alright, Bai. Go sit in the carriage with Ya‑Ting."
Bai‑Xue nodded and climbed into the carriage, sitting quietly across from Ya‑Ting.
Ya‑Ting glanced at her with clear irritation.
"Don't cause any trouble once we arrive," she warned coldly.
"People from noble and royal families study there. Everyone holds high status. Don't embarrass the Ning family."
With that, she turned her face toward the window, refusing to say another word.
Bai‑Xue did not reply. She simply leaned toward the opposite window.
Suddenly—
Her breath caught.
A magnificent ancient building floated in the sky, connected to a grand stone bridge that shimmered with spiritual light. The academy looked like something torn straight from a legend—elegant, vast, and awe‑inspiring.
Bai‑Xue's eyes widened in amazement.
Surrounding the academy were four enormous purple crystals, each glowing faintly with runic patterns. Powerful spiritual waves radiated from them, forming an invisible barrier.
"A protection formation..." Bai‑Xue murmured.
No evil spirit. No hostile force. Nothing could approach unnoticed.
Her gaze lingered on one of the crystals. For a brief moment, she felt as though something inside it was calling to her—an unfamiliar line or symbol faintly glowing beneath the surface.
Before she could focus further—
The carriage stopped.
Jia‑Hai's voice came from outside.
"Come out. We've arrived."
Both girls stepped down.
Bai‑Xue looked up again, unable to hide her admiration.
"Grandpa... this place is beautiful."
Jia‑Hai laughed proudly.
"Hahaha. Of course it is, my dear. This academy is a priceless treasure of our kingdom."
He paused, his eyes softening.
"After all... it was built by your mother's family."
Ya‑Ting scoffed.
"And now it no longer belongs to her. It belongs to the royal family."
Jia‑Hai shot her a sharp look.
"Who told you to speak?"
Ya‑Ting stiffened.
"Go attend your classes," Jia‑Hai said coldly. "Lazy child."
"Yes, Grandpa—" Ya‑Ting began.
"Hm?" Jia‑Hai narrowed his eyes.
"How many times must I tell you not to call me that here?"
Ya‑Ting clenched her fists.
"...Sorry, Chief Headmaster."
She bowed stiffly.
"I'll take my leave."
Before leaving, she shot Bai‑Xue an irritated glance and stormed away.
After she left, Jia‑Hai turned back to Bai‑Xue.
"So," he asked gently, "what do you think of this place?"
Bai‑Xue tilted her head.
"It's impressive... but also suspicious."
Jia‑Hai raised an eyebrow.
"Suspicious?"
He thought for a moment, then chuckled.
"Well, it is ancient. Old places tend to hide secrets."
He gestured ahead.
"Come. I'll handle your admission first. You may also choose your own classes. After that, I'll show you around."
They began walking.
"Greetings, Chief Headmaster Jia‑Hai!"
A cheerful voice greeted them.
A middle‑aged man approached, his expression both relieved and amused.
"It's good you're here. The students become difficult to manage when you're absent."
Jia‑Hai laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Today's children are full of energy."
He turned toward Bai‑Xue.
"Bai, this is Master Joy. He manages admissions—and teaches horsemanship."
Then proudly,
"And this is my precious granddaughter, Princess Bai‑Xue. The greatest treasure of the Ning family."
Bai‑Xue bowed politely.
"Greetings, Master Joy."
Master Joy's eyes widened in panic.
"Princess, please don't bow to me! I should be the one bowing!"
Bai‑Xue shook her head gently.
"A ruler bows to wisdom. A student bows to their teacher. Status does not matter."
Master Joy stared at her, stunned.
"Chief Headmaster... the princess truly is a jewel."
Jia‑Hai smiled knowingly.
"I told you."
"Now, Bai," he said, "go choose your classes."
Bai‑Xue studied the long list thoughtfully.
After a moment, she nodded to herself.
"I'll take horsemanship, archery, martial arts, strategy, history, and summoning techniques."
Master Joy gasped.
"T‑These classes are extremely demanding! Mostly boys choose them!"
He hesitated.
"And... I've heard the princess's body is weak. Wouldn't gentler classes suit you better? Dance, music, painting—"
Jia‑Hai frowned.
"Joy—"
But Bai‑Xue raised her hand calmly.
"Master Joy, people talk. But how many truly know me?"
She smiled faintly.
"I will take these classes."
Master Joy was speechless.
"Let's go, Grandpa," Bai‑Xue said cheerfully.
"Show me the academy."
As they walked—
"Master Hai! Master Hai!"
A girl came running toward them, her face flushed with anger. A boy chased after her, shouting defensively.
It was First Princess Cai‑Hang.
She stopped in front of Jia‑Hai and spoke loudly,
"Master Hai! Please scold him! He cursed me and deliberately frightened my horse during the competition!"
The boy protested immediately.
"She's lying! Her horse had a stomach problem and ran away on its own!"
Cai‑Hang glared.
"It was because you fed it something wrong!"
"You just didn't want to lose!" the boy shot back.
"How dare you!" Cai‑Hang shouted.
"I am the First Princess of this country! I do not lie!"
The boy snorted.
"That's also a lie. The real First Princess is someone else—I don't even know her name."
"I mean for now!" Cai‑Hang screamed.
Their voices echoed across the courtyard.
Jia‑Hai's patience snapped.
"ENOUGH!"
His voice thundered through the academy grounds.
Silence fell instantly.