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Class One, Grade One achieved a sweeping victory.
This exchange match was destined to leave a significant mark in Shrek Academy's history. The auxiliary professions won with an overwhelming level-five advantage, and the team battle showed no signs of weakness throughout. It was hard to imagine that this was accomplished by first-year students who were, on average, three years younger than their second-year opponents.
After all, this was Shrek Academy. It wasn't just the first-years who were prodigies—every one of those second-year seniors had been a top-tier genius in their own year.
Of course, while they had been exceptional before entering Shrek, it had to be admitted that the first-year curriculum had slowed their progress somewhat.
Take the first semester's mecha construction, for example. It was undoubtedly a task that left most students unable to focus on soul power cultivation. Even Wu Siduo had seen her soul power growth slow significantly in recent months. At best, she could only manage the mecha construction tasks and her martial soul's development, while her soul power cultivation was relegated to the bare minimum through meditation during breaks.
Before this, she had maintained a steady growth rate of four levels per year since her martial soul awakened. Yet now, four months had passed, and her soul power level remained stagnant at rank 42.
It wasn't just Wu Siduo—Xu Yuan also felt just as busy as before, but after entering the outer court, his soul power growth had undeniably slowed.
Four months later, his soul power was still stuck at rank 45.
Of course, he was close.
He was certain he could break through to rank 46 before his uncle returned with the paper spirit soul. But with two months left until Xu Shengqun's return, that would mean half a year to gain just one level.
This was a testament to the pressure of Shrek's outer court.
To possess a one-word battle armor by graduation, enduring this suppression was inevitable.
If they didn't raise their auxiliary profession levels now, by the time their thinking became rigid—even if their minds worked faster and they understood more—it would be far harder to muster the determination to painfully relearn and master multiple auxiliary professions.
Why must education start young?
The same principle applied.
However, even though soul power growth had slowed due to the demands of auxiliary professions and laying the groundwork for battle armor, Shrek had not relaxed its emphasis on combat training.
For example, in just a few months, multiple tournaments had already been held.
The exchange match was only for Xu Yuan and his peers, but in the previous three months, Class One, Grade One had weekly combat classes.
Over seven days, the hundred-plus students were divided into seven groups, each attending combat classes on different days, with Wu Zhangkong providing continuous hands-on instruction.
This was growth for the students—and for the teacher as well.
The day after the exchange match ended.
Xu Yuan was called to Wu Zhangkong's office.
"I've submitted the application for the exchange match with the third-years, but based on Elder Cai's attitude, I suspect we'll likely need to team up first and second-years to face them. Since we won this exchange match, we have the right to decide which second-year students to invite to join our team."
Wu Zhangkong looked at Xu Yuan and said, "The seven of you are already outstanding, but without you going all out, the team still lacks frontline firepower. Wu Lin is ultimately only a Soul Elder, relying on his bloodline strength and the temporary boost from the Bloodthirsty Red Bean Buns. Wu Siduo's martial soul fusion skill also has a very short duration. So, I suggest you invite Yuanen Yehui to join the team, as well as Le Zhengyu—his Sacred Angel is indeed formidable in offense. However, without Gao Yang's support, he's noticeably weaker compared to those three."
Xu Yuan nodded.
"Understood, Teacher Wu. I'll find a way to approach them and ask for their opinions."
"I believe Wu Lin has already had some contact with Yuanen Yehui," Wu Zhangkong added. "They're both work-study students."
"Got it, Teacher Wu."
Leaving Wu Zhangkong's office, Xu Yuan headed to the work-study dormitory.
He had never understood the work-study system.
Being unconventional was fine, but why make life harder for yourself?
The work-study dorm conditions were… something else.
Dirty, messy, and rundown.
Of course, cleaning could fix the dirt, but the mess and poor conditions were unavoidable due to the dorm's inherent limitations.
And worst of all—roommates!
It was baffling. What kind of absurd setup was this?
When Xu Yuan arrived, he spotted Xie Xie.
"Xie Xie?"
Startled, Xie Xie—who had been sneakily peering toward Yuanen Yehui's room—whirled around and saw Xu Yuan.
"Class Monitor?"
"Where's Wu Lin?"
"He went out—probably to the Blacksmiths' Association. Not the one at the academy, the branch outside."
"Alright, it's fine if he's not here. I mainly came to see Yuanen Yehui. Teacher Wu said you're familiar with her. Do you know where she is now?"
"Huh?"
"You're not close?"
"Oh! Right, very close. She lives over there. I'll take you to her."
With that, Xie Xie led Xu Yuan to Yuanen Yehui's dorm.
"Uh, Class Monitor, you can call her yourself. I just remembered I have something to do."
Xie Xie quickly slipped away. Xu Yuan paid it no mind and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Me."
"What do you want?"
Yuanen Yehui opened the door.
She was currently dressed in feminine attire.
During yesterday's battle, she had disguised herself as male to avoid the odd stares that might arise from the stark contrast when using her Titan Giant Ape martial soul.
In her feminine form, Yuanen Yehui was stunning—exceptionally beautiful, with a slender figure, pale skin (almost sickly), red hair, and dark eyes. There was a faintly sorrowful air to her appearance.
"The exchange match isn't over yet. I'm here to invite you to join our team for the match against the third-years."
Third-years?
Yuanen Yehui's eyes widened as she stared at Xu Yuan in disbelief.
Are you insane?
You're still trying to challenge higher grades?
"What's wrong? Don't you believe in us?"
Yuanen Yehui nodded. "Exactly. I don't."
After a moment's thought, she added an explanation.
"You have no idea how big the gap is between second and third-years. We've only just advanced to second-year and haven't gone through the next three years of training."
"The foundation we built in first-year has given the top students the basic ability to craft battle armor. The next three years will be spent doing just that."
"Plus, our combat skills are already polished. Future combat classes will just maintain our edge—the pressure won't be as intense as first-year, leaving room for soul power cultivation. In three years, someone like me could undoubtedly reach Soul King level."
"And Duan Hunxiao—he could also reach Soul King within three years."
"Even with the most conservative estimate, by third-year, I'm confident I'll have crafted at least six battle armor components. Under normal circumstances, eight or even nine wouldn't be out of the question."
Yuanen Yehui thought about how she had recently gained access to Tang Wulin's resources, making rare metal acquisition much easier. There was a chance she could complete a full set of battle armor within three years.
If any of the current third-years had similarly unrestricted access to rare metals back then, some might already be full-fledged one-word battle armor masters by now.
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