Chapter Thirteen: The Collective Test of Class Twelve

Stellar Academy.

At nine o’clock in the morning, every student appeared punctually in the classroom, awaiting the arrival of their homeroom teacher.

They were all anticipating the upcoming test, for the results this time would determine the fate of each and every one of them!

December—the fifth test. On this day each year, the head teachers of every class held two recommendation slots for the selection of exceptional students. Those who secured these places would advance to the special assessment, and if successful, be promoted to the ranks of truly exceptional students.

The most coveted honor in all of Stellar Academy!

In Class 12 of the first-year division, among the expectant gazes of the students, Shangguan Luohua finally walked in, with Nangong Yuchen among them.

Upon reaching the podium, she spoke out in a clear, resonant voice: “Are you all prepared for this year’s final physical assessment?”

“Yes!”

Yet, hearing the uneven and lackluster response, Shangguan Luohua frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied. She raised her voice and barked, “There have been many outstanding performances in other classes this year. I don’t want Class 12 to embarrass ourselves. Let me ask you one more time—are you ready?”

“Yes, we are!”

This time, the reply was much more spirited than before. Shangguan Luohua nodded in satisfaction, then led all of her students towards the Physical Assessment Department.

When the group of more than sixty entered the testing hall, they found the other eleven classes already assembled in the center.

The four testing halls—Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4—had been merged into a single space. In each of the four corners—east, south, west, and north—stood equipment for measuring strength, speed, and neural reflexes. With the arrival of Class 12, the central hall now buzzed with nearly a thousand people.

“So many people!”

Many students, unable to contain their amazement at the spectacle, exclaimed in awe.

As first-year freshmen, they were used to just three classes sharing a testing hall. Now, for the first time, all twelve classes gathered for a joint assessment—a scene that naturally inspired wonder and surprise.

At that moment, at the head of the first line on the left, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie saw Shangguan Luohua leading her students in. He laughed heartily, “Well, if it isn’t Class 12 finally arriving!”

“Haha, still the last to show up, just like every year!” The next voice came from the front of the third line—a short, bespectacled man—who followed his words with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I wonder if this final entrance will mean you take first place again this year?”

At these words, Shangguan Luohua, just stepping in, immediately darkened her expression and replied coolly, “Head Teacher Zheng, that’s not something you need to worry about, is it?”

Shangguan Luohua wanted to retort sharply, but restrained herself. This year, Class 12 was very different from before—she had two extraordinarily talented students, Angel and Nangong Yuchen—but the overall excellence of Class 3 still left her feeling somewhat lacking in confidence.

“Haha… I’m just curious whether Head Teacher Shangguan can manage a hat trick—three years running with that first-place honor!” Zheng Bowen’s mocking laughter echoed through the hall, making Shangguan Luohua flush with anger. She was vexed by the taunt, but the truth stung: Class 12 had finished dead last for two years in a row under her leadership.

If today’s collective results weren’t up to par, they really would clinch that ignominious ‘three-year champion’ title.

The other head teachers in the hall said nothing, merely watching coldly as events unfolded.

Once again, the middle-aged man in a suit at the front of the first line broke the awkward silence, announcing in a loud voice, “It’s about time. Let’s begin the test! As in previous years, Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4 will start first!”

With that, he led his class toward the eastern testing zone.

Zheng Bowen shot Shangguan Luohua a chilly glance, then took the students of Class 3 to the southern corner. The head teachers of Classes 2 and 4—a man and a woman—led their own students to the remaining corners.

For the sake of accurate results, each corner of the hall had an academy-appointed teacher to record scores. Since the fifth test determined both the number of exceptional student nominees and the overall class rankings, there could be no carelessness. The academy assigned four record-keepers to prevent inter-class cheating.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

With the sound of four fists striking in succession from the four corners, the fifth test officially began. The remaining eight classes in the center of the hall watched the data displays on the machines with keen interest.

“Wow! Look at that boy from Class 3—who is he? His average strength is over 280 kilograms!”

“Incredible! No wonder Class 3 always contends with Class 1 for the top spot every year.”

“That girl from Class 2 is amazing, too—her strength exceeds 250 kilograms!”

“Look, Tuoba Feng from Class 1 is up now!”

“Please, Tuoba Feng’s specialty is neural reflexes, not strength. What’s so interesting about his result?”

…

With the start of testing, the entire hall grew lively. In the midst of Class 12’s ranks, Nangong Yuchen focused all his attention on a beautiful, familiar figure among the students of Class 3.

Nangong Kexin.

From the moment he entered, his eyes had sought out his elder sister—he was keenly curious and eager to see how she would perform.

Beside him, Le Han was also watching the southern testing zone where Class 3 was stationed. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Nangong, look—your girlfriend’s up next!”

Perhaps because his voice was a bit loud, a good number of Class 12 students turned their attention in that direction—including Angel.

“Nangong Yuchen’s girlfriend is in Class 3?”

“I thought he was with the class monitor? How…”

“Sigh… The class monitor must not be pretty enough. Just look at that girl walking up—she’s way more attractive!”

…

“Le Han!” Nangong Yuchen’s face darkened at the whispers around him. He was tempted to smack Le Han then and there. What did he mean, ‘my girlfriend’? Hadn’t he explained this last time?

Angel’s cheeks, meanwhile, were tinged with pink and her expression showed a trace of displeasure. Being openly compared and told she wasn’t as pretty as someone else wasn’t something she cared about deeply, but she couldn’t help looking unhappy.

“Look, she’s about to start!”

At this, the sixty-plus students of Class 12 all turned, as if by some unspoken agreement, to stare at the girl by the strength-testing machine in the southern corner.

She was a lively young woman with short, chestnut hair tucked neatly behind her ears, her fair, delicate face set with a touch of gravity as she regarded the machine. Then, with a spirited cry, she dashed forward, bent her arm, and unleashed a flurry of powerful punches!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

At that moment, Xia Ruli radiated a valiant and dashing air, though the score displayed on the machine made her shoulders droop. She sighed, “As expected, my strength really isn’t great.”

“67 kilograms!”

“75 kilograms!”

“60 kilograms!”

“Xia Ruli, average strength 67 kilograms—fail! Next up, Chu Huiyan!”

The students of Class 12 were instantly left speechless. They had imagined that Nangong Yuchen’s new ‘girlfriend’ would be not only beautiful but also outstanding in the fitness tests—never expecting a result like this! Not knowing whether her strengths lay in speed or reflexes, they simply fell silent.

Le Han was the first to burst out laughing at their stunned faces.

Nangong Yuchen was at a loss for words too, but quickly regained his composure and turned his attention to Chu Huiyan, who was stepping up next. He remembered this slightly plump girl as one of his sister’s close friends whom he had met at the Star Emperor Tavern not long ago.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three heavy punches landed on the strength machine.

“One hundred eighty kilograms!”

“One hundred ninety-five kilograms!”

“One hundred seventy-nine kilograms!”

“Chu Huiyan, average strength 184 kilograms—pass! Next, Nangong Kexin!”

As Nangong Yuchen marveled at Chu Huiyan’s strength, the next name called made his heart skip a beat. His gaze snapped instantly to his sister.

“Nangong, it’s your sister’s turn!”

At that moment, both Le Han and Angel were watching closely as well.