CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: YOU STILL COUNT FOR NOTHING

Fortunately, Wang Lan was long accustomed to a dull academic life and enduring solitude, having mastered his own study methods. For an entire month, he rose at six every morning and went to bed at ten every night, with all three meals being takeout.

After a whole month of fruitful dedication, he finally managed to go through all three years of textbooks. But did that mean mastery? Wang Lan could only say he had a basic grasp. To keep up with Jiang Xinyu and Xu Xiangwen, he would need to spend another half a year practicing and repeatedly comprehending. Learning is never an overnight affair.

But... the first day of school had arrived.

Two days earlier, Wang Lan had received an enrollment notice from Suzhou No.1 Middle School’s Star Martial Arts Campus. The class he was assigned to was Senior Three, Class One. It was uncertain whether Jiang Xinyu had pulled some strings or if the school had arranged it that way.

Wang Lan’s home wasn’t far from Suzhou No.1 Middle School. He usually walked, or, if he managed to squeeze onto a crowded bus, he’d take that.

Today, being the first day of school, every bus was packed to the brim, so Wang Lan leisurely walked to school. Although he had been at the same school for two years, this was his first time entering the Star Martial Arts Campus.

Upon arriving at the entrance, he saw Jiang Xinyu, dressed in a white dress, leaning against the gate and looking at him. Beside her, Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu were chatting, their arms over each other’s shoulders.

Wang Lan strode forward. "You guys are here so early?"

"Lanzi’s here? Early? Everyone gets up very early on the first day of school."

"It’s only you, Lanzi, who’s like an old cadre, as steady as a rock all year round."

Following the three into Class One, Wang Lan saw that about half of the students had already arrived. He clearly felt many eyes on him; after two years with the same classmates, a new face would naturally draw attention.

Only junior high and elementary school students held exceptional reverence for Wang Lan, the ’Scholastic Deity.’ His high school peers might have heard his name, but eight or nine out of ten wouldn’t know what he looked like.

"Where should I sit?"

Jiang Xinyu pointed to a seat not far away. "There. It used to be Wang Youle’s seat."

As soon as Wang Lan set down his bag and took his seat, a buzz arose in the classroom.

Wang Lan discreetly surveyed the class. He realized that the Star Martial Arts Campus was indeed full of eccentricities. Some students had hair dyed in various colors, others sported a distinctly non-mainstream look, and he could even spot a few extreme fashion aficionados in a corner of the classroom.

The ratio of boys to girls was quite balanced, but their hairstyles all boldly expressed their individuality. Wang Lan, whose appearance would normally blend into any crowd, actually stood out as an oddity in this classroom.

Wang Lan picked up a book and began to read quietly. After some time, the bell signaling the start of class rang. A stylish female teacher in high heels walked into the classroom.

"Students, it’s been a summer vacation since we last met. Did you miss your teacher?"

"We did—"

"Especially in the dead of night—"

"We were going stir-crazy at home!"

"Alright, I have some grave news to announce. Our classmate, Wang Youle, was in the Tinglin Trial Ground during the summer break for training when he inadvertently discovered a Demon Clan spy’s plot to destroy the facility. Wang Youle didn’t turn a blind eye. Instead, he took a stand for the greater good of our nation and tracked the spy. Unfortunately, he was discovered and subsequently pursued and killed by a high-level demon. Though he sacrificed his life, he successfully relayed the intelligence to the garrison at the trial ground. Thanks to his efforts, the Demon Clan’s plot was foiled, and their forces within the trial ground were completely annihilated by our troops. As we celebrate our victory, let us also give a round of applause to our martyr, Wang Youle."

Crisp applause filled the room.

Wang Lan had previously forgotten to ask if Wang Youle’s death would cause any complications, but now it seemed... there would be no trouble. To the public, a noble death was its own reward.

"Alright, I have another announcement. Starting today, we have a new student joining our class: Wang Lan. Please stand up and greet your classmates."

Wang Lan stood up. "Hello everyone, my name is Wang Lan. Some of you may have heard of me; I’m the Wang Lan from the neighboring campus. I look forward to getting along with all of you!"

"Huh? The Scholastic Deity? What brings you here?"

"No way! Did the other campus run out of room for you?"

"Scholastic Deity, tell us, is your awakened Star Martial talent related to studying?"

"Your Eminence, Scholastic Deity, the great task of raising our class’s liberal arts average score now rests on you!"

Even though this was a Star Martial Class, they were just like the senior students at the other campus—a bunch of goofy teenagers.

"Please take your seat, Wang Lan. Wang Lan awakened his Star Martial Warrior talent during this past summer vacation. Ordinarily, he would have to start from the first year. However, after discussion and deliberation, the school considered his excellent past academic record and decided to let him join Senior Three directly. I believe with Wang Lan’s abilities, he should be able to catch up on his academic subjects, right?"

"I don’t think it will be a problem," Wang Lan nodded, smiling confidently. As the Scholastic Deity, I am unbeatable in the domain of learning.

"Good. The school also has an additional arrangement for you. If, by the end of the next semester, your academic performance hasn’t reached the expected standard, the school will make an exception and have you repeat the year. I hope you won’t mind, Wang Lan. After all, the school leadership considers you a seed student for the Four Great Academies. In fact, the principal of the neighboring campus nearly came to blows with our principal over your transfer."

The classroom erupted in laughter.

"Alright, let’s begin with the roll call—"

The atmosphere in the Star Martial Arts Campus classroom was very relaxed, something unimaginable at the neighboring campus. In an ordinary high school, students were on edge not only during class but even during breaks, not daring to slack off for a moment. Every student and every teacher was racing against time.

The bell signaling the end of class rang. Students either left the classroom or gathered in small groups to chat.

"How is it? Settling in okay?" Jiang Xinyu’s voice asked.

"Surprisingly relaxed!"

Just then, Wang Lan noticed a girl with long, orange-red hair from two rows behind him hesitantly approaching. She had a sweet face and a tall figure. However, she seemed a bit shy, stopping beside Jiang Xinyu and hesitating to speak.

Jiang Xinyu seemed not to see her, but Wang Lan turned to look at the girl with some curiosity.

"Xie Sisi?" Jiang Xinyu turned her head slightly, asking indifferently.

"Um... Xinyu, since Wang Youle sacrificed himself... does that mean your team has an open spot? I wanted to ask..."

A flicker of pity crossed Jiang Xinyu’s eyes, but she slowly shook her head. "Your strength is too lacking."

"Xinyu, I really do train very hard... and I successfully broke through to the late Starlight phase during the summer break... Plus, I have a talent for Star Power control... I won’t hold the team back..."

"Your strength isn’t the main issue. Our team is already full," Jiang Xinyu said, shaking her head with a hint of helplessness.

"Is that so? Then... I’m sorry to have bothered you." Xie Sisi’s voice was dejected as she quietly turned and walked away.

"Xinyu..." Wang Lan waited until Xie Sisi had left before speaking to Jiang Xinyu in a low voice.

"Lanzi, now you see where Xinyu gets her ’Ice-Snow Queen’ title, right? Cold as ice, frosty as snow, utterly ruthless, Her Majesty the Queen!" Xu Xiangwen teased with a light laugh.

"Entering the trial ground at the Starlight phase is tantamount to suicide, and I can’t always be there to protect her," Jiang Xinyu explained. "It’s better to be firm now and extinguish her hopes than to be soft-hearted and lead her into a fatal situation."

Wang Lan nodded silently. Sometimes, being kind isn’t truly beneficial for others; decisiveness, even if it seems harsh, can also be a form of care.

"I say, Monitor, you really are reaching, aren’t you? Pushing yourself forward like that. To them, we commoners are nothing. It’s a good thing she rejected you. If she hadn’t, you might not even know how you died."

At this, one student from a group of four in the class suddenly called out, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Song Bo, what are you implying?" Xie Sisi, who hadn’t gone far, turned back.

"Implying? I wouldn’t dare. Wang Youle definitely went into the trial ground with you three. All of you came out fine, but his death is so mysterious, tsk tsk tsk... Who knows how he really died?"

"Song Bo, are you looking for a beating? How about we settle this on the sports field at noon?" Xu Xiangwen slammed his hand on a desk and retorted angrily.

"Does Young Master Xu only know how to reason with his two greatswords? Monitor Xie, I advise you to stop trying to curry favor with those who are indifferent. They’re rich young masters, and we’re commoners; you need to recognize your own standing."

"Who’s eating lemons?" Wang Lan suddenly shouted, fanning the air vigorously with his hand.

"Eating lemons? Who?" someone asked.

"If no one’s eating lemons, then why is the air thick with such a sour smell?" Wang Lan retorted.

"It seems the Scholastic Deity takes issue with what I said?" Song Bo sneered. "Well, that figures. The Scholastic Deity walked in with them; you must be from a wealthy family too, right?"

"Don’t spread false rumors! I’m quite poor. It’s just that you’ve been spouting nonsense from the start, trying to confuse things, and I can’t stand it."

"How have I been spouting nonsense? You tell me! Why did Wang Youle die while the three of them lived? How can you be sure Wang Youle wasn’t set up to die by them?"

"There are official news reports and announcements stating Wang Youle died at the hands of a Demon Clan spy. That shouldn’t be false, right? As for why Jiang Xinyu, Xu Xiangwen, and Gong Feiyu made it out unscathed, isn’t that obvious? They’re strong, so they survived. Wang Youle was less skilled, so naturally, he didn’t make it. What, is your logic that the strong should have weaker survival skills? That’s illogical!

Furthermore, you claim that you ’commoners’ are nothing in the eyes of the ’elite.’ Does Jade Country even have such a clear divide between ’elite’ and ’commoner’? Can any student here say who has proclaimed themselves ’elite’ and looked down on ’commoners’? Is being from a well-off family a sin? I haven’t heard any well-off students calling themselves ’elite’ or despising ’commoners.’ On the contrary, all this talk of ’elite’ and ’commoner’ comes from you. Jiang Xinyu and her friends haven’t called themselves ’elite,’ yet you’re quick to label yourselves ’commoners.’ It seems the one who truly looks down on ’commoners’ is you.

As for your claim that in Jiang Xinyu’s eyes, Xie Sisi is less than nothing, that’s even more wrong.

I think, in Jiang Xinyu’s mind, you could at least count as a fart. Otherwise, she would have completely ignored the fart you just let out."

"PFFT—"

"Hahaha..."

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

"My good sir, you’re mistaken! How could you be less than nothing... you can definitely count as a fart! Hahaha... I’m dying of laughter..."

"When the Scholastic Deity lays down a burn, it’s truly on another level!"

The classroom erupted into laughter, while Song Bo and his three companions trembled with rage.

"You... you’re asking for death!"

Just as Song Bo was about to lunge forward, the temperature in the classroom suddenly plummeted!

RIIING—

At that precise moment, the bell for the next class rang.