Lu Lin's eyes lit up.
Challenge Academy—of course, he had heard of it.
Not only had he heard of it, but he had also seen many videos about Challenge Academy.
Iron Blood Academy had always exclusively recruited geniuses.
However, even a genius was not necessarily destined to become a strong person.
Genius only described a person's talent; it wasn't a guarantee of becoming a strong person.
To avoid recruiting students who only possessed talent, Iron Blood Academy had specifically established a university called Challenge Academy, located right next to Iron Blood Academy.
The purpose of Challenge Academy was to give students with less outstanding talent a chance to challenge the geniuses when new students enrolled each year.
Success meant entering Iron Blood Academy.
Failure meant continuing to complete their studies at Challenge Academy.
Every year, when Iron Blood Academy began its new school year, major television stations from the various federations, as well as internet video companies native to various planets, would come to Alien to broadcast the challenge matches.
It was because of this that Lu Lin was able to see the corresponding battle videos.
"Alright, Teacher Li, I'll apply for Challenge Academy."
"However, what's the real name of Challenge Academy anyway..."
Usually, everyone just calls it Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy; after all this time, hardly anyone remembers Challenge Academy's real name.
"Let me think about it."
"It's called Luse Alliance College."
Luse Alliance?
A long row of question marks appeared on Lu Lin's face.
Are these big shots always so casual when it comes to naming an institution? Luse Alliance College? That means, if I enroll in Luse Academy, it would be one thing if I successfully challenged the students of Iron Blood Academy. But if I failed... Later on, when I'm looking for a job, joining a team, or telling my parents and relatives, starting with 'I am a graduate of Luse Academy'… just thinking about it is mortifying.
Luse Alliance College was also named this way precisely to deter many candidates—those with wavering determination or who were merely hoping to try their luck—the moment they heard the college's name.
"So, Lu Lin, are you sure you want to apply?" Teacher Li asked.
"Of course!"
With a desperate, do-or-die mentality, Lu Lin filled in the name "Luse Alliance College" on his College Entrance Exam application.
As for the second and third preferences, there was no need for Lu Lin to fill them in.
Luse Alliance College accepted all applicants.
As long as you believed you had the courage to succeed in the challenge, or were willing to debase yourself and admit you were a loser, you could come to Luse Academy to study.
Regardless of one's initial tempering level, or whether one could comprehend Star Skills instantly, as long as a candidate had successfully awakened their Talent, Luse Alliance College welcomed all comers—the more, the merrier.
After submitting his College Entrance Exam application, Lu Lin finally relaxed.
In any case, things had taken a step forward.
As for whether he could gain admission to Iron Blood Academy through the entrance challenge in one month, that would depend on Lu Lin's efforts during this month.
"Old Lu, you really applied!"
"You've got guts!" Zuo Yiming gave a thumbs up in admiration when he saw Lu Lin's actions.
Lu Lin's move was a complete gamble, backing himself into a corner; whether he would survive it, no one knew.
But at least, Lu Lin's boldness and courage were admirable.
"Enough about me. What about you? Which school are you planning to apply for?"
"Me?" Zuo Yiming smiled slyly but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he waved towards the entrance of the classroom.
Lu Lin turned to look and saw Luo Ling walk in, wearing black training attire.
"Luo Ling, how's your sister doing?"
"Still the same. The citizen hospital is currently preparing to start the second stage of treatment. My sister might be getting the latest electronic prosthetic limb."
Lu Lin looked at Luo Ling, then at Zuo Yiming. He understood. Previously, Luo Ling's family certainly hadn't had enough income to support such a surgery for her sister. But now, it was clear Zuo Yiming had stepped in during their time of need, showing great concern and helping Luo Ling's sister. It hadn't even been that long, and they were already together.
Moreover, judging by Luo Ling's demeanor, she seemed much more relaxed with Zuo Yiming's help.
Compared to her previous shy and insecure self, she had become much more confident.
"Luo Ling, have you checked your score?" Zuo Yiming asked, naturally too embarrassed to call her "Ling'er" or something similar in public.
"I've checked. 0.91%."
"Which academy are you applying to?" Zuo Yiming asked, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
"I'm applying to Hua Xia Police Officer College."
"Hua Xia Police Officer College? Really?!" Zuo Yiming's face lit up with surprise, as if he couldn't believe it.
For couples like them, who had just gotten together and were already facing graduation, it often meant that graduation led to a breakup.
"What, don't tell me you're applying to Hua Xia Police Officer College too?" Luo Ling asked.
Lu Lin, standing nearby, also looked at Zuo Yiming with surprise. If Lu Lin remembered correctly, Zuo Yiming had mentioned that his Dad had a brother who was a Vice Principal at a Military Academy in the northwest, and he was supposed to attend that Military Academy.
"Yeah, Old Lu, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet," Zuo Yiming said, his face alight with excitement, practically dancing with joy. "Due to the recent global proliferation of heinous cases involving the Black Shark Society, the Federation's higher-ups decided to reassign a group of Military Academy leaders to strengthen the federal police forces. My uncle—just last night, it was!—called my Dad. He said he'd been transferred to Hua Xia Police Officer College to serve as Principal, and concurrently as the Dean of the Star Martial Criminal Investigation College."
"My father and I discussed it, and we ultimately decided that I should go to Hua Xia Police Officer College for university."
"I never expected it, Luo Ling! We can finally immerse ourselves in the ocean of knowledge together again!"
"Tsk." Luo Ling didn't quite know what expression to make in response.
Zuo Yiming looked quite serious on the outside, but once you got to know him, you realized he was a bit of a goofball. He claimed he'd discussed it with his father, but based on Lu Lin's understanding of Zuo Zhenyu, 'unilaterally informed' was probably a more accurate description.
However, it was indeed a happy occasion that the two of them could attend the same school again.
After they had all filled out their application forms, Zuo Yiming decided to treat everyone to a meal to commemorate their friendship.
Lu Lin, Luo Ling, and Zhou Ziqiang—who shamelessly announced he was coming to freeload and curry favor—were all there.
Before they left the school, Teacher Li specifically sought out Lu Lin.
The reward promised by the principal had been prepared: a One Hundred Thousand Yuan Talent Fund.
This money had been earmarked before Lu Lin's initial tempering results were known. The principal, having just learned Lu Lin's examination score, didn't consider canceling the reward but still sighed for Lu Lin.
Especially after learning Lu Lin had applied to Challenge Academy, he had all but explicitly expressed his lack of confidence in Lu Lin's prospects.
But regardless, the principal was a man of his word. The promised reward for Lu Lin was given in full. Furthermore, if Lu Lin's parents were to come live on Blue Star, the school would also offer them two job positions.
After Zuo Yiming treated them to a lavish meal, Lu Lin declined Zuo Yiming's offer to take him home and walked out of the restaurant with Zhou Ziqiang.
"Mr. Lu," Zhou Ziqiang began, "can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Um, you... you're already a Star Skill Instructor now, right?"
During the meal, Zuo Yiming had told Luo Ling about Lu Lin becoming a Trainee Star Technique Guide, and Zhou Ziqiang, of course, had overheard.
"Yes, but I'm just a Trainee Star Technique Guide for now. My Star Power Domain has only just been constructed. What is it?"
"Mr. Lu, I want to ask you for a favor. My little sister... half a month ago, she accidentally awakened..."
"What?!" Lu Lin exclaimed in shock.