"Sit down!"
Old Qin's face darkened as he forcibly pressed Fang Bai into a chair.
This kid was truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers!
He fucking wanted to go straight to the front lines! Never mind that he had never received professional training—even a seasoned high-rank martial artist could be torn to pieces by demon beasts in an instant on the front lines!
Fang Bai said innocently, "Old Qin, I genuinely want to contribute my share to humanity's great cause!"
If he didn't kill demon beasts soon, he was going to croak!
Director Liu burst into laughter. "Good, good, good! Just as expected of a young man! If all those youngsters at the Martial Academy had fighting spirit like yours, humanity would be safe!"
He rose to his feet and said to the Principal, "Since this kid wants to join the Martial Academy, I'll take him in."
The Principal looked troubled. "Well, Director Liu, Fang Bai is the shining star of our Third Middle School! He's a fine seedling guaranteed to get into Tsinghua and Peking Universities in the future National Exam. And now your Martial Academy is just taking him away..."
How could Director Liu fail to understand him? He chuckled. "Then what do you mean?"
The Principal said solemnly, "You need to pay more!"
"..."
Three days later, the transfer order came through, and all the procedures were completed.
Just like that, Fang Bai became a student of the Martial Academy.
His classmates watched curiously as Fang Bai packed his things.
One of the boys couldn't help stepping forward to ask, "Brother Fang, where are you going?"
Fang Bai smiled. "Your Brother Fang is going to grind monsters and level up."
"Huh?"
Shen Lin watched Fang Bai's actions, bit her lip, and after thinking it over, decided to walk over. "Fang Bai, are you transferring schools?"
Fang Bai glanced at her and nodded faintly. "Mm."
Shen Lin hesitated before saying, "Is it because of Gao Wang? Actually, as long as you properly apologize to us, Gao Wang won't make trouble for you."
She thought Gao Wang's threat had frightened Fang Bai into transferring schools.
Fang Bai looked at her and said sincerely, "Classmate Shen Lin, your current mental state is excellent. Please keep it up!"
Shen Lin: "???"
Just then, Old Qin walked in.
The moment he entered, the entire classroom fell silent.
It was clear that Old Qin held considerable authority in the class.
Old Qin swept his gaze around the room before his eyes settled on Fang Bai. "Students, there will be no lesson today. Instead, we'll be holding a farewell ceremony."
"Student Fang Bai has awakened as a martial artist and has been admitted to the Martial Academy! Starting tomorrow, he'll be heading to the Martial Academy to study."
The whole class erupted at those words!
"What? What language was that? Why couldn't I understand it?"
"Fang Bai awakened as a martial artist? You're kidding, right?"
"My god! Being first in the grade wasn't enough for him? He even got buffs stacked on top? Are the rest of us supposed to live or not?!"
"The word 'envy' will follow me for the rest of my life..."
"Hiss! A great crane rising from a chicken coop—standing head and shoulders above the flock!"
"Who the fuck are you calling chickens?!"
"..."
The previously quiet classroom had become a clamor, and at that moment, the school broadcast began to play—
"Warm congratulations to our school's student Fang Bai for becoming a Martial Academy Special Enrollment Student! May Fang Bai have a bright future!"
Fang Bai was somewhat speechless. This Principal was quite down-to-earth.
Meanwhile, Shen Lin's mind had already gone blank, her head buzzing—
〔Student Fang Bai awakened as a martial artist!〕
〔Fang Bai, I already have a boyfriend. He's from the Martial Academy, and he's better than you!〕
〔Fang Bai, we're not from the same world.〕
Only then did she suddenly realize that she seemed to have missed something.
That afternoon, all the teachers and students of Third Middle School gathered at the school gate, their eyes fixed on the same person.
Fang Bai turned to Old Qin. "Old Qin, I'm leaving."
Old Qin's expression was complicated as he patted Fang Bai on the shoulder. "This road isn't easy. Remember, know your limits in everything. Keeping yourself alive is what matters most."
Fang Bai grinned. "Of course! No one cherishes their own life more than I do!"
The pot-bellied Principal said with a smile, "Little Bai, when you go study at the Martial Academy this time, you have to work hard. Don't bring shame to our Third Middle School!"
"Also, we've kept your student registration for you. Remember to come back for the National Exam in two and a half years!"
"Okay, Principal!"
Under the watchful eyes of all the teachers and students, Fang Bai climbed into a van. The engine roared, and it sped away.
The Principal's gaze was complicated. "Sigh, what a fine seedling! I wonder whether he'll be able to come back alive."
Old Qin sighed. "Yeah. The pressure beyond the 'Wall' is growing by the day, and the number of small pocket dimensions within the Wall is increasing as well. We're desperately short on manpower. Those inexperienced rookies can only be shoved onto the battlefield to die. The situation is far too difficult for humanity."
The Principal shook his head. "Ordinary people like us can't interfere with those matters. Our task is to teach these children well... Speaking of which, when are you leaving?"
Old Qin narrowed his eyes. "Soon."
"Try for next year. Otherwise, you'll lose this year's performance bonus."
"? No, fuck—&*#"
"So, uh... are the Martial Academy's funds really this tight?"
Sitting on a seat with torn upholstery, Fang Bai asked with a strange expression.
He had thought the Martial Academy would use something like a Coaster bus to pick up new students. At the very least, it should have been a seven-seat business vehicle, right?
Instead, they had put him in a Wuling... and the crucial thing was that it was broken-down...
Anyone who didn't know better would think he was being hauled off to some pyramid scheme organization!
Director Liu said awkwardly, "The Martial Academy's funding has indeed run into a few problems lately, but it's nothing serious. Besides, don't you think manual-transmission cars are easier to drive?"
Fang Bai rolled his eyes. "I'm not the one driving. How would I know?"
Director Liu gave an embarrassed laugh, then said, "Alright, back to business. Besides picking you up, we're also collecting others this time. They're all Quasi-Martial Artists who have awakened Exotic Energy, so we'll have to take a detour."
Fang Bai asked in surprise, "Director Liu, does the Martial Academy recruit all these awakened people from among civilians?"
A glimmer flashed in Director Liu's eyes as he smiled faintly. "Of course not. The Martial Academy isn't a place just anyone can enter. The first requirement for being recruited is that you have to be monstrous enough! The second... is that you need money!"
Fang Bai: "..."
"And within Dragon Country, the Martial Academy isn't the only force with ability users. There are other factions too, tangled together in a web of complexities. You live in the light, so it's normal that you don't understand these matters. You'll naturally come to understand later."
Fang Bai nodded. Looking out the window, shifting scenery reflected in his pupils, and a trace of anticipation rose in his heart.
The martial path—Fang Bai had arrived!
"Oh, right. Let me confirm once more. You're applying to take the Second Year Assessment directly, correct?"
Director Liu suddenly asked.
Fang Bai nodded. "That's right!"
Back in the office, Fang Bai had requested to take the Second Year Assessment.
Starting directly from the first year would be far too much of a waste of time for him.
Only children played through challenges level by level!
"Good! I hope you succeed."
Director Liu revealed a mysterious smile. "You've picked the right time this time."
Before you continue