"What a shame… my spiritual power doesn't seem that strong. During last year's national high school assessment, my score was only 15 points. To enter the Demon Realm on my eighteenth birthday, I need at least 20 points of spiritual strength."
"Even though it's been nearly a year since that test, according to reports, an average person—without taking any spiritual enhancement drugs—can only increase their mental strength by two or three points at most between their second and third year of high school. That means I'm probably only at 18 points right now… still two points short."
"To think I actually transmigrated into such an interesting world, yet I might not even qualify to become an ability user?"
The more Zhao Xuan thought about it, the more unwilling he felt.
He clenched his fists tightly.
"No! No way! I can't just give up like this!"
"I'm not the same person I used to be!"
"My spiritual power must have changed too!"
As that thought struck him, Zhao Xuan's eyes began to glow with determination.
"Perfect. The next class is Meditation Practice with the homeroom teacher. I can ask him to test my spiritual power again!"
Time flew by as Zhao Xuan waited anxiously.
Soon, the bell rang.
The classroom quickly quieted down as their homeroom teacher, Zhong Jianguo, walked in with his usual stern expression.
"Alright, class, we've already covered the theory behind meditation training. The rest is up to you. For this session, everyone will meditate and strengthen your mental energy on your own. If you have questions, raise your hand."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Xuan's hand shot up like a rocket.
"Zhao Xuan, what is it?" Zhong Jianguo asked.
"Teacher, my eighteenth birthday is in two days. I want to check one last time if my spiritual power has reached the qualifying threshold."
Zhong Jianguo nodded. "Alright, that's fine."
He looked around the classroom. "Does anyone else want to check their spiritual power?"
"Teacher, me! I turn eighteen next week!" said a bespectacled boy sitting in the front row.
"Anyone else?" Zhong Jianguo asked again.
When no one responded, he said, "Alright then. The rest of you, keep meditating here. Zhao Xuan and Li Jiangchang, come with me."
The two quickly stood up and followed him out of the classroom.
Before long, they arrived at the School's Mental Power Testing Center.
"Alright, one at a time," said Zhong Jianguo. "Who wants to go first?"
Li Jiangchang immediately raised his hand. "Teacher, I'll go first!"
"Alright then, go ahead."
Under Zhao Xuan's gaze, Li Jiangchang stepped up to the testing machine.
He placed a bulky helmet covered in dozens of neural cables onto his head.
Zhong Jianguo pressed the start button, and numbers began to flicker rapidly on the screen.
1, 2, 3, 4…
Finally—
The screen froze at 21.
"Teacher, how is it? Did I pass?" Li Jiangchang asked eagerly, removing the helmet.
"21 points—qualified!" Zhong Jianguo said with a satisfied smile. "If I recall correctly, last year during your junior test, you only had 17 points, right? You've improved by four in one year. Your family must have bought you some mental supplements, didn't they?"
"Hehe," Li Jiangchang scratched his head with a sheepish grin, clearly admitting it.
"Good work," said Zhong Jianguo, nodding approvingly. "Make sure to rest these next few days. Don't overexert yourself or get too excited—mental fatigue can cause a temporary decline in spiritual power."
"Yes, sir! I'll rest well!"
Beaming, Li Jiangchang handed the helmet to Zhao Xuan. "Your turn, Zhao Xuan!"
"Alright, Zhao Xuan," Zhong Jianguo said, "step up."
"Yes, teacher!"
Zhao Xuan took a deep breath, put on the helmet, and stood before the machine.
"Ready?"
"Ready!" Zhao Xuan replied firmly.
"Good. Let's begin."
Zhong Jianguo pressed the switch.
The numbers began climbing once again.
1, 2, 3, 4…
Within seconds, it shot past 20.
But it didn't stop.
21, 22, 23, 24…
In the blink of an eye, it crossed 30.
And it kept climbing.
31! 32! 33! 34! 35!
Finally, it stopped at 37.
"Th–th–th–thirty-seven!? T–this… this is…!"
Zhong Jianguo stared at the screen, his face frozen in disbelief, completely speechless.
Beside him, Li Jiangchang's eyes were as wide as saucers, staring blankly at the number glowing on the screen.
37 points of spiritual power.
For a mere high school student… it was unheard of.
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