After the meeting, three days later, Avery Knight left Nolen 147 Academy.
There was no grand farewell ceremony. After all, for a seventh-level wizard, leaving an academy was merely an ordinary departure in a long life.
As for Jie Ming, he first went to do something else.
Pay compensation.
Academy Teleportation Plaza.
Several alchemy wizards responsible for maintaining the teleportation array gathered around the large disassembled array, recording data while sneakily glancing at Jie Ming standing nearby.
One fifth-level alchemy wizard couldn't help but ask:
"Sir... are you planning to cover the full repair cost of this teleportation array?"
"Yeah."
Jie Ming nodded.
"After all, I broke it."
With that, he casually placed a crystal containing a large amount of alchemical structural data onto the workbench.
"Also, since it needs repairs, why not upgrade it at the same time? I'll also cover the resources needed for the upgrade!"
The repair crew was taken aback: "Upgrade?"
Jie Ming pointed at the center of the teleportation array.
"The ordinary academy teleportation array has too low a capacity. When you repair it, convert it into an engineering-grade teleportation array."
"That will make large-scale transport and military material dispatch more convenient in the future."
Everyone exchanged glances.
They quickly realized that the so-called "large-scale transport" actually meant... it would be convenient for Jie Ming to teleport himself in the future.
Thinking this, the corners of their mouths twitched simultaneously, but they all tacitly lowered their heads and continued working.
A few days later, the new teleportation array resumed operation.
Its overall structure was a full circle thicker, the density of runes increased several times, and all energy circuits were replaced with large-scale engineering specifications. Many academy mentors passing by couldn't help but stop and take a few more glances.
Someone commented: "From now on, the academy no longer has to worry about someone collapsing the teleportation array."
The person next to him nodded, and everyone looked at each other, understanding without words.
Jie Ming was actually aware of the rumors about himself, but he didn't mind much. Mainly because he couldn't tell whether those rumors were meant as jokes or expressions of fear.
At least from Jie Ming's actual experience, after that incident, many mentors in the academy noticeably became more reserved when they saw him.
After Avery left, the academy's de facto acting residency officially began.
According to the arrangement, Jie Ming and Viola were supposed to take turns being stationed.
But Viola was currently in the most critical phase of reshaping her own plane and was too busy to get away.
Thus, the task of residing at the academy naturally fell to Jie Ming.
He had no objection to this.
After all, his main goal at this stage was to study and research; it didn't matter where his physical body was.
So Jie Ming simply chose a laboratory in the academy and lived inside it.
Because he was always buried in research and study, never showing his face, many students even suspected that this mentor hadn't actually come at all.
A year later.
The academy welcomed a new sixth-level mentor.
When Jie Ming received the notification and arrived at the mentor office area, he saw a familiar figure from afar.
Silver-white hair.
A light blue wizard robe.
A quiet and gentle demeanor.
It was Anya.
The two exchanged glances and both smiled.
"Long time no see," Anya spoke first.
"Long time no see."
Jie Ming approached and studied her, then nodded slightly.
"Not bad, sixth level."
Anya gave a wry smile: "Yeah, finally made it."
"But..."
Looking at Jie Ming, a hint of emotion appeared in her eyes.
Only when facing Jie Ming directly could she clearly feel that, even though they were both sixth-level, the gap could be so immense.
Jie Ming just stood there quietly, yet he seemed like a slowly rotating star, his immense life essence naturally radiating. Even without deliberately releasing pressure, Anya could still feel the presence of a higher-level life form that couldn't be fully concealed from a lower-level one. Mind you, nominally, both of them were sixth-level wizards!
She even had a faint illusion that if Jie Ming fully released his life aura, she might not even be able to approach him.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but sigh:
"I really envy you. My sixth level is nothing like yours."
Jie Ming smiled: "You've already done very well."
"No." Anya shook her head. "I know myself best. I relied on my family to force my way up. In this regard, I can't even compare to David." She made no attempt to hide it.
The Starfall Family had invested massive resources to help her break through to sixth level.
Not to mention various precious materials for strengthening mental power and special potions to assist advancement, just the planar origin required was an astonishing expenditure.
In the end, she succeeded in breaking through... but that was it.
Anya smiled lightly: "I probably won't go to the planar battlefield anymore."
"Battles above sixth level are beyond my capability, and the family won't let me take that risk."
Jie Ming nodded, not surprised.
For a sixth-level wizard like Anya, she would more likely take on roles such as teaching, logistics, and management—truly a civilian sixth-level wizard.
"So you came to the academy to..."
"Teach." Anya said with a smile. "The admissions season is coming soon, and I plan to be a Soul Studies instructor at the academy."
"The family invested too much in me, so I need to give back somehow."
"Although the ancestors don't care about these resources, according to the principle of equivalent exchange, I will still train students and build connections for the family, expanding the Starfall Family's influence."
Upon hearing this, Jie Ming nodded thoughtfully.
This indeed aligned with the consistent philosophy of Wizard Civilization.
There is no such thing as an unconditional gift.
Even if it comes from one's family, it will eventually be repaid in another form.
But Jie Ming also noticed something else: "I didn't realize the admissions season was so close."
Anya smiled and nodded: "Yes, soon it will be the academy's quinquennial new student enrollment."
Jie Ming suddenly realized.
He had been so immersed in research that he had almost forgotten this regular academy affair.
Then something occurred to Jie Ming, and he pulled out his Magic Net terminal, searched for information, and quickly found an academy notice:
[In six standard months, the academy will hold the enrollment ceremony.]
It seemed the notice had been sent out a long time ago.
Being stationed nominally meant acting as combat force, but in reality, it was akin to an acting dean.
Only, Jie Ming had been busy with his own affairs and hadn't bothered with it, and besides, the academy's mentors could handle these things themselves; there was no need for him to interfere.
Still, this information made Jie Ming fall into thought.
He had served as a mentor once before, but back then, as the academy was newly established, not many students were recruited.
And his only student at that time died soon after on the battlefield.
Now the academy was on track...
"It might be worth seeing if there are any good seedlings in this batch."