The goateed man was feeling frustrated. He took a purple jade pendant from his pocket and tossed it directly to the approaching Brian Brooks, letting out a snort.

“Go report to the Department of Magical Artifacts yourself. I have other matters to attend to, so I’m leaving first.” With that, he stepped into a small airship and quickly departed.

Catching the jade pendant, Brian Brooks was just as frustrated. He could tell that the other man’s attitude was off.

“Did I perform too well and give myself away…? Sigh, what exactly is the Department of Magical Artifacts?” Brian Brooks patted his forehead, stood there holding the jade pendant, feeling troubled. Unconsciously, he took out a pack of snacks from his luggage and started eating.

He felt that this goateed man was really unreliable. Helpless, he could only ask around on his own. On this day when new students were arriving, the Lower Academy Island of the Ethereal Dao College was packed with people, and the spaceport was a sea of humanity. The already hot weather felt even more stifling.

Although the lake breeze blew in, it only brought waves of heat. Brian Brooks stood there wiping his sweat, and saw someone in the distance selling ice water, claiming it was “Ice Spirit Water.” The price was steep, but Brian Brooks was not the type to shortchange himself. No matter how expensive, he ran over and bought several bottles, stashing them in his luggage.

Drinking the cool Ice Spirit Water, Brian Brooks looked around, taking in the bustling spaceport. He even saw someone livestreaming the new students’ arrival, and could vaguely hear voices asking for gifts.

After some inquiries, Brian Brooks didn’t spend much time before gaining a basic understanding of the Department of Magical Artifacts. His heart immediately burned with excitement as he boarded a small airship heading for the Magical Artifacts Peak.

Upon arrival at Magical Artifacts Peak, he found the place just as crowded. Some were there to visit and consider their options, while others had already made up their minds and were there to submit their applications.

There were also quite a few volunteer upperclassmen from the Department of Magical Artifacts on hand to greet and guide the waves of new students. Looking around, the place was packed and bustling.

“The Department of Magical Artifacts may seem like it’s all about crafting, but it’s different—we can refine all things under heaven into treasures!” As he moved with the crowd, Brian Brooks listened intently to an enthusiastic horse-faced senior sister up ahead, whose introduction matched perfectly with what he’d heard before about the department, making it sound especially impressive.

“Our Department of Magical Artifacts at Ethereal Dao College is second to none in the entire Federation. Whether it’s magical tools, weapons, or civilian items, we master them all. Every graduate is highly sought after in the outside world.” The horse-faced senior sister led the way as she spoke, her voice full of pride for her department.

“You probably noticed the three huge platforms on Magical Artifacts Peak from above—those are the three main academies: Spirit Stone Studies, Pattern Engraving Studies, and Spirit Blank Studies!”

“Unlike the basic schools in your hometowns, life at the Dao College is more free. Each department has its own fixed academies, and both new and returning students can enter to study at any time. The rest of the time is mostly for self-cultivation. There are annual assessments, but they’re not particularly strict. Only the Upper Academy’s grand exam is truly crucial.”

“If you can’t get into the Upper Academy within five years, you’ll have to leave the Dao College.” Hearing the senior sister mention assessments, Brian Brooks paid even closer attention, as did the others around him.

“But you don’t need to be too nervous. Getting into the Upper Academy is still a long way off for you. Alright, this is where new students submit their applications.” Seeing everyone looking at her, the senior sister smiled slightly and stopped beside a stone mirror about ten zhang wide, halfway up the mountain.

The stone mirror exuded an ancient aura, standing upright and radiating a sense of age. On its surface were lines resembling runes, making it look extraordinary.

“Just press your application card onto the mirror to imprint it, and then you can head back down the mountain. Within three days, the Lower Academy will announce the admission lists for each department.” After finishing, the horse-faced senior sister wiped her sweat, her mouth a bit dry. Standing to the side, she looked at the students before her, feeling a wave of emotion, as if she were seeing her younger self.

“I wonder how many of these people will be admitted. Probably not many—after all, each year, only up to four thousand are accepted.” As the senior sister sighed, Brian Brooks immediately noticed her wiping her sweat. He hurried over, took a bottle of cool Ice Spirit Water from his luggage, and handed it to her.

“Thank you for your hard work, senior sister. On behalf of all of us new students, thank you for your guidance. It’s so hot out—please have some water.” Brian Brooks wore an honest expression and spoke sincerely, making the horse-faced senior sister take a few extra glances at this chubby boy before her, instantly feeling a liking for him. In all her years of welcoming new students, she’d rarely met someone so considerate.

The other students also looked over, since Brian Brooks’s words weren’t just for himself, but on behalf of everyone, leaving them with a good impression of him as well.

Seeing how just one bottle of Ice Spirit Water had earned him so much goodwill, Brian Brooks felt proud, thinking his potential for officialdom had just risen a notch.

Soon, the students around him, full of anticipation, approached the stone mirror one by one. They took out a white jade card, placed it on the mirror, and the card glowed as the imprinting was completed.