Upon hearing the young scholarship student’s retort, the professor did not imdiately reply. Instead, he raised his finger, conjured a spark, and pressed it onto the golden tobacco in his pipe. Accompanied by a wisp of smoke, he stuffed the pipe into his mouth and took a deep puff.
Phew...
The professor exhaled a dense cloud of smoke, almost engulfing himself completely, but Zheng Qing could clearly see his bright eyes, akin to the shiny shell on the back of an insect—hard, polished to a gleaming luster.
"The school is a bit chaotic at the mont, on all levels."
The legendary wizard behind the desk spoke to the young scholarship student with unexpected candor and straightforwardness: "You know, due to so rumors, I wasn’t appointed vice principal, and the one who beca vice principal, Lady Emma—this evaluation is purely factual, unrelated to personal grievances—from a capability standpoint, Lady Emma’s appointnt as vice principal is rather inadequate..."
Zheng Qing’s face scrunched up.
After hearing Old Yao’s first sentence, he wanted to plug his ears and block out all the subsequent sounds. But in front of a legendary wizard, such behavior is neither polite nor possible.
"...Not to boast, but I do have so supporters in the school."
The professor raised his arm and waved, as if dispersing the smoke in front of him, or perhaps making a powerful gesture: "Even they are aware of my identity... You should understand, at the high-tier wizard level, there is essentially no difference between demons and wizards. And at a certain stage, like a big wizard, when trying to form a complete true form, magic resources beco more critical than the ability to learn... My supporters support because, as vice principal, I can provide them with more resources..."
Perhaps fearing the young scholarship student lacked so ’common sense’, the professor explained in detail, making Zheng Qing feel that so of the words were a bit too candid.
"So the conflict returns to the point I ntioned earlier. Those who support believe Professor Emma lacks capability; those who support Professor Emma think my identity is flawed. The two factions quarrel endlessly for their interests, even affecting the unity among various colleges... The school’s managent is in chaos... You should have felt a bit from today’s afternoon incident with the illegal laboratory outside the campus. In a sense, Professor Emma, Nicholas, and I have all beco so sort of ’involuntary symbols’."
"But, Professor, haven’t you already beco the Dean of the Magic Philosophy Research Institute?" Zheng Qing quietly expressed his confusion.
When the new edition of "Magic Wand" ca out, Xiao Xiao had analyzed for him that the school deliberately allocated a research institute to Dean Yao to maintain a level of fairness.
"The Magic Philosophy Research Institute and the vice principal of the First University are concepts on two different levels." The professor puffed on his pipe and blinked: "For , whether it’s the vice principal or the research institute dean, there’s not much difference. But for the ’followers’ hoping to gain more magic resources, a research institute leaning towards theoretical research cannot satisfy them."
Zheng Qing unconsciously squinted.
He still felt he hadn’t grasped the main point of Professor Yao’s speech.
"The inside of First University is chaotic, and outside the school, it’s even more chaotic."
The legendary wizard behind the desk seed not to notice the male student’s thoughtful gaze. He puffed on his pipe and continued slowly analyzing: "Demons have birthed a new ancient one, yet our esteed headmaster is nearly invisible... Whether it’s the Northern District Wizards trying to expand their rights, the Alliance attempting to stretch its hand into the school, or that legendary-promoted big mouse joining the First University, all need a sufficiently authoritative voice to give a definitive statent. Not like it is now... Everyone is vague and unable to make a decision, leaving every action and decision of the school full of uncertainty."
Upon saying this, he sighed heavily, releasing a large cloud of smoke as he added: "...In the current situation, the school must prepare for more, larger, and more complex crises... We don’t know when or where the arrogant demons will venture, but I know, if the current decision-making efficiency persists, the situation at First University could end up worse than the Black Prison during the next crisis."
Zheng Qing finally understood what Old Yao was rambling about.
Within First University, there have always been two ’factions’—the Professor Joint eting affiliated with Vice Principal Shi Hui, and the School Works Committee affiliated with Vice Principal Ruoyu. During the period when the headmaster was missing, these two factions have always been in a competitive and cooperative relationship.
More bluntly, the two legends have been secretly contending, hoping to beco the successor of the headmaster. This competitive relationship is a well-known secret across the entire First University.
After the Battle of the Black Prison, Lady Shi Hui, who initially held the dominant position, needed to take responsibility for the defeat in the Black Prison and had to leave First University. The power vacuum created by her departure, however, remains unfilled due to the subtle situation between Professor Yao and Professor Emma.
In an inappropriate analogy, Elder Ruoyu is akin to Wei State in the Three Kingdoms, with the strongest force; Professor Yao and Professor Emma are like Shu State and Wu State, both competing and cooperating.
Now, Professor Yao is sowhat tired of such internal strife and wants a more ’authoritative’ voice to co forward and put an end to this chaos quickly.
"I don’t know," the young scholarship student weakly cleared his throat, his tone filled with uncertainty: "I an, is there anything I can do?"
He had already decided that if the professor wanted to et the gentleman, he would take him to the San You Bookstore without a second thought. Whether the gentleman would see him is another matter.
The professor waved his hand, dispersing the smoke, and carefully looked at the boy in front of him.
"I hope you graduate early." The professor returned to the original topic, and this answer was completely unexpected for Zheng Qing.
The young wizard’s mind plunged into chaos once again.
"Does this matter... Do these two things relate in any way?" Zheng Qing felt perplexed: "Whether I graduate or not..."
"It’s not about what you do, but about what you are."
The professor responded concisely: "I can probably guess the headmaster’s intentions... His silence on school matters is the clearest expression of opinion... So, I don’t expect to have a chat with the headmaster today... I can only pin my hopes on his proxy. And a student cannot beco a competent proxy."
Zheng Qing pressed his lips together, feeling a bit bitter in his mouth.
"Don’t always be so serious... You’re still young, don’t live like a little old man already." The professor chuckled, tapping the ashes out of his pipe onto the desk.
The young scholarship student sighed wistfully.
After tonight’s conversation, he felt it would be challenging not to turn into a bald little old man.
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