The two teachers who had come to mete out punishment were stunned when they heard Zhou Yi's words. Teacher Lu said:
"A core disciple of the Soul Tool Department???"
Mu Jin, standing nearby, quickly interjected:
"Zhou Yi, even if you're looking for an excuse, at least find a reasonable one. Since when has the Soul Tool Department ever selected core disciples from the first year? Usually, it's at least after the academy's third-year assessment. Who are you trying to fool!"
The two teachers were only momentarily dazed, then Teacher Lu turned to Mu Jin and said:
"Teacher Mu, let us handle this matter. Perhaps you should return to your class and manage your students."
It was precisely because Zhou Yi's recent statement was too absurd that he decided to handle the matter carefully. Moreover, Zhou Yi, standing nearby, kept making divisive remarks.
Mu Jin snorted angrily and said:
"After you've dealt with it, I hope the academy will publicly announce the specific results."
"I can tell you now, Huo Yuhao is my disciple, and he is indeed a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department."
A tall figure entered from the doorway, it was Fan Yu. Beside him was Director Du Weilun.
"Greetings, Director."
The two teachers quickly greeted Du Weilun.
As soon as Du Weilun entered the room, he immediately said:
"After confirmation from Headmaster Yan Shaozhe and Headmaster Qian Duoduo, Huo Yuhao will no longer receive the treatment of a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department, but will officially become a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department. This time, he came here to complete a task for Teacher Fan Yu. The matter ends here. From now on, Huo Yuhao can continue to study basic knowledge in the Martial Soul Department, and only officially transfer to the Soul Tool Department after the end of his third year."
After hearing Du Weilun's announcement, the other teachers fell completely silent. Mu Jin's eyes widened, revealing her disbelief. She hadn't expected Fan Yu to help Zhou Yi in this way, and even to convince Du Weilun.
"No, that can't be right. Director Du, how can that brat Huo Yuhao be qualified to become a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department? Core disciples of the Soul Tool Department must be individuals with astonishing talent in crafting Soul Tools!"
Mu Jin said, unconvinced.
Fan Yu snorted coldly and shouted:
"Huo Yuhao, stand up, come forward."
Huo Yuhao immediately stood up and followed Fan Yu's instructions. At this moment, he still didn't understand why Mu Jin was so agitated, but facing so many teachers, he didn't feel nervous at all. On the contrary, he felt a warmth in his heart. The three teachers, Zhou Yi, Wang Yan, and Fan Yu, were all protecting him, and his heart grew stronger because of it.
Fan Yu waved his hand, and a blue octagonal badge appeared in his hand. On the surface of the badge, there seemed to be two diamond-like gems carved.
"Huo Yuhao has been studying Soul Tool crafting with me since his first year. After eight months under my guidance, he passed the assessment and was promoted to a Class 2 Soul Tool Master. With my standing in this academy, I sought Headmaster Qian Duoduo's opinion, and he also confirmed it and specially issued this Class 2 badge. In just eight months, he was able to go from an ordinary Soul Master to a Class 2 Soul Tool Master. This achievement has set a new record in our academy. So why shouldn't our Soul Tool Department accept him as a core disciple?"
At this moment, even Du Weilun was utterly astonished. He had absolutely no idea about Huo Yuhao's information from the Soul Tool Department.
Eight months? Only eight months of study, and he could already become a Rank 2 Soul Tool Master? This achievement could no longer be described with the ordinary words "genius." Don't forget, Huo Yuhao was only twelve years old! Even in the Sun Moon Empire, which highly valued Soul Tool Masters, the number of people who achieved this was extremely rare. What was going on? How could this be?
However, it was too late for him to prevent the Soul Tool Department from accepting Huo Yuhao as a core disciple; he had just announced it himself. Du Weilun was certain that Fan Yu couldn't lie about such matters. But this only made him more annoyed, so he could only comfort himself by thinking that Huo Yuhao only had talent in Soul Tools. No wonder Vice Dean Qian personally came to speak favorably of him to Dean Yan. Oh my god, I didn't guess this from the beginning. A mistake, truly a huge mistake. If Dean Yan had known this news beforehand, even if he allowed Huo Yuhao to go over there, he could have at least extracted some benefits from Vice Dean Qian's pocket.
Don't assume that in Shrek Academy, the status of the Martial Soul Department far surpassed that of the Soul Tool Department. In reality, in terms of wealth and resources, the Martial Soul Department was far inferior. Many times, the Martial Soul Department even had to rely on the Soul Tool Department for funding.
Zhou Yi coldly glanced at Mu Jin and said, "Director Du, Teacher Mu Jin is the homeroom teacher of Class Two, yet she keeps coming to my Class One to add fuel to the fire. This is a bit too much!"
Du Weilun immediately sobered up. It was too late to regret things that had reached this point. He said coldly, "Teacher Mu, go back to your class. Don't do this again next time."
Mu Jin glared at Zhou Yi with hatred, then looked at Fan Yu, who stood indifferently to the side, and then turned sharply and left.
Zhou Yi continued calmly, "Director Du, I think Teacher Mu Jin's temperament is not suitable to be a homeroom teacher. It will delay the students' studies."
Du Weilun raised an eyebrow and said, "This is a matter for the administration. You all continue teaching. The promotion assessment will begin this afternoon. I will personally supervise the assessment process for the second-year students."
After speaking, he turned, nodded to Fan Yu, and left with the other two teachers.
Fan Yu patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder and then followed Du Weilun. After all, Huo Yuhao had been officially declared a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department, and it had been personally confirmed by Dean Yan Shaozhe, so the matter was now set in stone. Even if the Martial Soul Department changed its mind, it would be too late. After leaving the classroom, Fan Yu couldn't help but smile faintly. Although the Soul Tool Department couldn't rise to prominence in his hands, it certainly would during the time of Huo Yuhao and He Taitou.
Under the unusually scrutinizing gazes of his classmates, Huo Yuhao finally sat down. Except for Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong, who already knew everything, everyone else, without exception, gaped in astonishment.
After a year of studying together, everyone knew that Huo Yuhao was an orphan with no one to back him. Yet, ever since he entered Shrek Academy, he had continuously received preferential treatment. Zhou Yi didn't hesitate to expel two core disciples for him, and now it was the Soul Tool Department's turn to accept him as a core disciple, even coming to the classroom to present him with a Level Two Soul Tool Master medal. Needless to say, with this medal alone, Huo Yuhao would receive great benefits in any country, because every country currently needed talented Soul Tool Masters.
"What? A Level Two Soul Tool Master?"
Yan Shaozhe looked at Du Weizhong in surprise and asked again. Things were developing too quickly; for a moment, he couldn't help but furrow his brows in thought.
Du Weilun had immediately reported the news to him after leaving the classroom of Class One, Second Year.
"Damn it, we've been played. That old fox Qian Duoduo is really something."
Yan Shaozhe slammed his hand on the table, his face filled with regret.
Du Weilun said, "Dean Yan, it's not that serious. If that little Huo Yuhao has a talent for crafting Soul Tools, then let him be a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department. It's still somewhat useful."
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand and said, "No, it's never that simple. You're thinking too simply. If it were just that, why would the Soul Tool Department be in such a hurry? They could just wait until Huo Yuhao is in his fourth year and then announce that they're taking him as a core disciple, and that would be that. If he only had talent in crafting Soul Tools, the Soul Tool Department wouldn't value him so much. And this time, he was late. Wang Yan and Zhou Yi could have just found a decent excuse for him, and that would have been it. Why would Qian Duoduo go to all this trouble, even using the condition that he won against me last time as a bargaining chip? Have you figured out what this is all about?"
Du Weilun said in alarm, "You mean, what truly interests the Soul Tool Department in Huo Yuhao is also what our Martial Soul Department needs?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded and said, "Obviously. Otherwise, Qian Duoduo wouldn't have come to me. No wonder I kept feeling like something wasn't right. Oh dear, I've fallen for that old devil's trick again this time."
Du Weilun forced a smile and said, "Dean, things have already turned out this way. Since they've announced Huo Yuhao as their core disciple, what can we do? After all, it's just one person. Our academy isn't lacking in talent. We just need to be more careful in the future so we don't get tricked by the Soul Tool Department again."
"Mm."
Yan Shaozhe nodded and said, "Well then, they have an assessment this afternoon. You go supervise it. Besides observing the performance of the core disciples, pay special attention to Huo Yuhao. If he truly performs exceptionally, you must inform me immediately. It's true that we can't change our minds now, but what if the boy changes his mind? Then it's settled."
After speaking, a cunning smile appeared at the corner of Yan Shaozhe's mouth. If he couldn't directly choose him as a core disciple, then it would be fine if the boy took the initiative.
Today's morning class didn't end when the bell rang. After explaining and giving all the necessary instructions, Zhou Yi immediately dismissed everyone. She did this to give her students more time to prepare so they could be in the best state to participate in the afternoon assessment.
Looking at the Class Two Soul Engineer medal on his chest, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but feel proud. The ocean-blue medal was already striking enough, but it was also inlaid with two diamonds. Wasn't that dazzling enough?
"Stop admiring it." Wang Dong couldn't help but tease. "You've been staring at it and smiling with your mouth wide open this whole time."
Huo Yuhao chuckled and said, "With this, I'm recognized by the Soul Engineer Association. No matter where I go, I'll have work. At least I won't have to worry about food, clothing, and money anymore."
Wang Dong said angrily, "You really have no ambition. Come on, let's go back and continue cultivating, quickly."
Huo Yuhao said in surprise, "Oh-ho, the sun must have risen from the west today. When did you become so diligent?"
Wang Dong snorted and said, "I've always been diligent!"