May decided it was worth trying to take the Tang Hua exam. She asked a few more people and found out that he was the head of the academy's alchemy department. In a nutshell, there was no one better than him.

  However, there was still a week left before the exam. I should prepare myself.

  That said, she couldn't forget about her other responsibilities. The school year had just begun, but Cloud Academy showed them no mercy and treated them the same as the upperclassmen.

  “May, how do you do it?!” shouted Peng Chen, who was currently sitting in her room. “Our days have the same amount of time, but I study and study, and I still don't understand anything...”

  “I'm pretty used to this kind of thing,” she said, recalling her university days. “I have a few memorization techniques…”

  The boy's eyes lit up and he looked at her imploringly. “Please! You have to show them to me! Otherwise, even if I'm a genius, they won't give me any breaks!”

  May laughed. While they certainly wouldn't expel such a talented person for drawing the formation incorrectly, they surely had many other creative ways to punish a student.

  “It's nothing special, but...”

  “That's okay!” he interjected enthusiastically. “Even if it speeds up my progress by one percent, it will still be worth it.”

  She explained the basics of mnemonics to him and gave him a few examples that she had recently developed herself. Then she introduced him to her favorite Feynman Technique, which she used most often herself.

  Of course, these methods did not replace learning itself, but they could certainly make it easier.

  “I think I understand... So I should try to explain it in simple language...?” He asked after hearing about this technique from May.

  “Yes. Imagine you're talking to an eight-year-old...” She suddenly stopped, remembering that she herself was talking to a ten-year-old, who wasn't much older than her example. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Imagine you're talking to a five-year-old and trying to explain it to him.”

  “I have to explain this complicated formation to a five-year-old...? I don't think I can do it,” he said uncertainly.

  “That means you don't understand it yourself,” she replied, nodding her head. “Try to simplify this example as much as possible. Then imagine you're talking to a five-year-old and trying to teach them.”

  “Huh…” The boy sighed and went back to reading his book. May also continued her studies.

  The boy was currently studying formations, a subject he had great difficulty with. He was in May's room because she understood them quite well and was able to explain them with a fair amount of simplicity.

  Formations were closest to programming combined with sewing and mathematics. May was not a computer scientist, of course, but her studies required her to have a basic grasp of them. She understood them quite intuitively, at least at the lowest level.

  May, on the other hand, was busy with alchemy. Her knowledge was far greater than that of the other first-years, but if she wanted any chance of becoming Tang Hua's student, she had to be on par with people up to five years older than her.

  Chemistry and alchemy are different fields. Herbalism, mineralogy, and even agriculture. Alchemy was not simply the creation of potions, but a rich field covering many aspects of life.

  “Aaah!” Peng Chen howled and threw himself onto her bed. Memorization was definitely not his strong suit.

  “I guess my memorization techniques didn't help much,” she interjected, seeing the desperate look on his face.

  “On the contrary. I'm definitely doing better, but... I'm not you or Zu. Things like that, I mean, studying and memorizing are my worst nightmare.”

  May put her book down for a moment and looked at him. “Can't you ask Zu for help with your studies?”

  “She's been helping me my whole life. But it hasn't changed anything, I just don't have a knack for these things,” he said, grinning. After a moment, however, he became serious. “Not to mention that... ever since we got to the Academy, my sister has been avoiding me.”

  “Is that surprising? She seemed like that kind of person to me...”

  “Right, but... We had a big fight recently. She only goes to class, then comes back and locks herself in her room.” She said, sitting down on the bed. “I'm a little worried about her... May, I know I'm asking a lot, but could you see how she's doing?”

  This threw May off guard a little, as she hadn't expected it.

  “I don't mind, but is this really a good idea?” she asked, remembering that Zu Chen wasn't exactly friendly with her.

  “There's no one else but me. And now after that stupid argument... Ugh, I feel sick just thinking about it,” he said sadly. “May, she knows you and even tolerates you in her own way. She won't talk to me, and she has no one else.”

  “Okay, then I'll talk to her.” She agreed without hesitation.

  “Thank you,” he replied with a smirk. “Well, let's get back to studying!”

  ───── ??☆?? ─────

  May wasn't sure what to expect, but despite her doubts, she knocked on the door. No one answered, so she knocked again.

  “Zu Chen, are you there? It's me, May Shang!” She said loudly, hoping that when she found out it was her, she would open the door. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

  I wonder if she's inside. But even if she is, she doesn't want to let me in. There's nothing for me here.

  May turned around and was about to leave when suddenly someone stood right in front of her.

  It was a girl of distinct beauty. It was easy to see that she was from a family of mages, but unlike May, she was certainly pure-blooded. She was tall, and her dark emerald curly hair made her stand out from everyone she knew.

  “Oh, are you looking for my new neighbor?” asked the mysterious girl with a smile, and May nodded shyly.

  “I was looking for her, but no one is answering...” said May.

  The green-haired girl must have been quite influential if she lived here. There were only single rooms on this floor, which indicated either power or influence.

  “We've talked a few times, she's nice, but a little too shy,” she said, giggling and covering her mouth with her hand.

  “She goes to the training hall at this time every day. If you really want to meet her, you can look for her there.”

  “Thank you...” she replied, but before May could react, she disappeared behind her room door.

  After a moment, she left, deciding that there was no need to stay there any longer. For some reason, she had a feeling that the mysterious girl knew her from somewhere.

  May went to the training hall, which was currently crowded with people. It was one of the most visited places in the academy, perhaps second only to the cafeteria. May had to wait in line for five minutes just to ask for information.

  “Excuse me, I'm looking for my friend Zu Chen. Perhaps you could tell me which room she's in?”

  “Let me take a look.” The receptionist began to look through something, and after a moment, she looked up. “Hall B-8, Room 0.10a.”

  May thanked her and headed in that direction, secretly hoping that Zu wouldn't be upset with her for interrupting her training so suddenly.

  She went to the indicated place and stood uncertainly in front of the door. She had doubts about what she should do.

  Interrupting her training would be rather disrespectful.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  May sighed. She wasn't so impatient and impulsive as to barge in without an invitation. So she sat down on the ground across from the door. She decided to wait until she came out on her own.

  Not having much else to do, she began to cultivate. Since she had to wait anyway, she might as well use the time for something useful.

  “May, what are you doing here?” She suddenly heard a familiar voice and opened her eyes. At least a few hours had passed.

  “I... I was waiting for you,” she replied, suddenly noticing that Zu didn't look well. She was pale, and her muscles seemed to be trembling as if from the cold. She also noticed that she kept hiding her hands behind her back. “Sister Chen, are you feeling okay?”

  “I'm fine. I just overdid it a little with my training,” she replied, trying to brush her off. “So what's the matter?”

  “Can we talk somewhere else? Over tea and something sweet, this place isn't very good for talking.”

  Zu Chen frowned in irritation.

  “No, thank you. Tell me what's going on, or I'm leaving.” She replied, clearly not wanting to talk to her.

  From the sharp tone of her voice, May knew she had no choice but to get down to business.

  It's just a shame I'm not very good at this kind of thing. I had so much time to think about how to talk to her, but I still couldn't come up with anything worthwhile.

  “Your brother is worried about you. I think your recent argument is weighing heavily on him,” she said after a moment’s thought. “He cares about you very much.”

  The girl fell silent, then slowly asked, “Did he tell you anything about our... argument?”

  “I don't know the details, if that's what you're asking,” May replied, sensing that it was probably a sensitive subject that she certainly didn't want to discuss.

  “All right, then,” she said, leaving the room with an icy expression. “Tell him he doesn't need to worry. Oh, but be sure to mention that the fly has died. Be sure to use those exact words.”

  “The fly has died?” May was surprised, having no idea what that could mean.

  Zu Chen did not answer, and as if nothing had happened, she left. May sighed in a hushed tone, feeling that she had failed the situation.

  Suddenly, she had some kind of premonition. Something told her to look into the training room Zu Chen had just left. It was a rather random thought, but for some reason, she felt that something was hidden there.

  May approached the door with uncertain steps and, not understanding herself, slowly began to open it.

  “Ugh.” She immediately had to cover her nose with her hand, because as soon as she opened the door, her nostrils were assaulted by the sharp and unpleasant smell of sewage mixed with sulfur. There was black sludge on the ground, as well as something resembling blood.

  A shiver ran through her body. However, it was not because of the smell or the unpleasant sights, but because of the unnatural cold that prevailed in the room.

  “What is this...?” She was surprised as she entered and crouched down to look at a hole in the ground a few inches deep. The room was a mess.

  May swallowed hard when she saw the state of the room. She would certainly be fined for such destruction, and not for a small amount of money.

  Just as if she were fighting with someone here.

  “If anything, she was fighting with herself,” Minnie suddenly interrupted. “Look at that wall on the left.”

  She turned at Minnie’s words and frowned as she moved closer.

  Some marks were visible on the brick wall. May moved closer and touched it, suddenly noticing blood.

  What is this...?

  “Scratches from fingernails,” Minnie said. “When we saw her, she had been hiding her hands. I guess we know the reason now.”

  May was once again impressed by how useful Minnie had suddenly become. To be honest, May had completely forgotten about that detail.

  Minnie, do you have any idea what happened here? And I'm warning you, I'm not going to pay.

  “Then I don't know,” Minnie replied. “We can only guess, but I don't think we'll get anywhere.”

  Minnie was right. Speculation would bring nothing new to the case. In the end, they could wonder if it was a side effect of the cultivation method, some mysterious energy in her body, or maybe she was just a werewolf who needed to scratch the walls. However, it was futile and in principle a waste of time.

  She closed the door carefully behind her and left the place.

  “I should tell Peng Chen about this...” she said quietly to herself as she walked through the academy grounds in the dark night.

  Despite the late hour, the nightlife here was surprisingly vibrant. Some might call it a lack of discipline, but in a sense, it was a school of adulthood. Everyone had to decide for themselves how to spend their free time.

  May went to the place where she had heard Peng Chen often hung out. Cloud Academy had numerous student clubs. Peng belonged to the legendary Cloud Academy club “Pulse.”

  What did this club do? Well, that was the wrong question to ask. It had no specific purpose, such as literature or taming beasts, but it was a gathering of people considered to be the academy's elite. It had existed since almost the very beginning of the academy.

  Peng Chen came from a distinguished clan and was also a rare genius. So he has accepted the invitation and has become a regular at the “Pulse” club, which was based in the underground of the Old Alchemy Tower Building.

  May also received an invitation, but she never officially decided to join. Unlike Zu Chen, who openly tore up the invitation letter, May simply ignored it.

  Although the opportunity to make friends among the academy's elite was tempting, she was slightly apprehensive because of her Outer Court background. As far as she knew, there was not a single person there who was not born into a prominent clan.

  “Stop! Who are you? Entry is restricted to selected individuals!” said a tall boy with a black eye, stopping her. He was clearly older than May.

  May found it ridiculous that a group of children needed a bodyguard at the entrance. It was all just a mere game of appearances, designed to create the illusion of importance.

  “May Shang. Was invited.” She replied, hoping she hadn’t ruined her chance of entering by arriving too late.

  Hearing this, the bodyguard yelled for someone. A boy or rather a young man with facial hair and a mustache appeared, wiggling around in all directions. It was hard for May to believe that in fact they were students at the same academy. He was basically a grown man.

  Basic education at Cloud Academy lasted five years. However, after graduation, it was possible to continue for another three years as “advanced” education. In short, there was an age difference of up to eight years between the youngest and oldest students!

  The standards of this world are indeed different. I won't even try to understand the logic behind it.

  After taking a closer look at her, he nodded and made room for her. May walked past him indifferently and went down the stairs.

  The basement was not as spacious as it might have seemed. The atmosphere was certainly quite welcoming as well as sophisticated. Most people were engaged in lively conversation over food, but some had other, more entertaining activities.

  One such person was Peng Chen, whom May easily spotted among the numerous people of various ages and genders, whose only common feature was their high-ranking clan origins.

  The Hao, Huang, Jin, Gong clans kids... Huh, he certainly fits in here like a glove.

  Peng Chen took an axe and threw it over twenty-five meters, hitting the center of the log and splitting it through completely. May joined in the immense applause that Peng Chen received. In this world, even entertainment was a display of strength.

  May began to approach when suddenly someone familiar caught her attention. It was Yifan Wu, who was sitting around the corner watching everything. The same group from the academy classes was sitting next to him.

  “Brother Yifan... Oh no, sorry, Young Master Yifan...” she said mockingly.

  He shook his head. “Let's put the past behind us, Sister Shang,” he said calmly, causing May to feel slightly uneasy. She hoped he hadn't come up with something stupid again. “Why don't you sit with us?”

  May stared at him suspiciously. Although his expression seemed innocent, she was not going to find out what he wanted.

  “Forgive me, maybe another time,” she replied, walking away. “I have urgent matters to attend to, I hope you understand.”

  The boy smiled.

  “That's understandable, but don't worry. We'll have many other opportunities to... talk in the future.”

  For a moment, she wondered what he really meant, but quickly dismissed the thought. Yifan was a problem for another time, and as long as he wasn't doing anything, she could safely ignore him.

  She approached a group of people who were having fun at a place where one could throw axes.

  “May? I didn't expect to see you here!” Peng exclaimed happily when he saw her. “Come closer!”

  May approached. She was now the center of attention, with everyone watching her closely.

  Fortunately, Peng Chen was there and began introducing everyone. “Meet Sister Jian Chou, the fourth daughter of the Chou clan patriarch, she's three years older than us! And this is Brother Zhiyong Ko, an outstanding archer! Oh, and this is the real star of this group...”

  These were not small fry, but truly the elite of the academy. The “Pulse” club did not have a single person who did not deserve their place there. Making an enemy of even one of these people could ruin a normal person's life.

  “It's nice to meet you all...” May said, bowing solemnly.

  May had never experienced discrimination because of her Outer Court background, despite the rumors circulating about it. She realized, of course, that this was only because of her unique status.

  “Would you like to try, May?” Zhiyong Ko said, pointing to the axe leaning against the wall. “I'm curious to see if you can match Peng and Yifan's strength...”

  May was about to refuse, but seeing that everyone was looking at her, refusal seemed like a bad option. May was not like Zu Chen, who completely ignored and dismissed affairs she had no interest in. She preferred to keep up appearances.

  She narrowed her eyes and gave in, gripping the axe tightly. She had chopped wood for firewood a few times in her life, but she had never thrown it. She slowly assumed a position that seemed appropriate to her. Everyone's eyes were on her, which added to the pressure.

  She took a breath and quickly calmed down. Her strength stat was 17. Even an adult man who had trained his entire life would have trouble matching her in that regard.

  She relaxed her tense muscles and boldly threw the axe, which pierced the log at great speed and slammed into the wall. She had always been very strong.

  And this time, the applause rang out, but this time it was for her. May smiled awkwardly.

  “Well, well, not bad, May,” said Zhiyong Ko with a smile, also applauding. “Pulse's new addition has not disappointed me.”

  “I'm glad I didn't disappoint your expectations,” May replied, her gaze meeting Peng's. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Brother Chen.”

  Some in the group began to laugh softly, but they quickly made room for Peng, who approached her.

  He whispered in her ear, “Follow me, I know a quiet place here where no unwanted ears can eavesdrop.”