Zhou Haoyu and Li Zixuan froze, then began to pound their chests in regret.
"Argh, I thought A looked right, but I didn't pick it!"
Zhao Mu couldn't help chuckling.
"Zhao Mu, how early did you hand in your paper?"
Li Zixuan asked curiously.
Zhao Mu pulled a cup from his shoulder bag, took a sip, and answered, "About half an hour. The questions were pretty easy."
Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu: "..."
The two suddenly didn't feel like talking to him.
"Seriously? A lot of that stuff was never taught at school—it's way beyond the syllabus. I'll be lucky to pass."
Zhao Mu smiled faintly. "Electronic marking; scores will be out soon."
Once every paper was turned in, the examiner scanned them with a device and uploaded them straight to the control room.
Instructor Xie Yingxue and a few staff only had to review a couple of subjective questions, so it went quickly.
On the square, everyone gathered, chatting noisily about the test.
Golden Elephant City sat on the steps, surrounded by the teammates he'd recruited.
His voice carried; you could hear his exaggerated tones from far away.
"What? Question three was A? Man, I picked C!"
His over-the-top expressions had everyone roaring with laughter.
Right then his electronic wristband buzzed.
After a glance he told the others, "Ha! Bathroom break—wait for me!"
He strolled off alone.
Golden Elephant City climbed to the second floor and found Classroom 207.
The tiered lecture hall was huge; at the center table a youth toyed with a baseball.
Shao Han glanced at him and grinned oddly. "Your little flock's coming along nicely. Those sheep are so gullible—flatter them a bit and they'll die for you."
He whipped the baseball straight at him.
Golden Elephant City caught it neatly, chuckling. "Hey, what are you saying? They're my brothers. I'm bringing everyone together for their own good—going solo lowers their chance of passing."
Golden Elephant City came from Lujiang City's powerful Jin clan; Shao Han was the son of the deputy envoy of lujiang city garrison—they'd known each other for years.
"So, why'd you call me up here?"
Shao Han didn't beat around the bush. He hopped off the table, walked up, hands in pockets, and stared at him. "Among this batch is a guy I can't stand. During the next trial I want you to eliminate him."
Golden Elephant City's eyes flickered.
"What sort of character can't Young Master Shao handle himself, and needs my help?"
Shao Han smiled thinly. "It's not that I can't; I just can't enter this trial. Otherwise I wouldn't bother you. Will you do it?"
Golden Elephant City's gaze flashed; he grinned. "Tell me first—who?"
"Zhao Mu!"
The tall, handsome youth with the faint smile appeared in Golden Elephant City's mind.
"Zhao Mu—the former Genius of Yuwu No. 2 Middle School, but he only awakened an E-rank Talent at the Spirit Awakening Ceremony."
Golden Elephant City raised an eyebrow; the target didn't sound troublesome.
"Easy. We're brothers; your business is mine. Leave it to me."
Shao Han pulled a small bottle from his pocket—five meditation capsules inside.
"Payment."
Golden Elephant City waved it off. "No need, just a small favor—no need to be polite."
Shao Han smiled faintly. "Better to keep the ledger clear."
Favors are the hardest debts; he'd rather spend a little cash.
Golden Elephant City spread his hands helplessly. "Fine, as you wish."
He accepted the meditation capsules—hugely helpful for a Spirit Energy User in the Fighting Fang realm.
As he walked back downstairs, his electronic wristband delivered the test results.
Golden Elephant City scored 21 out of 30—an excellent mark.
He smiled, but then saw an eye-catching number on the ranking.
Zhao Mu: 40 points.
The outrageous score sat at the top; second place had only 23.
"It's him!"
Recalling his promise to Shao Han, Golden Elephant City's lips curled in amusement.
"So it won't be that simple. Doesn't matter—I've got plenty of people. Whatever form the Martial Trial takes, I can eliminate him."
He scratched his head, regretful. "Pity he didn't join my team—would've made kicking him out even easier."
Zhao Mu's perfect score stunned everyone; they all asked: who is Zhao Mu?
"No way! That paper was devilish hard and someone got full marks?"
"If Qingfeng Camp weren't so strict I'd swear someone cheated for him."
"Insane—he's left everyone else in the dust by a dozen points on the Written Exam alone."
Learning he was the fallen Genius of No. 2 with an E-rank Talent, the chatter resumed.
"An E-rank wannabe? Cannon-fodder."
"Top of the Written Exam—so what? If he can't pass the Martial Trial he's still out."
...Only students from Yuwu Middle School knew a bit of inside info; they kept quiet, happy to let outsiders provoke Zhao Mu.
They were rivals; the more fools who tangled with Zhao Mu, the better.
Zhou Haoyu and Li Zixuan stared at Zhao Mu as if he were a monster.
Only Zhao Mu remained calm; he'd expected the result and felt nothing.
Soon the electronic wristband chimed again.
"Written Exam complete. You now have one hour to rest, then assemble at the foot of Xiuyun Mountain, to the front-right of the circular classroom, for the Martial Trial."
"Those who need to eat or drink can head to the canteen—today's meals are free!"
"Enjoy it while you can; after today you may never set foot in Qingfeng Camp again."
The announcement came in a playful female voice.
Zhao Mu stood up. "Let's go eat."
Before the Martial Trial they had to fill their stomachs and recharge.
Zhou Haoyu and Li Zixuan hurried after him; many eyes followed, full of curiosity.
"Wonder how tough that E-rank guy really is."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)