Snow Mountain City, Battle Martial Academy.
Winter had made Snow Mountain City even colder. Heavy snow drifted through the air, white flakes blanketing the entire Battle Martial Academy.
Teacher Zhang walked onto the classroom platform with books tucked under his arm. He then looked at the dark mass of young boys and girls below and said sternly, "First, we'll take attendance. Zhang Wei?"
"Present!"
"Shi Zhenxiang?"
"Present!"
"Hu Goudan?"
"..."
"Hu Goudan?"
After hearing no response for a long while, Teacher Zhang could not help raising his head. Frowning at the students below, he called again, "Where is Hu Goudan? Is he absent?"
"..." The students below looked around, but no one answered.
Only one sturdy youth lowered his head, his hands clenched into fists as he ground his teeth.
"Hey, Goudan, the teacher's calling you." His deskmate poked the sturdy youth.
"Get lost!" The sturdy youth shot him a vicious glare. Seeing that look, his deskmate immediately knew he was not someone to mess with and promptly shut his mouth.
"Hu Goudan?"
"Forget it. Next!"
Teacher Zhang continued, "Wu Sangou?"
"..." Again, no one answered.
"Wu Sangou? Wu Sangou? Wu Sangou?" Teacher Zhang's expression turned somewhat ugly. His stern gaze swept across the students below. Being late on the very first lesson of the term was simply outrageous.
However, Teacher Zhang then sighed.
Battle Martial Academy had been established specifically for the slums. Only children from poor families in the slums came here to study, and naturally, their upbringing was not particularly refined. On top of that, things often happened at home, so tardiness and requests for leave were commonplace.
"Next, Zhou Dafen? Don't tell me he's absent too?" Teacher Zhang continued the roll call, his gaze falling upon the students below.
"..." There was still no response.
Three