The strength test for Class 2 had concluded, but its impact lingered in every student's heart. Whispers of awe, shared laughter, and the quiet glances of pride among friends filled the air as they returned to their classroom. The lingering thrill of their achievements, especially Zhen's jaw-dropping 500 kg result, bound them in a new sense of camaraderie. There was no longer just ambition among them — there was unity.
But in the wake of Class 2's triumphs, the strength testing chamber welcomed a different atmosphere.
The doors opened again with a gust of arrogant energy as the students of Class 1 strode inside. Their steps were confident, their expressions smug. At the back of the group walked Hong Li, their head teacher. A Rank 47 Holy Shifter, his bond beast — the Gale Wind Fox — granted him incredible agility and speed, but it had also inflated his pride to dangerous levels.
Hong Li's sharp eyes caught the faint cracks across the stone floor.
"Hmm? What happened here?" he said with exaggerated curiosity, his tone dripping with mockery. "Class 2 was here before us, weren't they? Hmph. Weaklings can't even control their strength properly."
He looked over his shoulder at his students, flashing a smirk. "Don't you agree, my dear students?"
His words sparked a chorus of agreement. The students of Class 1 — especially Zhao Xiong, his two ever-adoring, followers from the Zhao Clan, and the calm yet haughty Yan Wu — chuckled with condescension, as if the entire room existed merely to acknowledge their superiority. Zhao Xiong, in particular, let out an exaggerated sigh, crossed his arms, and tilted his head back with theatrical confidence. "Let's just get this over with," he muttered loud enough for others to hear, wearing a smug grin that practically dared someone to challenge his claim as the strongest among the new students.
With no further delay, the strength test resumed. Each student stepped forward, summoning their bond power and activating their first bond skills. Bright auras, glowing marks, and the flare of energy burst against the impact wall.
Many students fell in the 100 to 150 kg range. Hong Li, arms folded, observed them with shallow approval.
Then, Yan Wu stepped forward. His aura shifted coldly as he activated his beast bond — the Netherworld Tiger.
"First Bond Skill: Netherworld Paw!"
He struck with a ghostly-black claw, the air pulsing around him.
250 kg.
Hong Li's eyes narrowed with satisfaction. "Very good, Yan Wu. Calm, precise, and powerful."
Next came Zhao Xiong's two followers. Both with Fire Lion bonds, they roared their skill in unison:
"First Bond Skill: Flame Fang!"
Their results — 270 kg each — drew cheers from the other students.
"Worthy of Fire Lion King's descendants," Hong Li praised, pride shining in his eyes.
Finally, Zhao Xiong approached the wall. His steps were deliberate. He didn't utter a word. Instead, he focused his power, letting it surge through his veins before punching forward.
BOOM!
The wall shook, dust lifting slightly into the air.
300 kg.
Gasps filled the chamber. The room buzzed with admiration.
Zhao Xiong stood with arms crossed, his chest puffed out.
Hong Li's smile twisted with greedy satisfaction as he rubbed his hands together, his eyes glinting with gloating amusement. He leaned slightly forward and whispered to himself with a sneer, "What now, Guan Fang? I have a student already touching 300 kg. Your precious little puppies can't even bark next to this. Hehehe... What can your class do now, huh? Parade their mediocrity around? Pathetic." He let out a smug chuckle, straightening his robe dramatically as if to emphasize his imagined superiority. "They may have spirit, but spirit doesn't shatter walls. Power does. And my student has it."
Zhao Xiong's followers rushed to his side.
"You are awesome, young master!"
Hong Li walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Zhao Xiong, you are extremely promising. If you continue on this path, you might just become a disciple of a Holy Lord. That's an honor that every student wants — the pinnacle of mentorship, the gateway to true power and legacy." He looked around, ensuring the rest of the students could hear, adding with deliberate emphasis, "Not many ever earn that chance, and no one from your batch has yet... at least, not that anyone knows of." But what none of them realized was that among the students, one had already crossed that threshold — Lan Zhen, silently carrying the secret of being chosen by a Holy Lord: Long Yi herself.
Zhao Xiong grinned from ear to ear, his chest puffed out like a king surveying his court. In his mind, he wasn't just the strongest student in Class 1—he was the rightful future prodigy of the entire academy. He glanced around the room, basking in the admiring gazes and whispered praises like they were his birthright. "Hmph," he muttered with a smirk, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder, "300 kg... I guess I really am in a league of my own." His followers looked at him with stars in their eyes, and Zhao Xiong raised a hand as if to silence the nonexistent crowd. "Don't be too shocked," he said, his voice loud enough for the rest of the class to hear. "When you're born strong, some things just come naturally." He shot a mocking glance toward the strength wall, as though daring anyone to surpass him. In his mind, he was untouchable, destined for greatness, and already halfway to becoming a legend.
What none of them knew, however, was that in the quiet echo of the previous hour, someone had already shattered that illusion. Zhen's 500 kg strike hadn't reached their ears yet. And so, in their bubble of pride, they remained blissfully unaware of the challenge that was already ahead of them.
Back in Class 2, the final bell rang. Books were packed, chairs scraped, and cheerful chatter filled the classroom. Before the students left, Guan Fang stood at the front.
"Everyone," he called out, "come to class a bit early tomorrow. We'll be conducting a running field test. Be prepared."
There were groans, playful complaints, and promises of early sleep. The students filed out into the open, where the setting sun painted the skies in hues of orange and crimson.
Zhen, Shi Feng, Lei Wei, Naer, Bing Queer, and Yu Xiatao walked together down the path that led toward the dorms and canteen. The air was refreshing, but something else broke the peace —
Grrrrrrowl.
Zhen's stomach.
He turned bright red. Shi Feng nearly doubled over in laughter.
"Someone's starving!" Feng said.
Before Zhen could defend himself, another, softer growl followed — this time from Naer.
Her cheeks turned pink, and she darted behind Zhen, hiding her face.
Bing Queer leaned toward Xiatao. "Looks like someone wants to share more than just food with Zhen."
Everyone burst into laughter. Zhen rubbed the back of his neck, and Naer playfully swatted at Queer.
They made their way to a small, cozy canteen tucked between two buildings. The warm scent of rice, meat, and spices filled the air, making their mouths water. The six friends sat together at a corner table, their food arriving quickly.
Steam rose from bowls of noodles and dumplings as conversation flowed.
Yu Xiatao munched a dumpling and said, "So, running field test tomorrow. I wonder how many laps we'll have to do."
Bing Queer groaned and slumped over the table. "I don't want to run in this heat. I'll melt!"
Naer giggled and hugged her from the side. "Me too. Let's just roll instead of run."
Shi Feng chuckled. "I'll carry both of you on my back like a hero."
Lei Wei smirked. "As long as you don't trip and drag us all down."
More laughter echoed through the canteen. In that moment, the stress of training, tests, and tribulations faded. They were just kids again — full of energy, dreams, and unbreakable bonds.
But amidst it all, Zhen's gaze drifted out the window.
Tonight...my Master Long Yi waits.
He clenched his chopsticks a little tighter. Another night of secret training awaited. His bond had awakened, but there was more to learn — much more. His path would be darker, heavier, and more dangerous.
Yet, he didn't fear it.
Because he wasn't walking it alone.