NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Hesitation
Hearing this, Lin Jiayi patted his chest in assurance, but his curiosity was piqued. He thought to himself, "What could this old man need help with?"
Without further ado, Master Ran got straight to the point and stated his request.
"I want a position as a second-year teacher for this cohort."
"Master Ran, why did you suddenly decide to teach students this year?"
A teaching position wasn't a big deal, especially considering that Master Ran was more than capable of teaching students from Mingde Hall. What surprised Lin Jiayi was that Master Ran hadn't taken on any students for the past three years. Why would he suddenly want to teach lower-year students now?
"During the new student assessment today, I took a liking to a student."
As he spoke, Master Ran took out Su Luoheng's test record. "Here, it's this Su Luoheng. The child has good talent and character, very much to my liking. So I intend to teach him personally. Just make sure to assign him to my class."
"Su Luoheng?"
The name sounded somewhat familiar to Lin Jiayi.
He leaned in to take a look and suddenly realized—wasn't this the very student they had just been discussing?
"Alright, that's all I came for today. You can continue with your work; I won't disturb you any further."
With that, Master Ran left the office.
"Wait, Master Ran!"
Regaining his senses, Lin Jiayi hurriedly chased after him, but not before instructing the staff, "Continue with the review and place the records of key students on my desk."
"Yes, Director Lin."
...
...
A moment later, in the Director's office.
After seating Master Ran, Lin Jiayi sat down on the sofa himself.
"Don't you have other things to take care of?"
"This… it's not urgent," Lin Jiayi replied, noticing the hint of sarcasm in Master Ran's tone. But being an experienced official, he maintained his composure and said with a smile, "Was this Su Luoheng personally assessed by you? Are you certain the information is accurate?"
Master Ran gave him a sidelong glance and countered, "You don't trust even me?"
Lin Jiayi chuckled awkwardly and said, "I'm just being cautious, Master. Mainly because this child's talent is quite unusual…"
"Rest assured, I personally assessed this child, and there's absolutely no problem."
He had personally verified everything, especially regarding whether the child had taken any elixirs that artificially boosted potential. He could guarantee that Su Luoheng's physical condition was perfectly normal.
Both his soul engineering skills and his soul power were results of his own cultivation.
"Yes, of course," Lin Jiayi nodded with a polite smile, but then changed his tone and asked, "Master Ran, do you believe that Su Luoheng has a high potential for development?"
"Of course! Do you think otherwise?" Master Ran asked in return.
"I think it would be prudent for you to observe a little longer, Master. Although Su Luoheng currently displays exceptional talent, it's still uncertain whether he truly has extraordinary potential or if it's just a fleeting brilliance. Consider this: if, after you take him under your wing, he turns out to be mediocre, it might tarnish your reputation for having a discerning eye."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Lin Jiayi paused here, looking at Master Ran as if seeking his opinion.
"So, what are you suggesting?"
Master Ran's eyes narrowed slightly as he quietly took a sip of tea.
Lin Jiayi, with a face full of smiles, suggested, "I think it would be better for you to wait a bit longer. When the child reaches the fourth or fifth grade, if his talent remains undiminished, it won't be too late to take him under your wing then."
"Stop right there—I've already made up my mind about this child," Master Ran cut him off, casting a glance at Lin Jiayi. He had already seen through his intentions and snorted coldly. "Don't think you can fool me. You're not quite skilled enough for that."
"Master Ran... you've misunderstood me!" Lin Jiayi quickly put on a look of difficulty and started lamenting, "The main issue is that all of our second-year teachers have already been arranged; there are no vacancies. Besides, Master Ran, you're a seventh-level soul engineer—you're more than qualified to teach the students in Illustrious Virtue Hall. It really wouldn't be proper for you to teach a lower grade."
His words were sincere, seemingly filled with genuine emotion, enough to bring tears to the eyes of those who heard them and sadness to those who witnessed them. His performance was so impressive it could win him a small golden statue.
"So, why not wait a bit longer?"
"I'm telling you, I have already decided on this student," Master Ran said, showing no reaction. His attitude was firm and resolute.
Seeing this, Lin Jiayi had no choice. He knew that Master Ran was stubborn, inflexible, and that once he made up his mind, there was no changing it, not even with eight horses. With no other options, he had to agree.
"Alright, alright... we'll do it your way."
"That's more like it." Master Ran nodded in satisfaction, stroking his long beard. He added, "To tell you the truth, I intend to take this child as my final disciple."
"Final disciple...?"
Hearing this, Lin Jiayi was first stunned, then his expression turned to one of surprise. "Master Ran, do you truly think so highly of this child?"
"This child is… indeed very good."
Master Ran nodded slightly, making no attempt to hide his high regard for Su Luoheng.
Lin Jiayi, seeing that Master Ran was not paying close attention, let out a sigh of relief: he had almost let the cat out of the bag, but fortunately, he stopped in time.
"It's rare for a student to receive such high praise from you. I'm starting to become interested in him myself."
Lin Jiayi's interest was piqued.
After all, even though Master Ran was only a seventh-level soul engineer, he had an excellent eye for spotting talent. Many of the students he had mentored had gone on to become seventh or eighth-level soul engineers themselves, and Lin Jiayi had also been guided by him in his early years.
"Don't even think about it. This one's mine," Master Ran said, his eyes narrowing slightly with vigilance.
"Master, what you're saying isn't quite fair. What do you mean by 'don't think about it'? I'm just appreciating talent... This child has just entered the academy, so everyone has a fair chance. Besides, it's up to the child to decide who he wants to learn from, isn't it?" Lin Jiayi said with a sly smile. Seeing how much Master Ran valued Su Luoheng, he was tempted too. After all, as an eighth-level soul engineer, he had a clear advantage over Master Ran, a seventh-level soul engineer.
"I knew you would say that."
Master Ran gave him a sideways glance and said calmly, "Fortunately, I was prepared for this. I've already given the child a disciple gift. Are you still planning to compete with me?"
"This… Master, you're still as sharp as ever," Lin Jiayi replied with a helpless smile.
"If I didn't stay a step ahead, would it still be my turn?" Master Ran snorted lightly.
According to the rules of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, if a teacher gave a student a disciple gift, it meant that the student was already considered that teacher's disciple.
Unless the student declined, no other teacher could intervene. Upon hearing that Su Luoheng had already accepted Master Ran's gift, Lin Jiayi resignedly gave up his plans.