The acceptance letter came with registration instructions.
Federation University was a full-time school, meaning that unless there were extremely special circumstances, students were required to live on campus. Commuting was not permitted.
After so many years, the university still followed a 21st-century tradition: four-person dorm rooms were the norm.
The intention was to test the studentsā social skillsāafter all, getting along with roommates was a trial in itself.
Registration day was also move-in day. Students had to have all their belongings ready, as each department would hold meetings the very next day. Military training would start that same day, so the process moved extremely quickly.
Therefore, Jiang Qiuqiu had to prepare her daily necessities.
She didnāt have much, so packing was done quickly. Before leaving, Qiuqiu took Mo Si to Mrs. Aiāerās house to say goodbye.
When Mrs. Aiāer saw the two of them approaching shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, her eyes filled with a smile. "Oh, Little Mo and Qiuqiu are here."
Her gaze was a friendly appraisal, and Mo Si looked a little embarrassed. After all, he had once said to Mrs. Aiāerā
āSheās still a child.ā
āSheās still young.ā
āShe doesnāt know what love is.ā
āI donāt have feelings for her, I just appreciate her talent.ā
But how long had it been? Now they were holding hands, they had kissed, and they had hugged. He could feel his own face starting to sting.
Compared to him, Qiuqiu was much more composed. "Yes, Federation University starts tomorrow. I came to let you know that Iāll be heading to school then."
"Thatās wonderful!" Mrs. Aiāerās gaze was encouraging. "Itās a great idea for you to go to school and study. Gaining a more systematic understanding of spiritual power will help you understand yourself better."
Only with a deeper understanding can you create your own style.
"Also," she added, "it might be a little inconvenient for you to cook while living in the dorms. Iāll speak with Dean Zhu from your Spirit Healing Department and have him get you a spot in the faculty apartments."
"When youāve cooked something, you can have the Dean bring it to me, and Iāll have him take the Healing Crystal Stones back to you."
Mrs. Aiāer had arranged everything perfectly.
However, Jiang Qiuqiu realized there was something she had forgotten to tell everyone.
"Yes, thatās fine, but Iāll probably need to wait a while."
"Wait a while?"
"I heard the military training for the Mecha Single Soldier System is really tough. I probably wonāt have any free time to cook, so Iāll have to wait until after itās over."
"Time isnāt an issue, whenever youā" Wait. Mrs. Aiāer suddenly caught the crucial point. "The military training for the Mecha Single Soldier System is tough?"
She felt things had suddenly become complicated. "What does the military training for the Mecha Single Soldier System have to do with you?!"
"Because I enrolled in the Mecha Single Soldier System."
In that instant, Mrs. Aiāer felt like her heart was about to shatter.
...
She had met a Spirit Healing genius here.
She was quick on the uptake, self-disciplined, motivated, and had a heart full of justice. Mrs. Aiāer knew with crystal clarity that as long as Jiang Qiuqiu stayed on this path, in another ten or twenty years, there would definitely be a place for her among the top Spirit Healing Masters.
She had worried that Qiuqiu might lose her way, that she might not be able to persevere, that she would slowly lose her true self, that she would become confused.
But she had never, ever imaginedā
That she didnāt want to be a Spirit Healing Master.
She wanted to be a Mecha Soldier!
"..."
"Qiuqiu, do you really like the Mecha Single Soldier System that much?"
"You donāt like the Spirit Healing Department?"
"Youāre so good at Spirit Healing, why not continue studying it?"
Mrs. Aiāer held her hand. "Is it because itās all been smooth sailing and thereās no challenge, so you find it boring?"
"I came from the battlefield; Iām not very good at teaching."
"If you could just listen to one of Dean Zhuās lectures at Federation University, you might be able to experience the joy of Spirit Healing courses."
Mrs. Aiāer looked at Jiang Qiuqiu, her eyes full of a desperate sales pitch.
Honestly. Other people wanted to learn this but couldnāt.
And here she was, treating it like some hot potato that needed to be passed on.