Chapter Twenty-Six: The Evaluation
Since all that information had already been filtered and screened before reaching him, then...
What would happen if he directly used the portion of spiritual power from the soul ring to release the mental sharing?
Even if the first idea was impossible, could he artificially distort the range of spiritual detection to provide useless information?
“Definitely worth a try~”
Huo Yuhao stared thoughtfully at the white soul ring before him.
...
“Smack!”
In the classroom, Zhou Yi slammed her hand heavily on the podium. “It’s already been three months since the semester started. The first assessment since entering Shrek Academy is about to begin.”
“I believe you all know that only by passing the assessment can you continue staying in the academy and become true first-year freshmen. Fail, and you pack your things and leave.”
She then wrote the word “Battle” in large characters on the blackboard.
“This afternoon, the assessment will start. The content is simple—the entire grade will be divided into multiple three-person teams to fight. Teams ranked in the bottom half will be immediately eliminated and expelled.”
“This year, there will be around three hundred battle teams competing, with points from multiple rounds of combat as the sole evaluation criterion. In other words, to stay, you’ll have to face at least six teams with second-ring members.”
Shrek Academy does not limit the number of new recruits each year, but there are only a little over four hundred spots in the sophomore advancement assessment. Therefore, the more freshmen there are, the harsher the elimination ratio at the yearly assessment becomes.
This year’s intake exceeded all previous years so much that even halving the number would still seem large.
“This elimination system seems a bit unreasonable,” muttered Wang Dong. “What if someone with decent talent ends up with lousy teammates? Won’t their whole life be ruined?”
“Be careful what you say,” Xiaoxiao lowered her head slightly, hiding behind the row in front, still somewhat afraid of Zhou Yi. “The system that Shrek has upheld for thousands of years must have its reasons. It’s best not to say too much…”
Reasons for its existence?
Caught between the two, Huo Yuhao pondered quietly for a moment before speaking bluntly:
“Not just this elimination system; in my opinion, nothing about Shrek’s system is truly reasonable.”
!?
Both sides inhaled sharply.
How dare he say that?
“Huo Yuhao! And both of you on either side, stand up!” Zhou Yi’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
The classroom atmosphere suddenly tensed.
Over the past three months, Zhou Yi had already expelled nearly sixty students from the class. The remaining freshmen sat sparsely, cautious and silent whenever she taught.
Except for these three troublemakers standing now.
---
“Do you have something to say? Care to tell me?” Zhou Yi’s eyes darkly fixed on Xiaoxiao.
Originally, she had quite high hopes for the little girl—obedient, well-behaved, and talented.
Who would have thought she’d end up hanging out with these two.
“Uh~ we were just discussing...” Xiaoxiao stammered, but suddenly had a spark of inspiration mid-sentence. “We were talking about forming teams! Since it’s three-person squads, the three of us thought our abilities complement each other and wondered if we could team up.”
“Hmph?”
Zhou Yi glanced at the other two, who nodded in unison, admitting to it.
“Good. Then each of you will lead a team. You can choose your own members.”
“Why?!” Wang Dong immediately grew anxious, even daring to bang the table at Zhou Yi.
“With greater power comes greater responsibility!” Zhou Yi sneered. “What, you’re not going to help your own classmates?”
At that moment, Huo Yuhao’s pupils suddenly contracted.
All eyes in the class converged instantly.
Under the mental detection perspective, these gazes held hope, expectation, and something else...
‘Have they been preparing from the start?’
Huo Yuhao looked up to meet Zhou Yi’s gaze.
Since the semester began, the more talented and powerful students in this class had emerged continuously. Whether in simple laps or the occasional soul power rankings announced, everyone’s strength had been subtly sorted.
Now, placing them under pressure like this, both emotionally and logically, no one could refuse.
Especially Huo Yuhao.
Since the semester’s start, everyone knew he was extraordinarily strong—even the neighboring classes were aware there was a naturally gifted powerhouse here.
Before Zhou Yi spoke, few dared to team up with him. But now...
“To raise the advancement rate for more people?”
Huo Yuhao stopped Wang Dong and asked.
“Or what? Are you planning to abandon your classmates?”
“I understand.”
Huo Yuhao nodded. “I’ll lead the two lowest-ranked in Class One. Priority on choosing strong offensive types.”
“Yuhao!” Wang Dong wanted to say more but was silenced by Huo Yuhao’s gaze.
---
From an emotional standpoint, they were classmates who had spent months together.
Logically, clustering top fighters in one team only makes it harder for those ranked lower.
Practically, Zhou Yi would do anything to raise the advancement rate. Confronting her now would benefit no one.
Besides, the right to form teams was in her hands. Once she decided something, there was no reversing it.
“I’ll join too,” Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and looked at Huo Yuhao. “Priority on support.”
“You two...” Wang Dong opened his mouth, his gaze flickering between them before settling on their seemingly matching bracelets. “...”
“Heh...”
Wang Dong’s eyelids twitched, then he inexplicably chuckled, “I’ll take defense, preferably with soul skills that control.”
“Good. Sit down.”
Zhou Yi glared at the three one last time. “Next is team assignment. Everyone write down your development direction and hand it to me. Also, Song Qinghan.”
“I’m giving you a chance to transfer to the Soul Guidance Department. Accept, and I’ll take you to handle the paperwork today. Don’t, and you’re out.”
“Thank you, teacher!” Song Qinghan nodded gratefully.
“Soul Guidance Department...”
Glancing at Song Qinghan, Huo Yuhao began to see a clue.
If he remembered correctly, this freshman’s soul skills were all related to long-range detection. Staying in the Soul Martial Department would mean a future leaning toward support.
“I see~”
No wonder Zhou Yi asked about his soul ring abilities at the start of the semester. Seems she’s recruiting some specialists for the Soul Guidance Department. He wondered what her relationship with that department was, given how proactive she was.
“So, will you study soul-guided devices?”
At the right moment, Tianmeng spoke up, “Human strength has greatly increased because of this, especially for mid- to low-level soul masters. With the Spirit Eye soul and mental detection as support, your path as a soul guide will be smooth and promising.”
“I think I’ll pass,” Huo Yuhao shook his head.