Principal Xie of Ziyang Middle School No. 74 and Principal Qi of Phoenix Ridge High School No. 73 had been rivals since their middle school days. Both graduated from Zhejiang University, a top-tier institution second only to Tsinghua.
After graduation, they briefly worked together at Phoenix Ridge High School. Director Qi was later promoted to Academic Affairs Director, while Director Xie was dismissed due to funding shortages. Teaming up with former manager Li Wanghuo, she co-founded Ziyang Middle School No. 74 two years after leaving Phoenix Ridge High School.
In recent years, Ziyang High School No. 74 has risen to prominence in the Shuyuan district's annual inter-school examinations. The newly appointed Vice Principal Xie is now poised to "seek revenge."
Thus, the so-called rivalry between the two schools is merely a continuation of old grudges and new resentments among the faculty. When two women become friends, their relationship is destined to fracture—unless bound together by a contract...
The relationship between the two schools' student councils is no better—not even the student affairs directors are exempt! This relentless competition naturally stems from the teachers' animosity.
However, Ling Xian felt that among the three key high schools in Shuyuan district, Phoenix Ridge High School No. 73 left the best first impression.
Before even reaching the main building's entrance, Ling Xian spotted a young man in a custom-tailored suit emerging, followed by four other students strolling leisurely behind him—a group of five classmates.
The leader of the four youths was Wenyan Zunhao, composed and self-assured. As the Student Council President and representative of Ziyang High School, he was a seasoned figure on campus, having visited multiple school districts to study and surpass rival teams. He was particularly familiar with the three prestigious schools in Shuyuan district. Standing beside Wenyan Zunhao was Baiye Yunshen, the labor union leader, while the other three were Xie Zhenyu, Qin Yixuan, and the Chen brothers—Chen Yi and Chen Jun—from Ziyang Middle School No. 74.
Teacher Xuan had already briefed the Phoenix Ridge group on the situation, so everyone was well aware of the circumstances.
Zunhao approached Teacher Xuan and bowed respectfully. "Ah, you must be Teacher Xuan! Welcome to Ziyang High School. I'll be your guide for the tour. Please forgive any oversights along the way..."
This overly enthusiastic greeting made the Phoenix Ridge group uneasy.
Everyone knew the history between the two schools. Such excessive politeness... there must be an ulterior motive! Moreover, exchange activities with neighboring schools were nothing new. According to Elder Gossip, during the exchange with Crimson Flame (No. 72), the entire Crimson Flame team had unexpectedly failed the exchange tests...
Zunhao's gaze swept over the group like a hawk's. He had done his homework thoroughly, knowing Phoenix Ridge's strengths and weaknesses inside out.
Su Xinyi—heiress to Qionghua Galaxy Corporation, inheritor of the Meihua Bloodline... She was the only one here truly capable of handling this task.
Next was Sheng Zixuan, the slightly muscular math and history teacher...
Xu Yutong, the renowned mangaka...
Lianhua, academically exceptional...
Zhao Ming, representative of the Sports Alliance...
Hao Zhen, member of the Tianxu 02 Science Alliance...
And lastly we have... Wait!
What the hell is going on?! What was that guy's name again?
"...?"
Zunhao broke out in a cold sweat. This wasn't right! How could he forget the name of that purple-eyed boy? He was definitely a student, wasn't he? Could he have missed his information on the Phoenix Ridge freshman roster? Impossible...
The uncontrollable anxiety made Zunhao's mind race.
He had prepared thoroughly, yet...
Every detail about that slightly brown-haired youth had vanished from his memory...
What exactly was happening?!
In reality, this was merely the effect of Ling Xian's automatic ability, the Omnipotent Sealing Technique. He had learned this technique at the age of four and had never deactivated it since.
This ability functioned like a passive skill in a game—specifically, if anyone acquired information about him through face-to-face interaction or online channels, that information would be completely forgotten in the blink of an eye.
As a seasoned professional, Zunhao couldn't possibly forget someone he had thoroughly researched. He dismissed his unease as overthinking, forced himself to calm down, and attributed the memory lapse to a retrieval failure.
Soon after, Zunhao clapped his hands and laughed, then drew a bow and arrow. "It's an honor to have you visit Ziyang High School. To prove you're worthy of our attention, you only need to pass a simple test..."
Before he finished speaking, an automatic target lit up a hundred yards away, its bullseye marked with a rotating aiming reticle.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "An archery test? This could be tricky. I'm not particularly skilled with a bow..." he thought to himself. At Phoenix Ridge Academy, archery class wasn't even offered until the second half of the semester.
"Just hit the target there. If you can, we'll welcome you to join us," Zunhao said with a hint of arrogance. "You have two attempts. So? Who wants to go first?"
Hao Zhen glanced nervously at Zhao Ming.
Su Xinyi raised her hand. "I'll go."
The old man looked surprised. "Student Su... are you sure? A hundred yards might be too far for you."
"Don't worry, Teacher Xuan! Although I'm still new to archery, I'm confident I can grasp the basics."
She took the bow and arrow and assumed a shooting stance. For someone with limited archery experience, her form was remarkably good.
She focused intently, aiming... Could she hit the bullseye?
...