Read up to 15 chapters ahead on Patreon - patreon.com/Light_lord
-----
"Congratulations on discovering an SR-rated student and obtaining the reward... Eye of Exploration!"
Lin Jin was slightly stunned. Was that the system's voice?
He immediately opened the system panel to check for any changes.
[Grand Academy System!]
[Host: Lin Jin]
[Martial Spirit: Ruler]
[Spirit Power Cultivation: Level 41 (0%)]
[Spirit Bone: None]
[Academy Size: None]
[Special Skill: Eye of Exploration (Allows the user to quickly discern a person's martial spirit and Spirit power, providing all the information recorded in the teaching materials. After the academy is established, this function will be further upgraded. The next stage is Junior Spirit Teacher Academy.) ]
[Junior Spirit Teacher Academy - Opening Requirements: ]
[Tutor: 1/1, Students: 0/1, Campus: 0/1]
[Note: The first student of the academy must possess innate Spirit power above Level 7! ]
[Note: Student ratings are based on innate Spirit power, classified as SSR, SR, R, and N levels. ]
[SSR: Innate Spirit power Level 9 or above, SR: Innate Spirit power Level 6-8, R: Innate Spirit power Level 3-5, N: Level 2 to no Spirit power]
The system panel had not changed much, but a new special skill and some annotations had appeared.
Lin Jin subconsciously looked at Shen Xin. Beside her, an invisible system panel, visible only to him, appeared.
[Student: Shen Xin]
[Age: 10]
[Qualification: SR]
[Spirit Power: Level 10]
[Martial Spirit: Seven Aperture Flower (Food Department) ]
[Martial Spirit Evaluation: SR]
"Level 10?" Lin Jin read aloud in surprise and immediately asked Shen Xin,
"Have you been cultivating Spirit power all these years?"
The elderly woman beside her was stunned momentarily, then looked at her granddaughter.
Shen Xin nodded timidly and replied softly, "Yes."
"You... How could you practice Spirit power on your own? Without the guidance of a professional Spirit master, aren't you afraid of accidents?"
The old woman was shocked and began to scold the young girl, but Shen Xin simply bowed her head and pouted, clearly ignoring the reprimand.
Suddenly, the elderly woman stopped and asked Lin Jin cautiously, "My lord, does this mean..."
"Yes, the little one has the potential to become a Spirit master. She could be considered one already, though she still needs a Spirit ring."
Lin Jin looked at Shen Xin with satisfaction. He hadn't expected to find such a surprising talent in Yon Village.
The old woman and Shen Xin were overjoyed, especially the girl, whose excitement was almost palpable.
When the initial joy subsided, the old woman gradually became serious.
Though not a Spirit master, she knew the importance of a Spirit ring and the challenges of obtaining one.
The Spirit ring could only be obtained by slaying a Spirit beast in the forest, and that task was far beyond their current power.
There was no point in considering it for now.
After calming down, the old woman asked earnestly, "My lord, I wonder if Xiaozhan can study at your academy."
"Of course," Lin Jin replied with a smile.
If anyone tried to take Shen Xin away from him now, he would definitely fight!
Turning to Shen Xin, he asked, "Would you like to train at my academy?"
Shen Xin nodded seriously, her slightly chubby face looking particularly cute.
"I would."
["Ding! The SR-level student is willing to apply to join the academy. Do you agree?"]
["Ding! Academy has yet to be created; failed to join! Please complete the construction of the academy as soon as possible."]
Hearing the system's response, Lin Jin felt a tinge of disappointment, but he quickly recovered.
He patted Shen Xin on the head and said, "I'll enroll students in seven days. Come back then."
"Okay!"
"Also," he added, "about the enrollment, could you ask to help spread the word to the surrounding villages and towns?"
The old woman smiled. "That won't be a problem. I'm familiar with the elders in the neighboring villages. I can take care of that. But..."
She suddenly hesitated, then looked up and asked, "What does the teacher have in mind regarding tuition fees?"
The surrounding villages, including Yon Village, were not wealthy. Being close to the border, few were willing to invest in the area, resulting in limited development and scarce facilities.
Lin Jin paused, his face taking on a slightly embarrassed expression.
Tuition was necessary for the maintenance of the academy, especially since he had no other source of income.
"Let's set the tuition fee at three gold coins yearly. If a family can't produce three gold coins, they can substitute part with equivalent food or daily necessities."
The old woman nodded. Most families could meet these conditions, and for those who couldn't, there was little they could do.
During the conversation, Lin Jin learned that the old woman's surname was Jin, and he began to call her Granny Jin.
As the discussion continued, Lin Jin discovered that the land he was interested in using belonged to the village.
To obtain permanent ownership, he proposed building a water mill for the village as compensation.
Land in this world had relatively little value. Granny Jin was initially going to give it to Lin Jin outright, but to keep things fair, he chose not to accept it for free.
"I'll make arrangements for building materials and other necessities. If any skilled masons are in the village or nearby, I'd appreciate introductions and pay them well."
"I understand. Rest assured," Granny Jin replied.
After securing Granny Jin's promise, Lin Jin nodded, then glanced at Shen Xin standing beside her. He couldn't resist reaching out and pinching the little girl's cheek.
Shen Xin stared at him with wide eyes. If Lin Jin hadn't been the dean of the academy, she might have bitten him!
Seeing her displeased expression, Lin Jin coughed awkwardly before withdrawing his hand, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Well, then, I'll be heading back. Granny Jin, please take care of the arrangements we discussed."
"I will."
After Lin Jin left, Granny Jin let out a sigh of relief. She looked down at Shen Xin and said, "Xiaozhan, we've met a benefactor today."
Shen Xin nodded silently, her gaze following Lin Jin's retreating figure, her eyes filled with hope.
Could she become a Spirit master?