Chapter 8 Admission (Part 2)_1

The dock was shaped like a convex letter.

The long shed served as a boundary line: smaller in front, larger at the back.

Link had just walked to the back of the shed when he was slightly shocked by the scene before him.

Dozens of large aircraft, resembling the Y-20 Fat Lady, were lined up on the ground, their tails facing the shed, with the cargo doors wide open.

The stance, the setup, the force...

In one word, awe-inspiring!

Above the aircraft floated the names and emblems of various Wizard Organizations, making them easy to distinguish, so there was no worry about heading to the wrong one.

"Link, over here."

Jasmine stood by the cargo door of Ravensmouth Biological and Medical College's large aircraft, waving at Link from afar.

She stood gracefully, with a serene smile, tilting her head as she waved, which made her look even more charming and adorable.

"Tsck..."

Link smacked his lips, feeling that ever since Jasmine had decided to enter Ravensmouth Biological and Medical College, she had started to charm him, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Had he truly been an inexperienced blacksmith's son, he would have eventually fallen under Jasmine's spell.

By then, he might have ended up like chopped leeks—exploited and compliant, even willingly offering up his own resources.

Hmm...

Link admitted that such thoughts made him seem somewhat dark-minded.

But while one should not harbor ill intentions, one must not lack caution. Link did not hesitate to speculate on human nature with the worst of assumptions.

"I'll be right there."

Setting aside his thoughts for the moment, Link waved back at Jasmine and quickly walked to her side.

"They've all gone up already, I was waiting for you; I'm a bit scared alone."

As Link approached, Jasmine flashed a brilliant smile and said in a gentle voice, "I'm not scared when you're here."

"Ah..."

Link opened his mouth, uncertain how to respond to this direct approach.

This tactic was a bit crude—making such a blunt move without any emotional groundwork?

Link was confused about what strategy she was playing, so he chose not to respond.

"Let's go up too."

This time, Link avoided any physical contact with Jasmine and headed straight into the cabin.

Jasmine blinked, slightly surprised.

Had she done something wrong just now? Why did it seem like Link was intentionally distancing himself from her?

After pondering for a moment to no avail, Jasmine dismissed these thoughts and followed closely behind Link onto the aircraft.

At the entrance of the aircraft cabin sat a staff member dressed in the same uniform as the new recruits.

To his left was a device resembling a tablet computer; to his right was a square black box, and above his head hovered a white mechanical body with a glass lens.

"Name?"

The staff member's voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

"Link Grande."

"Hmm... Intermediate fourth-rank qualification, not bad."

The staff member tapped on the tablet a few times, murmuring to himself, then pointed about two meters in front of him and drew a short white line, "Stand straight there, look straight ahead, do not blink, do not move."

Link obediently followed the instructions.

Click.

The white device floating above the heads of the staff emitted a flash from its glass lens.

"Taking photos?"

Link increasingly realized how profound the wisdom contained in the phrase "All paths lead to the same destination" was.

So far, Link had encountered unmanned vehicles, all-metal ocean-going ships, handheld terminals, artificial intelligence, comprehensive lighting systems, aviation flight, and interconnected networks.

It proved that the advanced Wizard civilization was not at all backward or ignorant.

Perhaps the methods of achievement differed, but the resulting products bore no difference from the technology civilization of Link's past life, and in many fields, they were likely far ahead.

Therefore, seeing a drone with photo and video capabilities now did not surprise Link at all.

"Come here, place your hands on this."

The staff member pointed to the integrated palm and fingerprint scanner on the table.

Link proceeded to do so.

The scanner emitted a blue light, scanning back and forth a few times, entering Link's palm and fingerprints into the database.

The square black box then activated with a creak, exposing a slot below and issuing a card nearly the size of half a palm.

At the top center of the card was the emblem of Ravensmouth Biological and Medical College, with the full name of the college located below the emblem.

In the middle was a half-body photo of Link.

Below that were the name "Link Grande" and the apprentice number "201140048."

"Alright, go in and find a seat yourself."

The staff member picked up the card and handed it to Link, instructively yet indifferently.

"Thank you."

Link respectfully bowed to the staff member.

Extra politeness offends no one, especially since, having reflected a few days ago, Link had maintained a humble attitude in the powerful Wizard World.

Perhaps this wouldn't provide any benefits, but at least it might reduce some unnecessary malice or even hostility.

Link entered the cabin's gate, waited in the aisle for a while, until Jasmine also registered her information and received her card, and then they went to find seats together.

After all, coming from the same place, there was no need to alienate someone based on one's true or false speculations.

Just interacting normally would do.

The aisles on both sides contained various compartments, differentiated into doubles and fours.

After discussing it, Link and Jasmine chose an empty double compartment.

Sitting on the soft, comfortable seat, which could be reclined or adjusted for seating, Jasmine fell silent for a while before suddenly remarking, "It feels like I'm dreaming right now."

"Actually, even without you saying so, I know that I've been pampered from childhood, and I've lived a much better life than you. But, those conditions, compared to the wizards of the main continent, are like the difference between a savage slave and a noble."

Jasmine's expression became complicated as she spoke.

"I feel like a savage slave who has stumbled into the Wizard World, naive and anxious!"

At this point, Jasmine turned, stared intently into Link's eyes, and asked earnestly, "Link, why are many things that Jimmy and others struggle to accept not surprising to you at all? This doesn't seem like the reaction of a blacksmith's son with limited experience; can you tell me the reason?"

Link couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Sister, what's gotten into you?

First a direct question, now a soul-searching one?

I mean, we're not that close; at best, we're just fellow countrymen who happened to meet.

Is this really your question to ask?

Link wasn't flustered, with "Mind Closure Technique" in operation and his emotions simulated appropriately, he calmly replied, "Isn't it only natural for a Wizard Sire to accomplish anything? What's there to be surprised about?"

He paused, then continued, "In my family, it takes a whole month to forge a single quality iron sword, but Viscount Holliday's soldiers never lack for weapons. Since I was young, I've known not to doubt what the great ones can achieve with my own standards."

Let's just leave it at that, believe it or not.