When Noah and Tang Xia arrived outside the classroom, they immediately spotted their homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang, standing in the hallway.
Noah opened his mouth without thinking.
"Old Wang, you were looking for us—"
But the moment the words slipped out, he realized his mistake and clamped his mouth shut.
Mr. Wang chuckled warmly.
"It's fine. Old Wang is Old Wang. But from today on, the two of you will no longer be students of Class Three."
The familiar phrasing made Noah's heart jolt.
"What? Did we do something wrong? Why are we being expelled?"
Tang Xia, ever the realist, jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, frowning at his lack of perception.
"Idiot. Can't you tell? Mr. Wang means we're being transferred to the rocket class."
But Mr. Wang shook his head, eyes glimmering with a smile.
"Not the rocket class. You're moving to the Valedictorian Class."
"Valedictorian Class?!"
Both Noah and Tang Xia stared in shock.
What was going on? How did it change again?
Mr. Wang explained patiently,
"Noah, you've awakened an S-rank combat talent. The rocket class is no longer worthy of your level. The school has established a Valedictorian Class tailored specifically for you. Its resources and funding are twenty times greater than the rocket class."
His voice lowered reverently.
"And the principal himself will serve as your homeroom teacher, guiding you personally until the college entrance exams."
Noah's mouth twitched.
"That's… really unnecessary. Honestly, I think Class Three suits me just fine."
Mr. Wang froze, then his eyes reddened slightly.
"Hearing you say that… that's the greatest recognition I could ever receive as your teacher. I could die happy. But listen to me, Noah. You must go to the Valedictorian Class. This will shape your future. Don't repeat the mistakes of last time…"
Tang Xia quickly cut in,
"He's right, Noah. Just listen to Mr. Wang. We should transfer."
Truth be told, Noah didn't want to go.
Resources? He didn't lack them.
What he dreaded was the overly enthusiastic old principal, with that grin blooming like a chrysanthemum every single day. Exhausting.
He would much rather stay in Class Three, trading jabs with Tang Xia.
But Mr. Wang saw through him, lips curling into a knowing smile.
"Don't worry, Noah. Tang Xia will transfer with you. You'll still sit together."
"Hmph. Who wants to sit next to him?" Tang Xia huffed, turning her head away.
Noah's face darkened.
"Then are you going or not?"
"Of course I'm going. Why wouldn't I?" Tang Xia pouted.
"Then that's settled!" Noah snapped.
After Tang Xia went to pack her books and crystal link, Mr. Wang stopped Noah.
"Noah, one more thing."
"What is it, Mr. Wang?" Noah asked casually.
A complicated light flickered in the man's eyes.
"After this class graduates, I'll be promoted. I'll be the new principal at Fourth High. Never thought I'd teach my whole life, and the first promotion I'd ever get would be principal… and it's all thanks to you, Noah."
Noah immediately understood, smiling faintly.
"No need to thank me. I merely mentioned you in passing before the principal."
Mr. Wang hesitated, rubbing his hands.
"There's one more… favor. When I'm at Fourth High, could I… say publicly that you were my student?"
Noah blinked, then grinned.
"Of course. I am your student."
"Thank you. Thank you so much!"
For a teacher, claiming to have taught an S-rank prodigy—someone whose future achievements might rival the legendary Battle Kings—was the ultimate honor.
After bidding farewell to their classmates, Noah and Tang Xia followed Mr. Wang to the Valedictorian Class.
The class was housed in a building of its own.
To guard against strikes from the Anti-Alliance Organization, its walls were built from special materials, capable of withstanding a fifth-tier Battle General's full force.
Not only that, but the school had partnered with the Demon-Hunting Institute to deploy over a hundred guards. With Lin Qian protecting in secret, the Valedictorian Class was impenetrable.
"Noah! It's Noah!"
As soon as he entered the classroom, cheers erupted.
The class was small, only about a dozen students—but every single one of them had at least a B-rank talent. They were the cream of Jiangnan Second High.
But compared to Noah, who wielded an S-rank, they were nothing more than supporting actors in the play.
"Noah, Tang Xia, sit in the front row!"
Two seats in the very center had been left empty, clearly prepared for them.
Without hesitation, Noah dropped into the chair with Tang Xia beside him. Mr. Wang carefully adjusted their crystal links before whispering,
"You two must support each other. If you ever run into problems, come to my office."
He straightened, voice thick with emotion.
"Good luck on the college entrance exam. I'll be going now."
His slightly lonely figure faded through the door.
Moments later, the bald old principal strode in, smile wide as a sunrise. After a brief ceremony, he raised his voice with passion.
"Students! Do you know why I named this the Valedictorian Class?"
"I know!" one student shouted. "Because Noah is going to claim the top scorer spot in Jiangnan City!"
The old principal shook his head.
"Wrong. Completely wrong!"
"Then why?"
He swept his gaze across the room, eyes burning with pride.
"Because times have changed. With Noah's S-rank combat talent, Jiangnan City's valedictorian is already guaranteed. Our goal—" his voice thundered—"is the provincial valedictorian!"
Woah!
The classroom erupted with fiery excitement.
"Noah, do you have the confidence?"
Dozens of eyes turned to him.
Noah wanted nothing more than to dive back into the Land of Divine Punishment to continue his second class advancement. But with all eyes fixed on him, he straightened and said coolly,
"The provincial valedictorian? I could take it with my eyes closed."
"Excellent!" the old principal beamed, beard twitching with excitement.
Then he pulled out three items from his inventory, placing them on the podium.
"For exposing the traitorous Jiang family, the Demon-Hunting Institute has awarded Noah these three prizes!"
"First—100,000 gold coins!"
Gasps filled the classroom. Tang Xia's eyes widened, throat bobbing as she swallowed hard. That was ten million credits in real currency!
But Noah barely reacted, his face calm.
"Second—fifty Attribute Pills!"
Now the class went wild, envy pouring from every pair of eyes.
"And third—an SS-rank skill: Aerial Step!"
Boom.
The classroom nearly exploded from the roar of voices.
An SS-rank skill! Something none of them could dream of touching!
Noah's eyes lit up slightly for the first time.
He accepted the rewards and pulled up the system interface.
[Skill Acquired: Aerial Step (SS-Rank)]
Description: Walk freely upon the skies, traveling millions of miles in a single day.
Cooldown: None.
Cost: None.
Noah's lips curled.
"Now that's more like it."
Without hesitation, he activated the scroll.
Ding!
Congratulations. You have learned Aerial Step Lv.1!
The old principal was still droning on about its rarity.
"This is no mere flying spell like the B-rank or A-rank Flight skills. Aerial Step requires no energy, offers perfect stability, and allows you to travel millions of miles on a single meal! But—" his tone turned serious—"it requires level 500 Battle General strength to even attempt learning. By the time you graduate university, you might barely qualify."
Meanwhile, Noah coughed lightly, forcing a straight face.
Damn it. So there was a learning requirement.
If he hadn't been careful, he might've blown his cover!