Return to "School"

BANG!!

A sound like the flash of an old-fashioned camera erupted.

Simultaneously, with that noise, a blinding white light instantly enveloped everyone present...

By the time their vision gradually returned, all the students of Class 04 of Season 12 realized they were sitting back in the original classroom, right in their respective chairs.

Everything was exactly as it had been!

It looked as if they had just been napping peacefully at their desks, rather than...

Every student was drenched in cold sweat, their eyes—blank and lingering with deep terror—darting wildly around. Even their breathing was shallow and soft, as if they were afraid of disturbing something.

It seemed that no one wanted to break this deathly silence.

That was until one male student, seemingly unable to bear the eerie atmosphere, gently tapped the student in front of him and asked, "Cl... classmate, I... is this... was that just now... a dream?"

"AHHH!! No... get away, don't eat me, no!!"

The student he had tapped suddenly shrieked in madness, rolling off his chair onto the floor. He crawled about, trembling violently, his pale face instantly streaked with tears and snot. If one leaned in close, they could even smell a faint, pungent scent of urine.

The boy's wailing acted like a fuse; in an instant, the previously silent classroom erupted into chaos. Some were screaming like madmen, others were smashing desks and chairs, some were pulling at the windows and doors in an attempt to escape, some were firing guns with a "da-da-da" sound, some were comforting others, while some were being comforted. There were those who remained silent and gloomy, and others who were relaxed and carefree. In short, it was a chaotic mix of everything.

Furthermore, there were those fighting!

For instance, Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu...

The moment the noise broke out, Yin Kuang had leaped up and tackled Li Shuangmu. He whispered something into his ear in a very secretive manner, and then the two began to brawl like sworn enemies, trading punches and kicks. After a few exchanges, Li Shuangmu's handsome face was red and swollen. Yin Kuang fared even worse, kicked far away and crashing into a large pile of desks and chairs. Even Zeng Fei and Wei Ming, who had tried to intervene, were caught in the crossfire and punched for no reason.

Qian Qianqian, who harbored feelings for Li Shuangmu, was frantic on the sidelines, wanting to step in but too afraid to do so, merely stomping her feet in anxiety.

As for Wang Ning, although he went up to try and break up the fight, he seemed to take pleasure in seeing Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu tearing each other apart. However, the occasional look he cast toward Yin Kuang revealed a hint of suspicion, Did I remember wrong, or... why does he feel a bit shorter...

Before he could dwell on it, Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu fought their way right in front of him, forcing him to intervene: "Stop fighting, you two! Can't you just sit down and talk things out?" He said this while trying to squeeze his way out. He didn't want to end up getting beaten for no reason like Wei Ming and Zeng Fei.

Whether it was Wang Ning's bad luck or something else, it seemed that no matter where he dodged, Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu would fight their way there. After dodging for a while, he was struck by someone and felt so much pain he could barely resist the urge to pull a knife on them both.

Low profile... low profile... I'll settle this score later! Damn it, they're coming again?

Yin Kuang had originally intended to punch Li Shuangmu in the face, but Li Shuangmu tilted his head to dodge, and due to the momentum, the punch flew toward Wang Ning instead.

Would Wang Ning just stand there and take a beating? Obviously not!

However, it was his bad luck; although he shifted his body and leaned back to avoid Yin Kuang's punch, he was caught in the abdomen by the kick Li Shuangmu had aimed at Yin Kuang. He was sent stumbling back several steps, crashing into a few other people. Instantly, Wang Ning's lowered face turned gloomy. His hand, clutching his stomach, pulled out a thin razor blade from somewhere, a cold, fierce glint flashing in his eyes, Since you two are looking for death...

However, just as he was about to rush forward again under the guise of "breaking up the fight" to strike with his hidden blade, a tall, dark shadow appeared before him like a ghost...

So... so fast!!

In that moment, Wang Ning caught a faint, lingering scent of blood—having spent three years in the underworld and killed countless people, he knew all too well that it was the scent of the freshest, hottest blood sprayed from a severed throat.

And that speed—it was so fast he couldn't even react!!

If... if he were facing him... would he be killed instantly without a chance to fight back!?

Looking at the broad, towering back of Xiong Ba, a thick sense of terror suddenly rose in Wang Ning's heart...

The next moment, to the astonishment of everyone, Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings. Like projectiles fired from a cannon, they slammed into the wall at the back of the classroom!

That's right, slammed into it!

However, they didn't break the wall. Instead, the white wall acted like a giant block of jelly. Although the two were thrown by that immense force, upon hitting the white surface, they sank into it with a "thud." Two ripples spread out like water, and then both Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu were spat back out by the "Jelly Wall," falling heavily to the floor!

"If you two want to keep fighting, I'll accompany you until you're satisfied."

Xiong Ba's cold, indifferent voice rang in every student's ears. At the same time, the shadow cast by his two-meter-tall frame enveloped both Yin Kuang and Li Shuangmu.

The two scrambled up in anger, only to be surprised to find that they didn't have a single injury; they were completely unscathed. One had to realize that the power of Xiong Ba's kick had been enough to send them flying over ten meters—how could they not have even a scratch?

It was unclear whether Xiong Ba had held back or if it was the miraculous effect of the "Jelly Wall."

Both of them wore gloomy expressions, glaring fiercely at each other, but they wisely chose not to strike again. Who knew if they would be crippled by this violent man, Xiong Ba, if they started fighting again?

Clearly, the gap in grade was evident; Xiong Ba's ferocity was simply not something they, as newly "enrolled" freshmen, could contend with.

Xiong Ba snorted coldly, turned around, and said indifferently, "You have 10 seconds to get back to your seats. Otherwise, I will kill you! I warn you, in this 'University,' if you are killed, you will never have a chance to be resurrected! Don't think it's as simple as just losing some lifespan like in the 'Exams'."

Silence—

The next second, under the threat of death, all the students scrambled into action. Their efficiency was incredibly high; forget 10 seconds, in less than 5, everyone was sitting quietly and neatly in their respective seats.

Of the three teaching assistants, the Otaku stood leaning against the blackboard, his face pale and gloomy, his head slightly bowed. His cold, malicious gaze swept across the classroom; it was as if he were looking at an enemy who had killed his father and stolen his wife. Everyone caught in his line of sight broke into a cold sweat, and no one dared to meet his eyes.

As for Ji Wen, while she didn't look as miserable as the Otaku, her expression was quite unpleasant. She leaned against the edge of the podium, showing no intention of speaking. In her hand, she held a smooth pebble she had produced from somewhere, clutching it like a treasure. Ji Wen stared blankly at the pebble, sighing from time to time, looking quite troubled.

Xiong Ba looked at the Otaku, then at Ji Wen, and snorted twice, "How did I end up with you two as teammates?" After complaining, Xiong Ba walked to the podium, braced his hands on it, and looked at the thirty young men and women below. "Now, I think your brains should be a little clearer, right? Let me tell you, after the 'Entrance Exam,' you are no longer 'rookie students,' but 'freshmen.' This exam was just an appetizer; more grand feasts are waiting for you! Even if you are unwilling, even if you are reluctant, you must force yourselves to accept the reality before you—unless you truly want to die!"

"No matter how many rewards you obtained during the 'Exam,' I advise you not to exchange them for any items or abilities for the time being. Of course, I've said my piece; whether you listen or not is up to you."

"Also, we have six days left together," Xiong Ba continued. "During these six days, we will accompany you through six 'classes.' If you are lucky and encounter a decent 'teacher,' you might not need us, but if you are unlucky... if you have any questions, you can come to any of the three of us..."

"Don't come to me! It's annoying!" the Otaku said through gritted teeth.

Ji Wen shrugged and said, "I have time on odd-numbered days; don't bother me on even-numbered days."

Xiong Ba couldn't help but roll his eyes. "As for contact information, I have already uploaded it to your 'Information Interface'—now, rookies, you should listen to me carefully!"

The crowd, who had lowered their heads to open their Information Interfaces, immediately raised their heads and puffed out their chests, looking at Xiong Ba on the podium.