"Congratulations again for your great performance in the final exam. We were all amazed by what you've shown today." Principal Ivan began the conversation.
Raia nodded. "Thank you, sir."
"You class advicer, Timothy, told me something interesting about you. Do you know have an idea what it is?" Principal Ivan asked.
"Yes sir, I have an idea what it is about." Raia smiled as he answered.
Principal Ivan laughed and spoke. "Your physique talent. I was jumping and celebrating the moment I heard it from Timothy. Having any type of talent is a huge gift after all. So, if it is alright with you, can you tell us more about your physique talent? You can just tell the things that you can say."
The other professors including Sir Timothy were hoping that Raia would tell them about his talent. They were curious about it after all but they also didn't want to make Raia uncomfortable by pressuring him to say his secrets. That would be disrespectful after all.
"I can tell you a little bit about it." Raia's reply made the others excited.
Raia then began telling the things he already prepared as a back story of his so called 'physique talent'.
"I awakened this physique talent the moment I broke through the Martial Physique State. This talent boosted the speed of my cultivation, strength and combat power by several folds. It also cleansed my body from impurities and enhanced it a few times at the same time thus resulting to a change in my appearance."
It was a short explanation but was enough to make Principal Ivan jumped to his seat while clapping his hands and laughing. "Good, good! This is really good! I have looked at your photos before you awakened you talent and comparing just comparing it with your appearance right now, I could definitely tell that you have awakened a strong physique talent. Only a strong physique talent could give this result."
He continued. "If I added the fact that your combat power leaped a few states compared to your cultivation state and the aura that you are giving off, I am sure to declare that your physique talent is really a strong one."
The others nodded in agreement. Raia was relieved that they believed him.
In the eyes of others, he really looked like he has a physique talent. However, Raia knew that he didn't have one. Although he seems to have one, there are still differences between his 'physique talent' and the real physique talent.
First, to have a physique talent, one must undergo the awakening. Clearly, Raia didn't go through this.
Second, physique talent is one of those talents that will awaken itself at the perfect time. It improves by using resources but it didn't need any materials to awaken itself. On his side, Raia used the blue tear fruit to achieve what he has.
Third, he thinks that his 'physique' is better than the real physique talent. After all, he won't lose his 'physique talent' unlike the real one that will be lost when not trained.
"Thank you, sir." Raia nodded and smiled at Principal Ivan's comment.
"On that note, we wanted to ask you, which university have you decided to go?" Principal Ivan asked Raia in a serious tone.
Raia gave his answer without hesitation. "I've decided to go to Wolford Central University."
The professors went silent for a moment but recovered their senses quickly.
Principal Ivan spoke with a smile. "As we expected. A student like you should go to the top university of our planet. Have you talked with your parents about it? It is rather far after all."
"They are fine with it." Raia replied.
"Alright. I will make your recommendation letter and send it to you later tonight." Principal Ivan said.
"Thank you, sir." Raia responded with a slight bow.
Principal Ivan waved his hands and said. "I am just doing my duty. Right, one more thing. This is a gift from the school. Please accept it."
Raia stared at the blue-green pill on top of Principal Ivan's palm.
"This is..?" Raia asked continued staring at the pill.
"It is a high-grade 3 body tempering pill. It is not special but we think it would be a huge help to you so we are giving you this." Principal Ivan explained.
Raia didn't refuse it and took the pill. "Thank you, this will really help me."
'Will this really help me?' Raia was thinking different from what he was saying. 'I'll just give it a try later.'
"That is a good thing to hear." Principal Ivan and the others were glad to see that Raia accepted their gift.
"Well, that is all we have to say to you. If you ever need our help, just come to us." Principal Ivan said.
"I will do that, sir." Raia nodded in reply.
At this time, Sir Timothy approached him and told Raia about how proud he is to be able to teach Raia. The other professors also gave their praises and advices to him.
They talked for a few more minutes before Raia left the room.
At the school gate, he met with Aaron, Caroline and Veronica before they go to a restaurant to celebrate. The three were a bit shocked to learn that Raia wanted to go to the Wolford Central University. However, just looking at his skills, he is indeed expected to go to the top 1 university.
After a fulfilling meal, they head home.
Caroline and Veronica left while Aaron decided to stick with Raia for a few more hours.
The sun was already down when they arrived at Raia's home.
Raia walked straight to the living room only for his body to freeze the moment he saw a familiar figure sitting on the couch while playing with Rina.
"What is wrong?" Aaron asked from behind. He then looked at where Raia was looking. Like Raia, his movements also froze.
'What is she doing here?' Both of them thought.
With a huge gulp, Raia gathered his courage and spoke. "F-faye! You're here!"
It sounded forced but it is better that not greeting her at all.
Faye ran to him when she heard his voice. She jumped to Raia and embraced him tightly.
"I miss you so much." She whispered to Raia. "Did you miss me?"
"O-of course..I also..missed you." Raia said with an awkward voice.
"I'm glad to hear that." Faye loosened her embrace but was still close to Raia. She stared at his face and slid her fingers onto his cheeks. Raia didn't dare to move a single muscle.
Faye smiled and said. "No wonder dad said I shouldn't be shocked when I see you. You've changed a lot after all."
"Things just happened." Raia said.
"And here am I wanting to surprise you. At the end, I was the shocked one." Faye sighed.
Sensing the disappointment in her voice, Raia quickly spoke. "I was surprised! I didn't expect you to come!"
"Really?" Faye asked.
"Really!" Raia replied with a violent nod.
Faye chuckled when she saw Raia's reaction. Then she turned her attention to Aaron.
Aaron flinched when their eyes locked.
"I heard that you wanted to smack my head." Faye said with a soft voice.
Aaron's eyes shook as he heard her words. Then he strongly denied what she said. "What? I didn't say that! I never said anything like that! I will never say anything like that!"
He didn't remember saying that he wanted to smack Faye's head.
"But Rina said that you will smack the head of the person that told her about your nickname. Don't tell me that Rina is lying?" Faye asked again.
At this moment, Aaron recalled that he said he will smack the head of the person that told Rina about his nickname 'booger-eating kid'. However, he didn't expect it that person to be Faye. Now, he regretted saying it and just wanted to go home safely.
He gasped and quickly went on his knees.
"I am sorry! I didn't know that you are that person!" Aaron immediately asked for forgiveness.
On the side, Raia was standing still and didn't make any movement or say anything.
'So she was the one that told Rina about that nickname. She must be communicating with Rhea and Rina.' Raia thought to himself.
There was a reason why they act like this in front of Faye.
Faye is their friend. She was caring and nice but when she got pissed off even a tiny bit, she became a violent and cruel lady.
Apart from that, Faye was a really good friend of them. She is loyal and honest.
Raia was her childhood crush and was really hurt when they separated because she had to go to an all-female university. Even though Raia only viewed her as a friend, they were still close with each other.
"Alright, I forgive you." Faye said.
Aaron breathed relief when he heard her words. 'I escaped calamity.'
He was genuinely afraid of her in the past. So much more now that she has a higher cultivation state than him. Faye is at 9th level Martial Physique State after all.
They sat and tried to catch up with the events from each side.
Now that Raia and Aaron saw Faye was in a good mood, they began talking with her in a casual and relaxed manner.
Faye was shocked to hear that Raia took the first rank in the final exam. On the other hand, Raia and Aaron was also surprised that Faye got the rank 10 in the final exam in her academy.
"Right, have you decided your university?" Faye asked Raia.
Raia nodded and said. "Wolford Central University."
Faye widened her eyes.
"I should work harder from now on." Aaron said with a serious tone. He already decided to follow Raia whichever university he chose. After he knew that Raia wanted to go to the top 1 university in all Rhost, he decided to step up his game.
If he didn't pass the entrance exam, they will be separated.
"I guess I'll also go to Wolford." Faye said without thinking. She also has a recommendation letter to take the entrance exam of the top universities.
Raia didn't ask her why she wanted to go there. "Your decision."
A few minutes later, Hauran and Rose came home. Rose began preparing dinner with the help of Hauran. They didn't want to interrupt the talk of the young ones after all.
"Right. I've been communicating with Rhea and Rina these past few days and they also told me about Caroline and Veronica." Faye said with narrowed eyes.
Raia awkwardly laughed at her words.
"It's fine. I don't have the right to be mad because I am not your girlfriend but I won't deny that I am a bit jealous." Faye said.
"What will you do tomorrow? We should go out to eat." She then asked Raia.
"Uhm..Maybe next time. I will be staying at home for a few days to rest." Raia answered with the hope that Faye wouldn't be upset.
"Okay. I'll just call you then." Faye responded.
Raia invited the Aaron and Faye to dinner but they refused.
Soon after, Faye went home.
"I'll call you, man." Aaron followed not long after Fate left.
"Alright. Take care." Raia bid him goodbye.
…
Raia called Rhea and Rome for dinner. They were both cultivating but stopped to eat with their family.
While eating, Raia blurted out that he took the first rank in the final exam. There were a few moments of silence before the family erupted into cheers.
"So about moving to Wolford City…" Raia gently said.
Hauran and Rose became quiet.
"It seems that you are really confident that you will pass the entrance exam." Hauran said.
Raia nodded. "Of course, I am."
He has some ideas about the entrance exam of Wolford Central University and he was sure that he can pass it.
Hauran chuckled then turned serious. "Raia, we think that this is not the right time to move to another place. We are living nicely here in Forzen anyways."
"I understand." Raia accepted it easily. 'I'll just hand them the resources before I leave. Right, I need to buy some spatial rings where I can store them separately.'
"You are gonna leave me?" Rina asked with teary eyes.
"Rina, I will leave but I promise that I will come home whenever I have time." Raia rubbed her cheeks.
Rina embraced Raia as if she didn't want him to leave.
"I will try to catch up to you." Rhea said.
"When you get back, I will be stronger!" Rome declared.
Raia laughed. "I feel like you are already sending me away. I still have time before I leave, you know."
When the family finished their dinner, Hauran and Rose helped Rome and Rina in their cultivation. On the other hand, Raia and Rhea head back to their rooms.
…
After taking a shower, Raia noticed that he received a message from Principal Ivan.
It was his recommendation letter for Wolford Central University. Apart from the recommendation letter, the schedule of the entrance exam and other information about it were also included.
"I still have one month before the entrance exam." He did some stretching and was thinking about entering the world inside when he remembered something.
He took the pills that he received that day.
"Will this really help me? I don't have a physique talent after all. Well, it is still a good pill so I should try nonetheless. It won't hurt me anyways." He said as he stared at the body tempering pill.
The next moment, he consumed the pill.