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Half a level of innate soul power wasn't impressive, but Level 1 at least sounded better.
After all, Nuoding Academy was just a small-city primary soul master academy. Most of the work-study students here likely had similarly low-tier talents—Level 1 innate soul power, at best.
"Level 1?"
Director Su raised an eyebrow, disbelief evident in his expression.
It wasn't that he thought Level 1 was too high—it was too low.
Since the claim came directly from the principal's mouth, and given the current situation, it clearly didn't align with Chu Chengzhou's actual talent.
With this preconceived notion, Director Su concluded that Chu Chengzhou's talent wasn't poor—in fact, it was likely above Level 5.
Otherwise, why would the principal hide it? Clearly, he was protecting Chu Chengzhou to prevent him from being targeted by jealous rivals due to his exceptional talent!
As for being below Level 1? That was highly unlikely! With such pitiful talent, who could even dream of becoming a soul master? He'd be better off lying at home waiting to die!
Exchanging a meaningful glance with the grandfather-grandson duo, Director Su said nothing further and began processing Chu Chengzhou's enrollment.
Su Nan: ???
As for Chu Chengzhou's tuition?
Please. How could the registrar possibly ask the principal himself for tuition fees?!
Wasn't it just one gold soul coin? A little creative accounting with teaching equipment costs would cover it easily.
The reason Su Nan hadn't paid the tuition wasn't intentional neglect—he was simply a "big shot," and such trivial matters slipped his mind.
"Little Chengzhou, you're a first-year student. You'll stay in Dormitory One."
After completing the registration, Director Su handed Chu Chengzhou two sets of uniforms along with the instructions.
Though it was only a primary soul master academy, Nuoding Academy enforced strict rules. Even students living right next to the campus were required to reside in the dormitories under unified management. Chu Chengzhou, despite being the principal's grandson, was no exception.
Of course, living on campus didn't mean he couldn't leave—it simply meant he had to stay overnight at the academy.
"Director Su, can I stay in the work-study students' dormitory instead?"
Chu Chengzhou asked.
As the saying goes: When heaven bestows a great responsibility upon someone, it first tests their resolve, tires their muscles and bones, starves their body, and leaves them destitute.
And as the poem goes: The sharpness of a sword comes from honing; the fragrance of plum blossoms arises from bitter cold.
Though the conditions in Dormitory One were certainly better than those in the work-study students' Dormitory Seven, Chu Chengzhou wasn't the kind of person who cared about material comforts.
Hmm, Chu Chengzhou swore this absolutely wasn't because a certain bunny-eared girl would arrive in Dormitory Seven next year.
"Dormitory Seven?"
Hearing this, Director Su glanced at Chu Chengzhou in surprise.
Changing dorms wasn't difficult, but what did the principal think?
Director Su immediately turned to Su Nan.
Seeing the questioning look, Su Nan paused thoughtfully before nodding.
In Su Nan's view, his grandson's martial soul had undergone a malignant mutation, resulting in abysmal talent—so bad that it was better not to compare him with those slightly more gifted noble children or second-generation soul masters. After all, it was better to protect his confidence.
Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix, right?
Though Chu Chengzhou's half-level innate soul power essentially guaranteed he wouldn't become the "head of a chicken," it was still better than being dead last.
"Alright! Little Chengzhou, I'll arrange for you to stay in Dormitory Seven."
With the principal's approval, Director Su naturally had no objections.
Besides, there was no need to inflate equipment costs now—work-study students attended for free anyway.
As for work-study duties?
This was the principal's grandson—they certainly didn't expect him to work part-time jobs to support himself. And no one dared suggest otherwise.
After completing the enrollment procedures, Chu Chengzhou followed Su Nan to Dormitory Seven.
Though they arrived empty-handed, it didn't mean they brought nothing. Chu Chengzhou's bedding and other items were stored in Su Nan's storage-type soul-guidance device.
Such storage devices were rare and expensive for lower-level soul masters.
Generally speaking, a storage device with one cubic meter of internal space cost tens of thousands of gold soul coins—and the larger the space, the higher the price.
Only because Su Nan was a "big shot" in Nuoding City and the principal of the academy could he afford such a luxury. Even Principal Su Nan's wife, Li Wan, didn't have one. Naturally, someone like Chu Chengzhou—a "super-trash-tier" talent—didn't own such a "high-end, classy, and sophisticated" item either.
There was only one dormitory building, easy to find. All the academy's students and teachers lived there.
The total number of students and faculty wasn't large—just over three hundred people—so one dormitory building was more than sufficient.
Among the dormitories, Dormitory Seven, reserved for work-study students, was unique. Its conditions were relatively poor, as expected for students attending for free.
Dormitories One through Six were designated for each grade level, while Dormitory Seven housed a mix of students from all six grades. All work-study students resided here.
As soon as they reached the entrance of Dormitory Seven, Chu Chengzhou heard the clamor coming from inside.
Looking around, the room was spacious—nearly three hundred square meters—and contained fifty beds. However, only twelve of them had bedding. At the moment, six or seven teenagers were making noise.
Su Nan ignored the commotion and turned to Chu Chengzhou. "Little Chengzhou, which bed do you want?"
"That one!"
Chu Chengzhou pointed to a bed near the window in the corner.
The three-hundred-square-meter room wasn't small, and there were multiple windows, so the good spots near the windows hadn't all been taken.
Their conversation drew the attention of the work-study students inside.
"Ah~! Good day, Principal!"
One of the work-study students, roughly ten years old, quickly greeted Su Nan.
"Hehe~. Hello, don't mind me."
Su Nan didn't put on airs as the principal and remained very approachable with the children.
"Grandpa, give me my things—I'll handle it myself."
Chu Chengzhou said to Su Nan.
"Alright! Little Chengzhou, remember to get along well with your classmates."
After retrieving Chu Chengzhou's belongings, Su Nan patted his grandson's head and gave a gentle reminder.
"Mm-hmm!"
Su Nan didn't linger in Dormitory Seven. Today was enrollment day at Nuoding Academy, and as the principal, he had plenty of other tasks to attend to.
After Su Nan left, the work-study students in Dormitory Seven exchanged glances. Then, a burly work-study student approached Chu Chengzhou.
"Hi, I'm Li Erniu. My martial soul is Black Ox, and I'm a Level 9 Soul Trainee. I'm a sixth-year student here."
Li Erniu, the self-proclaimed "leader" of Dormitory Seven, introduced himself to Chu Chengzhou.
"Chu Chengzhou. Martial soul: Soul Summoning Flag. I just awakened my martial soul recently."
Since someone had taken the initiative to greet him, Chu Chengzhou naturally reciprocated politely.
Of course, he deliberately omitted any mention of his soul power level.
After all, saying he was below Level 1 would be embarrassing!
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