Chapter 25: The National University

The next day, after bidding farewell to Jun Yao, Jiang Xiaofei donned a stylishly handsome casual outfit and set out for the National University.

National University, located at the heart of the bustling avenue in Sanjiang City, was among the best universities in the country. It was said that graduates from here would receive training and cultivation from the state, a testament to the extraordinary caliber of its students.

Stepping out of the taxi, Jiang Xiaofei, despite having heard of the university’s reputation, was awestruck by the sight before him. The campus was a leviathan, sprawling across a hundred thousand square meters.

At the entrance, tall soldiers stood guard.

Jiang Xiaofei walked toward the gate. No sooner had his foot crossed the threshold than a sharp voice barked at him, “Stop.”

Turning, Jiang Xiaofei saw a soldier staring at him. “Please show your student ID.”

“Student ID?” Jiang Xiaofei’s heart sank. With a sheepish grin, he replied, “Uncle, I left my student ID at home. Forgot to bring it. Could you let me through this once?”

“No.” The soldier refused outright, his tone brooking no argument.

Faced with such firmness, Jiang Xiaofei had no choice but to acquiesce. “Then I’ll go home and get it,” he said, turning away under the soldier’s watchful gaze and heading toward the street on the right.

Of course, he had no intention of actually going home—he didn’t even possess a student ID. If the main gate was blocked, he’d simply enter through the back. After all, he was a mage; a mere wall posed no real challenge.

Once out of sight of the soldier, Jiang Xiaofei pressed himself against the tall perimeter wall, murmured a strange incantation, and slipped through.

Instantly, his face darkened. He had appeared inside a restroom—worse, the women’s restroom. Luckily, it was empty; otherwise, he would have been branded a peeping tom, a pervert!

He couldn’t help but note how clean the women’s restroom was, though sanitary pads littered the floor.

Relieved that no one else was present, Jiang Xiaofei strode out boldly.

At that moment, a charming figure suddenly appeared before him, colliding right into his head.

Rubbing his brow, Jiang Xiaofei looked up to see a beautiful girl in shorts, with golden eyes and hair—a strikingly attractive mixed-blood.

She was clearly annoyed, scolding him, “Are you blind? How dare you block my way?”

Jiang Xiaofei was about to apologize, but the girl seemed in a hurry, clutching her stomach—perhaps due to cramps—and rushed into the restroom.

Watching her enter, Jiang Xiaofei shook his head and headed toward the sports field.

The field was vast, couples everywhere enjoying themselves.

In the center, a group of young men played basketball with fervor. Spectators crowded the sidelines, cheering with all their might.

“Come on, Deban, go for it!”

“So this is college life,” Jiang Xiaofei mused, watching the scene. He approached a student and asked, “Excuse me, how do I get to the principal’s office?”

The student turned and asked, “You’re new, aren’t you?”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded. “Yes.”

“No wonder you don’t know the way.” The student pointed to the right. “Go straight for about a hundred meters, then turn and walk fifty meters more. That’s the Academic Affairs Office. The principal’s office is on the left side of the third floor.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Xiaofei replied, then made his way toward the Academic Affairs Office.

“This National University is truly immense! No wonder it’s the best in Sanjiang City.” He marveled as he climbed the stairs to the third floor.

“This is it,” he said, gazing at the door with the words "Principal's Office."

Though the door was open, Jiang Xiaofei politely knocked.

A woman’s voice called from within, “Come in.”

Hearing the invitation, Jiang Xiaofei entered.

The office was spacious. Along the wall, shelves were lined with books. Below them, a long black leather sofa sat before an exquisite crystal table topped with a tea tray.

By the window was a wide, black desk.

A woman in a black business suit and white blouse sat at the desk, working intently on her computer, seemingly organizing documents.

Though her face was not fully visible, Jiang Xiaofei could tell from her profile that she was stunningly beautiful.

Her graceful figure, her slender waist, her waterfall of long hair cascading down her back, the focused look in her eyes—all captivated him. Even Jiang Xiaofei, usually composed, was momentarily entranced.

Sensing his gaze, the woman turned and said, “Please, have a seat.”

As she turned, Jiang Xiaofei finally saw her clearly.

She was breathtaking.

Her eyes were clear as jade, tinged with depth; her lips carried a subtle allure, with a faint upward curve; her delicate cheeks were as translucent as polished jade.

Especially the way her white blouse accentuated her figure—it was as if she were a masterpiece of art, and even Jiang Xiaofei, with his strong self-control, found himself momentarily lost.

The woman seemed unperturbed by his gaze, as if she was long accustomed to such attention.

Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Xiaofei quickly sat down on the sofa and smiled, “Principal Zhou, please, continue your work.”

Hearing this, Zhou Shiqin frowned slightly. “You know me?”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled. “Principal Zhou is famous in Sanjiang City as a strong woman. Who doesn’t know you?”

Zhou Shiqin’s lips curved in a slight smile. “I’m finished with my work. Tell me, what brings you here?”

Jiang Xiaofei replied promptly, “I’m here to enroll.”

Zhou Shiqin frowned, “Are you aware of the requirements for students here?”

“Of course. Only academic elites are admitted.”

“Are you an academic elite?” she asked.

In the past, Jiang Xiaofei would never have dared claim such a title, but after yesterday, he believed he was not just an elite, but a top-tier one.

He answered confidently, “I am.”

Seeing his self-assured expression, Zhou Shiqin raised her brows, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Your claim still needs to be verified. If you can score 140 out of 150 on this test, you’ll be considered qualified.”

With that, Zhou Shiqin tossed him a test paper prepared for the monthly examination.

Jiang Xiaofei caught it, astonished to sense lingering traces of magical energy on the paper. Though faint, almost imperceptible, he could detect it.

Could Principal Zhou be a mage as well? It seemed National University was indeed as extraordinary as his wife had said.

Rolling on the floor, begging for recommendations, begging for favorites.