The martial arts skill assessment, also known as the practical combat test, carries the highest score weight among all subjects — a full 350 points! This is also called the "Comeback Subject," the only one among the three martial arts tests that does not consider Life Intensity.
Following the principle of fairness, the test began again with Class 2. The ten students of the first group stood inside a rectangular grid roughly two and a half times the size of a basketball court. Each faced a black robot—the same training robot used in the continuous force test.
These robots were school-exclusive, with their greatest feature being "just enough force"—they would never accidentally harm a student.
Above each robot's forehead were two numbers: 5.1/0%, 4.9/0%, 5.2/0%...
Ryan Ling stood in the center of the field, one hand in his pocket.
"The two numbers above each robot represent: on the left, the Life Intensity level of the student; on the right, the robot's current martial arts skill level."
"They always maintain power equal to the student's Life Intensity."
"During the fight, their martial arts skill will continuously improve. If a student is forced out of the arena, the test ends."
"This isn't the first time for you all. No need for more explanation."
He paused, then said, "Begin!"
Ethan Chen stood quietly at the edge. Last year, when the training robot reached 56% skill, Ethan couldn't keep up and was forced out.
The score was calculated by subtracting 1% from the skill level displayed above the robot's head at the end. Back then, his 55% skill earned him first place in the class, causing a minor sensation, though his overall score wasn't dazzling.
For safety, all training robots wielded long staffs, using the defensive "Smooth Circle Staff Technique."
The test had begun. All ten students had taken the upper hand, suppressing their robots unilaterally. But no one was complacent — the robots' skill was only 1% so far.
As time passed... 5%, 10%, 15% — the robots' martial skill soared quickly. The long staffs moved so fast they left afterimages. This was the first form of the Smooth Circle Staff Technique: "Young Eagle Takes Flight."
At 23%, some students began showing signs of strain.
By 29%, those who had been calm were drenched in sweat.
At 30%, the robots suddenly sped up, their staff skills noticeably improved in both speed and power.
Whack! Whack! Whack! Three students couldn't withstand the staff's force and were knocked flying.
"Liam Chase, Warren Bell, and Sam Turner, out!" Ryan Ling said calmly from the sidelines.
Being knocked out by a robot at 30% skill meant these three's martial skills were capped at 29% — the upper limit of the beginner stage, just shy of intermediate. They each scored 71.05 points: 350 full points × 29% skill × 70% conversion factor.
36%!
"Ethan Chen, Zachary Cross, and William Young, out!"
Class 2 finished quickly. The best score wasn't class monitor Louis Warren but vice monitor Jack Stone, who narrowly beat him by 1% at 49%.
Class 3 followed, entering the arena. Ethan Chen, the first group's candidate, stood in the center holding a longsword, facing off against the training robot.
Ethan chose the sword for two reasons:
First, the sword emphasizes skill and versatility — it's adaptable for offense and defense, suitable for any situation.
Second, Ethan's idol, the greatest warrior "Blaze" of the High Martial Civilization, wielded a longsword!
Following the previous tests, Ethan's popularity surged. Classes were separated, and the overall rankings only showed combined academic and martial scores.
Many students had only recently learned that Ethan's martial skill reached a terrifying 55% at the senior first semester final — no wonder his earlier test results were so high. His physical strength surpassed theirs.
This news frustrated Jack Stone of Class 2, the vice monitor who had just topped his class. Now he found his martial skill was still behind Ethan's level from two months ago, a blow to his morale.
Meanwhile, Henry Han remained calm but surprised.
"His martial skill was 55% beginner stage last semester?"
"Impressive. Most Hongzhi Class students don't match that."
"Good thing his Life Intensity isn't as high as mine."
Henry had previously considered only Lucas Lin and Kuroji Buchanan as his rivals. Ethan, despite his talent, was ignored due to his lower Life Intensity. But now, he was on Henry's radar.
Others present also focused their attention on Ethan after hearing his previous test scores.
Ryan Ling was curious if Ethan had reached the advanced beginner stage yet. This threshold was tough to break, which was why only two Hongzhi Class students had reached it.
"Begin!"
At Ryan's command, the robots' eyes glowed red, entering sparring mode.
The staff wielded swiftly like a whip in motion.
Ethan lightly swung his sword, repelling the robot. Both had Life Intensity of 5.1, and the robot's skill was only 5%, barely a threat.
10%! 20%! 30%!
30% marked the intermediate beginner stage — the difficulty jumped here. Two students were immediately knocked out.
32%, one out.
35%, two out.
40%, three out.
Now only two candidates remained: Ethan Chen and class monitor Hassan Gale.
Hassan was a "top grinder" in class, waking earlier than the chickens and sleeping later than dogs.
In the last test, Hassan ranked 54th overall, five places ahead of Ethan.
But judging by Ethan's progress from freshman to senior, Hassan knew Ethan would surpass him sooner or later — sooner than expected.
When the robot's skill reached 45%, Hassan finally gave in with a shout. The robot's second staff form, "Stop War for Martial Arts," swept him out.
His adjusted score of 107.8 was a top-five finish in Class 3. For someone with a tough family background, this was excellent.
Only Ethan remained in the arena. The staff that swept out Hassan was repelled by Ethan's "Golden Drum Reverberation."
All basic martial arts skills had four forms. Ethan's Flowing Light Sword Technique included:
First Form: "Draw the Ground Prison" (beginner)
Second Form: "Golden Drum Reverberation" (intermediate)
Third Form: "Forest Breeze" (advanced)
Fourth Form: "Azure Dragon Stab" (complete)
Ryan Ling squinted, muttering, "What a promising talent."
As the martial arts instructor of the Hongzhi Class, his judgment was sharp.
From this single form, he could see Ethan's skill might have already surpassed the two advanced Hongzhi students.
Just then, Ethan swung the sword back, bending his body defensively to block the robot's "Unerring Strike."
The third form of Flowing Light Sword: Forest Breeze!
The number above the robot's head immediately rose to 60%... 61%!
"He's really reached the advanced beginner stage!"