Cooperation

When it came to teaching experience, Ruan Zhijun might have been mid-tier in the school. But in terms of practical combat skill and strictness, he could definitely rank in the top three.

This was also the most miserable part for Class 5, Senior High, as every physical education class felt like military training.

However, there was something special about him: Ruan Zhijun cared deeply about "rules." Even though other PE teachers often extended their classes or even hogged cultural lesson time, he always strictly adhered to school regulations. As soon as class ended, he would immediately dismiss them, never overstaying his welcome.

As for practical combat, the entire class had experienced it during the previous final exams.

It's just that whenever they recalled it, most students would have nightmares or touch a part of their body that had been injured or broken.

Now, the mere thought of confronting their homeroom teacher head-on made their scalps tingle, let alone the fact that the teacher would be bringing weapons to this simulated advancement combat assessment.

Even the class monitor was sweating profusely, already doing warm-up exercises, intending to once again utilize the effects of her investigator uniform.

Because Ruan Zhijun never differentiated between male and female students; he dealt heavy blows to everyone.

On his first day as their homeroom teacher, he had clearly stated his attitude to everyone: "Only broken bones are the best textbooks."

In the entire Class 5, only Luo Di was filled with anticipation.

Because the gymnasium was large enough, different classes were assigned to different areas for their final combat assessments.

Class 5, Senior High, was assigned to a relatively spacious, enclosed training area. Everyone had already lined up according to the usual PE class formation.

Ruan Zhijun, dressed in a military uniform, didn't offer any relaxation or praise for the class monitor breaking the record. Instead, with his usual stern expression from PE class, he said:

"This assessment will be different from before.

You have been training under me for two and a half years.

For this confrontation, I will be using advancement standards.

If any of you lose focus and I severely injure you, please submit your deferred graduation application in advance.

If you are already scared, then please give up on the path of sports and focus on your studies to pursue a career in clerical work.

Also, don't hold back. Show me all the skills you have."

As he finished speaking, Ruan Zhijun cast a meaningful glance at Luo Di.

"Alright! Students with numbers 1 to 5, step forward! All other students, retreat beyond the white line. The combat test begins now."

The five students remaining on the field quickly adjusted their states, immediately forming a circle to surround their homeroom teacher. At the same time, they drew the weapons they had prepared, primarily the field combat straight knives they trained with most often.

These field knives were portable, flexible, and easy to wield, making them an excellent choice for close-quarters combat. The vice class monitor, Gao Yuxuan, also used this type of weapon.

However, The homeroom teacher, who had previously engaged with students bare-handed, drew a special weapon today – a Mechanical Baton.

This was a non-lethal weapon, typically used for suppressing and controlling opponents.

But in the hands of the homeroom teacher, even such a baton could become a lethal weapon.

This was also the first time since they started school that they would engage in a practical combat scenario with an armed homeroom teacher.

Two minutes passed.

The five students who had formed a circle were now scattered across different areas of the field, either wailing or already unconscious.

The other students who witnessed the entire process gasped in unison, the pressure in their hearts growing even greater. Some could only rely on excessive medication to suppress their fear.

The second group followed closely. They showed a slight improvement compared to the previous group, lasting three minutes.

One of them was hit in the head and stiffened on the spot. Medical personnel, who were already on standby at the gymnasium, immediately rushed to the scene to provide treatment. After confirming the situation was stable, they took the person to the school infirmary.

The third group.

The five-person team including the class monitor.

She had also taken a small pill beforehand, stretching as she walked onto the field.

This was the first time Luo Di had seen the class monitor take medication in the physical testing area. However, judging by the size of the pill, it was likely a low dose, primarily intended to enhance physical stability to withstand the pressure from the investigator uniform.

As the class monitor entered the field, the other four students in the group immediately gathered around her, forming a battle plan centered on her.

Instead of spreading out in a circle, they stood together.

As their homeroom teacher, Ruan Zhijun naturally admired Wu Wen greatly.

Because of how Wu Wen managed the class, he didn't have to worry about many things. Not to mention Wu Wen's excellent grades; she had even broken the speed record that very evening.

"Wu Wen, where is your sword? I remember you were still using it last semester, and your swordsmanship display during the final exams received high praise."

"Teacher Ruan, my body can only barely adapt to this uniform right now.

If I try to utilize the uniform's performance while also wielding a sword, I estimate I won't be able to handle it. I'll try bare-handed today. Once the training for the second semester of senior high is complete, I estimate I'll be able to wield it skillfully."

"Alright, begin."

The five gathered together, and except for the class monitor, all had weapons.

The homeroom teacher had expected the four students to use the class monitor as a pivot, covering her as they launched their attack.

Who would have thought!

Whoosh The class monitor displayed the posture from her previous sprint and suddenly charged out from the group, launching the first surprise attack without anyone covering her.

"Hmm?"

This unexpected tactic caused Ruan Zhijun's thoughts to falter for a moment, and the class monitor's high sweeping kick was already arriving at his side.

He could only change his stance temporarily, raising the Mechanical Baton to block the blow.

Crack!

Supported by the investigator's uniform, the power of this kick was astonishing, even causing faint ripples and pulsations to appear on the surface of the clothing.

Even the class teacher, whose lower body was exceptionally stable, was shaken by this kick, shifting several steps to the side and losing his balance.

The opportunity was created by the class monitor.

Such an opportunity would naturally not be missed. The remaining four students decisively moved forward, weapons in hand, attacking the off-balance class teacher from different positions.

The class monitor also immediately pursued.

But in the very next second, she seemed to observe something and decisively stopped her forward momentum.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Three students were struck in different parts of their bodies and fell to the ground one after another.

Only one managed to dodge, creating distance by rolling backward.

What seemed like a good start was instantly shattered, leaving only the class monitor and this girl on the field.

Ruan Zhijun looked at the students lying on the ground and couldn't help but shake his head.

"If your coordination with Wu Wen were a bit stronger, I might have truly been suppressed.

But the fear they hold for me hasn't completely vanished, and the strength they're displaying is less than their usual training. It will be difficult to graduate like this."

At this moment, the girl who had reacted quickly and dodged also began to panic. In her eyes, a situation with only two people left was a sure loss. She also remembered the student who had been hit in the head and gone rigid, fearing serious injury that would cost her the chance to advance this year.

Just then, a gentle and warm hand lightly rested on the girl's shoulder. A familiar yet even more tender voice drilled into her ear like silk threads, feeling as if it were caressing her brain and forcibly suppressing her tension.

"Xiao Ying~ Don't be nervous, I'm still here."

"Okay... Class Monitor!"

A few words were enough to stabilize the girl's flustered mind, allowing her to focus on the confrontation before her.

The duel did not end quickly, continuing for another five minutes.

The class monitor was sent flying due to exhaustion, and the girl named Xiao Ying was also knocked down.

Fortunately, neither of them sustained serious injuries; they didn't even need to go to the school infirmary.

The third group's match concluded.

The class monitor, supporting herself, did not immediately return to the rest area. Instead, she walked towards the girl who had cooperated with her, reaching out and placing a hand on the girl's mushroom-shaped hair.

"Your cooperation was excellent. It was all thanks to you, Xiao Ying, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to last this long. I hope you'll perform even better during the college entrance exams."

"Thank you, Class Monitor."

Xiao Ying's face flushed, and she bit her lip lightly.

Just then, a completely different aura approached from outside the field, passing right by the class monitor. A faint smell of decay could be detected.

The class monitor, half-crouching on the ground, found her gaze level with the hand hanging by the other person's side.

In that hand, rough and unlike that of a high school student, was a knife wrapped in a shroud.

The class monitor's gentle expression, which she had used while stroking Xiao Ying's head, changed to one of surprise and astonishment. "Luo Di! Are you going to use it here?"

"Mm..."