Mu Bai's recent changes over the past few days had to be connected to that person.
And from some things Zhou Min had let slip, about a week ago in the evening, Old Xue had taken her and that pretty-boy to a dinner hosted by a homeroom teacher from a neighboring class.
She'd mentioned that she saw Xu Zhaoting and Wang Teng at the dinner too—but that was as far as it went.
As for what actually happened at the banquet, she didn't say a single word. Ever since that night, those two had started to change, even frequently avoiding others to talk in private.
For some reason, Mo Fan felt an itch in his heart. He really wanted to know what had happened that night. He truly couldn't stand that pretty-boy's attitude of everyone's awake while I alone am drunk.
Especially Zhou Min. Normally, she loved managing class affairs, but lately she'd gone completely silent—either lost in thought or meditating.
Class matters seemed to have been thrown completely out of her mind. What on earth had happened to make them like this?
Someone who used to argue with him every day suddenly stopped arguing. They didn't even bother paying attention to him anymore, fully immersed in their own world.
For a moment, he had the illusion that the entire world had changed.
"Silence!"
A sharp shout suddenly came from the front. The students immediately quieted down and looked ahead.
"Next, please welcome the principal…"
...
"Next, please welcome the school board member…"
"For this year's annual assessment, we are honored to invite the Mu Family's super genius, Mu Ningxue, to attend as a guest…"
After a round of speeches, the entire field erupted into cheers—especially the boys standing in the front rows, voices raised and faces flushed red.
"Damn it, they're shouting so loud I can't even hear what the princess is saying!"
"Ah—those people in front are seriously awful!"
"Animals!"
"Why didn't they arrange me to stand in the front!"
...
Mu Ningxue passed the microphone to the next speaker and returned to her position. To be honest, being worshipped by over a thousand people—it was impossible to feel nothing at all.
It was just that she'd seen far grander scenes before, so she could maintain her composure. Moreover, among this crowd, there was someone she knew quite well.
"Alright, quiet down. Next comes the annual assessment."
Thirty formations, over a thousand students, all participating in the annual assessment at once.
At the very front, aside from the examiners, stood the homeroom teachers, responsible for maintaining order and guiding students forward.
"Old Wang, stop thinking about your meditation already—it's almost our turn."
Xu Zhaoting looked extremely excited, especially after seeing Mu Ningxue inspecting from the direction of Class 6, and noticing Zhang Jianguo giving him meaningful looks.
"Seriously, it's just an assessment. It's not like you're going to fail. What are you getting so excited for?"
Wang Teng really couldn't stand Xu Zhaoting's pushing and nudging anymore and was forced to say an extra sentence.
"Xu Zhaoting!"
Zhang Jianguo called out loudly, his face flushed with excitement. Xu Zhaoting hurried out of the formation—and just happened to see Mu Ningxue walking over.
He froze on the spot.
The rumors were indeed true—names could be wrong, but nicknames never were.
Unfortunately, with his limited vocabulary, the only word he could come up with was beautiful.
"Cough, cough—alright, hurry up and start the test."
Even Zhang Jianguo felt a little embarrassed. Staring at someone like that—this kid's skin was really thick.
"Ah, okay."
Xu Zhaoting placed his hand on the Star Perception Stone, which immediately shone with a brilliant purple light.
"S"
"S"
"S"
Just the Star Perception Stone test alone earned him an SSS rating, making Old Zhang so happy he could barely contain himself.
Without stopping, Xu Zhaoting moved on to the second part—the magic release test.
"Listen to my command!"
"Foremost of all elements—Lightning!"
"Lightning Seal!"
With his overly dramatic incantation, arcs of electricity flashed. He raised his hand and blasted the target, a thunderous boom echoing out and leaving the surrounding students dumbstruck.
"Pfft—"
Wang Teng couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, immediately drawing a wave of irritated and angry looks from all around.
Xu Zhaoting seemed to realize where the sound had come from. Turning around and seeing everyone staring at Wang Teng, he instantly understood.
"Old Wang, why are you laughing at me?"
His face flushed red, clearly unhappy. He felt like he'd embarrassed himself in front of Mu Ningxue—though she hadn't really looked at him at all.
"It's nothing, I didn't—"
"Wang Teng, come up for the test!"
Old Zhang shouted loudly, briefly pulling everyone's attention away. At the same time, he shot Xu Zhaoting a meaningful look.
"Ningxue, what do you think?" Mu He asked with a beaming smile, practically waiting on her like an ancestor.
"Average."
Mu Ningxue replied softly. However, her gaze was already drawn to Wang Teng, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Xu Zhaoting was on his way back when he heard her evaluation. His body trembled slightly. He'd expected it—but it still dealt a heavy blow to his confidence.
Maybe…
"Ningxue, this is our school's Psychic Element student," Mu He said, seeing her attention on Wang Teng as he walked up, and hurried to introduce him.
Mu Ningxue ignored him.
Although she'd rated Xu Zhaoting as average, she wouldn't insult people. The person in front of her, however, reminded her of those spoiled young nobles from the Imperial Capital.
People who loved mocking others at will—though, of course, no one dared mock her.
Wang Teng walked up and glanced at Mu Ningxue. She was pretty, but she was also a walking bundle of trouble. For now, he wanted nothing to do with her.
He casually placed his hand on the Star Perception Stone, and in an instant, light burst forth—already a restrained result on his part.
"S"
"S"
"S"
"Would you like to release your magic?" the examiner asked warmly, eyes bright.
"Mm. Naturally."
Wang Teng withdrew his hand and slipped it into his pocket. His magic wasn't destructive—it didn't need to be released at a target.
At that moment, countless gazes gathered on him. Xu Zhaoting had already drawn attention earlier, and Wang Teng was stepping out under everyone's lingering dissatisfaction.
Even Tang Yue was watching from afar.
So he decided—to make things interesting.
"Very well. Please release your Psychic Element magic."
Out of the corner of his eye, Wang Teng glanced at Tang Yue and met her gaze. Then his lips moved.
"Calm."
A star pathway flashed by, like an illusion. In the next instant, a tranquil wave spread outward.
Under Wang Teng's control, it brushed lightly across Tang Yue's cheek—gentle, like a soothing touch—before immediately stopping.
Tang Yue seemed to sense something. Her eyes instantly sharpened with warning as she shot him a fierce glare.
This guy was getting more and more outrageous.
Pulling something like this in public?
If someone noticed… well, the mages here were all fairly mediocre. Catching such a subtle move really would be difficult.
The corner of Wang Teng's mouth curved upward slightly, as if he were openly teasing her.
"You are indeed talented. Instant star pathway, and your control over magic is exceptional!"
"Even in the Imperial Capital, you would be considered elite!"
"Your true capabilities should go far beyond this!"
"However—your behavior of sneering at your classmates is something I don't like."
Mu Ningxue suddenly stepped forward, speaking more than she usually ever did. Especially that final sentence—it instantly earned her the approval of teachers and students alike.
The boys in the front rows were even more fired up, their expressions practically screaming I'd die for someone who understands me.