Chapter 14: Enrollment

The counselor’s office was on the fifth floor of the academic affairs building. Zang Zexin took Xiao Ningxue into the interstellar elevator.

Xiao Ningxue’s expression had returned to normal by then; the school elevator was much like those in hotels, and she accepted it well.

Zang Zexin remained silent all the way, not knowing quite what to say to Xiao Ningxue.

“This is the counselor’s office for the Botany Department. You can go in now,” he said, leading her to a door.

The entrance was a sleek metallic door with blue lines running across it, giving off a highly technological vibe.

Xiao Ningxue nodded and knocked.

“Come in.”

A gentle male voice responded, reminding her of the voice from the school bus—exactly the same.

She pushed the door open and was met with a pair of surprised eyes.

Xiao Ningxue admitted she was momentarily stunned.

Those eyes were exceptionally beautiful—the outer corners lifted gracefully, a perfect pair of peach blossom eyes, but their ink-black irises were clear and pure, combining allure with innocence, as if belonging to a sacred fox spirit.

“Student?” The man’s soft voice brought her back to herself.

“Sorry, Teacher.” Xiao Ningxue stepped inside, a little embarrassed. She wasn’t usually one to focus on appearances, but she had been captivated by those eyes. “I’m here to register as a new student.”

Ming Jingfeng’s eyes widened slightly, his gaze shimmering like a galaxy. He glanced through the documents in his hand. “Oh! I remember now, Xiao Qingyu, right?”

Xiao Ningxue nodded faintly. “Yes.”

“Please, have a seat.” Ming Jingfeng gestured to a chair beside him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Xiao Ningxue noticed Zang Zexin hadn’t entered. After sitting down, she couldn’t help but glance back at him.

Zang Zexin hadn’t intended to come in, but upon seeing the look in Xiao Ningxue’s eyes, he inexplicably stepped inside.

Zang Zexin: ...

Ming Jingfeng glanced at the uninvited Zang Zexin with surprise, then turned his gentle gaze back to Xiao Ningxue. “Xiao, welcome to the Federation’s First Military Academy.”

With that one sentence, Xiao Ningxue understood: this teacher knew her situation.

Behind her, a flicker of surprise flashed in Zang Zexin’s eyes as he looked at the back of her head, lost in thought.

“Thank you, Teacher. I hope we have a pleasant four years together.”

So what if he knew?

As long as he didn’t realize she was female, that was fine.

Ming Jingfeng smiled warmly. “Good, we certainly will. My name is Ming Jingfeng. Let me introduce you to our current teaching methods.”

Through Ming Jingfeng’s explanation, Xiao Ningxue gained a general understanding of the First Military Academy’s Botany Department’s teaching style.

Classes would begin the day after tomorrow. The courses for apprentice botanists weren’t many—Monday through Friday classes, weekends off. The schedule wasn’t too packed, and most classes involved plant cultivation.

Because of Xiao Ningxue’s special circumstances, she would have two extra literacy classes each week beyond what her classmates had.

Behind her, Zang Zexin discretely narrowed his eyes.

As she listened to Ming Jingfeng, a question flashed through Xiao Ningxue’s mind.

Wasn’t wood-element ability supposed to enable automatic planting? Why did she need to spend four years studying at university?

Moreover, the graduation requirement for the first semester was to be able to grow a thousand jin of edible plants to pass?

One thousand five hundred jin for full marks?

Thinking of the contract she had signed with the Crimson Blood Battleship, Xiao Ningxue clenched her teeth.

Damn it, if she were a local botanist, after giving them two hundred jin, she might be left with nothing to eat.

As for worrying whether her ability had declined...

Of course not.

Had she forgotten why her powers were exposed in the first place?

It was because her wood-element ability was too formidable, so it was discovered.

That proved her planting ability had not diminished.

After explaining the basic courses, Ming Jingfeng looked around the verdant courtyard filled with earnest students.

He reminded her, “You arrived a bit late. The academic affairs office has set aside your materials. Your roommate will take you to collect them later. I have some work to attend to now. Remember to update your information properly.”

He glanced at Zang Zexin, who was attentively listening behind her.

“You know what to do, right?”

Zang Zexin paused, apparently surprised to be addressed as a listener. “I understand, Teacher Ming.”

Xiao Ningxue stood to say goodbye. “Okay, Teacher, I understand. Please go ahead.”

Just as Ming Jingfeng was about to bid farewell, he suddenly tapped his head. “Oh, I almost forgot—I’ll add you to our class group chat shortly. Remember to say hello there.”

Xiao Ningxue nodded indifferently.

She didn’t know the personalities of her future classmates, so joining the group or not didn’t matter much.

Mainly, she was afraid of missing any notifications.

Zang Zexin continued leading her in another direction.

Xiao Ningxue stole a glance at him.

The saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” truly applied to this roommate of hers.

He looked fierce but showed no impatience along the way.

When she looked at him for help in the office, he immediately followed and carefully noted the teacher’s instructions.

She wondered which female would be lucky to have him later.

“You don’t need to worry. The Botany Department’s passing standards are actually quite low. Most students can pass. Getting full marks is better, as it qualifies you for scholarships next semester,” Zang Zexin said, sensing the gaze on his back and assuming she was worried about final exams.

Xiao Ningxue wasn’t worried at all. Her wood-element ability was level eight, spatial ability level seven, and she hadn’t suffered a single injury during the crossing, unlike other protagonists in transmigration novels who got hurt first and lost ninety percent of their strength.

Now she could fully unleash her abilities.

The only real concern was the widespread use of interstellar weapons and mechs.

“Thank you. Once I grow some edible plants, I’ll definitely invite you to try them,” Xiao Ningxue said sincerely, unaware that the young man leading the way had turned red at her words.

“Sure.” Zang Zexin’s family was from the capital; edible plants were nothing difficult for them to acquire. But his roommate’s cooking skills...

He thought it wouldn’t be bad to give it a try.

The two quickly completed the enrollment process and finally arrived at the dormitory building.

“Zang Zexin? Is this our new roommate?”

A clear voice made them stop in their tracks. Both turned toward the source.

Xiao Ningxue’s eyes lit up.

Nothing else—this young man gave her the impression of a lovable panda!

A panda! The national treasure of the flower-growing nation!

She remembered seeing one on a pre-apocalypse trip, munching on bamboo so adorably!

“Hello, my name is Xiao... Qingyu.” Startled by the boy’s appearance, Xiao Ningxue almost blurted her name out.

The boy approached, a radiant smile on his delicate face.

He smiled warmly at Xiao Ningxue. “Hello, Qingyu! I’m Feng Jingxuan. How’s your enrollment going?”