Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)

Chapter 444: Education Reform

Chen Yu’s opening remarks shocked everyone like a blockbuster. The freshmen year’s grade leader selection was long overdue, and it was also only a matter of time. However, it still brought excitement to all who heard it.

Chen Yu waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. He subconsciously glanced at Xiao Lin and was a little disappointed to find the kid wearing a plain, nonchalant expression. He continued, “The grade leader is selected by the student council, so I won’t say more on this. Now, to the next agenda of the meeting: the course schedule management for this semester. ”

“Here it comes!” Xiao Lin muttered under his breath. He knew from Song Junlang and Wang Yuelan that the course would be changed, and he was curious to find out what the change was.

Chen Yu picked up a document from the table, cleared his throat, and recited, “For the purposes of implementing the dean’s approach to the education reform, cultivating more professional talent for the new era, and developing our nation in the New World, after careful consideration by the student council, it is decided to implement a new curriculum for the second half of the freshman year. In addition to the original courses, the following supplementary courses will be added, which include herbology, the study of scrolls, alchemy, forging, and so on. Students are free to choose, but they must specialize in at least one, and obtain a certificate after passing the exams.

“As for linguistics, there will be the addition of two courses: Basic Beast Language and Basic Elvish. Let this be a reminder that these are compulsory courses. As for historical geography, the following compulsory courses will be added, including brief history of the beastkin and the development of the elves. There will also be an addition for general courses, which is the introduction to the Planet Norma War… In view of a large number of courses, the student union had contemplated and decided that Saturday breaks will be canceled, and Sunday breaks will remain unchanged.”

Several monitors could not sit still any longer. They looked at each other. The number of courses had basically doubled compared to last semester, especially with the dazzling array of compulsory courses. It sounded very daunting. The compulsory courses meant that students had to pass the examination for those courses. Otherwise, they would not be allowed to graduate.

Xiao Lin frowned as he heard this. Beast Language, herbology, or forging were supposed to be courses for the sophomore year. It seemed that the academy had significantly shortened the courses, but what the hell was that introduction to war?

Chen Yu paused for a moment, surveying the different expressions of the freshmen monitors around him. In fact, he was feeling more at a loss than these monitors, as these courses were too strenuous for freshmen. He was also in a bad mood. As a grade leader, he had some inside information. This year, the education reform was being piloted in the freshmen year. If the reform turned out to be successful, it would be implemented throughout the whole academy.

As for the criteria for judging the success of the reforms, it would undoubtedly be the new Inter-academy Tournament, which was originally designed to test the potential of freshmen in each academy.

Chen Yu sighed silently, then coughed a few times to signal the others to be quiet. He had yet to finish his announcement. He said, “About the monitor of class four, Han Manman. As she had done well in the end-of-semester assessments, she was appointed as the official monitor.”

Han Manman was the only one who failed the last monitor selection. She had kept a low profile since then. She used to often target Xiao Lin, but now she had finally become the last official monitor. However, this was to be expected. As a talented recruit, it was only a matter of time.

“One last thing. The student union made a last-minute decision that each grade will set up an Elite Club, and the club members will consist of top-notch talents. The specific list is yet to be agreed upon, but the monitors are definitely in the freshmen Elite Club.”

“Elite Club?”

“What is this for?”

“Are we required to do anything?”

“The course schedule is tight enough as it is, wouldn’t this Elite Club just be a waste of our time?”

The monitors were even more perplexed. This year’s education reform seemed holistic, and not just limited to the teaching curriculum.

Chen Yu explained, “Elite Club members will have extra privileges. The specifics are still being negotiated, but one thing is basically certain. Everyone here will be able to travel to the New World in advance, and you will get more resources. Of course, you will have to take on more responsibilities. If Dawn Academy is attacked in the future, you all would be the first to go to the battlefield.”

“More honor, but also an early death!” someone muttered softly. This brought a chuckle in the room.

“You may think so,” Chen Yu said with a serious expression. “Don’t forget that you are students, and also warriors to defend the New World. This is the most important purpose of your enrolment to the academy. If you wish to enjoy all the bounties of the New World, you have to sacrifice your life to protect it!”

Xiao Lin asked abruptly, “Battlefield? War with whom? Is it Judge Academy, or the beastkin? The elves?”

“Who knows? Perhaps all of them.” Chen Yu gave a very vague answer.

The meeting ended amidst discussions, and the monitors received relevant information about the new curriculum. They would communicate the information to their fellow class members.

However, Chen Yu’s last words still cast a shadow in many of their hearts. War was never a pleasant thing, no matter what. Of course, Chen Yu had warned the listeners that they were not to disclose this to others.

Xiao Lin understood. He knew that this education reform should actually be called pre-war mobilization. Shortened curriculum, increased lessons in war theory–this showed that the academy was starting to lack warriors. As freshmen, of course, they would not be expected to go directly to the battlefield. If they were actually needed on the battlefield, it would probably mean that Dawn Academy had reached a desperate life or death situation.

When they last left the New World, it was actually in a very complicated state. High Priest Asabanor was intensifying the development of methods that could cause the failure of the Resurrection Tower, and created undead warriors. The outrageous attack against the dean also foreshadowed the discord within the Dawn Academy. There were also potential threats from external allied academies, in addition to Dawn Academy’s long-standing enemy, the beastkin, always lurking and itching to strike. No one knew when this fierce race would tear up the peace agreement. Plus, far in the distance, the alliance between the elves and the Judge Academy was about to expire soon, and they never had the opportunity to renew the contract with the elves.

Today, the colonists still dominated the New World. However, behind the prosperity, the dark, hidden undercurrent had begun to surge. This undercurrent was so strong that people at Xiao Lin’s rank could feel it, not to mention those of higher rank.

After the undercurrent may be war, it may be chaos.

Xiao Lin understood that he had to work even harder now. He had to improve his strengths quicker. Whether it was to protect others or to protect himself. On Planet Norma, power was the root of everything.

“I’ll strive in the next half of the semester, and reach the Bronze rank!”

On his way back, Xiao Lin, who was deep in thought, had set new goals for himself for the new semester.