Era of Mist

"From the elite class to the trash class, the dorms, food quality, and teaching resources—they are all on completely different levels. But that’s not enough. Not nearly enough. I’m not unaware of the delinquents in the trash class, but they have their purpose. They’re like catfish thrown into a pond, forcing the other fish to stay active while trying to survive."

"The purpose of these troublemakers is to simulate a social environment. To teach the students that the human heart is treacherous and life is hard. You think the world is safe? You think you’re free from the pressures of survival? Sorry, but risk is everywhere. Violence and civilization will always coexist."

"What’s a little exploitation from some delinquents? Out there, truck drivers will get into brawls over a delivery, ship captains will kill for a source of coal, and factory foremen will break the law and risk everything for a promotion."

"This is all real. If you don’t study well, this is the world you’ll face. Want to fall in love? Find a partner? You’ll look around and see nothing but tacky, foul-mouthed women or shifty-eyed, curse-spewing lowlifes."

"If someone thinks that’s fine, that it’s a good life, then they aren’t worth motivating or saving. Let them rot in the mud and fend for themselves. But if you don’t want to face that, you have to climb. The higher you climb academically, the farther you get from that base, blatant violence, and the closer you get to heroic prodigies and stunning beauties."

"Even when it comes to battles of wits and will, a battle between intelligent people is always more interesting and mentally stimulating than one between people with no substance."

"All of this is to make the students truly feel that studying hard is genuinely useful. Only then can we transform their passive learning into active learning and ignite their motivation. And only then will the college matriculation rate of our Fengming First Middle School climb even higher."

Zheng Kaoming’s brow gradually relaxed as he listened. "A brilliant insight, Principal. However, I still suggest the school expels the bad apples who severely disrupt order in the classroom or pose a significant threat to the physical safety of other students."

Principal Liu nodded decisively. "Of course. A simulation is a simulation; I don’t want actual physical harm occurring on campus. As for those bad apples, kick them all out. Those who can transfer, let them transfer. Those who can’t, order them to withdraw. The school will show zero tolerance in this matter. Director Zheng, you draw up a specific list and report back to me."

"Understood." Zheng Kaoming immediately started rubbing his hands together, already plotting in his head, ’Which little bastard would be the most satisfying to kick out?’

Principal Liu spoke again. "Additionally, I plan to further strengthen our encouragement and incentive policies."

"Strengthen them?" Zheng Kaoming was confused. "How do you plan to do that, Principal?" From his perspective, the current policies already emphasized the principle of "survival of the fittest" quite well.

"Right now, I only have a rough idea. The goal is to let outstanding students receive more benefits, showcase more of their talents, and enjoy more moments in the spotlight. Vanity and greed may be original sins in Catholicism, but I think they’re excellent motivators. At least, when fully stimulated, they can overcome ’sloth’."

Principal Liu thought for a moment. "The specifics will need to be discussed with the various departments, offices, grade-level teams, and outstanding teachers at the academic affairs meeting. Director Zheng, for the sake of efficiency, help me draft a proposal to inform all units. That way, we won’t have to repeat everything at the meeting and can get straight to the decisions."

Zheng Kaoming nodded. "Of course. You’re always so swift and decisive, Principal Liu. I’ll jot down the main points now." After speaking, Zheng Kaoming took out the notebook he always carried and sat up straight.

Principal Liu nodded and held up one finger. "First, we’ll focus on strengthening the assessment of students’ mastery of the fundamentals in each subject. For example, in math, we’ll start with the four basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division..."

Zheng Kaoming wrote furiously, recording the principal’s every word with rapt attention.

At the same time, Shi Tiexin was also writing furiously, with the same rapt attention.

No, Shi Tiexin was actually far more focused than Zheng Kaoming. You could say he was completely engrossed, having basically reached a state where he saw nothing and heard nothing, as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Because a progress bar had appeared before his eyes.

Re-learning the first-level Heart Skill Secret Manual for Basic Math wasn’t very difficult. Just because his skill level was only "Passable" didn’t mean he was an idiot. As everyone knows, for most subjects, the material taught in the textbook and the material on the exam are on completely different levels. Without seeing the test paper, most students would never guess a concept could be twisted into such a bizarre form.

Shi Tiexin was in the same situation.

The textbooks in this world at least had a few in-class exercises, but the Heart Skill Secret Manual Shi Tiexin received had nothing. It was just a few pages, so brief it was as if the author hadn’t wanted to write a single extra word. To reach a "Passable" level just by studying those few pages was a testament to his diligence.

Now, looking at the elementary school math textbook, he didn’t know if it was because he had already studied the simplified version, or if it was because the secret manual itself possessed the top-tier attribute of "Gradual Progression," but his process of learning was completely smooth sailing. Not only was his progress swift, but it was also incredibly fluid. Concepts that were once like seeing flowers in a fog became instantly clear with the guidance of these manuals.

At that moment, something new appeared in Shi Tiexin’s vision. Besides identifying secret manuals and issuing quests, those miraculous words finally displayed a third function: progress display.

A clear, bright bar appeared steadily above the secret manual.

The bar was labeled: [Secret Manual Comprehension Progress], followed by a line that continuously extended from short to long. Shi Tiexin was reading the book very carefully, but for some reason, he was still reading at lightning speed, and the progress bar filled just as quickly.

Every second he spent studying elementary school math, Shi Tiexin was in a peculiar mental state, both dazed and focused at the same time. It was as if two thoughts were occurring in his mind simultaneously: the epiphany of ’So that’s how it works, how amazing!’ and the practiced ease of ’Of course that’s how it works, it’s so simple.’

Originally, Shi Tiexin had estimated that it would take him at least a day or two to finish all six books. Then another three to five days to fully digest and absorb the material. But in reality, by the time the bell rang to end the second period of evening self-study, the progress bar had already completely filled.

With a POP, the end of the progress bar exploded in a brilliant burst of light, like a firework. The bolded words [SECRET MANUAL FULLY COMPREHENDED!] appeared on the bar, accompanied by a very festive animation.

The special effect made Shi Tiexin find it both ridiculous and inexplicably exhilarating, as if he had truly accomplished something incredible.

Then, he saw the tangible benefits.

[First-Level Basic Math Secret Manual has been fully comprehended.]

[Full Comprehension: In a state of full comprehension, initial cultivation progress increases by 30, cultivation efficiency before Excellent-grade is increased by 10%, and the chance of Qi deviation is decreased by 30%.]