Chapter Nineteen: The Dragon

As soon as they boarded the train, Professor Manstein handed Lin Nian and Lin Xian two sets of clothes. Upon opening them, the World Tree emblem of Kassel Academy stood out brilliantly. Fingal explained that these were the uniforms of Kassel Academy.

Lin Nian touched the fabric, noting its quality. “This outfit must have cost a fortune. They wouldn’t add extra tuition fees for scholarships, would they?” Professor Manstein shook his head helplessly. Relieved, the two went into the compartment to change.

When they came out, Lin Nian and Lin Xian’s appearance immediately caught Professor Manstein’s eye. White shirts, dark green suits trimmed with silver edges, deep rose-red scarves, and the World Tree emblem of Kassel Academy embroidered on the chest pocket—Lin Nian, who had worn second-rate clothes for over a decade, suddenly looked refined and graceful, exuding a charming elegance. Beside him, Lin Xian’s naturally sharp and pretty features were magnified, making her look every bit the daughter of high society.

“Not bad, very well-fitted. I’m confident it will suit you even better once you’re at the academy,” Manstein nodded approvingly. “The new uniform uses a completely new fabric. Recently, the equipment department developed a new kind of spider silk woven into the fabric layers, providing bulletproof protection.”

“Are you saying this uniform is bulletproof?” Lin Nian blinked, tugging at his sleeve. Inside, his name was stitched with dark green thread—clearly a school uniform, not combat gear.

“Preventive measures. There have been quite a few shootings on campus lately,” Manstein said hesitantly. “Come, sit here. Let’s discuss some enrollment procedures. Once we finish, I can reveal more about the academy.”

“Procedures? I thought we settled everything at the hotel the other day,” Lin Nian said, sitting by the wooden window frame. Lin Xian sat beside him, looking toward Manstein across the table.

Before Manstein could reply, the compartment door opened. Fingal pushed in an easel covered with canvas. Manstein glanced at Fingal, then asked Lin Nian and Lin Xian, “Coffee or Pu’er tea? I hear Chinese people often prefer tea.”

“Coffee, with extra creamer and sugar, please,” Lin Nian raised his hand slightly.

“Black tea, thank you,” Lin Xian nodded toward Fingal.

“A glass of wine,” Manstein said, pulling a stack of paper files from a nearby folder and setting them on the table.

“Got it!” Fingal responded with a fawning expression toward Manstein, then turned and sashayed off to fetch their drinks.

“Looks like Professor Manstein has quite a reputation at the academy,” Lin Xian remarked, watching Fingal’s obsequious departure.

“I supervise discipline. He’s just nervous because someone might steal,” Manstein said with a shake of his head.

---

“Is Senior Brother Fingal really in the sixth year?” Lin Nian couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes. He’s a student of my friend Gudrian. Due to certain circumstances, he studied abroad for two years. Our school is quite humane; students aren’t expelled unless they commit a grave, unpardonable offense,” Manstein explained. “Fingal usually has little to do. Mandy has had a lot of opening classes recently, so she asked him to pick you up.”

“How many students can a mentor take on simultaneously?” Lin Xian asked.

“At least one, no more than three,” Manstein replied. “Currently, I have only you and Mandy under my supervision. You are both students I consider exceptionally talented.”

“Your school seems to have a strange definition of ‘talented,’” Lin Nian glanced at Lin Xian and carefully chose his words.

“Before I explain, I need both of you to sign this confidentiality agreement,” Manstein said, looking back at the easel. He pushed two documents toward Lin Nian and Lin Xian. “The agreement mainly stipulates that if you refuse admission, you cannot disclose any details of our enrollment guidance. This is crucial—it concerns our academy’s philosophy and principles.”

“You have to sign a confidentiality agreement just to receive enrollment guidance?” Lin Nian took the documents with curiosity. He was shocked to find the text a mix of Latin and English, and with his limited English, he could only recognize simple words like “lineage” and “indenture.” Yet when strung together, the meaning became obscure.

For example, what did “Abraham_Indenture_” mean? An Abrahamic contract?

“It really is just a standard confidentiality agreement. Lin Nian, you have to trust me,” Manstein said calmly, noticing their doubtful looks. “Every student admitted to Kassel Academy must sign this. Given your qualifications, I assure you there will be no problem once you enroll.”

“Problem? What kind of problem? For example... what happens to students with poor qualifications after enrollment?” Lin Nian asked curiously.

“Such mistakes are rare... almost nonexistent,” Manstein shook his head. “Students with insufficient qualifications usually just fail the ‘3E’ exam and are dismissed.”

“But you said your school is humane!” Lin Nian exclaimed.

“That applies to students who have already been formally admitted,” Manstein hesitated, scratching his eyebrow awkwardly.

“Is the ‘3E’ exam the entrance exam that Senior Mandy mentioned? How difficult is it? Can you share? Or is there no time to prepare, and the exam starts right after we arrive?” Lin Xian inquired.

---

“No, the 3E exam is held annually at the start of the academic year. Since you’re enrolling midterm, we’ll arrange a special exam for you. The exam room is still being set up. It will likely take place in a day or two, after you’ve adjusted your biological clock,” Manstein explained.

“That’s fine, professor. He’s always done well on exams,” Lin Xian patted Lin Nian’s shoulder and gave Manstein a confident look.

“I also believe he’s the best,” Manstein said approvingly.

Lin Nian glanced at them both, thinking, Am I the only one here not treating myself like a treasure?

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Lin Nian. You’re very talented. Both the principal and I have reviewed your records. Your qualities and character mark you as extraordinary by birth,” Manstein softened his tone to reassure them. “For you, the 3E exam is just a formality. You needn’t worry.”

“I’m not worried about the 3E exam. I just feel... there’s something strange about your academy in every aspect,” Lin Nian said, twirling a ballpoint pen on the table and hesitating over the confidentiality agreement’s clauses.

“But you’re already sitting here,” Manstein said.

Lin Nian paused, then turned to look out the window. The CC1000 express train was speeding past a beautiful, lush red pine forest—scenery utterly unseen in his coastal hometown. Suddenly, he realized just how far he had traveled from his old life. If this was a journey, he was just one step away from reaching his destination.

Ahead lay unfamiliar landscapes. Even if he arrived at the station, the proud Lin Nian—like an ancient lord riding the famed Red Hare horse—would have to face the sight of the city gate adorned with the characters “Maicheng.” His heart tightened: Should he enter or not? Was there still time to pack up and flee back to his coastal town overnight?

“It seems I have no reason to refuse,” Lin Nian thought, reluctantly signing the confidentiality agreement. Lin Xian smiled slightly and signed as well.

“Very good.” Seeing their signatures, Manstein carefully put away the documents, his expression shifting from gentle to serious. Lin Nian realized this was the moment the veil of mystery over Kassel Academy would be lifted.

At that moment, Fingal wheeled a cart into the compartment and placed three drinks on the table. Lin Nian sipped his sweetened coffee. Manstein took a small sip of red wine, then looked at him deeply and asked, “Lin Nian, do you believe dragons exist in this world?”