"Knox has good physical fitness, so awakening martial essence is normal." Jordan Parker laughed. "Besides, the college entrance exam is a competition among all senior students across the province and even the entire country, not just a one-on-one match with Knox."
Knox Xavier's awakening was something Parker could only be happy about.
There were over sixty seniors in their school alone who had awakened martial essence. Across the province, across the nation… there were far too many.
Rather than worrying about others, improving oneself was the key. This was a lesson Parker had understood from a young age.
Knox Xavier's successful awakening had a huge impact on his classmates. Those who hadn't been tested yet started feeling a surge of anticipation.
The fourth group, the fifth group… failure, failure.
In the end, in the entirety of Class 3-2, only Knox Xavier had awakened martial essence.
Once all students returned to the classroom,
Mr. Hughes, a burly man, swept his gaze over them and said in a deep voice, "Alright, that's enough for today's basic martial training. Stop."
Whoosh—
Immediately, every student stopped. Many had already felt their legs turn weak with exhaustion.
But under Mr. Hughes' stern watch, no one dared collapse to the ground.
Basic martial training was physically demanding.
Even though most seniors had reached Level 4 in physical fitness, a two-hour session still left them exhausted.
"It's good that some of you can awaken martial spirit. Those who didn't, don't be discouraged."
"There will be another Martial Essence Test in the January mock exam and again in the standardized April exams."
"And before the college entrance exam, there's still the national Martial Essence Test."
"As long as you awaken before the college entrance exam, your martial cultivation scores will receive a boost." Mr. Hughes' voice was low and firm. "But remember, your academic scores are the foundation. The higher your base score, the more meaningful the martial cultivation bonus."
"Even in the elite classes, not everyone gets into a Martial Cultivation University."
"And how do you get high scores? Through hard work!"
"Look at Jordan Parker—no martial essence bonus, yet his martial cultivation scores are still over 800, surpassing more than half of the elite class." Mr. Hughes scolded, "And I don't need to tell you how hard he works."
Most students turned to look at Parker, their eyes filled with admiration.
Jordan Parker's dedication to training was well known across the entire senior grade.
"Parker, Mr. Hughes just made you a target again," Logan Pierce muttered.
Jordan Parker smiled helplessly.
Ever since his martial cultivation scores had broken into the top hundred of the grade, he had gotten used to being the "model student" that teachers always brought up.
Mr. Hughes, whose full name was Brandon Hughes, was their martial cultivation homeroom teacher. He was one of the only two elite-level martial instructors at Northridge First High.
From what Parker knew, Mr. Hughes had already surpassed Level 15 in physical fitness. Among initiate martial cultivators, he was quite formidable. Originally a military martial artist, he had retired due to injuries and taken up teaching at Northridge High.
It was common knowledge that anyone who reached beyond Level 9 in physical fitness was classified as an initiate martial cultivator—an individual with significant social status.
Ordinary adults typically have a physical fitness level of around 4 or 5.
"You are all at the stage where your physical abilities are rapidly improving. Senior year is the year that will determine your fate," Mr. Hughes continued his lecture. "You must not slack off."
"Now, take a thirty-minute break. After that, I will conduct the Martial Skill Assessment one by one," Mr. Hughes finished his speech and turned to leave.
"Huh?"
"Martial Skill Assessment?"
"We're about to get crushed by Mr. Hughes again. I bet you won't last three moves."
"And you think you can last three moves against him?" The students whispered among themselves, excitement evident in their voices.
A strange glint flashed in Parker's eyes as well.
Blue Earth—and even the entire Septastar Worlds—had long faced the constant threat of war, where powerful martial cultivators played a crucial role.
Thus, practicing martial cultivation had become a universal consensus.
In human society, top-tier martial cultivators held an esteemed status.
For students like Parker and his peers, these martial elites were figures of admiration.
Brandon Hughes was already one of the strongest martial cultivators they could interact with in real life.
"Parker, the Martial Skill Assessment is your forte!" Logan Pierce said excitedly.
"Think about yourself first. I noticed that your stance training hasn't improved much since last semester," Parker chuckled. "Later, don't get knocked flat by Mr. Hughes in front of Lina Palmer. That would be embarrassing."
Lina Palmer was Logan Pierce's longtime crush.
Logan's face stiffened, and he awkwardly muttered, "I'm not planning to apply to Martial Cultivation University anyway. Lina won't care."
...
Inside the classroom, every student retrieved their weapons from the storage cabinets behind the classroom's weapon rack.
After that, they donned their protective gear.
In this era, every high school student was issued one or two dulled cold weapons by the government. The most common choices were sabers, spears, and shields, with a few opting for axes, halberds, and swords.
As for hammers, crescent axes, hooks, forks, whips, and maces? Almost no students chose those.
When it came to weapon training, sabers and spears were the mainstream choices.
Martial cultivation exam scores were based on a 1,000-point system, divided into three categories: physical fitness (50%), martial skills (40%), and academic performance (10%).
If a student awakened their martial essence, they would receive additional bonus points.
Thus, the Martial Skill Assessment was crucial—a core focus of students' daily training.
Having high physical fitness alone wasn't enough to get into Martial Cultivation University.
Whoosh!
Parker also retrieved his weapon from his personal storage cabinet—a black spear nearly three meters long, weighing about five kilograms.
Though called a spear, its tip was purely decorative. It was closer to a long staff, as these weapons were issued by the government solely for training purposes, not actual combat.
"Whoosh!"
Parker gripped the shaft and casually performed a thrust.
Swish! The spearhead sliced through the air with a faint tearing sound, causing the nearby students' expressions to shift.
With Parker's strength, even an unsharpened spear packed significant power.
"Only Parker in our class can handle such a long spear."
"Watching Parker wield that spear gives me the same feeling as when Mr. Hughes fights..."
The students murmured, their eyes filled with admiration and envy.
Many classmates practiced spear techniques, but most avoided using such a long spear.
A longer weapon meant greater reach—but also greater difficulty in control.
Weapons were lifelong companions in martial cultivation. The best weapon was the one that suited its wielder.
"Number one in martial skill! Parker scored 356 points in last semester's Martial Skill Assessment—the only student in the entire grade to surpass 350!" Logan Pierce grinned. "Even Mr. Hughes said that Parker's spear techniques are rock-solid."
Many students nodded in agreement.
Without martial essence bonuses and without having the absolute best physical fitness, how did Parker manage to rank in the top thirty of the entire grade?
It was because his spear techniques far surpassed his peers.
In martial skills, Parker was the undisputed number one in the grade.