Chapter 1418: Types of students
"Enrolling under me just because I never show up?!" Robin frowned deeply, his expression tightening with confusion and disbelief.
"To understand that, you first need to know there are many types of students at the academy, each driven by different goals and circumstances..." Shaddad’s tone turned serious and instructive. "There are students from relatively poor families who want to elevate themselves and their households—these are the majority of the diligent, hard-working students here. Then there are those with high affinity and rare, natural talents, admitted on full scholarships due to their immense potential. And finally, the children of extremely wealthy and powerful families who came just to say they once studied at a prestigious stellar academy during their youth, as a status symbol."
"...Among all those, you somehow manage to combine the two most financially and socially opposite categories!" Shaddad spoke with conviction and a touch of amusement, then accepted the sandwiches and drink from the cafeteria staff with a wide, satisfied grin.
"We hope they’re to your liking, Professor Shaddad!" the blue-eyed girl smiled brightly, her face glowing with admiration.
"Ahaha! Any food will be to my liking!" he immediately shoved the entire first sandwich into his mouth without hesitation, clearly savoring it.
"Go on." Robin spoke impatiently, his brows still slightly furrowed. "How exactly did I ’combine opposing categories’ when I haven’t done a single thing or made any effort?"
"I’ll explain, I’ll explain..." Shaddad struggled to swallow the large bite of sandwich before continuing, "First, let’s talk about the poor students. They barely afford the academy fees. Those fees only cover their stay on campus, their basic living costs, and limited access—about 20%—to that legendary library where you saw me earlier, and a few public lectures every then and there. But if they want instructors, personal training, or direct guidance, well—each teacher has a fixed subscription fee, based on their status."
"...The value of this subscription is either determined by the teacher themselves or set by the academy based on that teacher’s historical performance, experience, and success rate with past students. The more famous and effective the teacher, the more expensive their yearly subscription. Take Professor Barok, for example—his fee is higher than the academy’s tuition itself, even though he only shows up once or twice a year to give a single lecture or host a session!"
He then gestured directly toward Robin. "As for you, you’re the only instructor who doesn’t have a fee set yet. That, naturally, attracted a number of poor students to register under your name, hoping—praying even—that one day, their mysterious teacher might appear and give them at least one free lecture. In the meantime, they continue their self-learning through the library, study in silence, and support each other in their dorms. Being affiliated with you doesn’t cost them anything—at the very least, they can proudly tell their families that they are followers of a true academy professor."
"....." Robin’s frown softened slightly, and he turned his face away, visibly contemplating the idea. "Sounds like you’re trying to flatter me and manipulate me into teaching them something."