"Switch classes? Haven't they already assigned us to classes?" Xiao Xiao asked, tilting her head adorably.
"The current Classes One through Nine are all temporary. They're just for managing the Freshman Assessment."
Mu Jin explained,
"Once the assessment is over, all the freshmen who pass will be reassigned according to their Martial Soul types and combat roles."
She counted them off on her fingers.
"The new Class One will be for Power Attack and Control types."
"Class Two will be for Defense and Agility Attack types."
"Class Three will be for Support types."
"Class Four will be a special class for Food and Healing types, as well as Martial Souls that don't fit neatly into any other category."
After listing these, Mu Jin paused.
"And I'll be teaching Class Two."
The dinner table fell silent for a few seconds.
Wang Dong'er was the first to catch on.
She glanced around at everyone seated there. She was a Power Attack type, Xiao Xiao was a Defense type—though she could also be considered a Control type—Cui Yajie was a Mental Control type, Ning Tian was a Support type, Wu Feng was a Power Attack type, and Nanmen Yun'er was an Agility Attack type...
"If that's the case, won't everyone at this table have to split up?"
Wang Dong'er frowned.
Mu Jin didn't reply.
Xiao Xiao lowered her head and muttered, "Then I'm a Defense type, so I can be in your class, Teacher? But I don't want to be separated from Yajie, Dong'er, Lulu, or the class monitor."
"In theory, yes." Mu Jin nodded, though her smile held a trace of bitterness.
Wang Dong'er thought it over, then asked, "Then why can't Teacher Mu Jin teach Class One? Class One is for Power Attack and Control types. Wouldn't they need a good teacher even more?"
Mu Jin lifted her teacup and took a sip, but didn't answer.
The mood at the table turned a little somber.
Dai Huabin had been listening the whole time without saying a word.
In the original story, Zhou Yi was the homeroom teacher of Class One after the classes were reassigned.
Mu Jin, meanwhile, taught Class Two.
Dai Huabin didn't know much about the reasons behind that.
He set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair.
"No matter which class we end up in, Teacher Mu Jin will always be my teacher."
He spoke softly, but everyone at the table heard him.
Xiao Xiao immediately chimed in, "That's right! Teacher Mu Jin will always be our teacher!"
Cui Yajie smiled and nodded too.
Wang Dong'er was half a beat slower, but in the end, she gave an awkward little hum.
"Of course. Teacher Mu Jin's been so good to us these past few months."
Ning Tian added earnestly,
"Teacher Mu Jin's teaching style suits us very well. If possible, I'd like to keep studying under her too."
Wu Feng raised a chicken drumstick to show her support. "Good teaching, good food, good life!"
Nanmen Yun'er tugged on Wu Feng's sleeve, cutting off the last, slightly inappropriate part for her.
Looking at the children, Mu Jin felt her nose sting.
She'd been a teacher for years. She'd had good students in her previous classes, but never a class like Class Nine, one she found so hard to leave.
"I'm very happy that you all like me so much."
Mu Jin smiled, her voice soft.
Dai Huabin seized the moment to add, "Besides, our Freshman Class 9 took three of the four spots in the semifinals. No matter which two teams meet in the final tomorrow, both the champion and runner-up will be from Class Nine."
He paused, then continued,
"Given our results, Teacher Mu Jin ought to keep teaching us."
That made sense.
The Freshman Assessment results were an important factor in the academy's class assignments.
All three of Class Nine's teams had made it to the semifinals. That was a teaching achievement that would rank among the best in Shrek's history.
Mu Jin was pleased, but still waved it off.
"The academy will make its own arrangements. I don't get to decide. For now, just focus on doing well in tomorrow's match."
She said that, but her fingertips trembled slightly as she held her teacup.
Dai Huabin noticed, but didn't say anything more.
Some things were better done than said.
Dinner ended in high spirits.
The nine of them left the Nine Treasures Pavilion. Dusk had already blanketed Shrek City.
The streetlights flickered on one after another, casting a yellow glow over the stone-paved road.
"See you tomorrow."
Ning Tian gave Dai Huabin a slight nod, then led Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er down another alley.
Mu Jin said goodbye to the others at the crossroads too.
"Get some rest early. Tomorrow's going to be a tough fight."
She turned and walked a few steps, then looked back to add, "Especially you, Huabin. Don't forget what you promised me."
"I know, I know. I'll go easy on them." Dai Huabin waved.
Only then did Mu Jin leave, satisfied.
The five of them headed toward the dorms along the main road.
Cui Yajie yawned. Xiao Xiao leaned on her shoulder, looking ready to fall asleep on her feet.
Wang Dong'er walked at the front, dragging her steps. The match had clearly taken a lot out of her.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu walked at the back.
Zhu Lu reached out and tugged on Dai Huabin's sleeve without saying a word.
It was a habit of hers.
Whenever she was tired, she would walk along clutching the hem of his clothes.
Dai Huabin didn't pull away. He let her hold on.
When they got back to the dorm, they closed the door.
Zhu Lu went to wash up. The sound of running water came from the bathroom in fitful bursts.
Dai Huabin sat on the edge of the bed, laced his hands behind his head, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
He'd known the class assignments were coming.
In the original story, Zhou Yi became the homeroom teacher of Class One after the reassignment.
He'd experienced that woman's teaching style firsthand. Dai Huabin didn't like it.
If he was assigned to Class One, that would mean spending at least two years under Zhou Yi.
It wasn't unbearable.
But if there was a better option, why put himself through that?
Mu Jin taught Class Two, which was for Defense and Agility Attack types.
Zhu Lu was an Agility Attack type, so she could join Class Two.
And he and Zhu Lu had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. According to the academy's rules, partners with a Martial Soul Fusion Skill had to be assigned to the same class.
That gave him a solid reason to join Class Two.
Dai Huabin ran through the logic in his head. It seemed sound.
But Wang Dong'er and the others would definitely be in Class One. At worst, he could switch classes again. If they wouldn't let him switch, he'd get a different homeroom teacher!
Of course, that was all for later.
The next day.
The morning sun spread across the Examination Arena at Shrek Academy.
The semifinal arena was even larger than before, and the temporary stands surrounding it were already packed.
There weren't just freshmen there. Plenty of second- and third-year students had come too.
There were also several more chairs in the teachers' seats on the high platform than there had been the day before.
Dai Huabin stood at the entrance to the arena, watching Ning Tian and her teammates emerge from the opposite passageway.
Ning Tian was still as composed as ever, her white uniform spotless.
Wu Feng stood to her left, unconsciously clenching her right fist until her knuckles cracked.
Nanmen Yun'er stood to her right, her emerald-green hair tied in a ponytail that hung down her back.
Zhu Lu had already taken her place beside him, her long black hair stirring in the morning breeze.
The referee walked to the center of the arena and raised an arm.
"Second semifinal: Dai Huabin's team of Class Nine versus Ning Tian's team of Class Nine!"
"Take your positions!"
Before you continue