The Wood-type ability book was noticeably thicker than the Spirit Eye one—at least a finger's width.
It stood in stark contrast to the single-page pamphlet that made up the Spirit Eye book.
"Let's see what kind of powers the Wood element has…" Smith muttered as he flipped open to the first page.
"Induced Growth": Rapidly accelerates the growth cycle of various plants. Ideal for boosting food crop yields.
"Reproduction": Allows the user to replicate plant seeds using spiritual energy. Also useful for increasing crop productivity.
"Healing": Wood abilities contain life force and can heal minor injuries. A fundamental support skill for team operations.
Smith frowned slightly. These three abilities were… difficult to describe positively.
The first two seemed clearly tailored for farming. While functional, they felt lackluster.
Yes, food shortages were always a looming threat, but the current supply was relatively stable. Part of that stability did stem from Wood-type psychics helping accelerate crop growth. But the larger contributor to food sources came from monster meat, harvested during hunts outside the city. That meat was rich in spiritual energy and more beneficial than standard crops.
In short, the plant-growing abilities were useful, but not important.
As for the healing technique, Smith found it unimpressive.
While the Wood-type held vitality and could mend minor wounds, it couldn't handle anything severe. When someone was critically injured on the battlefield, Wood users were often helpless.
Water-type psychics, on the other hand, could also heal—and do it much better. Water abilities weren't just more powerful in healing, but they were far more common among psychics. That meant they had more support, better-developed techniques, and access to a comprehensive system of cultivation books and training routines.
Compared to that, the Wood system felt archaic. Weak. Inferior.
In the support category, Wood was leagues behind Water. And unlike Water users, Wood psychics didn't have the benefit of also contributing to crowd control or battlefield manipulation.
It was a frustrating dilemma: of the Wood system's two development paths—crop enhancement and healing—neither held much real value.
In the modern supernatural system, the Wood element was simply… underwhelming.
And so, Smith couldn't help but sigh.
Here he was, holding an S-rank Wood-type power, which in theory meant "unlimited potential," yet the reality was bleak. When the ceiling of a power is so low, even S-rank potential is meaningless. Whether S-rank or C-rank, if the powers couldn't be applied effectively, it all ended the same way.
This was why others called him "the strongest waste in the S-rank."
Even Smith had to admit that within Huaihai College's cultivation framework, Wood and Spirit Eye systems were near hopeless.
But!
That was only true for Huaihai's power system.
What about Smith, who had awakened the legendary Wood Release and Sharingan?
Their classifications as Wood and Spirit Eye didn't matter—because his powers transcended them entirely.
So even if the traditional Spirit Eye was useless, and the Wood element unimpressive, it didn't matter.
He was different.
Still, he wasn't arrogant enough to ignore the basics. A new skill was a new skill. Learning more couldn't hurt. With that mindset, Smith began studying both the Spirit Eye and Wood system fundamentals.
It never hurt to build a stronger foundation.
---
After absorbing the theoretical material, students were guided onto the classroom's large balcony to begin practice.
Although this was an auxiliary class, not everyone present had Wood-type powers. In fact, Wood users were a minority.
Smith glanced around and quickly realized that there were only two Wood-type students in the entire class, including himself.
Most students were placed in the auxiliary class not because of their power category, but because of their power level. Anyone with a single-line ability below D-level was automatically sent here, regardless of their elemental type.
These students were considered low-investment prospects. The school system had finite resources, and those with limited potential weren't worth the cost. So instead, they were left to cultivate on their own, likely destined to become future cannon fodder in the war against monsters.
As students began practicing their powers, the balcony lit up with colorful flashes and shimmering auras—each display showcasing a different supernatural ability.
Smith walked to a small patch of grass growing near the corner and decided to test the Induced Growth skill he had just studied.
He knelt, placed his palm over the soil, and let a soft stream of greenish spiritual energy flow from his hand into the grass.
The grass responded instantly.
Under the influence of the Wood-type energy, it sprouted and stretched, growing larger and greener within seconds.
"The effect is definitely there," Smith said aloud. "But... there's not much combat value in making bigger grass."
He shook his head.
"This world has done far too little with Wood-type development. There's not a single attack or defense method in here."
Even as he grumbled, Smith continued experimenting, watching the grass thrive under his touch.
At that moment, a short, timid-looking boy approached him nervously.
"H-Hello," the boy stammered, "my name is Wei Lin."
Smith turned and gave a polite nod. "Hi. I'm Smith."
Wei Lin hesitated, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Um… can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Smith said, a little surprised. "What's up?"
"I'm also Wood-type… but I still haven't managed to learn Induced Growth from the book. I saw you perform it just now, and it looked so easy. Could you… teach me?"
The boy's nervousness was obvious. He kept glancing at Smith's face, likely fearing rejection.
"Oh, you're the other Wood-type student," Smith realized.
He remembered now. In their thirty-two-person class, only two were Wood users.
And Wei Lin was a C-level single-line Wood-type—not a promising start by any means.
"Why not ask the teacher?" Smith asked initially, but after glancing toward Sun Shuyu, who stood silently nearby with her usual intimidating expression, he understood immediately.
Wei Lin was probably too afraid to even approach her.
Smith gave a small sigh of sympathy.
"Alright, I'll help you," he said. "But just know—I'm still new to this too. I'll show you what I know, but I can't guarantee you'll master it right away."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Wei Lin exclaimed, eyes lighting up.
"It's no big deal," Smith replied with a smile. "We're classmates, right?"
Smith spent the next several minutes guiding Wei Lin through the Induced Growth and Reproduction skills, offering step-by-step pointers on how to circulate spiritual energy properly.
Wei Lin listened carefully, and although he struggled at first, he was clearly trying his best.
---
The rest of the day passed quickly.
For many students, finally learning their first real superpowers brought a sense of accomplishment and hope. Even the most basic skills made them feel more prepared—more confident.
As the school day ended, Smith packed up his things and headed toward the exit.
Coincidentally, Yan Yue stepped out at the same time.
She always attracted attention wherever she went. Her serene beauty and calm demeanor drew stares from everyone around her, and today was no different.
Smith paused near the doorway, deciding to let her pass first.
But just as she approached him, Yan Yue stopped, turned toward him, and smiled.
She extended her pale, delicate hand and greeted him warmly:
"Hello, Smith."
Smith blinked, caught off guard.
He hadn't expected her to acknowledge him—let alone initiate a handshake.
Still, he quickly recovered and took her hand politely.
"Hello," he responded.
The entire hallway went silent.
Students inside and outside the classroom stared with wide eyes, stunned by the interaction.
Yan Yue… voluntarily greeted a boy? And shook his hand?!
This was unprecedented.
Even Smith felt a little dazed.
But deep inside, he knew this was only the beginning.