Universe Infinite Canteen

"Dignity Candy·Basic"

Effect: After consuming, you will appear more dignified in the eyes of teachers and students.

Teachers and students within a ten-meter radius will be intimidated by your aura, losing 1% of their spiritual power and physical strength, which you will absorb.

Duration: 30 minutes, exclusive to principals.

Although the school management system did not have corresponding text explanations, Ma Lu was keen enough to notice the hidden key information when flipping through building upgrades and item effects in the shop.

——The system categorizes school personnel into three groups: students, teachers, and the principal.

The first two are easy to understand, as they are common in games about school management, but many people unconsciously include the principal as part of the teacher category.

However, it's clear that the principal is actually separate from the teachers, as evidenced by the exclusive principal's office and the Mood Value setting.

In other words, Ma Lu was not subjected to the negative effects of Weight Training.

But considering that he was just an ordinary person and had previously cleared a catastrophe belt with the Light Illumation Technique, he knew that the types of monsters in the catastrophe belt were not fixed.

There was no guarantee that the Light Illumination Technique would be useful next time, and even if he were in peak condition, the technique's utility would be limited.

Now, however, the problem was solved by Dignity Candy.

This item, which could enhance the principal's majesty, had an oppressive and absorption effect on nearby teachers and students.

Of course, even if Ma Lu mobilized all of Hou De's teachers and students, the 1% absorption rate of Dignity Candy would only provide him with a 44% boost.

But wouldn't that be complemented by Weight Training? Ma Lu carefully read the effect description of Dignity Candy·Basic.

He noticed that there was no specification that the spiritual power and physical strength to be absorbed had to be the result of Dignity Candy's effects.

This meant, if the description was correct, that the spiritual and physical energy losses caused by Weight Training and the subsequent "surrounded" technique could also be absorbed by Ma Lu.

More importantly, the item was cheap because it only affected one person and for only 30 minutes, with rather insignificant effects.

Therefore, it was priced at just 10 education points in the shop and could be purchased multiple times. Ma Lu currently had 17 education points, enough to buy one.

Of course, 30 minutes might not be enough to support a complete clearance.

And Ma Lu couldn't be absolutely sure that the effects of Dignity Candy were exactly as described.

He intended to conduct a test before entering the catastrophe belt; otherwise, if a misunderstanding led to the annihilation of the entire school, it would be too unjust.

Just then, Cao Youyi came to find him, saying, "I've found a buyer for that leaf, and they will immediately send someone to assess its value. We can get paid before dawn.

She paused before adding, "Also, it's been four days since school started, but most students and teachers have yet to meet the new principal.

"The incident with the former principal has left many people feeling lost about the future. Since you've returned, find some time to talk to everyone.

"At least let everyone know the future direction of the school."

Ma Lu replied, "You're right, let's gather everyone."

"Now?" It was Cao Youyi's turn to be surprised. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"Is there a problem? Have any teachers gone home yet?"

"Not really; those still at the school are the unmarried teachers, as Hou De's salaries are at the bottom of talisman master schools.

"Those who need to support a family have either moved to other schools or found different work. However, we do have plenty of empty school buildings and dormitories, so most of those who stayed are living on campus. It's just that it's already evening," Cao Youyi reminded him.

"No matter, time waits for no one, and there's much to do. Let's get moving now."

...

Qiutong had been at Hou De for a week and had just complained about her college life to a friend over the phone two days prior.

It had to be said that this place was very different from the talisman master school she had imagined. The campus was large but eerily empty.

Often she could walk for ages without seeing a single person, especially at night, and in combination with the sounds of animals in the mountains, it was quite chilling.

The school buildings, too, while numerous, were mostly in disrepair, with overgrown weeds in front of some and only one of them actually in use.

Even the one in use was not in great condition, with peeling wall paint and creaky floors. Once, Qiutong overslept and hurried to class, stepping so heavily she broke a hole in the floor. Luckily, with her quick reflexes, she managed to avoid falling in.

When she reported it to a teacher, she found the hole still unfixed in the afternoon, with just a wooden plank thrown over it. No one came to repair it for several days.

Yesterday's rain soaked her suitcase left on the balcony due to a leaky roof.

If it was just about material discomforts, it wouldn't be so bad, as Qiutong believed she could improve her living conditions with money. If necessary, she could even find her own place to live at the foot of the mountain.

What really made her uncomfortable was the school's atmosphere, especially the attitude of the older students. Most seemed to be just killing time.

Few were studying seriously, and of course, this was also because the school allocated far too few resources to each student. Even those who wanted to practice talisman making couldn't sustain their training with the meager materials at hand.

But Qiutong felt they could still train other aspects, such as physical fitness, which is also crucial for a talisman master's combat capabilities.

However, these people were in a state of resignation, barely scraping by in courses, merely looking to get a diploma and, with the status of a talisman master, find some moneymaking job.

Some teachers even felt the same, likely to have left Hou De if not for the lack of better job opportunities.

And not only were they uncommitted, but they also gossiped about Ma Lu, the new principal, betting he wouldn't last long in his position.

Some even speculated that Ma Lu, who hadn't been seen, might have already fled.

Qiutong, having experienced danger alongside Ma Lu in the catastrophe belt, had always had faith in him, not to mention she had seen him pack up an entire exotic fruit tree.

If anyone could turn around Hou De's plight, it would undoubtedly be Principal Ma.

But the fact that Ma Lu hadn't shown up lately also caused her some worry, yet she was relieved to finally receive notice tonight that everyone was to immediately gather at the school building.

The new principal was to meet with all teachers and students there and deliver the address for the new school year.