After Zhao Hong's little episode, the next student from Class 1 stepped up without delay.
"Wang Niu, F-level superpower!" the examiner announced.
Among top students, an F-level awakening was nothing unusual—neither great nor terrible, simply average.
One by one, the remaining students approached the testing platform. Some results were mediocre, others a bit better, but the pattern held: most were F-level, with a few rare E-levels sprinkled in. By the end of the round, eight students had awakened E-level powers—three more than the previous class had managed.
The improvement delighted Wang Zhou, the homeroom teacher. His weathered face shone with satisfaction.
Only two Class 1 students still hadn't tested.
All eyes turned to the final pair: Tang Zihao and Lin Ting—the best of the best.
If not for the sudden rise of Jack, a so-called nobody, these two would have been the undisputed stars of No. 3 Middle School. And even now, most of the onlookers—students, reporters, and local dignitaries—still believed that Jack, despite his impressive physical fitness, could not possibly outperform them in today's awakening ceremony.
After all, Jack had no powerful family name, no special bloodline. Tang Zihao and Lin Ting, on the other hand, were the proud children of D-level awakeners. They had the pedigree and the resources to back them up. Tang Zihao in particular was expected to awaken with near-perfect certainty, and everyone assumed his upper limit far surpassed anything Jack could hope to achieve.
---
Lin Ting Takes the Stage
"Lin Ting from Class 1, come on stage," Wang Zhou called.
A graceful girl with striking features—easily an eighty on anyone's beauty scale—stepped forward like a white swan, chin lifted, eyes full of quiet pride.
"Don't be nervous," Wang Zhou said kindly. "Just place your hand on the tester. I believe you'll awaken at least a D-level ability."
Lin Ting gave a soft, confident laugh. "Thank you, Teacher. I'm aiming higher than D-level. My goal is C-level!"
She rested her pale hand on the crystal sensor.
Whoooom!
A dazzling light flared—brighter than Zhao Hong's earlier awakening—and drew a collective gasp from the crowd.
"This brightness… above E-level for sure," someone whispered. "Could it be D-level? Maybe even higher?"
The suspense lasted only a moment before the tester chimed:
"Lin Ting, D-level elemental power—Triple Whirlwind!"
The hall fell silent, then erupted in applause.
"A D-level elemental ability—amazing!" a parent exclaimed.
"Far stronger than her parents' ordinary enhancement powers," said another.
"Elemental types have incredible potential. D-level is remarkable!"
"She's truly the pride of Third Middle School. I heard First Middle's highest this year is only C-level. For her to reach D-level here, and an elemental power at that—unbelievable!"
Even the most jaded students looked at Lin Ting with open admiration. She had always been the class goddess; now she seemed untouchable.
Wang Zhou chuckled warmly. "Hahaha! Lin Ting, a D-level elemental ability—outstanding!"
"The teacher's guidance paid off," she replied with a delicate blush. C-level might have been her dream, but D-level elemental wind was still a triumph. She floated off the stage, radiant with pride, every inch the elegant swan.
---
A Public Confrontation
Instead of returning to her seat, Lin Ting glided toward Class 2 and stopped directly before Jack. Her sharp gaze locked on him.
"Well?" she asked. "Have you thought about it?"
The room hushed. All eyes turned to Jack, many filled with envy or curiosity.
Jack met her stare with cool indifference. "I refuse."
The words hung in the air like a blade.
For months Lin Ting had tried to rope Jack into becoming her personal attendant—offering access to better resources if he would serve her every whim like a pet. The proposal had always been more about humiliating him than helping.
Jack almost laughed at the absurdity.
Chen Darong, Jack's loyal friend, jumped in before he could speak again. "Keep dreaming, Lin. My brother is the man you will never get!"
"You—!" Lin Ting's face tightened, but Chen Darong's family connections gave her pause. She forced a calm breath, then offered Jack a smile that was more challenge than warmth.
"I look forward to your test," she said, and swept back to her class like the flawless swan she believed herself to be.
"Tch. What a hypocrite," Chen Darong muttered, patting Jack on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I've got cousins with personalities ten thousand times better than hers."
Jack only sighed. "…"
Wang Zhou had seen the exchange but chose not to intervene. Instead, he turned back to the final Class 1 contender with a kindly nod.
---
Tang Zihao's Moment
"Tang Zihao from Class 1, your turn."
A tall, striking boy strode onto the platform. His quiet confidence drew a chorus of dreamy sighs from the girls in the audience. Without a word, he placed his hand into the tester.
The crystal flared—brighter even than Lin Ting's.
The device announced: "Tang Zihao, C-level Beast Enhancement—Demon Tiger Transformation!"
The hall exploded.
"C-level?! Incredible!"
"I thought the Tang family's strongest beast form was just D-level werewolf!"
"You're behind the times. Two hundred years ago one of their elders achieved a C-level Demon Tiger. Looks like the bloodline resurfaces!"
"This is practically first- or second-grade elite territory!"
Tang Zihao's usually stoic face lit with rare excitement. "Demon Tiger Beast Transformation… I really awakened it!"
Wang Zhou beamed. "C-grade! Outstanding, Zihao. You have a brilliant future ahead!"
"Thank you, Teacher," Tang Zihao replied with measured calm, though his clenched fists betrayed his thrill.
Media crews buzzed, cameras flashing.
"Young Master Tang must be this year's strongest senior," a reporter said.
"Not so fast," another countered. "What about Jack? His physical stats beat Tang Zihao's across the board."
"Him? Please. He's never even taken gene-enhancing treatments. He might awaken, but F-level at best—maybe E-level if luck shines."
"That's the tragedy of ordinary people," someone else sighed. "If Jack had access to genetic boosters, he'd easily be D-level or higher."
The debate swirled through the hall, a mix of admiration for Tang Zihao and doubt about Jack.
---
Jack Steps Forward
At last Wang Zhou raised his voice. "Class 2, prepare yourselves. It's your turn. Jack, please come forward."
The Awakening Hall fell completely silent.
Every camera swung toward Class 2. Jack's name had been plastered across promotional posters for weeks—hailed by commoners as a symbol of hope, dismissed by elites as a passing novelty.
Now we'll see, the crowd thought. Would the young man who trained on sheer grit alone rise like a comet—or burn out like so many before him?
"I'm first?" Jack murmured with a faint smile. "That's fine."
He rose slowly. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes as he walked toward the testing platform, calm and unhurried, the weight of countless expectations following every step.
---
To be continued…
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