Inside First Middle School's Martial Arts Hall, under the bright lights that turned night into day, the air seemed frozen. Only the occasional low hum of the testing machines and the students' slightly ragged breathing could be heard.
The students from No.7 Middle School and Fifth Middle School stood in distinct lines on opposite sides of the floor, like two armies facing off.
In the front row of the stands, the two "archenemies," Vice Principal Wang and Vice Principal Li, sat side by side, their bodies angled slightly toward their own students. Their expressions were tense, their gazes blazing. They looked just like two beasts guarding their cubs, ready to pounce on the other side and tear into them the moment their own cubs bared their fangs.
Behind them, teachers from both schools wore solemn expressions and spoke in low voices. An invisible cloud of smoke and gunpowder hung in the air.
Teacher Liu from Songjiang Martial Arts University, along with admissions teachers from Xueling and Baishan universities, sat in the lounge area to one side, recording boards and electronic devices laid out before them.
They appeared relaxed, but their eyes were sharp as eagles', swiftly scanning the young faces below. Like experienced hunters, they were picking out the most valuable prey from the crowd.
"The assessment officially begins! First up, the Strength Test!" The First Middle School teacher in charge of coordinating the event spoke through a megaphone, his voice echoing through the spacious venue.
"Students will be tested by group. Seventh Middle School goes first. Five students per group. Each will be tested on punching power and kicking power!"
At the teacher's command, the students from Seventh Middle School began moving forward in orderly groups.
Dull impacts began to ring out from the strength-testing area, one after another,