Chapter 510 - 507: Begin
The students of Class One looked nervously at the Hero Ranking members on the platform. Likewise, the ten students above were also sizing up this new batch of freshmen.
But unlike the nervous freshmen, the expressions on the faces of the students on the platform were arrogant.
After all, making it onto the Hero Ranking was a symbol of both strength and potential.
While they wouldn’t deny that every year produced outstanding talent, it was still difficult for them to take these freshmen, who had just started the school year, seriously.
"Old Wei, Old Wu, I’ll be counting on you two for this," Jian Hua said, taking a couple of steps forward to address the two instructors waiting by the platform.
Lin Xinghai’s gaze also fell upon the two instructors. Although their auras were faint and concealed, his Perception Power had already reached a terrifying 2,000 points. He could clearly sense that the feeling of danger they gave off was far greater than that from Instructor Jian Hua.
Based on his estimation, both of them were at the Peak of the Body Shaping Realm, only a single step away from the Divine Demon Realm.
"Haha, what’s the trouble? Besides, it’s a task assigned by the academy, so we have to get it done no matter what! As for you, I hear you have quite a few promising prospects this year. This first monthly exam is a great chance for you to shine!" the instructor called Old Wei teased with a laugh.
"You’re too kind, you’re too kind." Jian Hua waved his hands dismissively, but his eyes held a look of anticipation.
After exchanging a few more words, Jian Hua returned to the students. "Alright, I’ve already gone over the rules. Before you begin the assessment, let me give you one last reminder: the two instructors proctoring today are both at the Peak of the Body Shaping Realm, and one of them is also a skilled healer."
"So with them here, you can go all out without holding anything back. My expectations aren’t high. Just show me what you’re truly capable of."
As Jian Hua spoke, his gaze swept over the Special Class Students, lingering the longest on Lin Xinghai.
If anyone among these students was going to give him a surprise, the odds were highest it would be Lin Xinghai.
"Alright, enough talk. The assessment starts now. You may freely choose an opponent to challenge. Who’s first?"
After speaking, Jian Hua stepped to the side. He was their class instructor, but not an examiner for this monthly test. Once the assessment began, all he could do was watch from the sidelines.
The commotion had already started to attract a crowd of students.
It wasn’t just freshmen, but even some second- and third-year students.
They were all quite curious about this kind of clash between freshmen and senior students.
Among the onlookers were Leng Ruchen and Qin Qi.
They were mainly there to see Lin Xinghai. Both had heard he was the number one genius of this year’s class, but on every mission, all Lin Xinghai had ever displayed was his Gun Technique.
They had no idea how strong his personal combat abilities were, and this was undoubtedly a good opportunity to find out.
"Well, well! Aren’t these the two big shots who are leeching off a junior?" A mocking voice sounded from nearby not long after Leng Ruchen and Qin Qi arrived.
The two acted as if they hadn’t heard a thing. They’d heard plenty of taunts like this ever since they joined Lin Xinghai’s squad. After all, the situation was, admittedly, a bit humiliating.
Moreover, Lin Xinghai had held open tryouts for his team and ended up rejecting a large number of second- and third-year students. Those who were cut naturally felt they had lost face. Academy rules prevented them from doing anything about it, but there was no stopping the verbal jabs.
The main reason they had gathered here now was, in fact, to see Lin Xinghai make a fool of himself.
Then they could seize the opportunity to mock him relentlessly.
Being watched by so many people made the already nervous students of Class One even more on edge.
The gazes of the vast majority of the students fell upon Lin Xinghai and the other Special Class Students.
"Everyone, let’s not just stand here and be stared at like monkeys in a cage. Who wants to go first?" Yan Feijie said after glancing from side to side.
Although he didn’t address anyone in particular, everyone knew he was speaking to the other Special Class Students.
Many people’s eyes, however, shifted to Lin Xinghai out of their peripheries.
Lin Xinghai didn’t move. It wasn’t that he was afraid, but rather he was concerned that if he went up, he would cause the others to underestimate the true strength of the Hero Ranking students.
Seeing that Lin Xinghai wasn’t making a move, Yan Feijie shifted his gaze to the others. Soon, someone stepped forward.
"In that case, I’ll go first!" The one to speak up was Qian Xingxiu.
Although he was ranked only tenth among the Special Class Students, no one dared to underestimate someone who had earned their spot through their own strength. Furthermore, for him to be the first to step up, he must have been fairly confident.
"Challenger, Qian Xingxiu. Please select the opponent you wish to challenge," the examiner on the platform said, following procedure as soon as he saw someone step forward.
"I wish to challenge Senior Qiao Qian," Qian Xingxiu declared in a clear voice.
Hearing this, the ten Hero Ranking members all turned their gazes to a tall, slender young man among them.
"Haha, Qiao Qian, you’re up first! Teach him a good lesson," one of them said with a laugh.
"Yeah, Qiao Qian’s specialty is Speed. This kid is in for it. I bet he gets taken out in ten seconds," another person chimed in.
"For him to be the first one to issue a challenge, he must be somewhat confident. I can only say I’ll do my best," Qiao Qian said humbly.
He appeared mild-mannered and even unconcerned, but as he stepped onto the fighting platform, his eyes grew cold.
’There are ten members of the Hero Ranking here, and I’m the first one he picks? Does he think I’m the easiest to deal with?’
At that moment, he made a decision in his heart. He would go all out from the very beginning and finish his opponent within five seconds. He’d make an example of this kid and see if anyone else dared to choose him after that.
Meanwhile, Qian Xingxiu had already stepped onto the platform. Seeing Qiao Qian approach, he said, "Greetings, Senior. Please go easy on me."
"Since you were brave enough to be the first to step up, Junior, you must be confident in your own abilities. I wouldn’t dare go easy on you. But I am curious, why did you choose me first?" Qiao Qian asked with a smile, reining in his emotions.
"Because from what I understand, Senior, your Superpower purely increases Speed and has no inherent Attack Power," Qian Xingxiu replied.
"So that’s the reason. Well then, are you aware that, to a certain extent, Speed is also a form of Attack Power?" Qiao Qian asked, amused.
"Then please, enlighten me, Senior." After saying this, Qian Xingxiu fell silent.
At that moment, the referee spoke up at the opportune time. "Both contestants, please retreat to the edges of the platform. Get ready... Three, two, one, begin!"