The train gradually slowed. Outside the window, the gray-blue horizon was instantly replaced by a dense forest of sky-blocking skyscrapers.
Lin Yuan pulled his hood down, trying to keep a low profile.
In the carriage, some people were still scrolling through videos titled "Hangzhou’s Lin Yuan Goes One-vs-Nine."
A passenger sitting diagonally behind him looked up from their phone and scrutinized the back of his head. After hesitating for a long time, they didn't dare step forward to confirm their suspicions.
...
Soon, the train pulled into Magic City Central Station.
The station's dome rose over a hundred meters high, the entire canopy formed from a three-dimensional honeycomb structure.
Sunlight filtered through silver-white panels, casting scattered patches of light onto the ground.
The design of Magic City Central Station was that of a layered, upward-converging 3D honeycomb.
Each level featured blue holographic navigation displays, providing real-time updates on train schedules.
The light-gray stone floor was polished to a mirror-like shine, and numerous cleaning robots moved quietly through the crowds.
Su Qingyue stood beside Lin Yuan, looking up at the spectacular dome with eyes full of shock.
She had grown up in Donghai City and had only ever seen Magic City in textbooks and on the news.
Lin Yuan’s current state of mind was much the same as hers.
Seeing this, Shen Man strolled over, holding a cup of milk tea she had bought from somewhere, and said casually:
“There’s nothing to make a fuss about. You’ll be coming here often in the future; you’ll get tired of it soon enough. To be honest, it’s not as practical as a cup of milk tea.”
Lin Yuan didn't respond, silently comparing the two stations in his mind.
Hangzhou’s honeycomb was delicate and compact, but Magic City’s was vast and majestic. They weren't even in the same league.
The three of them walked out of the exit hall, which was flanked by giant holographic screen walls.
One side displayed recruitment information for various ability user academies, while the other showed a real-time distribution map of monsters in the Abyss Sea, clearly marking the danger levels of each zone.
Outside the exit, a black, luxury maglev business car was already waiting.
The vehicle was sleek and sharp, with the Magic City Academy emblem printed on the hood.
A shield served as the backdrop for crossed swords, with patterns of lightning and waves entwined around them.
A tall young man leaned against the car door, wearing the academy uniform and a silver-gray bracelet. His strength was at Tier 2, Level 9.
Upon seeing Shen Man, he immediately stood straight and bowed in greeting.
“Hello, Instructor Shen.”
Hearing this, Shen Man introduced him to Lin Yuan and Su Qingyue.
“This is Xu Yan, a rising sophomore from the Thunder Academy. On the way, he can tell you about the rules of Magic City.”
After saying that, she sat directly in the passenger seat, slumped back, and busied herself replying to messages on her phone.
Xu Yan got into the car and started the engine, smoothly merging into Magic City’s dense flow of maglev traffic.
Xu Yan scrutinized the two through the rearview mirror, his gaze lingering on Lin Yuan for a long time.
The boy had broad shoulders and a casual posture, but he radiated a tangible sense of power.
“The monster tide in Hangzhou caused quite a stir last night. I heard a Shadow Abyss Imperial Clan appeared.
“The forums are saying that their Imperial Prince was solo-killed by a college entrance exam candidate.”
Lin Yuan merely gave a faint “mm” in response, his gaze fixed out the window.
Su Qingyue also gave a soft hum of agreement, her cheek pressed against the window as she watched the strange high-rises flash by.
The two were almost entirely silent throughout the ride, offering no further conversation.
Xu Yan gave an awkward laugh.
He had specifically volunteered for this orientation task to meet a pretty junior, but Su Qingyue was too busy looking at the scenery to even glance at him.
Lin Yuan, sitting next to her, ignored him completely, his eyes also fixed on the street views of Magic City.
The prosperity of Magic City indeed far exceeded Lin Yuan’s imagination.
The buildings stretched on in a continuous, jagged skyline.
Holographic advertisements covered entire skyscrapers, and aerial maglev tracks crisscrossed through the air, with multi-level interchanges reaching in all directions.
The green belts along the road didn't feature ordinary trees; instead, they were filled with fluorescent lichens that emitted a blue glow, flickering in the shadows and looking exceptionally beautiful.
“That’s Glowgrass, a specialty of the Abyss Sea,” Xu Yan offered an explanation.
“It doesn't need sunlight; it survives on the energy in the air. It’s the standard landscaping for Magic City—emerald green during the day and glowing at night.
“Newcomers always find themselves staring at it.”
Hearing Xu Yan’s introduction, Su Qingyue let out a small gasp of wonder, her eyes filled with novelty.
Lin Yuan secretly compared them. Hangzhou’s plane trees were gentle and beautiful, but Magic City’s Glowgrass, with its natural fluorescence, was on a completely different level of style.
Despite Xu Yan’s efforts to talk, the two remained unresponsive and didn't ask about campus life.
Eventually, he helplessly pulled out a compressed biscuit and ate in silence, completely giving up on livening the atmosphere.
He’d get his orientation credits either way; it didn't matter if they talked.
In his two years at the academy, he had never seen such cold special recruitment students.
...
The maglev car drove along the city's elevated highway for over ten minutes before turning onto a private boulevard lined with Glowgrass.
An endless complex of buildings came into view in the distance. They had officially arrived at Magic City Ability Academy.
The entire academy covered a vast area and had no physical walls.
A hundred-meter-wide belt of Glowgrass surrounded the perimeter, paired with two layers of a pale blue invisible energy barrier. The patterns shimmered faintly, giving off a sense of immense defensive power.
The main entrance was a massive black stone archway carved with the school’s emblem and name. Giant holographic screens hovered on either side, one updating recruitment lectures and the other broadcasting news.
When the car came to a stop, Shen Man got out and tapped on the window.
“Qingyue, come with me to the Ice Academy to handle some business. Your dormitory has already been arranged; you can move in as soon as we’re done.”
Then, she turned to Lin Yuan. Seemingly worried about the boy, she spoke slowly:
“Go to the welcome area at the entrance. The volunteers there are all rising sophomores or older. Just find one and have them show you around the campus.
“I have other things to do, so I’m leaving now. I don’t have time to look after you.”
With that, Shen Man led Su Qingyue away.
Su Qingyue turned back and mouthed to Lin Yuan: “See you later.”
Lin Yuan gave a small wave in response and turned toward the guidance area at the gate.
Twenty or thirty parasols were lined up neatly, with seniors sitting at each table.
Some were organizing documents, some were playing on their phones, some were guiding freshmen, and others were simply napping face-down.
Lin Yuan walked toward the freshman reception desk.
Almost all the seniors under the umbrellas looked up at him at the same time.
It wasn't just a casual glance; they scrutinized him from head to toe, over and over.
The young man radiated an indescribable sense of pressure.
At eighteen years old, he stood 184 centimeters tall, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a straight posture.
This powerful, heavy aura from his frame was not something an ordinary freshman should possess.
Combined with his sharp, clean-cut features, a cold and distinct jawline, and black hair falling casually over his forehead...
Instantly, the eyes of several female seniors lit up.
The male seniors, however, had exceptionally complicated expressions.
Lin Yuan scanned the area and picked a crew-cut senior who looked the most approachable, lightly tapping on the desk.
“Hello, senior. I’m a special recruitment student. Could you please show me around the campus?”
The crew-cut senior looked up at him and shook his head bluntly.
“Sorry, man. I’ve already made an appointment with a candidate. It’s not convenient for me to take you. Find someone else.”
Lin Yuan walked to a second, refined-looking senior with glasses.
Before he could even speak, the other man waved his hand hurriedly. “Apologies, apologies. I’m also waiting for someone. I’m not trying to blow you off.”
As he spoke, his eyes kept darting into the distance, waiting for other freshmen to arrive.
The third one was even more direct, putting up a "Temporarily Away" sign and lowering his head to scroll through his phone, pretending not to see anyone.
...
Lin Yuan’s lip twitched slightly as he instantly understood.
These people weren't busy at all; they were all camping out for pretty juniors.
They were all driven by a pretty face.
The female seniors nearby were helpful, but they were all busy surrounding the newly arrived female candidates. Only one of them shot him an apologetic look, truly unable to get away.
Lin Yuan stood there for a moment, planning to just wander into the school on his own.
Just then, a soft voice rang out.
“Wait a moment.”
Rate on N.U.
