His talent awakening was complete.
Only then did Zhao Chi look up at his surroundings.
The chatter around him had quieted considerably, and everyone was staring ahead.
Headmaster Liao Zheng approached.
He cleared his throat, then addressed the students. "All right, everyone, settle down."
The students quickly fell silent.
Headmaster Liao Zheng continued:
"Students, whatever your results, what's done is done.
"Those with good talents must not grow arrogant.
"Those who haven't awakened must not lose heart. You still have a chance.
"Next, we'll distribute the World Stones.
"As you all know, World Stones are hard to come by. Our predecessors paid for them with their lives.
"We can't compare with the nobility. Each of you will receive only one World Stone, so make sure you treasure it.
"Manage your territories well. Don't slack off, and whatever you do, don't waste this week-long break.
"When classes resume, we'll hold the first assessment.
"Everyone in your year will participate.
"The higher you rank, the greater the rewards the academy will give you. Make the most of this opportunity.
"Today, the academy will also issue each of you an additional Heroic Soul.
"Choose a Heroic Soul that suits your talent and circumstances.
"All information about you is private.
"Don't disclose it lightly.
"The academy won't ask you to provide detailed information without good reason, either.
"We'll only monitor your battles and assess your territories.
"This will allow us to tailor your training more effectively.
"It will also help us match you with suitable enemies in future battles.
"All right, the chief instructors of each class may now distribute the World Stones and Heroic Souls."
The moment he finished speaking, the silence broke.
The students burst into cheers.
The moment had finally arrived.
The students swarmed their chief instructors.
"Class Two, line up! Keep it orderly."
"Don't push forward! Class Three, stop crowding together. There's enough for everyone."
"Class Seven, form two lines. I'll hand them out one at a time!"
The students waited excitedly.
Zhao Chi belonged to Class Four.
Class Four's chief instructor was Li Ruanyu, who specialized in teaching sewing.
In both figure and looks, she was unrivaled throughout the Lord Academy.
She had dressed formally today.
Stockings, high heels, a short skirt, and a fitted black uniform made up the standard outfit for a female instructor.
The male students nearby couldn't take their eyes off her.
Quite a few students also cast envious glances at Class Four.
Li Ruanyu gave a student who hadn't awakened a talent a reassuring pat.
"Keep these safe, and don't lose heart. Work hard over the break. You still have a chance."
"Ah, I understand. Thank you, Instructor Li."
"You're welcome. Keep at it."
Li Ruanyu continued down the line.
Soon, she reached Zhao Chi.
Zhao Chi felt a fresh floral fragrance envelop him.
Li Ruanyu smiled and asked, "Well? Are you happy with your result?"
Zhao Chi nodded. "I am."
Li Ruanyu nodded. "Good. What type of starting hero would you like?"
Zhao Chi hesitated. "I'd like a female hero. A beautiful female hero."
His words changed the atmosphere.
The students nearby had all been watching Li Ruanyu, but now their gazes shifted to Zhao Chi.
"What... what's he trying to do?"
"No idea. Is he trying to get Instructor Li's attention?"
"Risking his future just to get her attention? Is he out of his mind?"
"He's Zhao Chi. He's always been a little off. Really slow on the uptake."
"Don't say that. He's a twenty-year-old guy, after all. It's understandable."
"Yeah... I want a beautiful female hero too."
"Then ask for one."
"Forget it..."
Li Ruanyu's delicate brows drew together slightly.
She pressed her rosy lips together.
Then she said earnestly, "Zhao Chi, your starting hero is very important. Don't choose carelessly based on your personal interests. Your choice needs to suit your talent and strengths. That's how it can help you develop."
Zhao Chi nodded. "I understand. A female hero, and a beautiful one at that, is exactly what suits my circumstances."
Li Ruanyu sighed. "All right. But there isn't a Heroic Soul that guarantees good looks, only one that guarantees a female hero. I'll give you this one, then. Accept it through the system."
A system notification arrived:
[Li Ruanyu has sent you a trade request. Accept?]
Accept!
A trade window instantly popped up before him.
It contained three items.
Li Ruanyu had just placed them all inside.
[Li Ruanyu has confirmed the trade. Confirm?]
Zhao Chi clicked confirm.
The system notified him:
[You have obtained the following items]: [Random Female Heroic Soul ×1] [Small World Stone ×1] [Lord's Toolbox ×1]
"Thank you, Instructor Li."
Li Ruanyu looked at him with a complicated expression. "Do your best. Female heroes may have lower strength, but their other attributes tend to be higher. We covered all that in class. I trust your choice."
With that, she moved on to the students behind him.
Zhao Chi looked at the three items.
This was his first time receiving anything so precious.
As he examined them, someone suddenly called out to him.
"Zhao Chi! Zhao Chi! Have you activated it yet?"
He looked up and saw Yang Xiong diagonally ahead of him.
Yang Xiong was Zhao Chi's good friend.
They had similar backgrounds.
Zhao Chi was an orphan who had lost both parents.
Yang Xiong, meanwhile, was the son of his father's seventh concubine and received little attention.
Their shared misfortune had brought them together, and they got along well.
Zhao Chi asked, "Activated what?"
"Your Heroic Soul, of course. What else?"
"I only just got it. When would I have had time to activate it?"
"Then hurry up and activate it! My Heroic Soul is..."
"Stop! Stop, stop, stop!" Zhao Chi hurriedly cut him off. "The headmaster just told us not to disclose this information lightly."
Yang Xiong waved a hand dismissively.
He declared with utter conviction:
Before you continue