"A recommendation letter?" The dean of Axiom Central University's Card Engineering School looked puzzled. "Why would someone bring a recommendation letter at this time?"
It was April on Axiom Prime, and the academic year was nearly over. This was certainly not the time for new admissions.
"Whose recommendation letter?" the dean inquired, perplexed.
The teacher who brought the news wore a slightly embarrassed expression. "It's from Inspector Vega."
Upon hearing this name, the dean's mouth twitched, suppressing the urge to slam his desk. Still, he couldn't help but exclaim angrily, "She still has the nerve to recommend students to our school?!"
The teacher looked uncomfortable, staring at the ceiling and remaining silent, attempting to fade into the background.
The dean paced his office twice, his irritation not subsiding. However, reason eventually prevailed. "Hasn't that troublemaker gone to Nova Scrapyard?"
"This person is from Nova Scrapyard," the teacher said very quietly.
The dean continued to mutter curses, but eventually, his face showed signs of resignation. He waved his hand dismissively. "We can't possibly admit anyone now. Since it's Vega's recommendation, let Professor Sun take her on first. Whether she can be admitted will depend on her performance."
This decision made the teacher instinctively defend the student. "Sending her to Professor Sun, there won't be many opportunities for her to perform, will there..."
The dean let out a cold laugh. "What kind of person do you think Vega would recommend? This is to temper her spirit."
The teacher wanted to say more but held back.
How did that sound like tempering spirit? It sounded more like praise.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Inspector Vega was known for her high standards. In the past few decades, she had only taken on five students, and had never given a recommendation letter before.
Asking her to praise a student or write a recommendation letter was like asking for her life.
It was precisely because this matter was so extraordinary that the teacher had been willing to act as a messenger and relay this information to the dean when he received the news from the security guard.
This student who had come must be exceptionally talented in some aspect. Otherwise, Inspector Vega, who had caused such a big trouble, wouldn't have the face to write a recommendation letter for her.
Sarah waited at the security desk for over an hour before a scholarly-looking middle-aged man finally arrived.
"Professor Mo," the security guard greeted the newcomer, indirectly informing Sarah of the man's identity.
During this hour, Sarah had already taken the initiative to chat with the security guard, building a rapport.
Sarah stood up and politely greeted, "Hello, Professor."
Professor Mo looked at Sarah with some surprise in his eyes.
He didn't see the arrogance that he and the dean had naturally assumed this person would have. Especially those eyes, which were very calm, with a steadiness that seemed beyond her years.
Could they have made a mistake?
Professor Mo felt a slight doubt and caution in his heart.
He was quite knowledgeable about cards and what could be achieved beyond cards, and knew that appearances could be deceiving.
Professor Mo didn't show his thoughts on his face, instead displaying a kind smile. "Hello, student. I need to verify your recommendation letter and identity information."
Sarah nodded without surprise, handing the recommendation letter to Professor Mo and displaying her citizen ID.
The identity, gender, and age on it were now completely Sarah's own.
Although the verification was flawless, Professor Mo continued to confirm with Sarah, asking casually, "Did Inspector Vega say anything to you when she wrote this recommendation letter?"
Completely caught off guard by this question, Sarah paused for a moment, thinking carefully. She remembered that at that time, the inspector was asking her what name she was planning to use...
Ahem. She couldn't say that.
Sarah hesitantly said, "I think... she told me this recommendation letter was in standard format."
Professor Mo: "?"
How come he didn't know recommendation letters had a standard format?
Professor Mo's doubts deepened, but he continued to ask as if just out of curiosity, "Why would she say that?"
Sarah finally showed the embarrassment appropriate for her age, saying awkwardly, "Maybe because I asked the professor to add a line saying I have a very innovative spirit..."
Upon hearing this, Professor Mo's doubts instantly vanished.
This conversation was too absurd to be made up.
And... based on his understanding of Inspector Vega, this was indeed how she might react when faced with such a request from a student.
Of course, the most likely reaction would have been for Inspector Vega to berate this person harshly.
Saying it was a standard format and refusing to change it was actually quite mild for Inspector Vega.
Professor Mo looked at Sarah with some astonishment in his eyes, also acknowledging what the dean had said earlier about tempering her spirit.
Daring to ask Inspector Vega to change something, this person indeed had quite the spirit.
"Alright then," Professor Mo returned the recommendation letter to Sarah. "It's April now, and the school isn't admitting students at the moment. Also, not everyone with a recommendation letter can be admitted to the school. We hope that before the next semester starts, you can first go to Professor Sun's lab for some preliminary learning. There might be an exam based on your learning progress to determine your admission eligibility."
"Can you accept this arrangement?" Professor Mo asked gently.
Sarah wasn't surprised that she couldn't be admitted now. She personally preferred to start from the first year of university rather than joining midway, just as the inspector had commented on her lack of solid foundations.
When she sought education, her main goal was to learn the knowledge she needed; other things weren't important.
To be honest, based on her understanding of Axiom Central University's Card Engineering School's graduation standards, one only needed to obtain a one-star card maker certification, which meant being able to make blue cards, to graduate. Sarah had already surpassed this standard.
Her main purpose in coming to Axiom Central University was to confirm whether this recommendation letter could be used.
Sarah didn't want to wait until August or September when the semester started, only to find out that the university no longer accepted recommended admissions when she came with this letter.
Now, Professor Mo's suggestion of preliminary learning and later admission based on performance was completely unexpected good news for Sarah.
It meant she could learn for several months without paying tuition!
As expected of the school recommended by the inspector, how generous!
Sarah felt this situation was excellent, but she knew being too eager wasn't a good thing, especially when the other party was being gentle and accommodating.
This attitude was actually a bit strange; this professor had no need to be so polite to Sarah. Sarah vaguely felt there was some catch to this.
Sarah quite trusted her instincts.
She carefully considered the elements in his words, and finally figured out the potential pitfall. Sarah cautiously asked Professor Mo, "May I ask, who is Professor Sun?"
Professor Mo gave a dry laugh, but inwardly nodded at Sarah.
As expected of someone recommended by Inspector Vega, indeed very clever.
Actually, he still had room for students under his own name, so he could have taken her in.
Professor Mo, calculating inwardly, said to Sarah very sincerely, "Professor Sun is Inspector Vega's daughter. She's currently the head of the Mental Energy Control Research Institute in the school, and occasionally teaches students as well."
Sarah felt this sounded quite good, but then she heard Professor Mo continue, "Inspector Vega was previously the head of this research institute. Two years ago, she borrowed the school's mental energy equipment for research, but as a result, almost all the equipment was damaged beyond use. She was removed from her position as the head of the research institute."
"Now, the Mental Energy Control Research Institute owes the school a debt of 37 billion star coins, and all projects are at a standstill."
"Currently, Professor Sun is the head of this research institute, and also its only member."
Sarah: "..." How much?
Three hundred and what?
Damn.
No wonder when the Spirit Truth Treasure Flower came out, the inspector didn't even move a muscle. It turns out she was in too much debt and couldn't possibly afford it.
The Spirit Truth Treasure Flower she bought for the inspector wouldn't be sold directly by her, would it?
Sarah's mouth twitched, and she finally sighed, "Was the professor's neural damage caused by that research?"
Thinking of this, Professor Mo also sighed, "Yes, in order to save the equipment, thanks to Inspector Vega, three machines were saved in the end and weren't affected." After saying this, Professor Mo looked at Sarah, "This arrangement was made by the school. If you have any objections, you can raise them, and I'll help you give feedback."
Of course, after giving feedback, this student would be under his own name.
Sarah squeezed her citizen ID, feeling a bit helpless.
She originally had over 50 million in funds, thinking she was super rich, but now she realized this amount of money might not even be enough to fill a tooth gap.
After cursing the inspector a few times in her heart for being a scammer, Sarah quickly made a decision.
"No need, thank you for your kindness, professor. I'll follow the school's arrangement," Sarah said to Professor Mo. "After all, I was sent here by the professor, and I think there's no problem with the school's arrangement."
"I also believe that the learning and exams mentioned by the school surely don't mean for me to repay those 37 billion."
Faced with Sarah's refusal, Professor Mo was a bit surprised, but soon admiration appeared in his eyes.
People always prefer those who know how to be grateful.
Although it was normal for ordinary people to feel intimidated when faced with huge debts and a stalled research institute.
Even if these things actually had nothing to do with the person going there to study.
"Alright, give me a contact method. After I confirm the time with Professor Sun, you can go there to report," Professor Mo said straightforwardly, without trying to persuade Sarah further.
Sarah nodded and gave her starnet number to Professor Mo.
The overall construction in the Axiom Prime star system was much better than in Nova Scrapyard. The starnet in Nova Scrapyard was still in its initial stages, while in Axiom Prime, it had been fully built and was completely open for use.
Now, all areas of the entire Axiom Prime star system could communicate seamlessly on the starnet, talking with people in their own star system without any barriers, and could also communicate with other star systems that had built good starnets.
After leaving her contact information, Sarah returned to her residence, while Professor Mo went to the Mental Energy Control Research Institute.
This was where various research institutes of the school were gathered, with all kinds of card research institutes standing tall, nearly a hundred large and small ones.
Among so many research institutes, the Mental Energy Control Research Institute was particularly special and eye-catching.
Because of its dilapidated state.
The previous failed experiment had destroyed several walls of this research institute. Although they had been patched up and repaired now, the color difference between the old and new, as well as the black smoke stains remaining on the old walls, all told everyone the true state of this place.
Professor Mo didn't enter the research institute because previously, a teacher who went in wasn't paying attention, and a certain floor that hadn't been repaired properly caused the person to fall and get injured.
He simply shouted from the doorway, "Sun Zhen, the school has arranged an assistant for you. When do you have time? I'll have her come to report."
"If the school has such a heart, why not just give some funding directly," Sun Zhen's voice came faintly from behind Professor Mo.
Professor Mo was startled and hurriedly turned around, only to see Sun Zhen standing behind him with messy hair, casually wearing the long robe of the school's researchers, holding a few steamed buns in her hand.
"We did. Don't we give your research institute regular funding every year? It's just that the funding goes to repay the debt first," Professor Mo said diplomatically. He didn't want to argue with Sun Zhen about this matter and directly explained Sarah's situation, "This assistant was recommended to the school by your mother..."
After hearing this, Sun Zhen rolled her eyes. She had no way to deal with having such a mother. She sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, fine. I understand your meaning. I'll give her an unforgettable setback."
Professor Mo: "...There's no need to go to such extremes."