Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 64

The long-awaited formal start of school finally arrived. Early in the morning, Ling Xiao invited Red Head and others to the classroom, only to find that many people arrived even earlier than they did. The classroom was spacious, with only a few sets of desks and chairs placed near the walls. All the students sat on the carpet, forming a semicircle.

At the opening ceremony, the new students had already met each other. But there were so many people present at that time, and only today did they have a chance to formally introduce themselves face-to-face. Ling Xiao, always good at socializing, greeted almost everyone. Suddenly, he pointed to the corner.

“Ah, isn’t that the duo who got two stars during the entrance exam?” He pointed towards a place where one person was sitting on the floor while the other was resting his head on the first person’s lap, deeply… asleep. They chose a secluded spot, probably not wanting to be disturbed. Everyone else maintained their distance, except for Ling Xiao.

“Hello, I’m Ling Xiao from Bikong. Can I get to know you?” The awake one was stunned for a moment and then reached out. “Yu Ji, from Chunyang.”

“I remember seeing you two on the open day,” Ling Xiao recalled. They had efficiently dealt with an S-level imitation beast, leaving a deep impression.

“I also remember you. You were the one in the wheelchair.”

“Uh…”

“But you did well in the subsequent tests. We also saw your performance in yesterday’s school rule challenge. You are impressive.”

“Not at all. It was all thanks to my… Ying Feng helping me from below.”

“Is Ying Feng your Qizhu?”

“Uh… Yes.” Ling Xiao scratched his head embarrassedly. Ling Xiao found this person quite friendly and curiously pointed to the person next to him. “Why is he sleeping?”

Yu Ji gave a strained smile. “He developed a moderate mental injury and a sleep disorder due to some accidents after his coming-of-age ceremony. He will fall asleep whenever he has a chance, just like now.”

Ling Xiao could deeply relate. Disordered sleep during the turbulent period led him to always worry about not getting enough sleep. Whenever he woke up, he would instinctively cling to Ying Feng, as if he couldn’t sleep soundly without contact. Although the disordered period only lasted three days, the sequelae were permanent.

And he was only mildly affected. Moderate cases were obviously much more severe than his. Although he hadn’t spoken a word to this person, he already felt a sense of mutual understanding and sympathy.

“Let him sleep a little longer. I won’t disturb,” he whispered as he departed.

The instructor entered the classroom, and the chatting students went silent. After a brief introduction, the instructor delved into the lesson.

“Some of you may have already encountered mental powers. What I’m holding is the primary weapon of the Tianxiu people. It’s called a soul crystal, made from a soul stone within a living body combined with other materials. When we channel our mental powers into the crystal, it activates its energy.”

“In the past, every Tianxiu person needed to master the use of the soul crystal. But now, only a few can learn this special skill, and it’s available only to the military, military academies, or certain specific professions.”

Ling Xiao instinctively glanced at Bing Can. As if sensing Ling Xiao’s thoughts, the instructor called out his name. “Bing Can.”

“Present.”

“How did you obtain your soul crystal?”

“I got it from our academy’s doctor. She taught me how to use it. Her Qizi works in the military medical station.”

The instructor nodded. “That makes sense. Can you show it to everyone?”

Bing Can displayed his soul crystal—a tiny white crystal that seemed unremarkable at first glance.

“Different soul crystals have different levels, and each has its own unique effects. The one that Bing Can is holding is the most basic soul crystal in the mental category. After using it, one can quickly check a person’s physical condition. While it may not be as comprehensive as instrument-based checks, it’s very useful on the battlefield.”

“Each of you, being elites from various academies, must learn to use your mental powers within three days and activate a level one soul crystal. That’s our training task for this week.”

The instructor brought out 30 soul crystals for practice.

“Each semester, the department provides everyone with basic soul crystals for practice. But if you need more, you’ll have to buy them yourself or get them custom-made by students specializing in research and development.”

“This is a level 0 soul crystal. It has no actual effect and is purely a teaching tool. Once you learn how to activate it, you will then understand how to use mental powers.”

Everyone stepped forward to take one. Ling Xiao and Bing Can had already met the requirements to use a first-level soul crystal. As for Ying Feng, it went without saying. The three of them held the practice soul crystal in their palms, and as they clenched their fists, the crystal disappeared, leaving only a ball of white light in their hands.

Seeing their performance, the instructor nodded appreciatively, confirming that the caliber of students in this batch was indeed very high.

One after another, several students with great potential gradually mastered the technique. Red Head, upon succeeding, yelled out loud, startling everyone.

“Why are you so loud?” Ling Xiao asked, covering his ears.

“Gathering energy,” he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing.

“Very good.” The instructor allowed the others to continue practicing and then took out a new set of soul crystals.

“Soul crystals are divided into three major categories: physical, elemental, and spiritual. Everyone’s innate constitution is different. The mental power consumed when using a soul crystal varies from person to person. Everyone has a particular strength, which we refer to as a ‘specialization’.”

“Those who specialize in a certain category will consume half the mental power when using the soul crystals of that category. Moreover, only those who specialize can use the high-level soul crystals in that category. Others can only use up to level 7. Specialization is fixed and won’t change with rigorous practice. If you don’t know what your specialization is, you can use this testing crystal. It will randomly draw out a particular strength, helping you to determine your specialty.”

“I see. I’ll go first!” Red Head stepped forward and took one. Holding it in his hand, he concentrated deeply. Seeing his stance, everyone preemptively covered their ears.

“Heh!” Red Head activated the soul crystal in his hand, his arm muscles bulging and veins protruding.

“How do you feel?” the instructor asked.

“I feel full of power!” After saying this, he slapped the wooden table next to the wall with his bare hand. “Ha!”

Everyone had just dropped their hands, but now they quickly raised them again.

The wooden table shattered upon his hit. The instructor nodded. “The power enhancement indicates that you specialize in physical techniques. You’re suited for using soul crystals in the physical category. Remember to pay for the table. Who’s next?”

Ling Xiao found it interesting. “Me!”

He also took a crystal, and as he exerted force with his right hand, his surroundings changed. From indoors, he suddenly found himself outside, with the people inside the room visible through the glass.

The sensation of hanging in midair alarmed him. It was only then that he realized he was on the third floor.

“Ahhhhhhh~~~”

Ying Feng quickly reached out and decisively pulled him back from outside the window.

“Instantaneous movement is also a skill of the physical category. You, like him, specialize in physical techniques. Once your mental power reaches a certain level, you can become as light as a swallow*, safely landing from not only the third floor but even the thirtieth floor using the soul crystal. Even if you were on the rooftop, you’d be unharmed. But until you all reach that proficiency, I suggest you face the hallway for testing.”

*(身轻如燕) Idiom referring to someone who moves with agility, grace, and lightness, similar to how a swallow flies smoothly and effortlessly.

Ling Xiao: You could’ve said that earlier!

“I wonder which one I am?” Bing Can took a crystal and held it. A soft white light soon radiated from his hand, creating shimmering spots that flickered around him if they looked carefully.

The instructor beckoned to Red Head. “Come here.”

Obediently, Red Head approached, and the instructor drew a knife, making a cut on his arm.

Red Head: ……

“Now place your hand on his wound.”

Bing Can did so, and everyone watched in astonishment as the wound on Red Head’s arm gradually healed under the illumination, leaving no trace.

“I had guessed when you used the soul crystal to scan the body that you might specialize in spiritual techniques, and indeed it’s true. The skill you just used is called Basic Healing, which can heal minor external injuries. Note that while offensive skills can harm any race, healing skills only work on the Tianxiu people and are ineffective on outsiders.”

“My Qizhu is amazing! Spiritual specialization is awesome!” Red Head cheered. “But why did you have to cut my hand?”

“That’s that. Next!”

Now it was Ying Feng’s turn. He activated a testing crystal like the others, but other than the crystal disappearing, nothing happened.

“What’s going on?” Ling Xiao asked in surprise.

The instructor seemed puzzled as well. “Try again.”

Ying Feng tried once more, but the result remained unchanged.

“If that’s the case… There’s only one explanation. You belong to an extremely rare category: the special.”

“Special category?” Everyone chorused.

“Not belonging to physical, elemental, or spiritual specialization. He doesn’t benefit from reduced mental power consumption when using any crystal.”

“That bad?” Ling Xiao couldn’t help but comment.

“Not bad at all. On the contrary, this kind of ability is very rare. Because he’s not limited by a specialization, he can use high-level soul crystals from all categories. His strength will only grow as time goes on. I really didn’t expect our department to have a student from the special category. Individuals with this innate trait are extremely rare; there are probably only one or two in the entire school.”

The instructor took out a soul crystal, slightly larger than any he had shown before.

“You can use the Qizi Summoning, which means your mental power can at least drive a level 4 soul crystal. Try it.”

Ying Feng took it. It was apparent he had to exert more effort than before to channel his mental power into it. Yet strangely, there was no reaction.

“Haha.” Red Head laughed out loud. “I think you’re not of the special category but the ‘waste category’. Any soul crystal in your hands becomes useless.”

Deep down, the instructor silently praised Ying Feng. It wasn’t merely about having enough mental power to activate a soul crystal that had never been used. Many needed tens to hundreds of attempts to do so, and then even more practice to consolidate the skill. This student indeed had exceptional talent. With his rare special-category ability and given enough time, he’d definitely match up to General Fu Yao.

“Don’t worry, look.” The instructor pointed behind the crowd.

“Ahhhhhh!” Behind them, Ling Xiao suddenly cried out. A strange mechanism rapidly assembled on his right arm. The shining silver metal culminated in a shape resembling a dragon’s head at the forefront. Ling Xiao could even feel power surging from within it.

Without needing any instruction, he instinctively gripped his right wrist with his left hand, raised his arm, and aimed the cannon-like structure at the instructor.

The instructor calmly pointed outside. “Shoot out the window.”

Ling Xiao shifted, and with a jolt of his hand, a light projectile shot out, shattering the glass and exploding in the distance.

“Wow!” Everyone was stunned. After the shot, the device on Ling Xiao’s arm dispersed into a light smoke.

“That’s awesome!” Ling Xiao excitedly wished he could shoot again.

“See? This is our Joint Combat Department’s unique combat style. As the Qizi’s mental power grows, the power and frequency of the projectiles will increase. Moreover, the Qizhu can also use enchanted soul crystals to add elemental properties like electricity, fire, and ice to the projectiles. Impressive, isn’t it? By the way, remember to pay for the broken window.”

“Can’t students from other departments use our soul crystals?”

“They can, but they have their training focuses, which differ from our teaching objectives. In the Joint Combat Department, the primary consideration is coordination—how to maximize the combined potential of two people.”

“When can we master skills like we just saw?” Red Head eagerly asked.

“Don’t rush. Level 4 soul crystals are our first-year teaching objectives. By the end of this term, everyone here is expected to master them.”

“Doesn’t that mean Ling Xiao and the others have nothing to do for a whole year?”

“Not at all. The most significant difference between our department and others is that many of the soul crystals we use have emotional value requirements, which is why emotional value is one of the entrance exam’s focal points.”

“Some soul crystals, besides mental power, require sufficient emotional values to activate. No matter how high your mental power, you can’t use them without enough emotional value. The higher the emotional value, the more pronounced the effect. If you focus only on cultivating mental power, those leading now will gradually fall behind.”

“So, considering everyone’s different situations, I’ve formulated personalized teaching plans for each of you. Have a look.”

The instructor tapped on his terminal, and each student received the transmitted schedule.

Upon opening his schedule, Ling Xiao’s expression changed. “What is this?”

Red Head peeked over and burst into laughter.

Ling Xiao’s Wednesday and Friday afternoon class was simply: Dating.

“This is… too much.” Ling Xiao leaned over to check Ying Feng’s. “Is yours the same?”

A stoic Ying Feng replied, “What do you think?”

‘Okay.’ Ling Xiao thought he asked a pointless question. But… “How do we even take this class?”

“You all have the freedom to decide. However, by the end of this term, your emotional value must reach seven stars. It’s our department’s basic requirement. Fail to achieve this, and you’ll be forcibly transferred.”

Pointing to Ying Feng and Yu Ji, he emphasized, “I’m talking about you two. Got it?”

The four with mixed feelings responded, “Yes.”

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The author has something to say:

Add up your birth year, month, and day until you get a single-digit number to determine your specialization type.

For example, for October 14, 2014: 2014+10+14=2028; 2+0+2+8=12; 1+2=3.

Results 1-3 are for physical specialization, 4-6 are elemental specialization, 7-9 are spiritual specialization, and 0 is the special category.

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Kinky Thoughts:

Apparently, I’m the spiritual specialization. That’s pretty accurate since I like playing healers/support.

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