Chapter 23

Miss’s personal tailor is truly remarkable.

It was only when Xia Mengrou finished applying her face mask and styling her hair that the tailor successfully summoned her manifestation, sewing warbler, the tailor, who urgently made two different-sized camouflage suits.

“Miss, these are the finished products rushed out. The remaining fourteen will be delivered later.”

Yuan Hanshuang happily changed into her new camouflage suit.

“Thank you, thank you,” she was always easy to please.

This was the first time Yuan Hanshuang had worn such high-end clothes since her time travel. The upper body effect was excellent, not only accentuating her slim waist and long legs but also fitting perfectly.

Unfortunately, this exquisite craftsmanship didn’t seem to appease the willful Miss. Xia Mengrou had just put it on when she immediately pointed out several issues.

While they were still arguing, Yuan Hanshuang quietly slipped away after expressing her thanks.

On the first day of school, all the students gathered in the Silver Star Grand Hall to listen to the school leaders’ speeches.

Half of the school leaders had been arrested, so this year, only one professor, Professor Zuo Zitao, was eligible to speak.

Having served at Silver Star for decades and highly esteemed, Professor Zuo Zitao never expected that he would have to take on a major role when he should be enjoying his retirement.

He briefly spoke, mostly about the outlook for the new semester, along with a cautionary statement.

“Our Silver Star Academy and the Imperial Academy are interconnected, but students, please refrain from visiting the Imperial Military Academy unnecessarily. This year, a military restricted zone has been designated within the military academy. Trespassers may face severe consequences, including expulsion. I hope you all take this to heart.”

Everyone was dozing off during the speech.

When the student president took the stage to speak, he brought a gong and drum with him.

“Dang—”

With a loud bang, it woke everyone up in an instant, buzzing in their heads, instantly alerting the entire auditorium.

“Welcome, everyone, to join Silver Star Academy.”

The chairperson of Silver Star was a stunning beauty with a radiant smile, but no one would underestimate her abilities based on her appearance.

There was an unwritten rule within the seven prestigious academies: each academy had a student president.

The student presidents, who had fought their way through various selections, represented the academy’s reputation and prestige. In some matters, they even had decision-making power equal to that of the school principal.

“I won’t waste time with unnecessary words. We’re all students here, and no one likes official jargon.”

Ming Jia opened her arms and leaned on the podium, saying, “The only thing I want to say is that next year, in the second semester, the Empire and the Federation will jointly host the triennial Advanced Academy Ranking Tournament.”

“Each one of us is a pride of the heavens, having come from various planets and passing the entrance exam to enter our academy. Being able to enter Silver Star means that all of you have sacrificed countless nights, sweat, effort, and that unyielding spirit.”

As her words fell, the screens suspended in the air of the grand hall automatically started playing the performances of Silver Star Academy in the past five ranking tournaments.

Clearly, the chairperson’s speech was not merely encouraging; it also included some criticism. The clips shown not only included brilliant highlights but also some embarrassing moments that made the individuals involved wish they could die on the spot.

“As one of the seven prestigious academies, is Silver Star outstanding? Of course, it is outstanding. But among these seven academies, Silver Star has been stuck in fifth place for too long in the ranking tournament and could fall even lower at any time.”

Ming Jia’s gaze swept sharply over the audience below.

“With the ranking competition approaching, I hope everyone will actively participate in the chief selection tournament that will take place a month from now, including this year’s freshmen.”

“We need fresh blood to lead Silver Star to higher rankings.”

“Everyone is welcome to challenge the position of chief, or even chairman. I am ready at any time.”

The chairman’s speech was indeed as brief as she had promised.

Three minutes later, thunderous applause filled the room as Ming Jia stepped down from the stage. The chief began to direct the students to exit.

“Mentor.” Ming Jia entered the teacher’s office with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

“Hard work during the deferred year.”

Zuo Zitao stood in the shadow by the window, watching the students gradually leave below.

Originally, Ming Jia could have graduated smoothly this year and directly entered the military internship.

However, unexpectedly, the Silver Star leadership decided to create a big surprise.

In this uncertain and tumultuous time, Professor Zuo Zitao, the most experienced professor at Silver Star, had to delay Ming Jia’s progress in one course intentionally, not earning two credits, just to spend an extra year at Silver Star and continue to oversee matters as the chairman.

“It’s okay, Mentor.” Ming Jia shook her head. “Given the current situation at Silver Star, even if I graduate, I won’t be able to focus. Only by finding a successor to the chairman’s position can I put down the burden.”

“One simple successor is not enough.”

Zuo Zitao sighed, stroking his beard. “Silver Star now needs a powerful spiritual leader with enough influence. Otherwise, next year, it may face the worst performance in its hundred-year history.”

In the past two years, various other military academies have had outstanding talents emerging one after another, except for Silver Star.

Seeing the shining stars of other schools, Zuo Zitao couldn’t help but worry.

As the current chairman, Ming Jia couldn’t tolerate such a situation either.

She knew very well that Silver Star currently lacked such a person. The existing chief executives, to varying degrees, lacked what was necessary for the chairman’s position.

“Among the current chief executives, the only reliable one is Budong, the chief of the Agile Department. He has awakened and evolved an extremely rare S-level manifestation.”

“No, he won’t do.” Zuo Zitao immediately vetoed it. “His family is too sensitive and will affect the consideration of the higher-ups in choosing sides for Silver Star. The school leadership is already under scrutiny. We cannot challenge the sensitive nerves of the Imperial Military Council.”

Ming Jia put down her hot chocolate. “Mentor, perhaps it’s not as bad as we imagine. I have seen the information of this year’s incoming freshmen, and there are still many talented individuals among them.”

Following behind the academy chairman, Meng Mingcheng chimed in, “The imperial prince, the marshal’s daughter, and we even managed to recruit a rare fourth-level melee freshman from the Imperial Military Academy. Once these freshmen are honed, there might still be a chance.”

Yes, there might still be a chance.

Because he didn’t want to undermine his students’ confidence, Zuo Zitao remained silent.

But in reality, he knew very well that the hope was slim.

The imperial prince seemed naturally gifted, with an enviable S-level talent, but the fatal flaw of his manifestation was not a secret among the higher-ups. Putting someone who couldn’t even control their own manifestation next to teammates would only be a ticking time bomb. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been exiled to Silver Star.

The young lady from the Marshal’s Mansion is even more outrageous. Based on the Xia family’s intentions, they have no plans to send her to the military, but instead have put in a lot of effort to have her study in a prestigious program for young ladies. The choice of Yin Xing Academy is for the same reason.

Being a fourth-tier freshman in the close combat department is indeed impressive for a newcomer, but for the seniors who have been enrolled for several years, it merely qualifies them to compete in matches.

Furthermore, these are just newly enrolled freshmen.

The current active chief of the seven senior academies are mostly senior students who have been enrolled for three to four years.

Apart from the Holy  of the luminous temple of the neighboring Imperial Military Academy, there are hardly any freshmen who can rise to the position of academy chief within a year.

Both strength and prestige require time to accumulate.

Considering this, although the Gu family has a sensitive and poor reputation, they are actually the only ones who can attempt to challenge the position of academy president and succeed as the next Chairman.

Sometimes, Zuo Zitao can’t help but feel envious of the luck of the neighboring Imperial First Military Academy.

Not only are they strong overall, but they also have the ace up their sleeve, the Holy Son.

Being able to claim the position of the Bright Temple’s Holy Son, which has been vacant for a hundred years, is already astonishing. Although he is a support department student, his powerful rallying ability, personal charm, and leadership qualities have united the entire Imperial Military Academy under his leadership.

“I’m afraid only the mysterious president of the Federation Military Academy has the qualifications to challenge him in battle.”