<h4>Chapter 213: Upgraded NeuroSync Nanogel</h4>


    "Hello, Cadets," the woman behind the help desk greeted them politely, her tone calm but practiced. "I believe you are ready to enter the academy." She had already noticed their robes and the direction they hade from was the exchange desk, so her conclusion was certain.


    Eleanor gave a short nod. "Yes. We were asked to report to you from the exchange desk."


    "Then please enter Room Number One. All three of you may proceed together."


    The words caught Eleanor, Kiara, and Ophelia slightly off guard. They had carefully observed theyout earlier, yet none of them recalled ever seeing a door marked one. The numbering had begun at two.


    "Master, Room One is in front of you," Nora said in Eleanor’s mind.


    Almost at the same time, the woman smiled knowingly and gestured behind her desk. "Room Number One is this way."


    The three looked ahead, and there it was. A single door set apart, standing quietly behind the help desk as if it had been waiting for them the whole time. All three exchanged wry smiles at their own oversight, then walked past the counter to the lone door.


    The moment they pushed it open, they found themselves facing another teleportation gate. Two protectors stood stationed on either side, their imposing ck robes unmistakable, silent and immovable as statues. Without hesitation, the trio stepped forward, and the door behind them closed with a soft click.


    "Cadets, over here." A clear voice drew their attention to the left. Five small desks were arranged in a neat row, each attended by a woman in a white robe. An empty chair stood before each desk.


    The three walked toward them. One of the officials gestured. "One person per desk, please."


    The trio exchanged nces, then separated. Eleanor moved to the first desk and stopped before the official seated there.


    "Please, sit down," the woman said evenly.


    "Thank you." Eleanor lowered herself onto the chair, her robe falling neatly around her.


    The woman nced at her tablet, then spoke in a precise, measured tone. "Cadet 659, this is the final stop before you officially step into the academy. Since you have already been assigned a cadet number, your identity as a cadet is confirmed... even if you should fail at this point onward."


    Eleanor listened quietly, her expression steady.


    "My duty," the official continued, "is to inform you of the basic rules you must know before your first day. As cadets are arriving from different time zones, today is considered an adjustment day. Your academy life will begin formally tomorrow morning at six o’clock sharp."


    She paused, letting the words settle before continuing.


    "In the academy, we operate on a strict twenty-four-hour schedule. Every dormitory, ssroom, corridor, and office is equipped with synchronized wall clocks to ensure consistency. At 5:30 every morning, an rm will sound in your dormitory to wake you. From that moment, your schedule begins. Each activity is allotted its time until you return to your dormitory at ten o’clock in the evening. Please review the details in your guide when you have a moment."


    She paused briefly, her eyes flicking across the tablet before returning to Eleanor. "Now, I will exin your routine for today. After entering the academy, you will be guided directly to your dormitory. Inside, you will find supplies prepared for you by the academy. These are listed in your guide. Please check every item carefully. If anything is missing, you must inform academy staff immediately."


    Her tone was steady, but not unkind. "At eight o’clock this evening, you are required to attend dinner in the dining hall. Do not bete. The officer in charge there will exin the etiquette and rules you must observe during meals in the academy. I strongly advise you to review the dining hall manners section in your guide before you attend. In fact..." she tapped her stylus lightly against the tablet "you are expected to read the entire guide today. Tomorrow morning, the principal will meet you at the assembly. That will mark the true beginning of your cadet life. By then, we expect you to know and follow the guide’s instructions."


    She shifted slightly, her voice taking on a weightier tone. "There are some cadets who failed to pass their trialst term and are attempting again. Understand this well... in this academy, there are no seniors and no juniors. All cadets are equal. Every cadet has the same routine, the same opportunities, and the same responsibilities."


    She gave Eleanor a pointed look before continuing. "You will receive ten points each day. Points are extremely important. While you will be given five meals daily, points can be used to purchase snacks or special items. In time, you will learn how essential they truly are. Consider this free advice... some cadets will try to lure you into duels, betting points. It is permitted by academy rules. However, if you are not confident in your abilities, do not gamble away your points. Points can be used for opportunities and resources money cannot buy in the outside world. Even leftover points at the end of the term can be exchanged for rare treasures. So remember... gather as many as you can. Do you understand?"


    "Yes," Eleanor replied firmly. "Understood."


    The woman inclined her head slightly in approval. "Good. Points may also be earned. Competitions, exams, and consistent discipline are rewarded. Professors themselves may choose to gift or deduct points. Conversely, breaking rules or showing poor discipline will cost you dearly. If a professor reprimands you, do not argue. Simply follow their instructions. If you believe you were treated unfairly, bring yourintter to the principal, but never confront a professor directly. Is that clear?"


    "Clear," Eleanor answered, nodding.


    The woman allowed herself a faint smile of satisfaction. "Once you have finished reading the guide, everything I have exined will be much clearer. My role here is only to give you a proper warning before you step through those gates. Remember this... ignorance of the rules will not protect you from losing points. If you fail to read the guide, you will suffer for it without even realizing how. Now..."


    She straightened, her expression sharpening as her hand fished something under the desk. "...let us move on to the main matter of this station."


    The woman gave Eleanor a devilish smile, ced a jade bottle on the desk before her, and said, "There is a pill inside. Open the bottle and swallow it. This pill will enhance your brain, allowing you to understand anynguage known to us, whether spoken or written. It will also upgrade your mind. Beware, however... your body may react unpredictably as your brain undergoes the change. Example... a harmless sleeping pill might only make you drowsy for a second, or it could plunge you into aa. Be mentally prepared for anything. But rest assured... the academy guarantees it will not harm you."


    She paused, then added in a lighter tone, "You will also gain a disy panel in your mind, essible whenever you wish. It will show your basic details, cultivation level, skills, and more. Your guide contains a Chapter on it... read thatter. I am no expert, so please don’t ask technical questions. All I can say is that this pill will be invaluable in your trial and beyond. It has nosting side effects. That is all I know... as a user myself."


    Her face settled into professionalism once more. "Now, please proceed."


    Eleanor nced sideways. Kiara and Ophelia sat motionless in their chairs, staring nkly ahead. "They must have already swallowed it," she thought.


    At that moment, Nora spoke hurriedly in her mind. "Master, the pill isposed of concentrated NeuroSync Nanogel. I am certain it is an advanced version of what you had invented and used. These nanobots are independent, not connected to any external system. They must have been programmed with a limited set of instructions to follow autonomously. If you allow the pill to melt in your mouth instead of swallowing it whole, I can decode the new nanobots and upgrade the older ones as they merge with your brain. They will still fulfil their presetmands, but you will hold some control over them."


    "Very well. Here we go..." Eleanor whispered inwardly, uncorking the bottle and cing the crystal-clear pill upon her tongue.


    It began to melt instantly, sliding down her throat with a strange coolness. A bitter smile touched her lips. "I spent millions perfecting this project, only to discover a superior version already exists in this world... and I receive it here for free."


    Her thought was cut short by Nora’s urgent warning. "Master, you may lose consciousness. The process of upgrading every nanobot will drain an immense amount of energy. Don’t worry..."


    Nora couldn’t finish. Eleanor had already fainted.


    The woman behind the desk stood up, leaned over and calmly pressed a rune on the chair. At once, it held Eleanor upright, preventing her from slumping to the ground. She had witnessed such reactions many times before. Still, it surprised her... werewolves almost never fainted from the pill. Humans did, owing to their weaker physiques. This was the first time she had ever seen, or even heard of, a werewolf copsing.


    She waited patiently, her eyes flicking asionally to Kiara and Ophelia. One had alreadypleted the process, while the other’s body trembled faintly with signs of nearingpletion.


    A few minutester, both of them rose smoothly to their feet and moved to Eleanor’s side.


    "Do not worry," the woman said calmly. "Your friend merely fainted. It happens. She must have a weaker constitution. She will wake shortly. You may enter the teleportation gate now, or you may wait for her."


    As they waited by Eleanor’s chair, a werecat, two werewolves, and two merfolk finished their own process and passed through the shimmering gate into the academy beyond.