Volume One, Chapter Eighty-Three: Returning to School

“Morning, class leader!” From a distance, Su Ziwen heard Wu Fan’s voice echoing across the schoolyard. Before she could raise her hand in response, a figure darted through the crowd and threw herself straight into Su Ziwen’s arms.

“It’s been so long, Ziwen!” Ji Keqing slipped past Wu Fan, flinging herself into Su Ziwen’s embrace like a fledgling bird returning to its nest, her hands mischievously creeping around Su Ziwen’s waist.

“We just talked on the phone yesterday…” Su Ziwen helplessly lifted Ji Keqing, who had taken the opportunity for a bit of mischief, off her body. She could only smile at her overly enthusiastic best friend. But she couldn’t blame her; returning to the bustling campus again, even Su Ziwen herself felt a surge of joy.

Although the lunar phase tides had granted the students of Tianshui Academy a rather lengthy break, the citywide lockdown meant everyone was stuck at home, and after a while, boredom inevitably set in.

“Weren’t we promised that the holiday for the lunar phase tides would be joined with the winter break? Why the sudden change? I was planning to use this chance to go traveling,” Wu Fan said as he walked through the crowd. After a month apart, the once-chubby Wu Fan had slimmed down considerably and looked much more energetic.

“Oh? What happened to you, Fatty? How did you lose so much weight?” Ji Keqing, arm hooked around Su Ziwen’s shoulder, sized Wu Fan up in surprise.

“I honestly have no idea. Halfway through the lunar phase tides, I suddenly started shedding weight like crazy. No matter how much I ate, I couldn’t stop it. Without my usual cushion of fat, I feel emptier than ever walking around,” Wu Fan said, patting his now much-reduced belly and looking rather forlorn.

“You’re upset after losing all that weight? If it were me, I’d be laughing in my sleep!”

“You’re you, I’m me. I never wanted to be skinny…”

The two chattered all the way, but Su Ziwen didn’t find it annoying; instead, a gentle smile softened her usually cool features.

The preparatory bell rang, and Yu Heping, the stand-in homeroom teacher for Class 20, entered the classroom, clearing his throat and signaling the excited students—who hadn’t seen each other in days—to settle down.

“I trust you’ve all received the notice and know that tomorrow we’ll be holding a school-wide ‘Grand Assessment’,” Yu Heping said, picking up a piece of chalk and writing key points on the blackboard.

“After the autumn hunt, I believe everyone’s abilities have made further progress. The break during the lunar phase tides gave you ample time to practice, and tomorrow is when you’ll showcase your achievements.”

Yu Heping then explained the Grand Assessment’s details to the students of Class 20.

Unlike previous minor assessments of supernatural abilities, this Grand Assessment was reportedly organized by two major universities for supernatural talents in North China, aiming to select outstanding high school students for the “Winter Camp”.

The scores of all students from about twenty schools in the region would be compiled and ranked, with the top performers selected to participate in the Winter Camp.

Not only would this assessment test theoretical knowledge, but understanding, usage, and practical mastery of supernatural abilities would also be key components.

If one could become a member of the Winter Camp, their chances of entering a university for supernatural talents would rise sharply. Besides, the Winter Camp would be filled with exceptional students from across the country, a valuable network in itself.

“Just back and already facing another exam…” Wu Fan grumbled, slumping over his desk, while Ji Keqing looked entirely unconcerned. After all, she was sure she wouldn’t be chosen for the Winter Camp, so the exam might as well be taken without worry.

Ji Keqing leaned over to whisper to Su Ziwen, but found her diligently taking notes, organizing every aspect of the exam.

“Ziwen, are you copying notes for Mo De again?” Ji Keqing whispered.

“No, I want to familiarize myself with tomorrow’s assessment, so I can prepare tonight,” Su Ziwen replied, her handwriting neat and elegant.

“I heard you need at least the Body Reception Stage to qualify for the Winter Camp. We’re just little rookies at the Inspiration Stage, so no matter how good our theoretical scores are, we’ll be eliminated,” Ji Keqing said, trying to comfort her friend and suggesting they use the time to plan a weekend shopping trip instead.

“But I’m already at the Body Reception Stage,” Su Ziwen said calmly, continuing with her notes.

Ji Keqing’s smile froze on her face at those words.

They chatted every night, so how had her best friend secretly advanced so far?

She hadn’t neglected her own cultivation, but had only just reached the late Inspiration Stage!

“I told you I’d broken through already,” Su Ziwen said, pausing and looking at Ji Keqing, who seemed petrified.

“When… when was that?” Ji Keqing stammered.

“The day the school sent out the notice. Didn’t you also reach the late Inspiration Stage that day?”

The river of time flowed backward, memories rewound, and Ji Keqing recalled the day she’d broken through, dialed her best friend’s number, and bragged about her achievement. At that time, Ziwen had congratulated her, and indeed, mentioned in passing that she herself had just broken through.

Looking into her friend’s clear eyes, Ji Keqing felt like crying, yet no tears would come.

“Ji Keqing, please stop whispering in class,” Yu Heping said, adjusting his glasses and calling her out.

“Oh…” Ji Keqing slowly turned back, slumping over her desk, motionless.

“Hey, why have you turned pale?” Wu Fan prodded the increasingly stone-like Ji Keqing with his pencil, but got no response.

...

“In summary, after the Grand Assessment, there’ll be two weeks of special courses, and then comes the much-anticipated extended winter break. In all my years of teaching, this is the first time we’re starting the break in November,” Yu Heping said, adjusting his glasses with a hint of nostalgia.

According to official regulations, schools were supposed to link the break for the full moon-level lunar phase tides directly to the winter holiday. But after fierce negotiations from the principals, they managed to secure two more weeks of teaching after the Grand Assessment.

No matter how tough things get, the students shouldn’t suffer; no matter how poor, education must not be neglected. As the school, they had to be worthy of every cent the parents paid.

The students, still celebrating the unusually long break this year, had no idea the school had secretly prepared a two-week, hellish schedule tailored just for them.

Yu Heping glanced once more at the classroom full of cheerful, smiling children, and sighed inwardly.

The happier they are now, the more bitter the tears will be later.