"So fast?!"
The entire class was in shock after hearing Sun Shuyu's announcement.
Tasks and missions were something every student expected eventually. But being deployed so soon after just two days of practical training? That was far beyond what they had imagined.
Unlike the people on the Blue Planet, students in Huaihai City didn't study just for personal improvement or academic goals. Here, attending school wasn't a right or a choice—it was an obligation. Students were bound to follow the academy's orders. And after awakening their superpowers, they were required to participate in missions—most of which involved hunting monsters.
This wasn't just some military exercise; it was about survival.
Huaihai City constantly faced threats from monsters lurking beyond its protective boundaries. Only by sending capable psychics to combat them could the city ensure its continued safety and peace. Every student, no matter their ability or background, had a responsibility to contribute.
Refusing to participate wasn't an option.
Any student who dared disobey would face punishment—ranging from official reprimands to, in the worst cases, expulsion. But expulsion wasn't just getting kicked out of school.
It meant losing the recognition of Huaihai College and being banned from the city.
No other city or academy would accept them. Those who were expelled would be forced to live outside the safety of city walls—alone in the wild, where monsters roamed free.
It was as good as a death sentence.
That's why expulsion was considered the harshest punishment. It was only used for the gravest offenses—repeated disobedience, betrayal, or attacking fellow students.
Under such a system, participating in missions was mandatory. And now, every student in the room had to face this reality.
"You all performed well during the last two days of training," Sun Shuyu said, trying to lift the class's spirits. "I have confidence you'll do just as well on your first official mission!"
"Do your best!"
But her words didn't lift the heavy mood hanging in the air.
---
The day passed quickly.
After school, students returned home—tired, thoughtful, and in most cases, nervous about the road ahead.
"Smith! Wait for me!" someone called from behind just as Smith reached the school gate.
He turned around to see Wei Lin jogging up.
"What's up?"
"Uh… Smith, you said you'd teach me about the Wood element… When can we start?" Wei Lin asked, scratching his head nervously.
He hadn't meant to be so direct, but time was running out. Their first mission was the day after tomorrow, and he hadn't even awakened a usable ability. If he didn't learn something soon, he'd be completely unprepared.
Smith considered it for a moment and nodded. "Alright. Come home with me."
"Really? Great!"
Wei Lin's face lit up, and he eagerly followed as they headed toward Smith's home.
---
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of Huaihai College…
Two figures stood at the edge of the building, watching the students file out below.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sun Shuyu asked, glancing sideways at Principal Wang Daochuan. "Letting them go on missions this soon, cutting their training short…"
It was a bold decision—and one that worried even her.
Wang Daochuan stood still, arms folded behind his back. He didn't speak immediately, taking a moment before answering.
"The situation has changed. Monsters are multiplying faster than we predicted. And they're evolving. Smarter. More aggressive," he said finally, his tone grave.
"If we stick to the old training schedule, we'll fall behind. And when that happens, we won't be able to protect this city."
He turned to look at her.
"The number of monsters already outnumbers humans. If they also match us in strength and speed… the outcome will be nothing but destruction."
"So," he continued, "we must prepare our students faster. Let them adapt to the battlefield early. There's no time to wait."
Despite his usually lazy demeanor, when Wang Daochuan spoke seriously, no one could argue with him.
Sun Shuyu pursed her lips and nodded.
She didn't fully agree, but she trusted the principal's judgment.
"How are our two Double S-level students doing?" he asked, shifting the subject.
"So far, pretty well," she replied. "Yan Yue has picked up water-based abilities at a remarkable pace. Her control is already excellent."
"And her holy attribute?"
"That…" Sun Shuyu paused. "I haven't seen her use it yet. So I'm not sure how developed it is."
Wang Daochuan chuckled softly. "Yan Yue has excellent talent. She likely already has control over it. She probably hasn't encountered a situation that calls for it yet. When the time comes, she'll use it."
That much was clear. The holy attribute was mysterious and rare—currently only two people in the entire academy possessed it: Wang Daochuan himself, and Yan Yue.
Since he wasn't concerned, Sun Shuyu decided to drop it.
"And what about the other student?" he asked.
"Smith," she replied, her expression becoming serious. "His performance surprised me."
Everyone knew that Wood and Psychic Eye abilities were considered the weakest among the known powers. They had the lowest recorded success rates and minimal battle effectiveness.
But during combat training, Smith had used a defensive Wood ability unlike anything they had seen before.
Its strength rivaled that of Earth or Water defenses—something previously thought impossible for a Wood user.
"Really?" Wang Daochuan looked genuinely intrigued.
"Should we… investigate further?" Sun Shuyu asked cautiously.
Wang Daochuan shook his head. "The reason Wood and Spirit Eye are ranked lowest is because we've never seen any S-level users of them."
"So far, Wood's highest performance has been at B-rank, and the Spirit Eye's at C-rank. There's never been anyone strong enough to fully develop them."
"But Smith…" he continued, "He's the first Double S-level psychic in the history of both departments. If anyone can overturn our assumptions, it's him."
"It's better to let him explore this on his own. He's the son of Jiang Lei, after all—he's not someone who will disappoint us."
Sun Shuyu nodded, her thoughts settling.
"Understood."
---
Back at the Smith residence…
"Welcome home, young master," the butler at the door greeted him politely.
"I brought a friend. Please prepare dinner for two," Smith said.
"Yes, young master."
Wei Lin, standing just behind him, looked around with awe.
"Whoa… Smith, your house is amazing…"
He had never seen anything like it. The massive courtyard, the garden, the architecture—it felt like stepping into a palace.
"It's nothing. Don't let it distract you," Smith said calmly. "All of this is just decoration. Let's get down to what really matters."
Smith didn't want Wei Lin to feel inferior or discouraged. That could affect his focus—and in training, mindset was everything.
Thankfully, once the topic turned serious, Wei Lin snapped out of his daze.
"Okay, let's get started," he said, clenching his fists.
"Before we begin, I need to make something clear," Smith said. His expression turned serious. "My Wood-style technique isn't something just anyone can learn."
"There's a high chance you won't be able to copy it. So prepare yourself for that possibility. Don't get your hopes up too much."
He wasn't trying to discourage him—but it was better to set expectations early. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
"I understand," Wei Lin said firmly.
"Alright then. Let's begin."