Chapter Two: Rules for Changing Graduation Projects

Chen Jiajiao grabbed Hua Yun and headed toward the administrative building of the Botanical Academy.

“Jiajiao, Jiajiao, slow down,” Hua Yun called out, unable to keep up. Though Chen Jiajiao was small in stature, her legs moved swiftly. Hua Yun was considerably taller, so being dragged along like this forced her to bend over and constantly worry about stepping on Chen Jiajiao’s heels, causing her to stumble from time to time.

“I can’t slow down. I won’t feel at ease unless this is settled!” Chen Jiajiao bit her lip. If it were just her, it wouldn’t matter—she could afford to wait it out; she had money and could rely on her family without shame.

But her friend was different. Hua Yun’s background was no secret to Chen Jiajiao. If Hua Yun couldn’t graduate, how would she manage afterward? Chen Jiajiao didn’t mind supporting her friend, but knowing Hua Yun’s character, she was certain Hua Yun would never accept such help willingly.

Watching Chen Jiajiao so anxious and determined, Hua Yun felt grateful for this steadfast friend in her solitary journey.

At the Botanical Academy, an elderly woman with graying hair yet a lively spirit carefully knelt before a plant, her expression grave.

“Dean!” Suddenly, a loud shout startled her, causing her to fall backward onto the ground. “What are you doing? Such a loud noise!”

Seeing the two rushing in frantically, especially Chen Jiajiao, the dean sighed inwardly—this student always seemed well-behaved but became restless and impulsive the moment trouble arose.

“Dean, please take a look!” Chen Jiajiao pulled Hua Yun forward, urgency in her voice.

“Be careful not to step on these plants, or I might just fail you,” the dean warned. Every plant in this garden was precious; she tended to them with great care, ever wary of pollutants or accidental harm.

“Dean, do you think Hua Yun can still graduate?” Chen Jiajiao pouted, refusing to be intimidated. It was clear that Hua Yun’s graduation project was in jeopardy.

Yet, despite her thoughts, Chen Jiajiao knew well that if any damage befell these plants, the consequences would be severe—not only at school but even from her own family.

Plants were not rare in the interstellar realm, but those surviving within human habitats were exceedingly scarce.

Entering the office, Hui Yuan wore a serious expression. “Explain the situation,” she demanded. Though Chen Jiajiao was lively, she was not one to cause trouble without reason.

“Dean, it’s like this…” Chen Jiajiao babbled nervously, finishing her explanation. “You don’t even need to punish me—Hua Yun can’t graduate.”

“What?” Hui Yuan looked up in surprise and began examining the data on her light-screen. Her face darkened.

“This task is indeed within the scope of an undergraduate thesis,” she sighed. “But the odds are extremely low.”

“What?” Chen Jiajiao was stunned. She had never heard of such a thing. “Dean, can she switch projects?”

“No. Changing the graduation thesis is only possible under one condition: to increase the difficulty.” The dean pressed her lips together. This was academy policy and not to be broken.

Graduation projects were assigned randomly to ensure fairness. After assignment, changes were only allowed for objective reasons—such as the extinction of a plant species with no remaining data—or if the student voluntarily chose a more challenging project. Lowering the difficulty was never permitted.

Hua Yun’s situation was subjective impossibility—because the barren planet was right there. To switch, the barren planet would have to not exist, which was clearly impossible.

“However, Hua Yun, don’t worry,” Hui Yuan reassured. “The school will not abandon you. Due to these special circumstances, I will arrange a dedicated advisory team for you, providing all the resources you need. You will even be able to collaborate with senior graduate students.”

This was the best solution Hui Yuan could offer, though it wouldn’t make the task much easier. To this day, only a handful of barren planets had been successfully terraformed, and even then, many problems persisted afterward.