Chapter 13: Psychological Assessment

Teacher Yang nudged Fenni with his arm. Fenni cleared her throat awkwardly and asked, “Sweetheart, did you choose to take extra subjects voluntarily?”

“Mm-hmm, I like learning. It helps me understand the world better.”

“That’s a wonderful mindset. Interstellar History and the study of Mystical Spirits and Natural Creatures are your core courses.” Fenni pressed a button on the edge of the desk, and a touchscreen interface appeared in front of Su Ninglong.

“Sweetheart, our school offers eighteen main subject categories, each with further subdivisions. Have you thought about which ones you’d like to study?”

“I want to learn mathematics, how to repair robots, history, information technology, also makeup, fishing, drawing. Most importantly, I want to learn the course on building robots with my own hands.” Without exaggeration, she wanted to study everything; Su’s ancestor had a rich and promising life but unfortunately lacked money.

Wherever there’s an opportunity, she’d take it.

Tuition for the Star Alliance Academy was already paid, and students could choose whatever subjects they wished.

The teachers didn’t scold her for being greedy; a student eager to learn was a good thing.

Fenni sighed regretfully, “There’s too much; you can’t finish it all. Some classes overlap in schedule. You’ll have to cut back on some interests and take them next year.”

Teacher Yang reminded her, “If you fail any elective, you’ll have to retake it the following year. There’s no turning back once you start. Think carefully.”

Su Ninglong nodded seriously. “Can I see what subjects are available first?”

“You can recognize words now?”

“Yes, I can write too. I’ve self-studied all the basic daily vocabulary. Does that mean I can take advanced courses?”

The Star Alliance welcomed prodigies and allowed them to advance freely, without the old-fashioned restrictions of age-based curricula.

Teacher Yang rubbed his belly. “Of course, you can apply here. But for compulsory courses, you need to discuss with your instructors.”

“All right.”

After selecting her subjects and leaving the Information Department, Su Ninglong felt refreshed and eager to start classes.

Fenni and Teacher Yang stared at her fresh course schedule. Except for Friday afternoons, it was packed.

“This child is so eager to learn,” Fenni said fondly. “I hope she can handle so many courses.”

Teacher Yang scrutinized her schedule again and spotted something odd. “Rescue training? Are freshmen allowed to join? That’s outrageous.”

Fenni adjusted her glasses. “She entered with full marks plus bonus points. The school might have new policies.”

They could only hope it wasn’t true that such a young child would be sent on missions.

Su Ninglong’s dorm was a four-person room, while Xing Yuan stayed in the guide’s quarters.

They were separated, and the dorm wasn’t large enough to hold all their belongings.

So one suitcase remained unopened, storing Su Ninglong’s “junk” machines.

Xing Yuan was mainly responsible for Su Ninglong’s daily life and studies, as well as instilling proper values. He also needed to improve himself.

Barring unforeseen events, the next five years would see him almost inseparable from Su Ninglong.

He first helped her organize the wardrobe, carefully arranging each item by height and color.

Su Ninglong glanced at her belongings — she had never kept them so neatly before.

“If I mess it up, will you want to hit me?” Zou Shuyi hit first without hesitation.

“No, you’re much easier to manage than most kids. I won’t get angry just because you tidy up wrong.” When he took the guide training course, the instructors had clearly explained the challenges of this role.

Children aged four or five don’t fully control their bodies; they need help with incontinence, dressing, eating, and so on.

If gender issues arise, several dorm supervisors—both male and female—live nearby to assist guides with sensitive matters.

Guides must teach all life skills before the child turns six.

This ensures that once they enter elementary school, they can be independent.

Guides must patiently handle all the hassles in the meantime, being excellent caretakers.

After lunch, Xing Yuan took Su Ninglong for a psychological evaluation. The Star Alliance Academy had three psychologists responsible for assessing the children’s mental states.

They worked in shifts; today, Dr. Bockton and Dr. He Xue were on duty.

Xing Yuan knew their traits well. He disliked Bockton’s methods and chose to send Su Ninglong to He Xue first.

Her conversation with He Xue went pleasantly.

He Xue had neat short hair and a witty manner.

She began by praising Su Ninglong’s eagerness to learn, then observed her speech, reactions, and gestures to understand her personality.

In the end, she concluded that Su Ninglong was optimistic, had unique thinking, possessed judgment close to that of an adult, and was a child with a positive mindset.

After a smooth session, Xing Yuan inquired when the other psychologist, Mimila, would be back on duty.

He Xue whispered, “Mimila went on maternity leave. The temporary replacement won’t arrive until next week. That means there’s no avoiding Bockton.”

“Does the psychological evaluation have to be completed today?”

“That’s the procedure.”

Xing Yuan had no choice but to bring Su Ninglong to Bockton’s room.

The door opened automatically. “Come in.”

“Go ahead, say less, make fewer mistakes,” Xing Yuan advised.

Su Ninglong felt a strange sensation. “Is Mr. Bockton scary?”

“No,” Xing Yuan was unsure how to explain. “His evaluation methods are unorthodox and often make kids cry. They say crying helps release emotions. We all prefer He Xue and Mimila because they don’t have to coax the children.”

“Ha ha,” Su Ninglong smiled and entered Bockton’s room.

She stepped around a clutter of extravagant vases and ornaments to stand before him.

Bockton wore a long black coat and looked sullen, as if everyone owed him a great debt.

That was Su Ninglong’s first impression.

“Hello, Mr. Bockton. I’m Su Ninglong, here for the psychological evaluation.”

He glanced at her sideways, then waved his unusually large hand to indicate she should sit.

He sat silently, and the awkward tension thickened.

After about ten minutes of reviewing her files, he finally said, “You don’t seem like a normal child.”

Making a judgment without meeting her eyes?

“You have little insight. I doubt your professionalism,” Su Ninglong replied. Having met children as mature as herself, she felt no need to hide who she was.

“My professionalism isn’t for a child to question. Just answer my questions,” Bockton snapped.

“Are you interrogating me?”

“You can think of it that way. Han Chinese are too common. How could a four-year-old child kill a monster?”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

“When you killed that fat pig, how did you feel? Happy, or sad?” Bockton casually popped a piece of candy into his mouth. “Like now, watching me eat candy, do you want some? Next time you see a monster, you’ll strike without hesitation, right?”