The freshmen's roar silenced the gymnasium.
Up in the stands, Professor Tairs and Dean Ronems looked surprised.
"This year's freshmen are a little different, aren't they?"
Ronems, who had made the rare effort of wearing his dean's robes for the anniversary celebration, felt rather uncomfortable. He tugged at the hem as he spoke in a low voice.
"Yes."
"After all, they have a different sort of top student."
Professor Tairs smiled as he spoke.
"2567?"
Ronems thought of that unconventional freshman, which inevitably reminded him of his missing old friend Smith. Then his head began to ache.
"2567 is different from Smith."
"Perhaps 2567 can be a little extreme in how he handles things, but he's a good kid."
Seeing Ronems's expression, the kindly professor immediately began defending Qin Ran.
"A good kid?"
Ronems stared at the kindly professor. He had no idea how the man had reached that conclusion, but no matter how he thought about it, he could find nothing connecting the top freshman with the words "good kid." They were polar opposites!
When the kindly professor tried to explain further, Ronems waved a hand and pointed to the other side of the stands.
A group of neutral professors and professors in charge of research rooms were sneering there.
"Childish!"
"They're still too young!"
"Let's hope they don't get beaten too badly!"
Strength would not increase because of a roar.
Facts would not change because of wishful thinking.
They were eager to see whether these freshmen could still roar once they faced the cruel reality.
Meanwhile, certain students from the second through fifth years, who had already received special orders and were poised to act, exchanged secret glances. A third-year student eagerly jumped onto an empty small arena. Wearing a contemptuous smile, he raised his right hand, palm