High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 99: Chapter 23 Parable of the Garden_1

If the First University was really a living entity, it would undoubtedly have symptoms of schizophrenia.

Zheng Qing had no doubt about this.

Since interacting with the interviewers of the First University, right through to everything he saw and heard at the Four Seasons Pavilion and his actual enrollment in the university, Zheng Qing had encountered numerous contradictions and disagreements.

For example, the university had four ways to admit students!

As a Jiuyou person who had gotten into the university through exams, Zheng Qing could not comprehend the other admission methods. Maybe talent selection, faith identification, or combat power evaluation had some rationality, but in Zheng Qing’s view, these methods of admitting new students lacked the basic element of fairness.

The most direct consequence of this unfairness was the disparity in campus culture.

The disparities were so pronounced that communication between students from different colleges was like conversation between strangers.

If it weren’t for schizophrenia, how could the First University allow different thoughts to coexist within itself?

However, compared to worrying about the fairness of the university’s education, Zheng Qing was more concerned about his own studies.

Lacking the foundation of secondary education, he was now facing the challenge of higher education.

This impact was unsettling.

Whether it was the exams that the interviewers emphasized repeatedly, or the repeaters they mentioned inadvertently, both left deep shadows in the hearts of terrified freshmen.

What if the exams go badly? Would he be sent back!

What if he fails the promotion exam? Will he repeat a year!

Isn’t repeating the year very humiliating!

Would he be pointed and gossiped about by others!

The mock exams a few days ago did not alleviate his worries but instead intensified his uneasiness.

Because the master always warned him that the higher one floats, the harder one falls, it is important to know oneself.

Now, his classmates told him that Alpha Academy does not need exams and there was no risk of repeating any year!

Compared to the strict Jiuyou, this enviable learning environment is incredibly beneficial.

”Same school, different rewards,” Zheng Qing muttered, looking at Lin Guo with envy, ”When can Jiuyou abolish the examination policy.”

”Without exams, there wouldn’t be a Jiuyou Academy,” Xiao Xiao sharply retorted, ”Besides, the rules of Alpha Academy are not as relaxed as you think.”

”I know that.” Zhang Ji Xin waved his fist from the side and added, ”My brother told me that the graduation rate of Alpha Academy is less than sixty percent every year! In the academy now, there are still a lot of veterans struggling to finish their graduation thesis. In comparison, the graduation rate of Jiuyou Academy is over ninety percent!”

”Indeed.” Lin Guo looked sincerely at Zheng Qing and rubbed his nose, ”Every academy has to maintain the honor of First University. Alpha Academy typically has a more liberal entry with strict conditions for exit.”

”Regardless, your learning environment is very free.” Zheng Qing sighed.

Xiao Xiao issued a sharp, brief laugh.

Zheng Qing shot him an angry look.

”No one tells you what classes you should take, no one tells you whether your choice is wrong.” Xiao Xiao sarcastically added, ”Yes, there/was/always/a/choice. Yes, you/always/have/a/choice. Throwing the right to choose to the individual, glorifying it as ’freedom’. Little did they know, this is the greatest irresponsibility towards the individual. Not everyone could access effective information or have the ability to choose correctly for themselves.”

”This sentence is a bit confusing.” Zhang Ji Xin looked a little puzzled.

”Let me give you an example. Let’s take two boys. One boy’s parents are both registered wizards and the other’s parents are commoners. The parents who are registered wizards can plan for their son’s career progression from a very young age, while the commoner’s parents know nothing about it.”

Xiao Xiao held his notebook and continued to refine his example:

”When the two boys both entered Alpha Academy, the boy whose parents are registered wizards could choose the courses necessary for his major with a clear goal; while the boy with commoner parents would be hitting hammers everywhere, as if he had learned many courses, but none of these were helpful for advancing to a registered wizard.”

”Can we deny that both boys always had the right to choose?” Xiao Xiao waved his notebook with a mocking face, ”It’s just that one is choosing the right path with his eyes wide open; the other is closing his eyes and hitting a dead mouse with his blind cat feeling.”

”Looking at it this way, Alpha’s educational method is indeed unfair.” Zheng Qing stroked his chin and nodded thoughtfully.

”This has always been the opinion of Jiuyou Academy, but justice is about letting everyone get what they deserve.” Lin Guo stubbornly defended the honor of his own academy, ”The boy whose parents are registered wizards could certainly become a registered wizard; but the boy whose parents are commoners will eventually find his true talents. I remember one professor who made an extremely appropriate analogy for the views of the two schools.”

”The Garden Metaphor?” Xiao Xiao raised his eyelids and glanced at the boy.

”Yes. The garden contains many varieties of flourishing plants. The owner of the garden can choose to continuously trim crooked branches, remove rotten leaves, and make the entire garden neat and beautiful. The owner can also choose to let the plants grow freely, wantonly displaying the beauty and harmony of nature.”

Lin Guo’s face turned red with excitement while defensively adding:

”Does the poplar want to grow tall? It’s okay, just strive to grow upward! Does the ivy want to find a place to rely on? It’s okay, walls, tree trunks, sculptures, all can provide it with a place to cling on! Roses can freely put out different sized buds, and holly can freely stretch as per its ambition. Every plant in the garden could follow its own talent. Isn’t this the ultimate fairness for the plants?”

Blue Bird gently patted Lin Guo’s head signalling him to calm down.

Xiao Xiao moved his lips but did not continue to argue.

”Sounds like they’re on par.” Zheng Qing rubbed his nose and murmured.

”So both Jiuyou Academy and Alpha Academy still coexist inside the First University.” Zhang Ji Xin crossed his arms and concluded, ”But no matter which garden it is, the owner wants to see a beautiful garden—this conclusion can only be determined by time.”

The newcomers, who had come to accept their punishment, fell into long silence.

A cold wind blew.

Zheng Qing tightened his sleeves and looked up.

The sky was already turning grey.

Faint, the sun had completely disappeared from view. The dim, massive, grey patches looked like ugly patches, applied to the horizon, revealing hints of dampness and inertia.

The black administrative building of the school was still standing silently in front of them, with no changes at all.

Zheng Qing once again pulled out that pale red notice.

”Maybe there’s a map or spell hidden on the paper?” He held the notice with his law book, trying to find some clues.

Zhang Ji Xin was also interested in pulling out his law book, tapping his notice with the spine of the book.

”Will we be late? If we’re late, will the punishment be increased?” Lin Guo reverted back to his timid little boy state.

”Someone’s there.” Blue Bird’s cold voice sounded in everyone’s ears.

Following his gaze, Zheng Qing saw a skinny old man sitting under a willow tree not far away.

”Let’s go and ask!” Zhang Ji Xin put away his law book and notice, and ran eagerly towards the tree.

The rest of them looked at each other, and followed him towards the old man.