Chapter 255: A Generous Recruitment
“Congratulations, student. You’ve completed all of your tests.”
The guide almost hurried to the door to greet Xu Zhi, her attitude now bordering on attentive flattery.
When Ke Yi saw her again, she couldn’t help but offer her congratulations as well. With such dazzling results, Xu Zhi’s life would undoubtedly change. In fact, from this very moment, her status was likely already more prestigious than Ke Yi’s own.
But what happened next unfolded even faster than Ke Yi had expected.
The elevator reserved exclusively for the top floor suddenly began operating.
She turned her head in surprise. Within half a minute, the elevator started descending—
And its destination was this floor.
Realizing who was coming, her pupils contracted slightly. Her previously relaxed posture immediately became restrained, as though she were about to face some great figure.
And that was indeed the case.
Anyone who descended from the top floor was a major figure. And at this moment, they were most likely those who had been observing Xu Zhi’s test results.
Very soon, the elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
Six people stepped out of the spacious cabin. Men and women, varying in age—but all sharing one thing in common: distinguished status, formidable strength, and the way their eyes immediately settled on Xu Zhi the moment they exited.
Xu Zhi had noticed the elevator as well. When the doors opened, she looked over curiously. As the people inside walked out, she was slightly startled to find that every single one of them was staring at her with an expression that seemed to be—
As if they were looking at some rare and precious creature.
One or two pairs of such eyes would have been manageable.
All of them staring like that?
Xu Zhi felt goosebumps rising on the back of her hand.
“You must be Xu Zhi?”
Fortunately, the strange atmosphere of mutual staring didn’t last long. A white-haired elderly man standing in the middle spoke kindly.
“Welcome to the Light Institute.”
“Uh… thank you?” Xu Zhi gave him a slightly awkward smile, unsure what else to say.
“I am the principal of the Light Institute. Have you received your communication wristband? If so, you may add my contact information.”
The principal seemed remarkably approachable.
“If you encounter any problems in the academy in the future, you may contact me directly.”
Wow.
Wasn’t this a bit exaggerated?
The principal himself asking for her contact information and making such a promise?
Xu Zhi didn’t hide her surprise. She knew her talent was strong—very strong—but exactly how strong?
She didn’t truly know.
There had been no real comparison.
She had always been first. Always walking at the very front. No one had ever caught up to her pace. The opponents she encountered were all formidable enemies. Even her final battle before leaving the Federation had been extremely difficult.
So while she was confident, if asked to quantify just how extraordinary her talent was, she couldn’t.
She only knew she would be “first.”
But how high that “first” truly stood—she didn’t understand.
Not to mention, she still didn’t fully comprehend the newly formed [Lamp] attribute circuit within her.
However, judging by the principal’s attitude, she began to suspect—
Perhaps her talent was even better than she had anticipated.
“Yes, yes, Student Xu,” another elderly man who looked far more energetic than the principal leaned forward eagerly. “I’m the Director of Academic Affairs. Add my contact as well. If anyone gives you trouble in the academy, come directly to me.”
“Ahem. Since you’re adding theirs, you might as well add ours too. That way it’s more convenient.”
The most emotionally intelligent woman among them spoke up to smooth things over, receiving a few subtle grateful glances from her colleagues.
“Ah, alright.” Xu Zhi opened her communication wristband somewhat clumsily and exchanged contact information with the important figures standing before her.
Her unfamiliar movements with the device did not escape their notice—further confirming her “amnesia.”
“Student Xu,” the principal continued, “as the academy’s head, I must say your test results were truly exceptional. I will personally award you an additional 500 credits. I hope you will gain the knowledge you seek here at the Light Institute.”
Five hundred credits?
That was truly generous.
And coincidentally, exactly what Xu Zhi needed most right now.
“Thank you, Principal.” This time, her smile became genuinely warm. Even the old man himself seemed far more pleasing to the eye.
From this attitude, Xu Zhi tasted precisely what she had been aiming for.
Displaying her talent had indeed changed her situation.
In the eyes of the Light Institute, she was no longer a “suspicious person from the lower districts,” but a promising seedling.
Of course, the principal hadn’t handed over 500 credits casually.
Even as a freshman, even with the extra 300 credits she would receive monthly for ranking first in testing, it still wouldn’t be enough to exchange for sufficient resources. And the Lost Lands selection was approaching quickly.
The logical course of action was to provide Xu Zhi with more resources so she could improve herself as much as possible.
“In addition,” the principal continued, “your body has not fully recovered. We’ve already notified the academy medical team. They’ve received your case file and will be responsible for your rehabilitation. The academy will cover all expenses.”
“However…” Xu Zhi hesitated slightly. “I already promised that doctor I would visit her after reaching the upper level. She even gave me these glasses…”
She didn’t conceal this. There was no point—she didn’t believe such information could be hidden anyway.
Sure enough, the principal responded immediately:
“If you wish, you may visit her once a month. The academy will not stop you. But if you find it troublesome, the academy can handle the termination of that arrangement and compensate her accordingly.”
Wow.
That was surprising.
The Light Institute hadn’t issued a unilateral order forbidding her from going. Instead, they gave her a choice—and both options were remarkably gentle.
The attitude was completely different from before.
“Why is the Light Institute treating me so well?” Xu Zhi asked directly. “Is it because my talent is very high?”
This wasn’t recklessness. She was certain that even asking so bluntly wouldn’t anger them. In fact, such “perceptiveness” might even please them.
Sure enough, the principal showed no offense at all. He even smiled kindly.
“Yes. Precisely because of your talent.”
“We wish to nurture you. We are willing to give you resources and care. The question is—are you willing to become part of the Light Institute? To become truly one of us?”
Xu Zhi thought to herself:
Here it comes.
After revealing talent comes recruitment.
She was already within the Light Institute. They held the natural advantage. Their first instinct wouldn’t be to eliminate a potential threat—but to make her their own.
Which was fine.
With that thought, Xu Zhi allowed a trace of hesitation and confusion to appear on her face. She turned to glance at Qi Yanxin, then back at the principal’s gentle expression. She looked uncertain, cautious—yet visibly moved by the goodwill and the tangible benefits being offered.
After a moment, she nodded.
If one was going to act, one had to commit fully.
She was no longer the cunning and self-serving [Moth].
She was the innocent, clear-hearted [Lamp].
