In the first-floor lobby, many students were already bustling about.
Some rushed forward with folders in hand, their steps hurried. Others leaned against the windows, scrolling through their phones while munching on bread.
Lin Yuan walked to the elevators. Without having to wait, he boarded one and went straight to the fifth floor.
The fifth-floor corridor was covered in a deep gray carpet that felt soft underfoot. The walls were lined with holographic photos of outstanding graduates from previous years, appearing every few meters and catching the eye immediately.
At the entrance of the meeting room, Shen Man was leaning against the doorframe, holding a cup of milk tea.
When she saw Lin Yuan approaching, the corners of her mouth curled upward. It wasn't her usual lazy smile; it was the look of someone clearly setting a trap, full of mischievous anticipation.
“You’re here? You’re pretty fast.”
She set the milk tea on a windowsill, straightened up, and reached out to adjust the collar of Lin Yuan’s school uniform.
“I’ve treated you pretty well lately, wouldn’t you say?”
Lin Yuan was completely confused but answered honestly, “...I suppose so.”
“Then don’t let me down today.”
She slapped him on the shoulder with considerable force, pushing him half a step toward the meeting room door. “Once you’re inside, make sure you give them a real shock.”
“Shock who? What kind of opportunity is this? Teacher Shen, be clear...”
“You’ll know when you get in.”
With those words, Shen Man pushed open the door to the meeting room.
As the door swung open, the room instantly fell silent. People were seated on both sides of a long conference table. Over a dozen gazes shot toward them—some scrutinizing, some dissatisfied, and others merely curious.
Lin Yuan followed Shen Man inside, quickly scanning the room. This was quite a lineup.
Shen Man stood to the side and began introducing them one by one. “This is the Dean of the Thunder Academy, Zhao Cangming, Tier 7, Level 5. He’s my mentor.”
A burly, bald man sitting in the first seat on the left crossed his arms and gave a slight nod. His head was shaved clean and reflected the room's lights. His muscles strained against his uniform; he clearly wasn't the academic type.
“This is the Dean of the Beastification Academy, Qian Kun, Tier 7, Level 3.”
Opposite him sat a tall, thin man with prominent cheekbones and sunken eyes. His fingers tapped incessantly on the table, and the look he gave Lin Yuan was filled with disdain.
“And at the head of the table is Vice Principal Zhou Zhenyuan, Tier 7 Peak, with an S-rank weapon system ability.”
The elder sat at the end of the table. He had white hair and a lean face, and his eyes were closed as if he were resting.
Lin Yuan pulled out a chair and sat down. Before he could even settle in, Qian Kun spoke up.
“Shen Man, is this the freshman you’re insisting should receive S-rank benefits?”
Qian Kun stopped tapping. The meeting room grew even quieter.
“He was F-rank during his awakening. Even if his ability evolved later and he consumed a Purple Thunder Profound Pulp Fruit, he’d be D-rank at most.”
He emphasized the words “F-rank” heavily, his tone dripping with contempt.
“A D-rank ability user deserves S-rank student benefits? Since Magic City Academy was founded, such a thing has never happened!”
The other instructors exchanged looks, many of them nodding in agreement with Qian Kun.
Lin Yuan remained silent, sitting quietly.
“Everyone,” Qian Kun said, leaning back in his chair. “There are six freshmen with S-rank abilities this year. I have no objection to them receiving top-tier S-rank resources. But a D-rank? D-rank is the lowest ability level in our academy! Pouring S-rank resources into him is a pure waste!”
As he finished, no one in the room dared to speak.
At that moment, Lin Yuan slowly stood up.
He didn’t look at Qian Kun. Instead, he simply raised his right hand and opened his fingers.
Crackle!
A bolt of dark gold lightning suddenly exploded in his palm!
The arcs were thick and solid, dancing wildly between his fingers. The air in the entire room was instantly ionized. Static electricity caused the papers on the table to stand on end, and the metal door handle let out a sharp snap.
It wasn't the usual silver-white; it was a solid, dark gold!
This was the C-rank Profound Gold Pale Thunder!
Qian Kun’s tapping finger froze instantly.
Zhao Cangming, the Dean of the Thunder Academy, had been leaning back, but when he saw the lightning, he lunged forward. The dark gold glow reflected off his bald head.
The instructors' eyes widened. One woman wearing glasses in the corner couldn't help but gasp in disbelief, “C-rank?!”
Shen Man leaned against the wall, her lips curling into a faint smile as she spoke leisurely, “Everyone, mind your professional image.”
But no one listened to her. Every eye was fixed on the dark gold lightning in Lin Yuan’s palm.
Seeing this, Qian Kun’s brow furrowed deeply, his face full of denial. “Impossible! If he awakened at F-rank and evolved to E-rank, even with an S-rank spirit fruit, he should be D-rank at most. How could you be C-rank?”
No one could answer him. There had been no precedent in centuries for an E-rank ability user using an S-rank spirit fruit, so no one could have predicted the final result.
The room erupted into whispers. Many looked at Shen Man suspiciously, thinking she might have tampered with something.
Zhao Cangming pressed his hands onto the table, his face full of excitement. “Old Qian, it’s a C-rank lightning ability! And it’s Profound Gold Pale Thunder with residual intent! My Thunder Academy is short on such talent this year. If you’re not satisfied...”
Qian Kun raised a hand to cut him off, still refusing to back down. “Don’t be so hasty, Dean Zhao.”
“C-rank is indeed beyond expectations, but it’s still not enough for S-rank benefits! Which of the six S-rank freshmen this year isn't stronger than a C-rank?”
The room fell silent once more.
Vice Principal Zhou Zhenyuan, who had been silent the whole time, slowly opened his eyes.
He didn’t look at the lightning in Lin Yuan’s palm. Instead, his gaze fell on Lin Yuan’s shoulders, arms, and wrists, staring intently at the contours of his bones.
A moment later, the elder’s pupils constricted sharply.
“This student’s bone tempering is at least at the ninth round. Furthermore, it is even more condensed than a normal Nine Rounds of Bone Tempering!”
The entire room went dead silent!
Nine Rounds of Bone Tempering! In the entire Dragon Nation, one could probably count such individuals on one hand!
Qian Kun snapped his head around and stared at Lin Yuan for a long time before shaking his head. “I admit his physical talent is top-tier, but bone tempering is just a physical foundation. it doesn't represent actual combat strength! S-rank resources are for students who can fight, not for body cultivators!”
Lin Yuan retracted the dark gold lightning and brushed the lingering sparks from his hand, his tone flat.
“Dean Qian, after all that talk, don't you just want to see if I can fight?”
Rate on N.U.
