If First University was truly a living being, then it must have symptoms of schizophrenia.
Zheng Qing had no doubt about this.
From encountering the interviewers of First University, to what he saw and heard in Four Seasons Square, and now truly stepping foot into this University, Zheng Qing had seen too many contradictions and disagreements.
For example, a University has four ways of admitting students!
As a Nine Provinces person who entered the University through examination, Zheng Qing completely could not understand the other admission methods. Perhaps talent selection, faith appraisal, or combat power evaluation had some rationality, but in Zheng Qing’s opinion, these methods of admitting new students lacked the most basic fairness.
The most direct consequence of these unfairnesses was the difference in campus culture.
The differences were so significant that communication between students from different Colleges was like that between strangers.
If it wasn't schizophrenia, how could First University allow different thoughts to flow simultaneously within its own body?
However, compared to worrying about the fairness of school education, Zheng Qing was more worried about his own studies.
No foundation in secondary education, directly facing the challenge of higher education.
This impact was unsettling.
Whether it was the interviewer's repeated emphasis on exams, or his unintentional mention of repeat students, both left a deep shadow in the hearts of the anxious new students.
What if I don't do well on the exam? Will I be sent back?
What if I don't pass the promotion exam? Will I be held back?
Is being held back very shameful?
Will I be pointed at by others?
Even the in-class exam a few days ago did not alleviate these worries, but rather deepened his unease.
Because Master always warned him that the higher one floats, the harder one falls, and it is valuable to have self-knowledge.
Now, a few classmates told him that Alpha Academy not only does not require exams, but also has no risk of being held back!
Compared to the strict Nine Provinces, this superior learning environment was intoxicating.
"Unequal pay for the same school," Zheng Qing muttered, looking enviously at Lin Guo: "When will Nine Provinces also be able to abolish the exam policy?"
"Without exams, there would be no Nine Provinces College," Xiao Xiao commented sharply: "Besides, the rules of Alpha Academy are not as relaxed as you imagine."
"I know that," Zhang Jixin waved his fist beside him, adding: "My brother told me that the graduation rate of Alpha Academy is less than sixty percent annually! There are still a bunch of fifth- and sixth-year old students in the College struggling to complete their graduation theses. Relatively speaking, the graduation rate of Nine Provinces College is over ninety percent!"
"That's true," Lin Guo looked at Zheng Qing sincerely, wiping his nose: "Every College must uphold the honor of First University. Alpha Academy is a typical example of easy entry and strict exit."
"No matter what, your learning environment is very free," Zheng Qing sighed.
Xiao Xiao let out a short, harsh laugh.
Zheng Qing glared at him.
"No one tells you what classes you should take, no one tells you if your choice is wrong," Xiao Xiao scoffed: "Yes, there was always a choice. Yes, you always have a choice. Throwing the right to choose to the individual, and calling it 'freedom'. Little do they know, this is the greatest irresponsibility towards the individual. Not everyone can access effective information, nor do they have the ability to make correct choices for themselves."
"That sentence is a bit convoluted," Zhang Jixin looked a little confused.
"For example, take two boys. One boy's parents are Registered Wizards, and the other boy's parents are Baiding. The Registered Wizard parents can make a complete promotion plan for their son when he is very young, while the Baiding parents know nothing about these things."
Xiao Xiao held his notebook and continued to elaborate on the example:
"When the two boys enter Alpha Academy together, the boy whose parents are Registered Wizards can clearly choose the courses necessary for his major; while the boy whose parents are Baiding will jump around, seemingly taking many courses, but these courses are of no help for him to become a Registered Wizard."
"Can we deny that both boys always have the right to choose?" Xiao Xiao waved his notebook, mocking: "It's just that one is looking with open eyes at the marked correct Dao, while the other is closing his eyes and relying on intuition, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse."
"Looking at it this way, Alpha's education method is indeed unfair," Zheng Qing pinched his chin, nodding thoughtfully.
"This is the consistent idea of Nine Provinces College, but justice is about letting everyone get what they deserve," Lin Guo stubbornly defended the honor of his College: "The boy whose parents are Registered Wizards can certainly become a Registered Wizard; but the boy whose parents are Baiding will eventually find his true talent. I remember a professor had a very apt metaphor for this view of the two Colleges."
"The Garden Metaphor?" Xiao Xiao raised his eyelids and glanced at the little boy.
"Yes. In a garden, there are all kinds of thriving plants. The owner of the garden can choose to constantly prune crooked branches and remove rotten branches and leaves to make the entire garden neat and beautiful. The owner can also choose to let the plants grow freely, freely displaying the wonderful harmony of Nature."
Lin Guo's face flushed, and he argued excitedly:
"Does the poplar want to grow taller? No problem, strive to grow upward! Does the climbing vine want to find something to lean on? No problem, walls, tree trunks, sculptures, all can provide support! Roses can freely produce flower buds of various sizes, and hollies can also freely stretch their ambitions. Every plant in the garden can follow its own talent. For the plants, isn't this the greatest fairness?"
Lan Que gently patted Lin Guo's head, signaling him to calm down.
Xiao Xiao's lips moved, but he did not continue to refute.
"Sounds like a tie," Zheng Qing rubbed his nose, muttering.
"So Nine Provinces College and Alpha Academy still coexist within First University," Zhang Jixin folded his arms, concluding: "But no matter which garden, the owner hopes to see a beautiful garden—this conclusion can only be determined by time."
The new students who came to receive punishment fell into a long silence.
A cold wind blew past.
Zheng Qing tightened his robe sleeves and looked up.
The sky was already grayish-white.
In the distance, the sun had completely disappeared from view. Dim, large gray patches were like ugly patches, smeared across the horizon, revealing a hint of dampness and slackness.
The black School Affairs Committee building still stood silently before them, unchanged.
Zheng Qing once again pulled out the light red notice.
"Perhaps there's a map or a Spell hidden on the notice?" He held the notice with his spell book, trying to find some clues.
Zhang Jixin also took out his spell book with great interest, tapping his notice with the spine of the book.
"Will we be late? If we're late, will the punishment be increased?" Lin Guo reverted to his timid little boy appearance.
"Someone's there," Lan Que's cold voice rang in everyone's ears.
Following his gaze, Zheng Qing saw a thin old man sitting under a weeping willow not far away.
"Let's go ask!" Zhang Jixin put away his spell book and notice, and excitedly ran towards the tree.
The others exchanged glances, then followed him, walking towards the old man.