16: Chapter 16: The Aftermath

Back in the Elite Class classroom.

Teacher Sun Zhengping was already standing behind the podium, watching the students file in, a faint, ambiguous smile on his face.

"Everyone is back? Sit down." Teacher Sun tapped the podium. "The first day of school has been so 'exciting' that our class has certainly gotten the Battle Academy off to a memorable start."

His words carried a teasing tone. His gaze lingered on Qin Ce for a moment before sweeping over Wang Yu and the others, who were keeping their heads down, wishing they could shrink into their desks.

"Enough chatter. First order of business: electing a class monitor." Teacher Sun got straight to the point. "The class monitor is responsible for assisting teachers in managing daily class affairs, organizing activities, and must have a certain level of prestige and sense of responsibility among classmates. Does anyone wish to volunteer? Or is there anyone you would like to recommend?"

The classroom was silent for a moment.

After what happened this morning, who had the heart to be the class monitor?

Especially Wang Yu and his group, who were too ashamed to speak.

Teacher Sun scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on Qin Ce. "Qin Ce, do you think you are up to the task? I see that among your classmates... hmm, your 'prestige' seems quite high."

He deliberately emphasized the word "prestige," causing a few students to nearly laugh out loud.

Qin Ce stood up, shook his head, and said in a calm tone, "Teacher Sun, I'm afraid I'm not suitable. A class monitor needs to unite classmates and coordinate relationships. As for me," he paused, his gaze frank, "I seem to be better at 'physical persuasion' than 'convincing people with virtue.' At least half the class is likely 'unconvinced in their hearts' toward me, if not openly defiant. For the sake of the class's harmony and development, it would be better to choose someone else."

His words were frank and self-deprecating, which actually softened the expressions of some students who originally had opinions about him.

At least this guy had self-awareness and wasn't the type to get arrogant once he gained some power.

Teacher Sun nodded upon hearing this, seemingly satisfied with Qin Ce's response. "Self-awareness is a good thing. What about the other students? Any suitable candidates?"

At this moment, Wang Xuan, who was sitting in front of Qin Ce, suddenly stood up.

She had an upright posture, a beautiful face, and a crisp voice. "Teacher Sun, I am willing to give it a try."

The gazes in the classroom instantly focused on her.

Wang Xuan, the eldest daughter of the Wang family, had outstanding talent and stunning beauty. Although she was a bit cold, she acted fairly and had high prestige among the girls, and even higher prestige among the boys. Having her as the class monitor seemed perfect.

Zhou Min immediately raised her hand. "I support Wang Xuan!"

"I support her too!"

"Classmate Wang Xuan is very suitable!"

Soon, a chorus of agreement arose. Even Wang Yu and his group dared not raise any objections under the current circumstances.

Teacher Sun looked at Qin Ce. "Qin Ce, what do you think?"

Qin Ce nodded. "Classmate Wang Xuan is very suitable, I support her."

"Good." Teacher Sun made the final decision. "Since everyone is in agreement, then the class monitor for the freshman Elite Class will be Wang Xuan. Wang Xuan, I hope you can live up to expectations."

"I will do my best, Teacher Sun." Wang Xuan nodded slightly and sat back down, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Qin Ce with a hint of curiosity.

After electing the class monitor, Teacher Sun began to arrange the upcoming teaching plan. "For the next month, we will mainly focus on cultural courses and basic combat theory. This includes Monster Compendiums, Basic Beast Tamer Cultivation, team tactical coordination, wilderness survival knowledge, and so on. A month from now, there will be a comprehensive written examination."

His tone became serious. "Only students who pass the written examination will be eligible to participate in the upcoming 'Wilderness Combat Training.' The training location is the 'Freshman Training Base' in the western suburbs of Fengling City. It is a safe zone designated by the military, but it is still a real wilderness where low-tier monsters appear. The training will last for two weeks and is intended to let you experience the environment and pressure of a real battlefield for the first time."

"So, for this month, focus your minds and study hard! If you don't pass the written exam, forget about combat training—you won't even be able to set foot in the base! Class dismissed!" After saying this, Teacher Sun tucked his teaching materials under his arm and walked straight out of the classroom.

The students also dispersed one after another, and many couldn't help but take a few extra looks at Qin Ce as they left.

Qin Ce packed his things and was just about to leave when a pleasant yet slightly distant female voice rang out from behind him.

"Classmate Qin Ce, please wait a moment."

Qin Ce turned around and saw a tall, beautiful figure standing at the classroom door.

She was wearing the dark blue uniform of a senior student. Her figure was graceful, her face as exquisite as a painting, and her temperament was noble with a hint of dashing spirit. It was the City Lord's daughter who had noticed him at the ceremony, Jiang Ruowei.

Jiang Ruowei's appearance immediately attracted the attention of a few students who hadn't left yet, and they all looked over.

"Senior Sister Jiang?" Qin Ce was a bit surprised. She was the only person from another class he had known these past few days because she was simply too famous.

Jiang Ruowei walked up to him, her beautiful eyes scanning him up and down, a smile playing on her lips. "Junior Brother Qin Ce, the 'self-reflection' at the opening ceremony was wonderful. It's been a long time since I've seen Director Gao's face look so ugly."

"Senior Sister, you flatter me. I was just stating the facts." Qin Ce was neither humble nor arrogant.

"Stating facts also requires courage." Jiang Ruowei leaned in slightly, lowering her voice with a touch of curiosity and appreciation. "I heard you come from a commoner background? It's not easy to have made it this far. I admire people with strength and courage."

Her proactive display of goodwill and slightly intimate posture made the students eavesdropping nearby gasp quietly.

Jiang Ruowei was the dream goddess of countless boys at the Battle Academy. Her family background, appearance, and talent were all top-tier. She was usually cold and aloof to everyone. Today, she was actually being so proactive toward a commoner freshman who had just enrolled and already caused trouble?

Qin Ce felt the focused gazes around him and the not-entirely-pure appreciation in Jiang Ruowei's eyes, sparking a hint of wariness in his heart.

He politely but distantly stepped back half a step and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister. I just enrolled and still have a lot to learn; I am unworthy of such high regard from you. If there is nothing else, I will head to the library."

The refusal was clear and explicit.

The smile on Jiang Ruowei's face froze for a moment, and a flash of surprise and slight displeasure crossed her eyes.

She hadn't expected Qin Ce to refuse her goodwill so bluntly.

With her status and appearance, when had she ever been treated like this at the Battle Academy?

But she quickly adjusted, her smile remaining, though it faded slightly. "Very well, diligence is a good thing for a junior. If you need any help in the Battle Academy in the future, you can come find me."

After speaking, she gave Qin Ce a deep look, turned, and walked away gracefully. Her silhouette remained elegant, yet it seemed to carry a hint of coldness.

The students eavesdropping nearby looked at each other, their eyes looking at Qin Ce even more strangely.

Refused Senior Sister Jiang's overture?

This kid... really doesn't know if he's stupid or arrogant?

Qin Ce didn't care about this.

Jiang Ruowei might be beautiful and dazzling, but he knew deeply that in this world, strength was the foundation.

Any relationship not based on strength itself could be a castle in the air, or even a trap.

His current goals were clear and simple: study, become stronger, graduate, and bring his family into the city.

Just as he walked out of the teaching building and was about to head to the library, he saw Teacher Sun Zhengping standing under a tree not far away with his hands behind his back, seemingly waiting for him.

"Teacher Sun."

"Hmm." Teacher Sun nodded and looked at him. "Jiang Ruowei looked for you?"

"Yes."

"The City Lord's daughter, her talent and background are both top-tier, but her mind is not simple either." Teacher Sun said meaningfully. "People at her level, every action might have a hidden meaning. You handled it well. At this stage, focusing on your own improvement is the right path."

"I understand, Teacher."

"It's good that you understand." Teacher Sun smiled. "You heard the Principal's words today. There are still many sensible people in the school's upper management. Work hard and don't let this expectation go to waste. Also, while your 'self-reflection' was satisfying, it also deeply offended some people. Be more careful in your future actions."

"Thank you for the reminder, Teacher."

"Go on."