It is early spring in the 1203rd year of the Qiyue calendar.

After the turmoil of Crossbell's independence and the civil war in the empire, the new year has arrived again. Compared with the turbulent year of 1202, this year seems to be a year of recuperation and a brand new beginning.

At the same time, the freshmen of the Semlia United Academy finally arrived in Crossbell.

"This is the Starlight Tower..."

Standing in the sunny square, looking up at the huge building towering into the sky, Elysee subconsciously clenched her hands and placed them on her chest. Although she had heard rumors about the Starlight Tower from various channels, only when she actually came here and saw the tower with her own eyes could she deeply appreciate how magnificent and spectacular this building is.

“Only by standing here can you feel how small and great human beings are.”

At the same time, Princess Elfen also came over. She looked at the tall tower in front of her with a complicated expression and sighed in a low voice.

"We are so small, even as small as a grain of sand. But humans are so great that they can build such a miracle... In a way, doesn't this tower represent the glory of mankind?"

As he spoke, Alfin looked at Elise with a smile, and the latter nodded slightly.

"Yes, Your Highness Elfin."

Elise withdrew her gaze and looked around. In addition to the international students from the Erebonian Empire, there were also girls from other countries. Although she didn't know where they came from, she could tell from their uniforms that these girls were students of the Semlia United Academy like her.

At the moment, everyone was standing in the square outside the Starlight Tower, but there was still some distance between them. The six people from the Erebonian Empire were the largest group, while the others stood in twos and threes, each forming a small group. Elise could see a girl with long golden hair chatting with three girls of about her age.

Not far from them, a girl with short purple hair and another blonde girl were silent to each other. Although the purple-haired girl wanted to say something to the blonde girl, the latter seemed not to want to talk to her.

On the other side, a pink-haired girl with a travel bag and a ponytail just stood there quietly, looking at everyone with doubt. Elysee could sense that the look she gave him and the others was not friendly, and seemed to be a bit hostile.

Next to the pink-haired girl was a girl with long bright red hair. At the moment, she was eating snacks bought from somewhere while talking to another girl with platinum hair next to her. The latter was also chatting with her with a smile... They seemed to be in harmony.

At this moment, suddenly, a sweet and gentle voice sounded in everyone's ears.

"Hello, freshmen of the Semlia Union Academy."

"???"

Hearing this voice, everyone raised their heads and looked forward. There was no one there. Then they lowered their heads and saw a girl with brown hair, wearing a white uniform and looking even smaller than themselves standing not far in front of them. She didn't seem to care about other people's eyes at all. She just smiled and spoke.

"Welcome to the Starlight Tower headquarters of Crossbel Semlia Union Academy. I am Vice Principal Tova Hershel. Mr. Founder is waiting for you. Please follow me."

"Why……?"

Although they really wanted to complain about how this girl who looked younger than themselves was actually the vice-principal, the girls silently shut their mouths and followed Tova to take the elevator to the 100th floor of the Starlight Tower.

According to Fang Zheng's design, the entire Starlight Tower has 120 floors. Strictly speaking, the Starlight Tower is completed at the 100th floor. The remaining 20 floors are equivalent to building a high tower fortress with a courtyard on the rooftop platform. This is also the location of the Semlia Academy. After all, there are only a little over 20 students and teachers here, so Fang Zheng simply marked off a few areas on the top floor, bought some equipment, renovated it, and it was done.

According to the procedure, after they arrived at the Starlight Tower, Fang Zheng would also conduct routine inquiries to each person, such as why did you choose to study at this school, what ideas and ideals you have, etc., and then after confirmation, they would be assigned rooms and rest. The next day would be the entrance ceremony and the official start of school... Well, Fang Zheng was not at all interested in the behavior where the leader gave a half-hour speech and then everyone stood in the playground for three hours. What's more, there were only a dozen students in total, so there would be no point in lining them up, right?

Soon, Fang Zheng welcomed his first student, Princess Elfen, into his office.

"Long time no see, Your Highness Elfin."

"Just call me Alfen, Master Fangzheng. I'm just an ordinary student here."

"Okay, Alfin."

During the civil war, Fang Zheng had dealt with Elfen a lot, and knew that the princess was not arrogant and was very approachable. So he didn't care, just greeted her casually, and then began to ask routine questions.

"Then may I ask, what is your goal in coming to this school? What are your plans?"

"I am here on behalf of the Erebonian Empire to improve relations with Crossbell. I am also personally interested in the political philosophy you mentioned, Mr. Fang Zheng, as well as Starlight Technology..."

Hearing Fang Zheng's question, Princess Elfen's eyes lit up and she immediately chattered like a bird. She looked like she was just about to ride me hard... No, my curiosity was written all over my face.

After hearing Elfen's answer, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Elfen did not evade her mission. After all, as a princess, she must be acting on behalf of the empire. Coming here can bring the empire and Crossbell closer together, and can also cooperate with Fang Zheng's Starlight Technology. Fang Zheng had no objection to this, just nodded, and then took out a student ID and handed it over.

"Welcome to school, Alfin."

The student ID card of Semlia Academy is not ordinary. It is not only equipped with a wireless communication system similar to that of a mobile phone, but also has the function of a guide device and can even send group text messages and videos - well, it is basically equivalent to Founder Modern's original smartphone.

In addition, the student ID card of Semlia Academy has been certified by various countries. Those who hold this student ID card can enter any country in West Semlia without a visa. This can be regarded as a benefit given by the Seven Stars Church. After all, according to Fang Zheng’s plan, these students will visit various countries for field visits and exercises in the future, so this level of authority is of course indispensable.

"Thank you, Mr. Fang Zheng."

Elfen also took the student ID card, and after listening to Fang Zheng's introduction, he flipped through it with great interest, then bowed obediently and turned to leave.

The second person to come in was Elise Schwartz... well, also an acquaintance.

"Hello, Mr. Fang Zheng, long time no see."

Elysee was still as polite and courteous as Fang Zheng remembered, and Fang Zheng asked her these questions as a matter of routine. Facing Fang Zheng's questions, Elysee hesitated for a moment, and then explained to Fang Zheng embarrassedly.

It turned out that according to Elise, she and Elfin were both students of Saint Astraea before, and they had a very close relationship, like best friends. And this time she came to Crossbell mainly because Elfin pestered her to come with him, and Elise couldn't refuse, so she finally came with him. Of course, her own interest in Crossbell and Starlight Technology was also one of the reasons.

Fang Zheng also asked about her brother. She said that her brother had gone to study at the Thors Officer School... and that everything was fine with her brother after that, and that nothing serious was wrong. She thanked Fang Zheng for his concern.

After Elise was Laura S. Alseide. She and Fang Zheng naturally knew each other. After all, they had met when Fang Zheng took Alyssa and Ling on a trip. The reason why the latter came here this time was mainly to hone her strength, because she had also heard the rumors about Fang Zheng defeating the Scarlet Knight. In addition, her father admitted that he was far inferior to Fang Zheng, so Laura decided to come to the Semlia Academy to personally experience how powerful Fang Zheng was.

Fang Zheng didn't care about this at all, he just laughed it off.

As for Emma's next move... it's a bit interesting. According to her...

"Did Roselia ask you to come?"

Hearing Emma's answer, Fang Zheng couldn't help but look at her curiously, and the latter nodded.

"Yes, yes, it was my grandmother who told me about the Semlia Academy and asked me to apply to come here... As for why, I'm not sure..."

"Why doesn't she come by herself? With her looks, she can sneak in as a student."

“Ahahahaha…”

Faced with Fang Zheng's complaints, Emma was speechless and could only smile bitterly.

After greeting the four people he knew, Fang Zheng met the fifth imperial student - Miaojie Igret. From the outside, she was a gentle, well-educated and somewhat naughty noble lady. She introduced herself as the granddaughter of Earl Igret of Lamar State. She came here to broaden her horizons and find a glimmer of hope in the future excitement of the empire.

This sounds right. After all, after the civil war, Duke Kane was arrested, Duke Elbarea was executed in public, and the noble forces were hunted down by the iron-blooded Prime Minister Osborn and were almost finished. As a descendant of the nobility, it was not surprising that Miao Jie had such thoughts and vision, but Fang Zheng still felt that she was hiding some secrets... But it didn't matter.

As for the last one, Altina Orlean, she was a girl with long silver-white hair and was taciturn. Her self-introduction was very straightforward - she was sent by the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau, and her mission was to conduct surveillance and nearby assistance. To be honest, this was the first time Fang Zheng had seen a spy who blew himself up on the spot, but it didn't matter. Whether the other party was honest or not, would she still be able to jump around in Fang Zheng's hands?

So Fang Zheng said a few words to her with a smile, handed her his student ID, and let her leave the office.

The meeting with the international students from the Empire came to an end. The next person Fang Zheng was going to meet was Rufina's sister, Liz Argent.

Fang Zheng had some impression of this girl. If he remembered correctly, this Liz should be the girl who was captured by the hunters and sealed in the underground house in the Ziyuan House. Fang Zheng didn't have a deep impression of her at that time because she was in a coma throughout the whole process and didn't say a few words to Fang Zheng, so Fang Zheng also wanted to see what kind of person this nun named Liz was.

No matter what, she is Rufina's younger sister, so she shouldn't be much worse than her older sister.