Never Been So Wonderful...

"Those are the group assignments for the New Student Assessment. Does anyone have any questions?"

On the podium, Sun He had just finished reading out the group assignment list for the New Student Assessment and was looking at the students below.

"No." No one knew who started it, but all the students quietly echoed the response.

"Good. I'll submit the list, then. Those assigned to groups can get to know one another after class so you can coordinate better during the assessment. Finally, whether or not you pass the assessment, don't forget what you've learned over these three months. Perhaps when you look back on it someday, you may find that you gained something from it."

Yes, the three months that belonged to the new students had passed just like that. Wang Nan's experience as a new student had not been particularly tumultuous. In the blink of an eye, those three months had ended peacefully. Thinking back to Sun He's first lesson, it felt as though it had happened only yesterday.

"Little Nan~ Want to have lunch together later?"

Hearing Gongyang Mo's voice beside him, Wang Nan shuddered involuntarily. When they had first met, they had both been fairly reserved. But after living together for three months, Gongyang Mo had gradually revealed his true nature, springing things like this on him without warning.

Just as Wang Nan was about to answer, he looked up and saw Wang Yan standing at the classroom door.

"Not today. Someone came to see me. If you have time this afternoon, let's discuss the New Student Assessment together."

"Alright, then. I'll wait for you in the dorm~" Gongyang Mo winked. He could never resist teasing this roommate who was two years younger than him.

"Second Uncle!" Wang Nan did not dare turn back as he hurried over to the classroom door in a few strides.

"Come on. I'll take you to lunch."

This was not the first time Wang Yan had come to see him. Over the past three months, he had dropped by from time to time to see whether Wang Nan had adjusted to life at the academy. After all, in his eyes, Wang Nan was still a child attending school for the first time.

"The New Student Assessment begins tomorrow. Has your teacher assigned your groups yet?"

"Yeah, it was just finalized."

"That's good. So, are you confident about this assessment?"

Wang Nan carefully recalled his two teammates, then nodded with certainty.

"I think we can compete for the championship."

"Oh?" Wang Yan was intrigued. "The New Student Assessment isn't merely a test of individual ability. Your teammates' abilities and your coordination with one another are also crucial."

"Mm. I trust my teammates."

In truth, Wang Nan had not been determined to contend for the championship. But his two teammates were simply too strong. One was naturally Gongyang Mo. They were roommates and knew each other fairly well, and since one was an Assault Type Soul Master while the other was a Support Type Soul Master, they had been placed in the same group.

His other teammate was named Ling Luochen. Though they had barely spoken before, Wang Nan knew from her name alone that she was no ordinary person. After all, she was one of the future Shrek Seven Monsters.

Among the new students, having a Soul Power Level above twenty was considered quite outstanding. Yet all three of them had Soul Power Levels above twenty, and Gongyang Mo's had even surpassed level thirty. He was a true Soul Elder.

With such a wonderful start, it would be hard to justify not competing for the championship.

"Confidence is a good thing, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Even if you can't win in the end, as long as your performance is outstanding, you'll still have a chance to compete for a Core Disciple slot."

As Wang Yan spoke, he led Wang Nan into the cafeteria and ordered two lunches from the most expensive serving window.

Shrek Academy's cafeteria had a total of eight serving windows, with prices rising from right to left. Naturally, the food became more abundant as well. The most expensive window used thousand-year Soul Beasts as ingredients. One reason Wang Nan had agreed to study at Shrek Academy was the food here.

Foods that were nearly impossible to find outside could be eaten here twice a day. Even if he failed the New Student Assessment, eating here for three months would not be a loss.

"Speaking of which, your Teacher Sun..." Wang Yan suddenly said as they ate.

"Teacher Sun? What happened to him?"

"Quite a few teachers don't approve of Teacher Sun's teaching methods. They believe that teaching only practical combat without theoretical foundations is like building a castle in the air. His students may perform well in the New Student Assessment, but it isn't conducive to their future development."

Wang Nan thought back. Over the past three months, Sun He's classes had consisted either of practical combat or reviewing the previous day's battles. He truly had never mentioned any other theoretical knowledge.

"But no matter what, the classes Teacher Sun leads always rank near the top in assessment pass rates. In his words, getting the chance to study at Shrek Academy isn't easy, so he hopes his students can remain here as long as possible. As for what comes after that, he'll leave it for their future teachers to worry about."

"I thought you might not be used to Teacher Sun's methods. I didn't expect your theoretical foundation to be so solid. His approach happens to suit you perfectly."

"Not at all, not at all." Wang Nan modestly dismissed the praise without much sincerity.

"Alright, hurry up and finish eating so you can prepare for tomorrow's New Student Assessment. Communicate more with your teammates. In team competitions, good coordination is extremely important."

After lunch, Wang Yan gave him a few more reminders about staying safe before leaving. Wang Nan headed back to the dorm alone, and from afar, he saw Gongyang Mo and Ling Luochen waiting for him beneath the Dormitory Building.

Perhaps due to the influence of her Martial Soul, Ling Luochen rarely spoke to her classmates. Wang Nan had no idea how Gongyang Mo had managed to find her.

"Little Nan's back."

The moment Gongyang Mo opened his mouth, even the cool and aloof Ling Luochen could not help glancing at him.

"I'm back, I'm back." Wang Nan hurriedly answered, cutting Gongyang Mo off. "This is about tomorrow's New Student Assessment, right? Come on, let's find somewhere to talk while we walk."

The three arrived at Shrek Plaza, where many new students in white school uniforms had already gathered in groups. They were clearly preparing for the next day's New Student Assessment.

"Let's start with introductions. We should first learn about each other's Martial Souls and Soul Skills."

Wang Nan was the youngest of the three, but once the discussion truly began, he took the lead instead. After all, he still had twenty years from his previous life. He could not claim to be particularly mature, but in front of two children barely in their teens, he still had to be a little more thoughtful.

"I'll go first." When it came to serious matters, Gongyang Mo became much more proper. "My Martial Soul is the Rainbow Dragon. My Soul Power Level is thirty-two, and my three Soul Skills can respectively enhance strength, soul power, and speed."

"My Martial Soul is ice. Level twenty-four. My First Soul Skill is Staff of Ice, and my Second Soul Skill is Ice Armor Protection." After speaking, Ling Luochen thought for a moment before adding, "Although I don't have any Control Type Soul Master Soul Skills, my Martial Soul itself gives me the ability to control ice, allowing me to serve as a Control Type Soul Master."

It was rare for Ling Luochen to say so much at once. After all, as the team's Control Type Soul Master, having not a single Soul Skill related to control did seem rather hard to explain.

"My Martial Soul is the Coiling Dragon Staff. My Soul Power Level is twenty-eight." Wang Nan had remained at level twenty-six for some time, and since he had not neglected meditation over the past three months, his soul power had reached level twenty-eight.

Wang Nan glanced at Ling Luochen as he spoke. His situation was similar to hers. As an Assault Type Soul Master, neither of his first two Soul Skills was particularly offensive. "My two Soul Skills increase my own speed and strength, and neither is an offensive Soul Skill. But don't worry, I'm fairly skilled with a staff. I can still fulfill the role of an Assault Type Soul Master."

Neither Gongyang Mo nor Ling Luochen said anything about this. Like Wang Nan, they had long-term plans for the future and could understand his choice to sacrifice early combat strength in order to improve his overall power.

The three discussed tactics for the rest of the afternoon before finally parting that evening to prepare for the next day's New Student Assessment.