Era of Mist

Old Jia was fuming, his face as black as the bottom of a pot. As a result, every student in the first-year Class Three and Class Seven was scared silent for the entire evening study session, not daring to make the slightest move. They all sat bolt upright, either writing furiously or reviewing their lessons. In short, they were all on their best behavior, giving "Electric Old Jia" absolutely no chance to find fault.

"Electric Old Jia" was a nickname the students had secretly given him. It meant that when he lost his temper, it was as if he’d been zapped with electricity—enough to make your hair stand on end.

Rumor had it that the audacious Champion Scholar Stone had assaulted Old Jia before leaving. Although no one knew exactly how he’d done it, in the eyes of the Class Seven students, Old Jia was probably crackling and sizzling with electricity from the roots of his hair to the tips. Glancing back at the empty seat, some who reveled in others’ misfortune were already eager to see what fate awaited Champion Scholar Stone.

However, Old Jia wasn’t in the mood to deal with these little rascals right now.

After the study session, Old Jia returned to his office. Just then, following a KNOCK KNOCK on the door, a pot-bellied, middle-aged man walked in. The man had a peculiar appearance: his face was broad and square, while his hair was perfectly round, a living embodiment of the "round heaven, square earth" principle. To the students of Fengming First Middle School, seeing him was like encountering a natural predator. He was none other than the Dean of Students, Zheng Kaoming, also known as the "Square-Headed Baleful Star."

"Director Zheng, still busy?" Old Jia stood up to greet him. "Working so late, it must be tough."

"My work is nothing. Teachers like you, Teacher Jia, battling on the front lines of education, are the ones who truly have it tough." Of course, the "Square-Headed Baleful Star" Zheng Kaoming didn’t keep a stern face when speaking to a teacher. "I heard you were assaulted just now, Teacher Jia. Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, I’m fine." ’The school isn’t huge, but it’s not tiny either. How did word of this get to Zheng Kaoming so quickly?’ Old Jia thought for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "I wasn’t assaulted. I just made the student stand as punishment for too long. He’s not in the best shape and just swayed a little, that’s all. I went too far with the corporal punishment. It’s my fault, I take full responsibility."

"How could you be responsible, Teacher Jia? If anyone is to blame, it’s that student." Zheng Kaoming sat down, his face a mask of authority. "Shouting in class, defying authority, and then even attacking a teacher? Has he gone mad? Don’t you worry, Teacher Jia. The school will see that justice is done. We will absolutely not tolerate a student who so severely disrupts the educational environment and violates school discipline! After careful consideration, the school has decided to issue that student... a major demerit!"

Old Jia was shocked. A major demerit at Fengming First Middle School was no small matter. This wasn’t the kind of slap on the wrist you get in your first year and have wiped clean by your third just by writing an apology and pretending to repent. That sort of leniency simply didn’t exist at Fengming First Middle School.

What kind of place was Fengming First Middle School?

In the vast Nanzhili region of Donghua Country, an area spanning three provinces, five prefectures, and twenty-eight garrisons, it was one of the few elite high schools you could count on one hand. It was a prestigious institution, famous throughout the nation. The best and brightest from this immense land gathered here; getting in was like boarding an express train to a brilliant future.

Just in the few classes he taught, he couldn’t count the children of high-ranking officials and tycoons on both hands. And don’t think that was nothing special—that every class has a few kids from wealthy or influential families, so what’s the big deal? The "high-ranking officials" and "tycoons" Old Jia meant were people of true, immense power and fortune. Compared to them, even a mayor’s son was small fry.

Think I’m exaggerating?

Here’s an example: the child of the Provincial Governor of Beisu Province was in Old Jia’s first-year Class Three. Among the five hundred million people in Nanzhili, the Governor of Beisu was one of the top five most powerful individuals, a position more esteemed than the governors of the other two provinces. Only a family background like that could be considered truly distinguished, head and shoulders above the rest at Fengming First Middle School. As for the others? They were hardly worth mentioning.

A prestigious school like this, one that could keep so many young masters and misses in line, was famously strict. Once a demerit was issued, it was guaranteed to be entered into a student’s permanent record. And an entry in their permanent record would have a massive impact on their future, becoming a stain that could never be wiped away.

"Director Zheng, this... this student, Shi, he didn’t do it on purpose. The fall was really just a misunderstanding. Actually, you could even say it shows his willingness to accept his punishment. I told him to stand there, and he didn’t move a muscle all afternoon. He skipped dinner and kept standing right through to the evening study session. His legs went numb; that’s why it happened." Old Jia scratched his head and started racking his brain for praise. "Student Shi usually performs excellently, he’s a diligent student, he’s hardworking and resilient, tenacious and persevering, young and promising, always striving for..."

"Heh heh, Teacher Jia, you’re a math teacher. Stop trying to string together compliments." Zheng Kaoming said with unruffled composure. "We’ve already looked into Shi Tiexin’s situation. The school’s stance is that we will take your thoughts into consideration. But school discipline cannot be broken. A mistake was made, and it must be punished. Otherwise, it will be impossible to educate anyone at Fengming First Middle School."

"But it can’t be a major demerit!" Old Jia’s neck stiffened, and he dropped the fancy words. "Shi Tiexin is a kid who’s had a rough life. He fought tooth and nail to get here. One major demerit, and his bright future is completely ruined. No, that can’t happen!"

Zheng Kaoming watched Old Jia for a moment, then his expression softened. "Fine. The major demerit is off the table."

Old Jia breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, it’s impossible for there to be no punishment at all." Zheng Kaoming’s expression grew serious once more. "Doing something wrong means facing the consequences. That is the school’s bottom line. Where is Shi Tiexin right now?"

Where was Shi Tiexin?

In his dorm, of course.

At dinnertime, his mind had been a complete mess, and he hadn’t even thought about eating. Now, he simply couldn’t take it anymore.

From the academic building, he crossed the athletic field to the dormitory area. It was a large area with numerous buildings. For some reason, Shi Tiexin just knew where his dorm was, and he staggered toward a few rows of impressive new dorms at the front.

These four dormitories were set apart in their own courtyard with a private gate. Peering through the gate, he could see a spacious area with excellent facilities and many elegant little lampposts, making it look like a luxury campus complex.

Shi Tiexin stared dazedly at the gate for a long time. He felt like he was supposed to live here, but after a moment, he shook his head. He knew he didn’t live here now. He turned and headed further back.

Past this exclusive courtyard, the buildings further back were not as new. They lacked any distinct architecture, and the amenities were nothing special, but they looked acceptable overall. The exterior walls seemed dusty and unremarkable, but they were at least somewhat clean and tidy. There were no elegant lampposts, but the area was brightly lit enough.

All in all, not bad.

There was no private gate here, but the main path forked neatly to the left and right. Shi Tiexin stood at the deserted intersection, looking both ways before finally heading in the direction that felt subconsciously familiar.

The building entrance was reasonably clean.

The staircase didn’t have much of a smell.