Chapter 555: If You Think the Academy Is Lacking, Then You Should Build It Up
Of course, Shrek Academy's tuition fees increased significantly each academic year.
This was a rule personally established by Founding Dean Flender after the War of the Gods, designed to maximize the Academy's profits from its students.
Even after Shrek Academy became the number one soul master academy on the Douluo Continent, this rule remained unchanged.
The only silver lining was that once the Academy became wealthy, students competing in tournaments no longer had to wear sponsor advertisements on their uniforms.
Now, as the sounds of curses and accusations filled the air, echoing through the square, the elders standing on the platform found it incredibly jarring.
If the students were just cursing at Elder Xuan, the four Deans and Vice Deans wouldn't mind.
They wanted to curse him too.
But given their status, they couldn't say anything too harsh in public.
So, in a way, the students were expressing exactly what they felt.
After all, if Elder Xuan hadn't messed up so badly, the White Tiger City disaster wouldn't have happened.
However, when students started cursing the Academy itself, their expressions darkened with discontent.
They were proud to be part of Shrek Academy.
Hearing students insult the institution was something they refused to tolerate.
Even Elder Xuan, who had been silent until now, finally lost his patience.
He was proud to be part of Shrek Academy, too!
These students had not only insulted him but also interrupted his apology.
If he didn't put a stop to this, how was he supposed to finish his public statement?
His soul power surged.
A thick, yellow glow enveloped his body.
Two large bull horns sprouted from his head.
A terrifying wave of pressure spread across the square as he shouted:
"SILENCE!"
BOOM!
The sheer force of his Rank 98 Super Douluo aura crashed down like a tidal wave.
Instantly, the entire chaotic square fell into absolute silence.
For the students, experiencing the pressure of a peak Douluo at this stage was far too overwhelming.
Even though Elder Xuan held back, merely trying to calm them down, it was still a crushing weight on their souls.
Elder Xuan continued:
**"I must admit, I made a huge mistake.
"I understand your anger, and I accept your criticism.
"I am here today to formally apologize."**
He bowed deeply.
His voice choked with emotion, he said:
**"I truly, sincerely apologize.
"If I had been more careful in my planning,
"Perhaps your families wouldn't have been killed by those ruthless evil soul masters."**
"What's the use of an apology?!
"Will it bring our families back to life?!
"We trusted the Academy!
"That's the only reason we agreed to let the Academy protect our loved ones!"**
A student, his eyes red with grief, stood his ground against Elder Xuan's crushing aura, his voice filled with anguish as he shouted.
"He's right!"
"Both you and the Academy are responsible!"
"I never should have come to Shrek Academy!
"Number one soul master academy?
Ha! What a joke!
"You swore you'd protect our families and now they're all dead!"**
To these students, the pain of losing their families was too overwhelming.
Their grief drowned out their fear of Elder Xuan's aura.
Once again, the square erupted into furious cries.
Elder Xuan's brows furrowed slightly.
People die. That's life.
He had already apologized.
But these students refused to let it go.
He accepted their anger toward him.
After all, he was the one who had failed.
He deserved it.
But why attack the Academy itself?
Shrek Academy had always treated its students well.
It had gone to great lengths to protect their families even if the end result was a failure.
Yet now, these students were cursing the institution that had nurtured them?
A bunch of ungrateful brats.
No.
He couldn't let this continue.
He needed to redirect their anger away from the Academy and toward Zhongli Wu and the evil soul masters.
They were the true culprits.
If the students focused on hating the Academy, it would only create instability within Shrek.
His soul power surged again, intensifying his oppressive aura until the students were forced into silence.
Then, his voice boomed:
**"I just heard some of you cursing the Academy,
"And even threatening to drop out and demand a refund.
"Let me tell you insulting the Academy is meaningless!**
"If you think Shrek Academy is lacking then YOU should work to build it up!
"If you think the Academy's strong enough to protect you,
"But not strong enough to protect your families,
Then become strong yourself!
Train. Fight.
Avenge your loved ones!
Because Zhongli Wu and his evil soul masters
They are the ones who truly took your families from you!"
He stopped suppressing his aura, letting the students breathe again.
Then, he fell silent, giving them space to process his words.
This time, the students did not immediately resume their cursing.
Instead, they seemed lost in thought.
Moments later, they began leaving their faces filled with contemplation.
Elder Xuan exhaled in relief.
It seemed his speech had worked.
If all went well, these students would pour their rage into training.
They would focus their hatred on Zhongli Wu, rather than the Academy.
They would realize that only by relying on Shrek could they take their revenge.
Once again, his brilliant mind had saved the day.
Satisfied, he left the platform, found a quiet pavilion, and began drinking wine and eating roast chicken.
He was a Rank 98 Super Douluo.
He could go without sleep for days without issue.
But if he couldn't drink and eat chicken, his mental state would surely collapse.
Seven Days Later
Elder Xuan saw Du Weilun, the Outer Court's Academic Director, flying past the pavilion with a dark expression.
Elder Xuan frowned.
**"Little Du, why the sour face?
"Did something happen?"**
Du Weilun halted in midair, sighed bitterly, and said:
**"Elder Xuan! The Academy is facing a massive crisis!
"I'm on my way to report it to Dean Yan and discuss countermeasures!"**
"A massive crisis?"
Elder Xuan's brows knitted deeper.
"Tell me. I'm part of this Academy too."
Du Weilun hesitated, but he could not refuse Elder Xuan's command.
So, he took a deep breath and explained:
**"Seven days ago, after you gave that speech to the students...
"A mass withdrawal wave began.
"Countless Outer Court students have dropped out, demanding partial refunds,
"And they have publicly declared that they are no longer Shrek students.
"Even worse…
"This year's enrollment has completely collapsed."**
Elder Xuan: "..."
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