Cutting In
The curriculum at Su State Middle School consists of four periods in the morning and two periods in the afternoon, each period lasting fifty minutes, with a ten-minute break between classes. School ends at 3:30 p. m., leaving a large amount of free time for students to choose their own activities.
Most of them will choose martial arts classes, some will join clubs or interest groups, and a small number will sign up for tutoring to continue learning theoretical knowledge. These people are mostly those who have no hope for their martial arts talent and plan to pursue a humanities career in the future.
Su State High School does not separate science and humanities tracks, but rather martial arts and humanities tracks. The difference is that the former requires Internal Cultivation, while the latter does not.
Martial arts students who want to take the college entrance examination must possess Internal Cultivation Level Five, and the higher the level, the more bonus points they receive. Those who do not meet the standard can only apply for liberal arts programs.
The martial arts course covers a wide range of subjects, including fists, palms, legs, fingers, knives, swords, spears, staffs, hidden weapons, and light footwork. Mastering martial arts can lead to becoming a martial arts instructor at a martial arts school, making it a valuable professional skill. After all, in a world like Sea Continent where martial arts culture flourishes, martial arts schools are a very popular and lucrative profession.
Si Ming finished tidying up his homework and was about to go to the art room to see Hongdou when Chen Shimi walked over and said, "My dearest friend, where are you planning to go?"
Si Ming glanced at him sideways. Was this guy here to invite me to start a chuunibyou (delusional) club, like some kind of Far East Magic Nap Club or something?
"I plan to sign up for the principal's martial arts class. I've heard that his two palm techniques, one yin and one yang, can unleash unimaginable power when combined. I'm very interested in that."
At this point, it's best to use the title of an important figure to dispel the other party's unrealistic ideas.
"I'm sorry, student Si, you probably won't have the opportunity to enroll in other teachers' martial arts classes."
The speaker was not Chen Shimi, but the new class monitor who lost to Murong Qing by two votes. Si Ming vaguely remembered that his name was Xia Guanxue, a rather literary name.
"What advice do you have for me, Xia?"
"Student Si may have forgotten that you were admitted to this school through a special admission program. According to school regulations, you must report to the school's martial arts team and receive guidance from professional martial arts instructors. Unless there are special reasons, you are not allowed to withdraw," Xia Guanxue explained in an expository tone.
Chen Shimi also said, "What I wanted to tell you is precisely this matter. Because you missed two days of class without cause, the Captain is very displeased and there are signs that he is being courted by the Dark Ultimate. You must take care."
Si Ming thought about it and realized that there seemed to be such a rule, but he had originally met the normal admission requirements and thought he didn't have to follow it.
"Alright, let's go there then. It should be at the Yangwei Hall."
Xia Guanxue corrected her, "It's Weiyang Hall. If you don't remember the way, just follow me."
Chen Shimi flicked the tip of his nose with his thumb, making a cool gesture, and said, "I'll lead the way for you."
Xia Guanxue glanced at it and said, "I remember Chen got lost yesterday and the day before, right? I even helped you find Weiyang Hall. Are you sure you really remember the route?"
Chen Shimi looked up, gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, and said in a bewildered tone, "As a Hundun Warrior chosen by fate, I have accepted the will of the Hundun Dao, which has caused some confusion in my memories. But I firmly believe that as long as one has a heart that believes justice will prevail, one will surely find the path to light!"
Xia Guanxue nodded, completely ignoring the man's remarks, and looked at Si Ming, "So, I'll lead the way."
Si Ming didn't refuse, but couldn't help asking out of curiosity, "Is Xia also a member of the martial arts team? I didn't see you at the special recruitment assessment."
"Based on my grades, I naturally don't need to apply for special admission. What I'm really curious about is why Si, with her grades, would go through the normal recruitment process and take the special admission assessment?"
Si Ming casually replied, "Of course, it's to give back to our alma mater and help it gain one more spot for a top-tier university."
Xia Guanxue said with slight surprise, "Oh, that's really impressive. I didn't think of that at all. No one at my alma mater reminded me, so I missed out on a spot and now I have to take the martial arts team's entrance test."
His tone exuded confidence that if he had figured it out, he would definitely have been able to get admitted through the special admissions process.
Si Ming rolled his eyes inwardly and asked, "Xia wants to join the school martial arts team, so it seems you're quite confident in your skills."
Xia Guanxue revealed a smile that seemed to say, "I've been waiting for you to ask this question," and slowly said, "I remember that Si participated in the county's Youth Martial Arts Tournament a while ago, and I think he was either in the top eight or the top sixteen."
He adjusted his glasses and continued, "I also signed up for this competition, and luckily, I didn't encounter any particularly strong opponents. I made it all the way to the end and won the championship."
Chapter 130 Intercepting the Spoils
When Si Ming entered Weiyang Hall, he was almost startled. All the martial arts team members were gathered in a circle in the hall. The atmosphere was tense and filled with murderous intent. The Captain Ke Chajing, looked furious, her eyes gleaming like a hungry tiger that might pounce at any moment.
Did they find out I was going back to school today and deliberately put on this show to intimidate me?
That doesn't make sense. I'm just an insignificant freshman. I didn't stand out during the special recruitment assessment. Is it really necessary to be so serious?
Could it be that they're trying to enforce discipline, using me as a sacrificial lamb to make an example of someone?
Si Ming greeted Ke Chajing with a hint of trepidation, but she merely glanced at him, casually replied with a "hmm," and then looked away, letting him pass.
"What exactly happened?"
Si Ming was a little confused about the situation. Although it was a good thing that he hadn't been bothered, he still had a feeling of unease, as if a pie had fallen from the sky.
"Because someone came to challenge us."
A familiar voice reached his ears. Si Ming turned his head and saw Tao Chengsi, whom he had worked with during the special recruitment assessment.
"Challenge the school? We're the school's martial arts team; we don't compete with martial arts schools for students. What good would it do to have our signboard knocked off? It would only damage our relationship and make our students unwilling to apply for jobs at their martial arts schools after graduation."
"Yes, the martial arts school and we keep to ourselves, so there's really no reason for us to fight. But if we're competitors within the same circle, then there's a reason to take action."
"You mean other schools? It doesn't seem necessary. Student admissions are based on school rankings from top to bottom. It's about a school's overall strength. The martial arts team's performance only accounts for a small part. Besides, there are many martial arts competitions in high school. There are plenty of opportunities to compete against each other. Instead of playing tricks like challenging other schools, it's better to compete fairly in a formal competition."
Tao Chengsi smiled as expected and asked in return, "Are you referring to public schools? What about private ones?"
Upon hearing this, Si Ming suddenly realized that public schools do not compete for students, especially the top-ranked schools. Tange No. 1 Middle School takes all the students before it's Tange No. 2 Middle School even if it wants to. If they have any complaints, they should go to the Ministry of Education.
Private schools, however, are different. In theory, they can poach any student, making them direct competitors to all public schools.
Different countries have different national conditions. In Su State, public schools are generally stronger than private schools. The Chivalry Points alone is enough to make many top students ignore the flirtatious glances from private schools. Although private schools do have Chivalry Points, it is less than one-fifth of that of public schools of the same level.
In other countries such as the Nation of Valor, Rui State, and the Nation of Beauty, private schools are generally considered superior to public schools. They emphasize elite education. For example, in the Nation of Valor, graduates of public schools can only start as low-ranking soldiers, while graduates of private schools can start directly as non-commissioned officers.
The strangest one is Li State. On the one hand, their private schools are superior to public schools. On the other hand, their private schools do not have high tuition fees, so even poor students can afford to attend. However, this is limited to people of the same clan or hometown. Outsiders cannot enroll without an introduction from an acquaintance.
Just as Si Ming was about to press for details, Tao Chengsi pointed and said, "It's begun."
He quickly looked in that direction and saw many students setting up the only free fighting area in the Weiyang Hall. Soon, a lush bamboo forest appeared on the field, and then two people stood in the center of the field.