Time flew, especially when both Caroline and Jason had been extra busy learning about the foundational and basic knowledge that was required of all Grant Academy audit program participants. It was only a week away from Christmas. The weather had become colder and traffic everywhere became worse 

Somewhat to Caroline and Jason’s surprise, the knowledge was not that out of their pre-existing domain - though Jianmen’s teaching methods were quite unorthodox, he did indeed help them establish a good foundation of knowledge about the supernatural power in this world.

What was more interesting was that, through all the reading and experimentation of the basic spells listed in Josephine Wong’s notes, they found that their experience of casting the spells in Xuanli, constructing Xuanli array and seals was able to translate to casting the basic spells that were required of the students by the Grant Academy. This made them feel like that maybe, just maybe, Jianmen had the right to be as cocky as he was when talking about his teaching methods.

But they also found one thing - the basic curriculum included a chart of elemental properties of magic, yet for some reason Jianmen almost never taught them anything in detail about the elemental properties of Xuanli. They knew that Caroline’s Xuanli was fiery and had the properties of the stereotypical fire magic properties; Jason’s Xuanli was metalic, and its lack of explosiveness was made up for by the fact that it was easier to control, maintain and form constructs and therefore he was able to create Xuanli weapons for himself and Caroline. But all this time, besides some vague inspiration and basic tips on how to take advantage of some of the properties of their Xuanli, they were unable to get any more detailed guidance from Jianmen. 

“Because I don’t want you to get biased.” when they went to ask Jianmen about the chart, this was the answer Jianmen gave while sitting in a chair in the diner, with a pot of tea in his hand: “What does this chart say now?”

“Well, there’s fire, water, wind, earth, as basic elements. Then there’s other special elements … thunder, metal, light, darkness… time and space.” Caroline looked at the chart and said.

“Huh, so they still haven’t added wood, flow, and Xen.” Jianmen laid back in his chair and scoffed: “Don’t bring this up in the program, but viewing Xuanli, magic and other sorts of power through the lense of the elemental chart is quite stupid. I had quite an argument with their professor when I was there and eventually had to talk this out with the vice principal. They are simply vague categories to help you, but not limit you. If you think ‘Oh, my Xuanli is water, that means I must be focusing on healing and protection spells.’ Then you are already stepping on the wrong path, have you seen how crazy water cutters are? Sure, you can’t usually light something on fire with water, but why the rigid classification?”

“Okay, that’s great and kinda scarily confusing.” Jason exchanged looks with Caroline and chuckled: “But how do we answer the professors when they asked?”

“There should be a small book in the library, named ‘Elemental Proficiency’ something something, by Josephine Wong and Shah Bee Tamil. It should help you with this prerequisite and more. I’d planned to introduce it to you someday. But today’s as good as any.” Jianmen thought for a while, then shrugged and said: “We actually collaborated on the book, Shah Bee Tamil was my one time pen name.”

“And you think insulting someone named Tamil was a good pen name.” Jason tried not to laugh but still started giggling.

“Hmm? Is this name some kind of joke I am not aware of?” Caroline was confused.

“Just say it in Mandarin.” Jason continued to giggle.

“Aaaanyway.” Jianmen forcefully changed the topic: “When do you guys have time this week? It’s time for me to take you Christmas shopping.”

“I’m free right now! What kind of shopping are we talking about?” Jason was stunned for a short while, then answered almost jumping up and spilling his tea.

“The cultivation related type, of course.” Jianmen smiled: “And of course, this is also to help you prepare for your upcoming back-to-school life.”

“How long would it take? I am meeting my friend for a midnight sale.” Caroline checked her phone but immediately set it down: “But you know what? I can just tell them I’ll be late.”

“It won’t take too long, if we are efficient enough.” Jianmen stood up: “But you can stay longer if you want - you can practically spend a few days there if you are so inclined.”

“Cool cool cool, let’s go now!” Jason rubbed his two hands together, but then he realized something: “But Boss, do they take credit cards?”

“The place we’re going, anything you can buy with civilian money is in most cases not worth buying.” Jianmen led both of them out the diner door into the lounge: “Don’t worry, I am not entirely a cheap ass boss, I’ve been saving another portion of your paycheck for you. So you have enough money for necessities and some pleasantries.”

“What? And I know I’ve asked this question a thousand times - why are you telling us this now?” Caroline scratched her head and said.

“Hey, you need to take pace. It takes other people years before they can save up enough for their first time for something at the Christmas Fair of Thousand Moons.” Jianmen smiled and brought out two small cloth pouches out of thin air and handed them to Caroline and Jason: “Each of you have seventy three gold coins inside. And seven platinum coins. Gold coins are the common currencies, and platinum coins are the premium currencies. The gold coins are your accumulated wage, and platinum ones are your interest, plus my Christmas gift to you.”

“Damn, Boss, are you a retired assassin with boxes of weapons buried underground?” Jason looked into the pouch and said.

“What?” Caroline looked at Jason with a clear expression of judgment.

“... no, and I don’t have a dead wife and a dog either.”