"Children, you have completed the most important ritual of your lives and have now become independent individuals," the commander of Base 6 addressed the crowd. "A long road awaits you. No matter how different the outcome is from your expectations, you must accept it and diligently level up your profession to ensure a better life for yourselves and your loved ones. You are the hope of humanity. Take care of yourselves and fully unlock your potential. We believe that through the efforts of generations, people will one day be able to move freely beyond the bases. I wish you all the best, peace, and prosperity for years to come!"
After these words, the hearts of the eighteen-year-old boys and girls, regardless of their professions, were filled with inspiration. Shen Xingyan was no exception—he was already contemplating how to use his available opportunities to provide a better life for himself and his sister.
However, before the hundreds of thousands of ceremony participants could express their fighting spirit, the commander's figure suddenly vanished. The threat from the Catastrophes on the borders was becoming more and more serious, and people like him had to be constantly on guard, preventing any unforeseen situations. Experience had taught them that even the slightest lapse in attention could give the Catastrophes a chance for a sudden attack.
After the commander left, the people in the square began to disperse in an organized manner according to the predetermined order, returning to their districts under the guidance of the people in charge.
Shen Xingyan and Chu Wei returned to their school's assembly point, waiting for further instructions. The students who had awakened combat professions and those who had received lifestyle specialties automatically split into two camps: one submerged in silence, the other noisy and bustling. The contrast was obvious.
When Shen Xingyan and Chu Wei appeared, all eyes turned to them—everyone was curious about what professions the school's "golden boy and girl" had awakened. Teacher Li, who was leading the group, approached them to find out their results.
In school training, Shen Xingyan and Chu Wei had always stood out, taking top places in various competitions. Chu Wei's family was quite well-off; her parents were experienced combat specialists. If not for the issue of combat merit, they would have likely moved to the Central District a long time ago. Chu Wei regularly received various nutrients from her family to improve her physical stats, so her success didn't surprise anyone.
But Shen Xingyan's case was special. Eight years ago, during the invasion of the Catastrophes, his parents went missing in a series of battles and were most likely killed. Since then, Shen Xingyan had lived on a stipend from the base and his parents' inheritance, taking care of not only himself but also his younger sister. Despite this, he managed to achieve outstanding results, becoming a role model at school.
Seeing Shen Xingyan's state, Teacher Li immediately understood the situation. He wanted to ask something but changed his mind, and a flicker of regret crossed his eyes. Over the years of his work, he had learned to read students' emotions well. No matter how much the young people tried to hide their feelings, the smallest details of their behavior made it clear that the outcome wasn't very good.
Other students also noticed these nuances. In the sensitive adolescent years, their perception was especially sharp.
"Hey, Shen Xingyan, from the look of it, you probably awakened the Blacksmith profession? Well, with your strength, it suits you," said Song Jie with a sneer, whose grades had always fallen short of Shen Xingyan's.
Song Jie was lucky enough to awaken the Warrior profession. Although it wasn't his ideal—the Mage profession—it still offered good prospects. Announcing his profession, he noticed the envious glances of those around him, which went to his head.
Now, seeing Shen Xingyan's outer calm but sensing the underlying despondency, Song Jie immediately guessed that his rival hadn't gotten a good profession and couldn't hold back his gloating.
"Song Jie, are you looking for trouble?" Before Shen Xingyan could answer, an enraged Chu Wei reacted sharply. If Shen Xingyan hadn't held her back, she would probably have already lunged at the bully.
Chu Wei was already upset that Shen Xingyan had awakened the Farmer profession, blaming the heavens for the injustice. And now, with Song Jie publicly mocking him, her anger flared up anew.
"Whoa, Chu Wei, why are you so worked up? Is there something going on between you two?" Song Jie asked with a smirk, hinting at the obvious.
Hearing this, Chu Wei blushed with shame and anger, trying to break free from Shen Xingyan's grasp.
"Song Jie, no matter what profession I awakened, I can still easily beat you right now. If you don't believe me, you can check," Shen Xingyan said calmly, looking at the increasingly brazen Song Jie.
Students who had just awakened their professions weren't significantly different in strength—it all depended on their physical fitness before the Awakening, and Shen Xingyan had maximum stats. Despite his Farmer profession, he had a good chance of winning in a fight with newly awakened combat professionals, even if the opponent used their professional skills.
Seeing that the situation was escalating, Teacher Li said sternly, "Song Jie, if you continue to disrupt the harmony of the group, I will report you to the school administration and revoke your right to participate in the trial a month from now."
Upon hearing this, Song Jie, who was about to retort, immediately deflated, only casting angry but helpless glances at Shen Xingyan. Although after the Awakening they were considered almost alumni and the school no longer had control over them, the graduation trial a month later was a real privilege that he didn't want to miss.
During the trial, they could see the real world outside the base, with minimal risk thanks to the protection of experienced combat specialists from the school. It was a true exploratory journey. With luck, they could even find rare items that improved physical stats.
So, upon hearing Teacher Li's words, even Song Jie, proud of his Warrior profession, was forced to obey and fall silent.