Chapter 27: Teams
Time often passes quickly in the academy.
Three months passed in a flash, and the freshman assessment was about to begin.
Under the gaze of everyone in Class 9, Mu Jin slowly walked up to the podium.
Placing the lesson plan on the desk, Mu Jin cleared her throat and began to speak slowly:
"I believe everyone should know that you are about to face the first assessment of Shrek Academy."
"Only those who pass the assessment can truly become the official first-year students of the academy. After the freshman assessment, the class will be reorganized for teaching."
"The content of the assessment is also very simple: fighting group fighting."
"This year's assessment regulations require three people to form a team, and there can only be one strong attack spirit master. The other two positions are arbitrary. The top four teams in the assessment will receive rewards prepared by the academy."
"Free combination is the main method. Those who fail to complete the free combination will be divided into groups by drawing lots."
"This is the situation. You will first form groups freely and discuss the captain position. After that, you will hand in the list of team members. I will complete your unfinished groups."
After speaking, Mu Jin left the classroom and gave the students their space.
As Mu Jin's figure disappeared through the door, the classroom erupted into noise, with everyone scrambling to find friends they had good relationships with to form a team.
Among them, Ling Shuang was naturally the most popular.
He was surrounded in an instant, everyone trying to invite him to join their team.
Everyone knew that any team with Ling Shuang was basically guaranteed to win the championship.
Even students with average strength tried their luck.
After all, with Ling Shuang's power, dragging along two teammates wouldn't be a problem. Strength wasn't the deciding factor. What if he agreed?
Trying cost nothing winning the championship would be worth it.
Among those who came to invite him was Ning Tian, the student with the highest soul power in Class 9 besides Ling Shuang.
"Class monitor, are you interested in joining our team?" Ning Tian's beautiful blue eyes curved into crescents as she smiled faintly.
Her appearance made the others back off.
Very few freshmen could genuinely support Ling Shuang. Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda was one of the few that could.
Plus, she was considered the class goddess her invitation clearly held more weight.
They couldn't think of a reason Ling Shuang would refuse, and they were already accepting defeat.
But...
"Sorry, Ling Shuang has agreed to team up with me."
Before Ling Shuang could speak, Wang Dong stood up, positioning himself between Ning Tian and Ling Shuang.
Ning Tian looked at the boy with blue and pink hair standing before her. Though her smile remained, it lost some warmth.
She couldn't figure out how she had offended Wang Dong.
If it was jealousy, that would make sense if Wang Dong were a girl... but why would a guy act like that?
"Well, I promised Wang Dong to team up," Ling Shuang confirmed his statement.
They had already agreed back in the dormitory. Wang Dong had brought it up, and Ling Shuang had accepted without much thought.
To him, it didn't matter who he teamed up with better to choose someone familiar and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Wang Dong cast a smug look at Ning Tian.
See? Ling Shuang's mine! she thought proudly.
Unaware of Wang Dong's little move, Ling Shuang looked at Ning Tian and said, "Sorry, maybe you could team up with someone else? Wu Feng, for instance."
He didn't mind teaming up with Ning Tian, but he thought she should be with Wu Feng. They usually stuck together.
Which was indeed the case.
Ning Tian's smile stiffened just a bit.
Wu Feng, standing beside her, tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Young Miss, I can find someone else to team up with..."
Wu Feng knew Ning Tian's thoughts better than anyone. If Ning Tian joined Ling Shuang's team, they'd definitely win the assessment.
Though she didn't want to part from Ning Tian, she cared more about her than herself.
At this moment, Wu Feng wasn't the proud Fire Dragon girl she usually was just a girl quietly hiding her disappointment.
Ning Tian hesitated, then made her choice.
She looked at Ling Shuang with a trace of regret.
"If that's the case, then there's nothing to be done."
"I wish you all the best in the assessment."
She couldn't abandon Wu Feng, who had grown up with her like a sister.
"I wish you the same," Ling Shuang replied.
The decision actually raised his opinion of Ning Tian.
She wasn't just a noble from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect focused on gain.
Wu Feng was even more moved.
"Young Miss..."
But along with the emotion came guilt.
She thought it was because of her that Ning Tian had to give up teaming with Ling Shuang—missing an easy shot at the championship.
Despite her pride, Wu Feng admitted that against Ling Shuang, even her best wouldn't be enough.
"You don't have to worry about me. I'll find someone else to team up with," she said as they walked away.
The last spot in Ling Shuang's team still hadn't been filled. If she backed out, maybe she could still join...
"Silly girl, what are you thinking?" Ning Tian smiled warmly, like spring breeze.
"It's just a championship. You followed me to Shrek Academy how could I abandon you?"
"Young Miss!" Wu Feng was deeply touched.
But Ling Shuang was getting a headache.
With Ning Tian out of the picture, other students swarmed in again, each pitching themselves to Ling Shuang with all kinds of reasons.
The buzzing voices around him felt like bees in his ears.
"Alright, that classmate over there you. Want to join us?"
Ling Shuang couldn't take it anymore and pointed randomly.
"Me? Me?" Nanmen Yun'er was dazed by the sudden surprise.
She hadn't expected this at all. Just joining for fun... and now she was picked by the class monitor?
Teaming up with him meant an easy win!
"You've got a teammate already, Nanmen?" Ling Shuang recalled her name just in time.
"No, no!" she waved her hands furiously.
"I'd love to! Thank you, class monitor!"
With Ling Shuang's team now complete, the remaining students stopped promoting themselves and dispersed jealousy written all over their faces.
Ling Shuang's team was set. They'd have to look elsewhere.
What a pity. A chance to win handed to someone else.
Nanmen Yun'er sure was lucky!
(End of Chapter)