After class that day, Chen wandered around the academy, determined to familiarize himself with his new environment. As he strolled through the corridors, snippets of conversations reached his ears.
"It's the transfer student. He's so handsome!" a group of girls whispered.
"I'll make him fall head over heels for me," another proclaimed, fanning her flushed face.
Chen smirked mischievously. I almost forgot how handsome I am. But no distractions—I'm here to get stronger, he thought.
Suddenly, THUD! He collided with something soft, losing his balance and falling to the ground.
"Can't you see where you're going?" an irritated feminine voice demanded.
Chen looked up, and for a moment, his breath caught. Before him stood a vision of beauty: long, dark hair, flawless white skin, innocent blue eyes, delicate pink lips, and a figure straight out of a fairy tale.
Am I dreaming, or did I just bump into an angel? he thought absently.
Quickly regaining his composure, he scrambled to his feet. "Sorry about that," he apologized sincerely.
"Whatever," she replied curtly, brushing past him and walking away.
Before Chen could gather his thoughts, a cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Hahaha! Not quite what you expected, right?"
Turning, Chen saw a chubby boy with short grey hair and a friendly grin.
"Yeah, not really," Chen admitted, chuckling.
"I'm Damian," the boy introduced himself, extending a hand.
"I'm Chen," he replied, shaking it.
"Come on, let me show you around the academy," Damian offered enthusiastically.
"Sure, thanks," Chen said, grateful for the gesture.
As they walked, Damian explained the various areas of the school. "This is the cafeteria, that's the bakery, over there is the teachers' lounge, and this is the public arena. Oh, and this here is the ranking board."
"The ranking board?" Chen asked curiously.
"It's where the academy showcases its strongest students, ranked from first to hundredth. Right now, the third-year students dominate the top ten spots, while the second-years hold positions eleven to fifteen. From sixteen onward, it's a mix," Damian elaborated.
"What about ranks below the top hundred?" Chen inquired.
"To get noticed by the academy's authorities and earn a spot on the board, you have to participate in a lot of fights. Did I mention that the top hundred students receive monthly mana crystals as rewards? But maintaining those ranks for an entire month is no easy feat," Damian added.
After the tour, they returned to their dormitory rooms, which were conveniently located opposite each other.
"Damian, that girl from earlier—what's her name?" Chen asked, feigning casual interest.
Damian grinned knowingly. "Oh, so the new guy's smitten, huh?"
"No, no, no! I admit she's beautiful, but that's not it," Chen stammered defensively.
Damian shrugged. "Her name's Clair. She's one of the most popular girls in our year—and pretty strong too."
"Got it. Thanks," Chen said, retreating into his room.
I hope I like this school, he thought, lying on his bed. Mr. Ken seems really strong—the energy he gives off is close to my dad's. And if Damian says Clair is strong, that means I'm the weak one. Damn, I hate being weak.
Frustrated but determined, Chen eventually drifted off to sleep, anticipating what the next day might bring.
---
The following morning, Chen woke up early and headed straight to the training room attached to his dorm. Each student was provided with one, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
He pushed himself hard, completing a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, and running a kilometer on the training room's virtual track. Satisfied with his effort, he showered and got ready for class.
Before leaving, he knocked on Damian's door. "Hey, let's head to class together," he said.
"Sure!" Damian replied cheerfully, joining him.
They walked together until they had to part ways—Chen was in Class Four, while Damian was in Class Two.
That day in class, Mr. Ken shifted focus from the mysterious four-armed wolf to practical topics. He delved into combat techniques and beast weapons, emphasizing their significance in both survival and battle.
Chen listened attentively, his mind buzzing with possibilities. The academy was starting to feel like the perfect place to grow stronger.