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This immediately made Xiao Xiao unhappy. She slammed the table and stood up, looking directly at Zhou Yi as she said decisively, "Teacher Zhou, I want to be in a group with Yuwen Tuo."
Her close relationship with Yuwen Tuo was well-known throughout the class, and many even believed they were already a couple.
Why did Zhou Yi separate them when assigning team members?
The lenses of Zhou Yi's glasses glinted as she replied, "Xiao Xiao, don't rush. I understand your feelings, but you don't need to worry about Yuwen Tuo. According to the rules, each homeroom teacher of a freshman class can recommend one student for direct admission to bypass the assessment. This year, our academy granted me two spots due to special circumstances, which will cover the extra students."
"Song Qinghan."
"Here!" The named student quickly stood up. He was a rather inconspicuous figure in the class, clearly not expecting to be called first.
Zhou Yi continued, "My first specially recommended student is you. Based on my observations, I believe you are more suited to continue your training in the Soul Tool Department. Do you have any objections? You have two choices now: either join the Soul Tool Department or pack your bags and leave."
How domineering! All the students' eyes unconsciously turned toward Song Qinghan.
"I accept. Thank you, Teacher Zhou." Song Qinghan didn't resist. Whether he genuinely wanted to join the Soul Tool Department or simply wished to stay, rejection wasn't an option.
"The other spot goes to Yuwen Tuo. I recommend you join the Battle Soul Department."
Zhou Yi intended to give the second recommendation slot to Yuwen Tuo so that Xiao Xiao would be forced into a group with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. This, in her mind, was the strongest combination possible for their class.
Although Huo Yuhao's spirit power level was low, his mental support soul skill was unparalleled. Xiao Xiao excelled in offense, defense, control, and support—four key areas. Having revealed her dual martial souls to the academy beforehand, her homeroom teacher Zhou Yi already knew about it and considered her a key student to nurture.
Wang Dong was one of the top two powerful offensive battle soul masters in the class. Together, these three formed an ideal team: one supporting role, one attacker, and one all-rounder.
Though Yuwen Tuo was also extremely strong, there were two issues. First, the rules restricted each team to only one powerful offensive type, making his position redundant alongside Wang Dong. Compared to the rebellious Yuwen Tuo, Zhou Yi naturally preferred Wang Dong, who was more obedient due to his connection with Huo Yuhao.
Secondly, Yuwen Tuo was nothing but a lazy fish in her eyes—not someone she planned to cultivate. The champion prize for the freshman assessment was highly valuable, and she wanted to secure it for her favored students. Moreover, Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eye martial soul showed immense talent for soul tools, catching the attention of her husband, Fan Yu.
Thus, giving the recommendation slot to Yuwen Tuo seemed like the perfect solution—it thwarted Xiao Xiao's desires while letting this lazy fish pass without effort, achieving both goals.
In truth, this second recommendation spot was originally compensation offered by the school to Yuwen Tuo.
However, before Zhou Yi could finish speaking, Yuwen Tuo interrupted, "I refuse!"
Zhou Yi frowned. "Yuwen Tuo, what do you mean? This is a teacher's order—you cannot refuse."
"So what if I refuse? Are you going to expel me?" Yuwen Tuo calmly responded. "If you can expel me, then I'll leave right away. If not, stop wasting my time. I've heard of people begging for recommendations and being rejected, but never of someone refusing a recommendation and still being forced to accept it. Is there such a rule? Teacher Zhou, I'm not one of your previous students who can tolerate your authoritarian terms. I will participate in the freshman assessment, and as for that recommendation spot, you can give it to whomever you please."
"You..." Zhou Yi pointed at Yuwen Tuo, about to explode in anger, but he continued.
"The school rules clearly state that students may freely decide their teams for the freshman assessment. Only if no team is formed within two days prior to the competition will teachers intervene. Teacher Zhou, I intend to participate in the assessment, and Xiao Xiao wants to be on my team. Which rule have we violated?"
He still needed to complete Ling Luochen's trial. Moreover, he remembered that the champion of this year's freshman tournament would receive a spirit bone. Although Yuwen Tuo didn't need it, gifting it to Xiao Xiao would be fitting—it belonged to her anyway.
Currently, Huo Yuhao was significantly weaker than in the original storyline. With his low spirit power, the duration of his auxiliary skills would decrease by several minutes.
Never underestimate those few minutes—they had determined countless narrow victories in the original story. Losing that time would undoubtedly have a significant impact.
If Xiao Xiao teamed up with Huo Yuhao, winning the championship might become unlikely.
"Hmph, it's like you and Yuhao desperately need me," Wang Dong stood up, irritated. "Teacher Zhou, since this Xiao Xiao thinks so little of me and Yuhao, let her team up with whoever she wants. Just the two of us are enough!"
She was a proud young lady who couldn't stand being looked down upon.
Moreover, she often overestimated herself, frequently referring to herself as "this master" when disguised as a boy.
"I'm sorry, Wang Dong, Class President. That's not what I meant," Xiao Xiao hurriedly explained.
She didn't look down on Huo Yuhao. On the contrary, she always thought he was diligent, responsible, and hardworking despite his lower aptitude. She respected him as their class president.
As for Wang Dong, she was a genius on par with Yuwen Tuo in class. While lacking some of Yuwen Tuo's masculine vigor, she possessed a softer beauty, embodying the traditional image of a handsome man. Who wouldn't want such a teammate?
However, liking someone else didn't mean disliking them. Xiao Xiao liked Yuwen Tuo, and since the rules allowed free choice of teammates, why shouldn't she choose to team up with the person she loved?
"It's okay, Xiao Xiao. I understand," Huo Yuhao said.
Because of his past experiences and spiritual martial soul, Huo Yuhao had a deeper understanding of human emotions. His spirit power was the lowest in the class, and he knew many resented him as class president.
Only a handful treated him without disdain.
Wang Dong was one, and Xiao Xiao and Yuwen Tuo were the others.
Just as he and Wang Dong would never separate, Xiao Xiao naturally wouldn't part from Yuwen Tuo. Putting himself in her shoes, he understood.
"Teacher, since Xiao Xiao and Yuwen Tuo have already formed a team, let's find new partners," Huo Yuhao suggested.
"Sigh, do whatever you want!" Zhou Yi sighed.
These three kids completely failed to understand her intentions. Only by teaming together did they stand a chance at winning the championship. Once separated, they might struggle to reach even the quarterfinals.
It was all thanks to Yuwen Tuo, the problematic student, ruining her plans entirely.
After this official reshuffling, she vowed to get rid of this troublesome burden no matter what.