"Next, Shen Moran from class three!"
When her name was called, Shen Moran instinctively clenched her fists a little tighter.
She stepped forward, then looked back and pleaded, "Zhao Mu, don't forget what you promised me!"
Zhao Mu gave a helpless smile and raised his fist. "Go for it, Mo Mo!"
Only then did Shen Moran walk up to the military officer. She took a deep breath, smiled, and bowed. "Hello, Sir!"
Seeing this pretty, polite girl, the officer nodded as well.
"Don't be nervous; it'll be over in a moment."
The principal said to Shao Tianyi, "Deputy Envoy, Shen Moran is another top prospect of ours—excellent in both academics and physical training."
Shao Tianyi nodded. "Let's see whether she awakens an outstanding ability."
The officer placed his right hand on Shen Moran's shoulder.
As he channeled his spiritual power, Zhao Mu suddenly noticed the light around Shen Moran distort.
"What's going on?"
Someone exclaimed, "Am I seeing things?"
"No," Head-Teacher Xu Mingjie's eyes widened in delight. "She's awakened an extremely rare Space-Element ability!"
"What? A Space-Element ability!"
A cry of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Spatial powers were exceedingly rare—not because of overwhelming individual might.
But because of their vast battlefield utility.
Besides teleportation, they can store strategic supplies for troops—an ability strong in both combat and support.
Every Space-Element Awakener, even with a modest talent Rank, is fought over by every legion.
Even Shao Tianyi gave Shen Moran an extra glance.
Zhao Mu blinked, then smiled with heartfelt relief.
"As expected of you, Mo Mo!"
He was genuinely happy she'd awakened such a formidable power.
Shao Han's gaze sharpened. "Not only a special ability—judging by that reaction, her Combat Level won't be low either."
At that moment, Zhao Mu, Shao Han and the others turned to the Combat Level meter beside Shen Moran.
After a violent swing, the pointer stopped at the number 9!
"Another Awakener who's Combat Level maxed out at Fighting Fang right off the bat—makes you green with envy!"
Shao Tianyi's eyes flickered; he studied Shen Moran a moment longer.
"With talent like this she can enter the Military Martial Specialization School directly. Even if she slacks later, she'll be vital to the army. This girl has limitless prospects!"
The officer looked at Shen Moran with admiration and said, "Congratulations. You've awakened a Space-Element ability, Combat Level 9; your talent is assessed as B-Rank!"
Shen Moran froze for an instant, then jumped for joy on the spot.
"Yay! Fantastic!"
A B-Rank, for a child from an ordinary family like hers, was practically a genetic miracle.
How could she not be ecstatic?
She bowed deeply to the officer and happily returned to the class three formation.
Every classmate now looked at her with something called reverence.
A B-rank Talent Holder was a prodigy rarely seen in all of Lujiang City, guaranteed admission to the Military Martial Specialization School and certain success.
Between them and Shen Moran a natural class barrier had already formed.
Basking in admiring stares, Shen Moran quickly composed herself, her proud little face glowing like a peacock's.
"Mo Mo, congratulations! You're amazing."
Zhao Mu said with a smile.
Shen Moran winked at him. "Xiao Mu, you've got to do your best too! We're entering the Military Martial Specialization School together!"
Zhao Mu nodded; he was fairly confident.
Bu Yanhuan had said he had potential above B-Rank, and he trusted her judgment.
With two B-Rank holders in a row—one of them a rare Space-Type—the principal was beaming.
Even if there weren't many other high-Rank Awakenings, this already counted as a top score.
"Next, from class three—Zhao Mu!"
As his name rang out, every head swivelled toward him.
Zhao Mu's name was known to every student in Yuwu Middle School.
From enrollment day, he'd held first place in academics every single year.
In every physical course he outscored the year's runner-up by dozens of points, leading for a full twelve years!
He was the proverbial "child from someone else's family."
Only Zhao Mu himself knew it was partly because he'd reincarnated with memories of two lives and understood the value of hard work—and partly thanks to Bu Yanhuan's excellent tutelage.
Shao Tianyi sized up the tall, strikingly handsome youth brimming with confidence.
He asked the principal, "This is Zhao Mu, your perpetual number one?"
He'd often heard Shao Han mention him; Shao Han was the perennial runner-up, unable to surpass Zhao Mu no matter how hard he tried.
The principal smiled and nodded. "He's our brightest star and the one we pin our highest hopes on. In today's Spirit Awakening Ceremony he might even become the first A-Rank Talent Holder No. 2 Middle has seen in ten years!"
Shao Tianyi nodded, fixing his gaze on Zhao Mu.
"Xiao Mu, go for it!"
Shen Moran cheered, joined by classmates and Teacher Xu Mingjie.
Zhao Mu inhaled deeply, then walked calmly toward the military officer.
"Hello, Sir."
Zhao Mu greeted politely.
The officer nodded. "Ready? Then let's begin!"
Zhao Mu felt a palm settle on his shoulder.
The next instant, a vast yet gentle power surged through the acupoint in his shoulder into his body.
It was a peculiar force that spread to his limbs and bones, indescribably soothing.
Like a trickling stream, it pushed open the previously closed doors within him.
Everyone stared, eager to see what ability the top scholar would awaken.
Just then, a bizarre, wildly arrogant laugh echoed across the field.
"Heh-heh-heh, ha-ha-ha!"
To Zhao Mu's right, a clownish, ridiculous-looking Jester popped into existence with a loud "pop!"