"First, an announcement. Our classmate, Wei Nan, has taken a leave of absence. He probably won't be back until before the Martial Arts Exam."
"One more thing. The school just sent out a notice.
Starting tomorrow, all academic classes will be changed to study hall."
"You can arrange your own schedules. Those who have registered for the Martial Arts Exam can choose to go to the Martial Arts Hall instead of coming to school. For students not taking the exam, you can also manage your own time."
"However, for those not planning to take the Martial Arts Exam, your only path forward is the regular college entrance exam."
"If you can really push yourselves in this final stretch, you can still get into a decent university!"
"At the very least, you'll have no problem making a living!"
"So... as for which path to choose, you should go home and discuss it with your parents."
"Last thing. Registration for the Martial Arts Exam closes next Wednesday. If you want to sign up and haven't yet, do it now. If you miss the deadline, it could affect the rest of your life!"
As the homeroom teacher finished his last sentence, his gaze drifted, intentionally or not, toward Lin Yi.
In truth, Lin Yi's Martial Arts achievements were plain for all the class to see.
His talent had always been good. If he could just register for the Martial Arts Exam, his chances of being accepted weren't small.
But the thirty-thousand-yuan registration fee had become an insurmountable hurdle for Lin Yi.
After watching him for a few seconds, the homeroom teacher looked away.
"Alright, let's begin class..."
The morning passed in tedious boredom.
At noon, the bell rang for lunch. The students all rushed toward the school cafeteria.
Lin Yi was packing up his desk, also planning to head to the cafeteria for lunch, when just as he stepped out of the classroom, he saw his homeroom teacher, Liu Song, walking over.
"Lin Yi, come with me for a moment."
Lin Yi was startled for a moment, then nodded and followed his homeroom teacher.
When they arrived at the office, Liu Song closed the door.
Now, it was just the two of them in the office.
"Lin Yi, regarding the Martial Arts Exam, what are your plans?" Liu Song didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
Lin Yi's brow furrowed. "Teacher Liu, I..."
"I know about your family situation, and I understand the predicament you're in."
"Thirty thousand is certainly not a small sum for many families."
"It's just that you have a real talent for Martial Arts, and your comprehension is high."
"If you choose to give up because of this, I think it would be a real shame. Your Martial Arts instructor has also told me a bit about your situation."
"Looking at your current Martial Arts achievements and your Qi and Blood value, getting into a Martial Arts University shouldn't be a major problem. I called you in here because I wanted to ask, besides your father, do you have any other family?"
"Relatives on your father's side? Or perhaps on your mother's side?"
After Liu Song finished speaking, Lin Yi shook his head.
"There's no one..."
In truth, Lin Yi himself wasn't sure if he had any other relatives.
In his memory, the very concept of "relatives" seemed to not exist.
The only vague memory he had was of his mother insisting on marrying Lin Dazhi back then, against her family's wishes.
Because of that, her side of the family cut off all ties with her.
More than a decade had passed in a flash, and they had never been in contact since.
As for relatives on Lin Dazhi's side, he had absolutely no memory of them.
So, having relatives was the same as having none.
Liu Song glanced at Lin Yi.
"Then tell me now, do you want to take the Martial Arts Exam?"
Lin Yi nodded. "Teacher Liu, of course I want to take the Martial Arts Exam..."
"Alright, then. If you want to take it, I'll help you figure something out. I'll cover the registration fee for you. If you really get into a Martial Arts University in the future, you can pay me back after you graduate."
"I really can't bear to see such a promising talent like you go to waste."
Liu Song's words left Lin Yi utterly shocked.
He never would have imagined that his homeroom teacher would be willing to pay the registration fee for him out of his own pocket.
Thirty thousand. That wasn't a small sum.
The average monthly salary in the Old District was only about two thousand.
A salary of five thousand was considered top-tier.
You even had to risk your life to earn that kind of money.
The Old District was short on resources, and public safety was poor.
For an ordinary person, night was like Hell.
Violence, bloodshed, demonic beasts...
Any one of them could easily take a life. Even though the Martial Arts Police Station managed public security, they still couldn't change the current situation.
Much less regenerate the resources needed for survival.
It would take a very long time to save up thirty thousand...
Lin Yi quickly shook his head. "Teacher Liu, I can't take this money. It's not right for you to be the one to pay!"
"I appreciate the kind thought, but I absolutely cannot accept this money..."
"Don't worry, there's still time before registration closes. I'll find a way to get the fee before the deadline. Thank you..."
Lin Yi was deeply moved.
Even a stranger couldn't bear to see his future ruined.
But Lin Dazhi... he was worse than a stranger.
Liu Song gave Lin Yi a sympathetic look.
"Lin Yi, your talent and your character—we've all seen it."
"But I must warn you, no matter what, you are not to do anything illegal, and certainly nothing immoral or wicked."
"You said you have a way. Fine. Then use your own way and give it your all."
"I won't take back what I just said. If you can't come up with the registration fee by the deadline next Wednesday, I will pay it for you," Liu Song said with a serious expression.
Hearing this, Lin Yi's eyes reddened.
He nodded lightly. "Okay. Before the deadline next Wednesday..."
"Go on, head to the cafeteria and get some food," Liu Song said, a faint smile on his face.
Lin Yi gave him a deep bow.
Only then did he walk out of the office.
Just as he was about to open the door, he stopped again.
He turned back to Liu Song and said, "Teacher Liu, can I ask, did something happen at Wei Nan's house?"
"Wei Nan? I'm not sure about that. His mom was the one who called me this morning.
She just said he needed to take some time off and probably wouldn't be back at school until before the Martial Arts Exam."
"Oh, right. You and Wei Nan are usually close. Why don't you give him a call later and find out?"
Lin Yi nodded.
After thanking his homeroom teacher again, he opened the door and hurried out.
Knowing Wei Nan, unless something major had happened at home, he would never take a leave of absence so easily.
Especially not for such a long time.
'He took the same Demon Hunting mission as me. He would have gone looking for his target last night, too.'
He drew in a sharp breath. 'Don't tell me something happened to him last night?'
A knot of panic tightened in Lin Yi's chest, and he broke into a run toward the cafeteria.