The classes originally scheduled for this morning had been successfully moved to a few days later, all thanks to the coordination of their homeroom teacher, Guo Aiqing. The entire morning had been cleared for Zhang Yi and Li Boyang to engage in their Divine War.
After getting the opinions of Zhang Yi and Li Boyang and confirming that neither of them objected, their homeroom teacher, Guo Aiqing, had another idea. She decided to use the process of their Divine War as a case study, providing a running commentary for the rest of the class.
It had been years since any second-year students at Golden City First High School had held a Divine War. Therefore, when news of this long-awaited event got out, everyone from students and teachers of other classes to the grade directors and even the principal was intrigued and eager to witness it.
With the principal coordinating the efforts, the school quickly made all the necessary preparations. Golden City First High School's multimedia auditorium was temporarily converted into a Divine War observation hall, and Guo Aiqing's commentary session was turned into an open lecture for all to attend.
Over six hundred seats were filled; there wasn't an empty one in the house. In addition to their own classmates, many students from other classes, as well as the principal, had come to watch this Divine War, one that was being held so soon after the combatants had awakened their Divine Realms.
The massive crowd put considerable pressure on Li Boyang and Zhang Yi, who were on the stage. They hadn't given it much thought when they first agreed to this, but now, standing before an audience of over six hundred people, a sense of nervousness inevitably crept in.
Zhang Yi took a deep breath. He recalled all the preparations he had made, and his nerves began to settle.
I'm a future True God, destined to walk far down the path of a Divine Being. How can I let a little crowd make me nervous?
Li Boyang, on the other hand, only grew more nervous under the stares of the crowd. Zhang Yi, standing opposite him, could easily see his opponent's panic. Sweat had soaked through Li Boyang's clothes, his face was flushed, and his eyes were darting about nonstop. Clearly, now that the moment had arrived, it was Li Boyang who was getting cold feet.
Seeing this, Zhang Yi said nothing more and simply requested to begin the Divine War.
"Blue Star Will, Citizen ID 34358XXXXX, I request the supervision of the Blue Star Will to commence a Divine War!"
Li Boyang, who was still a bundle of nerves, saw Zhang Yi across from him already requesting supervision from the Blue Star Will to enter the Divine War Space. Terrified that Zhang Yi would seize the initiative, he immediately started his own application.
"Blue Star Will, Citizen ID 34569XXXXX, I request the supervision of the Blue Star Will to commence a Divine War!"
With that, the two entered the Divine War Space—a realm controlled by the Blue Star Will—as conscious projections, aided by the school's equipment. At the same time, Guo Aiqing, acting as the overseer, began the live broadcast of the Divine War.
Meanwhile, the principal and other school officials, seated in the front row of the multimedia auditorium, began to discuss the Divine War unfolding before them.
"Principal, what was your reasoning for not only allowing but actively supporting this Divine War?" Director Gao, the head of the second year, was the first to speak from his seat beside the principal. "They're just students who have recently awakened their Divine Realms. They aren't ready for a Divine War!"
As the second-year director, Gaoxin Bridge was strongly against students in his grade engaging in Divine Wars. After all, regardless of who won or lost, the loser would inevitably be affected. He felt he was speaking fairly and impartially, from the students' perspective.
"Director Gao, since when have you become so timid?" The one who spoke was the head of the third year, Fu Yuanhang. Due to their differing educational philosophies, the two of them often clashed. "Don't forget, two eras ago, the world wasn't nearly this peaceful. Things like this were commonplace. Even now, across the dozens of high schools in Golden City, there are hundreds of Divine Wars initiated every year in the third year alone! In the contest of Divine Beings, to not advance is to fall behind! This is a perfect chance to use these two as catfish to stir up the tank and motivate the other students who lack ambition!"
"Principal," another director interjected, "of the two students in conflict, the tall, skinny one is from the Li Family—a family in Golden City that has a True God. Perhaps we should…"
Hearing this, Gaoxin Bridge and Fu Yuanhang immediately stopped their bickering. After all, this involved the descendant of a True God.
The principal was a Weak Divine Being himself, yet he wielded the power of a True God. Therefore, it was best for him to make the decision.
Although the principal didn't know Li Boyang, the student mentioned by the first-year director, he was familiar with the other student involved in the conflict—Zhang Yi. In fact, he had quite a vivid impression of him.
The principal had met Zhang Yi's father during the second semester of Zhang Yi's first year. It happened when the boy was transferring to Golden City First High School, and the principal was processing the paperwork. It wasn't that Zhang Yi's father had sought him out, however. Rather, the principal had received a notice from the higher-ups in the education system. The notice stated that a student would be arriving in a few days, relocating for his parents' work, and would be transferring into their school. The principal was instructed to take good care of him and pay him special attention.
Because of this, he had personally approved Zhang Yi's transfer. At the time, he didn't know what Zhang Yi's parents did for a living. However, the fact that a work transfer warranted such special arrangements for a child's schooling—arrangements coordinated by the higher-ups, no less—meant the family definitely had a powerful background. A very powerful background.
Either they have immense potential, some of which has already been realized, or their family has a True God—and not just any ordinary True God. They're not someone a mere Weak Divine Being could trifle with. We're talking at least a Middle-Level Divine Being!
Thus, with a student of such a monumental background attending his school, the principal had been paying very close attention.
When he had met Zhang Yi's father during the transfer process, the power faintly emanating from the man had struck him as unfathomably deep.
His power is definitely greater than mine!
After a brief conversation, he learned that Zhang Yi's father was in the military and had come to Golden City because of a work reassignment. As for the man's specific duties or his unit, the principal knew better than to ask. However, the transfer did lead him to speculate about the man's identity.
As the principal of one of the top three high schools in Golden City, he was a "local power player" in his own right and naturally had his own connections. Furthermore, third-year students had to undergo genuine combat training every year. During that time, every school would collaborate with the military, so he had plenty of contacts within the armed forces.
After making some inquiries, he had indeed found a match among the newly appointed high-ranking military officials in the Golden City area. Afterward, he never overtly showed any special concern for the new transfer student, Zhang Yi, but behind the scenes, he was always aware of him.
So, the principal, with his many years of experience navigating complex social situations, had a perfect response to what the first-year director had just said.
"Since both students have chosen this duel and initiated a Divine War, then we, as the school, simply need to ensure their struggle is confined to a non-lethal outcome," he began.
"Besides, their homeroom teacher did inform their parents about the Divine War. Since their parents and legal guardians are aware of the situation and haven't objected, they must understand the principle that a plum blossom's fragrance comes from the bitter cold, and that a sword cannot be sharpened without being forged.
"The parents have consented, and the students have made their decision. We, as their teachers, shouldn't stand in their way! Sometimes, teenagers can't get to know each other without a fight. It's better for them to vent their frustrations!
"This duel can also serve to influence the other students and invigorate the learning atmosphere! So, let's not dwell on this matter any longer.
"Wouldn't you agree, my fellow directors?"
Since the principal had spoken and his words were, on the surface, flawless, they could only agree.