After staying at the University for almost a week, Zheng Qing had a general understanding of the University's area divisions.
The entire First University is located on an isolated island deep in the ocean; no one knows the location of this island, so the Wizards simply call it 'Buji Island'.
Zheng Qing doesn't know how big the island is, but he knows there's a river on it and an endless, dense forest. Standing on the dormitory balcony, he can also see distant towering peaks and rolling mountains.
The river is called Silent River, winding and meandering. Even senior students in their fourth year can't say how long this river is; Linzhong Lake of Jiu You Academy is formed by the accumulation of a tributary of the Silent River.
The forest is called Silent Forest by the Wizards. Originally, this forest had no name. It is said that many terrifying magical taboos are hidden deep within the forest. Every year, a considerable number of Wizards enter the forest and then disappear without a trace. Wizards who are lucky enough to escape will become completely mute, hence it is respectfully called the Silent Forest by the Wizards.
For a time, the Wizard Alliance Conference discussed completely destroying this dark forest, but the proposal was unanimously rejected at the Great Wizard Conference. At the same time, the Great Wizard Conference also passed the "Silent Forest Protection Law" in the form of an act, which finally determined the forest's name.
From the simple map in the campus, it can be seen that the entire island is covered by the vast Silent Forest. On the map, except for the First University campus which has relatively detailed markings, the area covered by the forest is blank.
The campus is mainly divided into two parts: First University public areas and Academy territories.
Every official member of First University can freely move within the University public areas, including First Square, First Gate, First Hall, Hunting Ground, Herb Garden, and so on.
First Square, called 'Helipad' by the senior students, is located on a high ground on the west side of the island, while the majestic and tall First Gate stands on the Edge of the high ground.
This is the only coordinate where the First University can be located according to all maps and external information. It is also the entrance to the First University. This cautious security is a consistent tradition of the First University.
When students enter the First Gate, they will be transferred to the First Hall. This transfer hall, which serves as a hub, has eight doors, acting as a second line of defense, guarding the University's secrets.
The above are all considered public areas of the University, shared and maintained by several Academies.
Academy territories are different.
Each Academy and each research institute has its own territory on Buji Island.
These territories are mostly only accessible to members of the respective Academy, and they carry the heritage of each Academy.
The territory of Nine Provinces College is called 'Jiu You Academy'; the territory of Alpha Academy is 'Alpha (Castle)'; the territory of Atlas Academy is 'Atlas (Pyramid)'; the territory of Starry Sky Academy is called 'Starry Sky Rubik's Cube'.
First University has set up countless powerful defensive arrays and guardian Spells around each territory to protect students from the erosion of the Silent Forest.
Between different territories, and between territories and the University's public areas, there are connections through some magical passages.
These passages might be an inconspicuous small door;
They might also be a winding staircase;
Or they might be a long corridor.
Just like the passage connecting Xihua Garden male dormitory and the School Affairs Committee office building, it is a secluded corridor.
Now, Zheng Qing, Xiao Xiao, and Zhang Jixin were walking in such a hidden corridor.
During the first class on monday morning, Professor Yao, the counselor of Astronomy 08-1 Class, handed the University's disciplinary notice to several new students.
Article 3 of the notice clearly stipulated that the new students involved needed to report to the School Affairs Committee within a week to receive subsequent punishment tasks.
This punishment weighed heavily on the minds of Zheng Qing and the others, making them anxious for an entire week.
No one told them what kind of tasks they would face.
Professor An on the Walking Street had mentioned some punishment tasks, such as weeding and pest control in Baicao Garden, or organizing books in Shushan Library, or possibly clearing the silt at the bottom of Linzhong Lake.
But Xin Fatty swore to Zheng Qing that a child of a friend of his relative had once worked at the School Affairs Committee, and these punishment tasks were not as simple as they seemed.
For example, it's difficult to distinguish between weeds and medicinal herbs in Baicao Garden. If one accidentally removes a valuable medicinal herb as a weed, the School Affairs Committee will demand a huge compensation from the student;
For example, the corridors of Shushan Library are like a maze, and new students can easily get lost in them. There was once a new student who was trapped in Shushan Library for nearly a week!
As for clearing the silt at the bottom of Linzhong Lake, it's even more of a trap.
"Besides dangerous creatures like merfolk and water ghosts, the peculiar smell produced by that silt will linger on the School Workers for a long time." Xin Fatty pinched his nose, looking terrified, as if he had already smelled the strong odor emanating from Zheng Qing: "If it were me, I'd rather starve for a week in Shushan Library than get covered in that stench at the bottom of the lake!"
Thinking of this, Zheng Qing couldn't help but sigh.
He wondered if he could apply to change the punishment arrangement. If he was assigned to Baicao Garden, he definitely wouldn't be able to afford the University's precious medicinal herbs.
As for the other options—
Zheng Qing squeezed the grey cloth bag in his arms.
The bag contained enough dry food and water to last a month.
If he was assigned to Shushan Library, and if he got lost in Shushan Library, this dry food and water could help him last for a long time.
He nervously clutched his spell book.
He had been attending classes at Nine Provinces College for five days, but his spell book was still blank.
Because he hadn't learned a complete Spell yet.
All instructors in the first week of class would waste half a class on new student introductions, and then spend the remaining half talking with the new students, discussing the textbook's introduction, and chatting about the course schedule.
Except for Instructor Zhang of Charm and Talisman class who gave a simple pop quiz, the other instructors didn't teach any knowledge!
The only gain was that everyone had memorized their self-introductions perfectly.
He wondered if he would need to introduce himself at the School Affairs Committee.
Thinking of this, Zheng Qing lowered his head and chuckled a few times.
Zhang Jixin, walking beside him, looked at him in confusion.
"Don't get distracted, pay attention to safety." Xiao Xiao poked Zheng Qing from behind with his notebook: "These corridors are not as safe as you imagine; dangerous creatures often break in."
"Dangerous creatures!" Zheng Qing gasped: "Where do dangerous creatures come from! Why do they break in here!"
"Escaped experimental subjects from the laboratory, Wild Demons that ran out of the Hunting Ground, mutated spirit beasts, and even some evil spirits formed from old corpses—you know, there's a small cemetery north of the Academy."
"As for the reason they break in, I don't know." Xiao Xiao took two quick steps, came in front of Zheng Qing, and shook his head, saying: "Maybe they are looking for a way to escape the Academy, or maybe they just smell the scent of food. I am not them, so I don't know."
The night wind swept through the corridor.
The green leaves of the vines clinging to the corridor walls rustled.
A cold draft snaked down Zheng Qing's neck from behind, giving him goosebumps.
Zheng Qing turned his head.
There was no one in the deep, secluded corridor.
He exhaled softly, tiptoed to catch up with Xiao Xiao and Zhang Jixin not far ahead, not daring to be distracted again.