Ren Yi listened to her words and slowly massaged his forehead.
What was going on lately? Had some kind of blunt, straightforward trend become popular in the Alliance?
First his brother, and now Ms. Zhang—everyone was just blurting out the harsh truth.
Just as Ren Yi was internally complaining, the crisp sound of the school bell suddenly rang out.
After a cheerful burst of campus background music, a chaotic flurry of hurried footsteps instantly erupted in the hallway outside.
The noise was fleeting; a second later, the entire corridor was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Then, from every classroom in the distance, a synchronized shout rang out: "Hello, teacher—"
Ms. Zhang looked up at the sound, her expression indifferent. "Class has started. No one will disturb us now; we can head out."
Ren Yi was a bit confused. Why did they have to wait until the "children" were in class to leave?
Despite his internal bewilderment, he silently followed Ms. Zhang.
The two walked through the corridor, passing classroom after classroom where lessons were in progress.
Quite a few children who couldn't sit still caught sight of the two passing by and couldn't help but peek curiously.
Ren Yi followed her further and further into a remote part of the building until his footsteps faltered.
Ms. Zhang had actually led him around a corner and into the school's public restroom.
Ren Yi stood at the entrance, completely stunned, his expression slowly contorting.
It wasn't until Ms. Zhang turned back to urge him that he braced himself and stepped inside with a complicated look on his face.
In the center of the restroom, by the sinks, stood a massive floor-to-ceiling mirror. The glass was clean and transparent, looking perfectly ordinary and showing no signs of anything unusual.
Yes, the school had mirrors.
Even though mirrors held a completely different meaning for Anomalies.
But in Ren Yi's first eighteen years of life, mirrors had been a natural part of his daily existence, and that naturally included school.
Every student probably had a similar fantasy at some point during their school years.
In the final second before the bell rang and they were forced back into a dull classroom, they always hoped the mirror in front of them would suddenly turn into a swirling vortex, becoming a portal to another world.
They would step inside, transform into a dragon-slaying hero with a holy sword and a dragon mount, and embark on a legendary adventure—never having to return to class to listen to lectures or suffer through practice problems again.
Well, now.
The dream had met reality; the fantasy had actually come true.
It's just that nobody would have guessed the gateway to another world was actually hidden in the school bathroom.
Sorry, wrong script.
"Teacher... does something so dangerous really have to be placed somewhere so easy to find?"
What on earth had been blinding him all those years he was at this school?
Ms. Zhang didn't have time to entertain his complaints.
From the moment Ren Yi entered the room, the dense pattern of eyes on her dress began to swim frantically, crawling down her skirt to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling.
In just a few seconds, the entire restroom was covered in round, eerie eyes scanning in every direction, sealing off the space.
"...To prevent any children from suddenly barging in," Ms. Zhang explained casually.
"Oh, and about what you just said—the greatest sages hide in the city... just kidding."
She tapped the surface of the mirror with her fingertip and continued, "Mainly, this mirror has a special aptitude that allows it to connect to various Base Station channels."
"I'm responsible for the most examinees. Putting the portal in my office would be too conspicuous; the restroom is actually the safest place."
"As for danger..."
Ms. Zhang blinked. Every single eye in the room followed suit in sequence, blinking in waves that rose and fell like the tide.
"Where is the danger?"
"Putting 'children' and 'mirrors' together..." Ren Yi said.
He still remembered that shortly after his awakening, he had spent a long time living by the rule of "keep mirrors away from me."
The scene of his brother kicking a mirror to pieces in the furniture store was still vivid in his mind.
"The 'children' aren't afraid of 'mirrors'; only newly grown-up Cubs are."
Ms. Zhang operated the mirror surface, her tone casual.
"That's also why you all had to go home for your Awakening Ceremony. Everyone's 'species' is different, and the school environment is still too unstable compared to 'home.'"
As soon as she finished speaking, the massive mirror surface suddenly lit up, and streaks of mysterious, glistening blue runes flickered across it.
In an instant, it evolved from an ordinary mirror into a high-tech one.
At the same time, Ren Yi felt the phone already connected to his consciousness vibrate slightly, and then messages began to surface in his mind.
【Connecting to Base Station...】
【Connection successful...】
【Before the exam, please read and agree to the following regulations.】
【1. This assessment is a specialized solo trial for an Alliance Native World. Any severe consequences resulting from intentional concealment or causing an assessment accident shall be the sole responsibility of the participant; the Alliance assumes no liability.】
【2. There is no Anomaly Web coverage or Alliance remote support in the assessment area. Please participate with caution.】
【3. This exam is an independent test. Any illegal operations that affect 'independence,' such as possession, fusion, substitution, or rule usurpation, are strictly prohibited.】
【4. It is strictly forbidden to bring other Anomaly limbs, fragments, soul fragments, rule cores, etc., into the world. Energy crystals, tools, and standard protective Anomaly Artifacts are permitted.】
【5. Once the assessment begins, it cannot be paused or exited. Death before mission completion or premature return will be considered an exam failure.】
【Finally, while grades are precious, life is even more so. We wish all examinees a triumphant start and a safe return.】
【Reading countdown: 3... 2... 1... Automatic default agreement.】
【Loading core exam information...】
【Exam Location: 【:D】-101-2 Specialized Exam Native World】
【Remaining Base Station Energy: 13%】
【World Restriction Rules and exclusive exam missions are being generated based on the Base Station's source information. Please wait patiently...】
The exam rules seemed to have quite a history behind them, but Ren Yi skimmed through them quickly.
He definitely met the requirements, and he had no intention of cheating, so there was nothing to worry about violating.
However, those other anti-cheating regulations gave him pause.
He was himself; he wasn't carrying any other Anomalies or parts of other Anomalies.
At the same time, the items he had were all potentially useful supplies and tools, none of which posed a risk.
Only two small issues caught his attention.
"Teacher, it shows here that the Base Station's remaining energy is only thirteen percent."
"Don't worry about it." Ms. Zhang didn't even turn her head, her hands moving continuously.
"Things like Base Stations or Instance keys are distributed systematically through missions, but we also cast a wide net."
"Some Base Stations drift alone in the void for extremely long periods of time."
"So while you see only thirteen percent left, it can actually maintain a signal for a very long time."
"It's just that teleporting you there will consume about ten percent. The rest is enough to last a while. Once you finish your mission, you can just top up the energy yourself to return."
"Oh..."
Ren Yi nodded. It seemed that wasn't something he needed to worry about.
But regarding the next issue, he really couldn't hold back.
"Teacher, isn't the name of this world a bit strange?"
Rate on N.U.
