Class Exercise 1

Wen Jiu stared intently at the ever-changing images on the screen. The video provided a detailed explanation of the origins and branches of supernatural abilities.

Currently, the abilities researched by the Federation are categorized into eight main elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Dark, and Ice. These abilities can be used independently or to assist in mecha combat. However, due to the resource limitations at Academy 3047, students are only permitted to learn how to integrate these abilities with mecha combat once they reach the upper grades.

"Now that everyone has a basic understanding of these abilities, let us continue by exploring the characteristics of each one."

The imagery shifted, showing individuals with various powers demonstrating their skills. Some ignited flames at their fingertips in an instant, while others flicked their wrists to manifest long, trailing vines. When an individual with a Gold-element ability stepped forward, they snapped their fingers, causing several small metal shards to rotate and fly through the air at high speeds, creating a wind-like effect.

Wen Jiu finally understood that the technique Shi Gang had used to attack her the previous day was exactly this.

"According to current Federation statistics, individuals possessing Light, Dark, or Ice abilities are the rarest," Li Qinzhen explained dutifully. "Of course, those capable of wielding dual elements are also extremely uncommon."

"Teacher! Are there people who possess three or four elemental abilities?" asked a male student in the front row, his expression focused.

Li Qinzhen smiled. "In the history of the Federation, there have been two predecessors who possessed triple-element abilities, but no one has ever possessed four."

As the video played and Teacher Li continued her lecture, the first half of the class passed quickly. Wen Jiu gained a clearer grasp of these abilities. They were much like the spiritual roots she had cultivated and awakened in her past life, allowing one to utilize the elemental energy contained within to launch attacks or defend. Beyond the standard techniques taught in the curriculum, those with high talent could even create their own.

After a ten-minute break, Li Qinzhen resumed the lesson. "The visual materials have finished playing. Everyone may now attempt to manifest your own abilities." She began to demonstrate. She extended her hand and said, "Everyone, stretch out your hands, close your eyes, and focus on sensing the energy contained within your bodies..."

Wen Jiu followed her instructions, closing her eyes. Before Li Qinzhen had even finished speaking, Wen Jiu felt the familiar sensation of a warm current flowing within her. In an instant, an orange-red flame appeared at her fingertip. The sudden rise in temperature caught Li Qinzhen off guard. While Fire-element users were not rare, this was the first time she had encountered someone who could manifest such an intense flame on their very first attempt.

Li Qinzhen quickly regained her composure, assuming that Wen Jiu must have learned how to harness her abilities elsewhere before enrolling. While the other students were still struggling to sense and mobilize their energy, Li Qinzhen stood by with her arms crossed, waiting patiently. She did not notice that, for a fleeting moment, a trace of blue appeared within the flames Wen Jiu had conjured.

Wen Jiu, naturally, kept her eyes fixed on the flame at her fingertip. That touch of blue was unmistakably the Deep Sea Blue Flame she had once mastered. It was her "Life Fire," which she had spent a great deal of time and effort searching for in her previous life, and the process of subduing it had been exceptionally arduous.

Wen Jiu had never expected that the Deep Sea Blue Flame would follow her to this world, especially since she had been unable to use any of her previous cultivation techniques upon arriving, leaving her no different from an ordinary person. But now, with her Life Fire restored, she could finally practice alchemy to earn money!

Wen Jiu’s mood improved instantly, and a look of delight brightened her features.

Before long, the male student who had asked the earlier question successfully manifested his ability, becoming the second person in the class to do so. His ability was Water-based, though his proficiency was so low that his fingertip merely sputtered water like a jammed water gun.

Although Wen Jiu had tested positive for a dual-element ability, she concentrated again but failed to manifest the Wood-element power.

As the class neared its end, fewer than ten students had successfully manifested their abilities. Li Qinzhen spoke softly, "Those who did not succeed this time, do not be anxious; keep practicing when you return home. Since you all successfully passed the aptitude tests before admission, you are certainly capable of manifesting them. It is common for many to fail on their first attempt; even I, Teacher Li, had to try many times before I succeeded."

After class, Wen Jiu left the classroom and headed toward the training grounds; the next session was physical conditioning. The instructor for this session was a familiar face. However, Wen Jiu did not rashly approach to greet Zhou Sen, choosing instead to stand quietly in line.

Once everyone had arrived, Zhou Sen transformed from a gentle young man into a sharp-eyed falcon.

"We will keep today’s training simple," Zhou Sen announced. "Dress right, dress! Forward march!"

He blew his whistle, urging the students forward as he paced behind them, only allowing them to stop after they had completed five laps around the training field. Even so, the students were unaccustomed to the exertion and could not help but gasp for air as they came to a halt. Wen Jiu felt somewhat fatigued, but having grown accustomed to running about while scavenging, these few laps around the training field were not difficult for her.

"Stand at attention!" Zhou Sen suddenly barked. "Once you enter this academy, you are reserve soldiers! You must hold yourselves to the standards of official Federation troops!"

Upon hearing this, the students, who had been catching their breath, scrambled to straighten their posture, and the formation became orderly once more.

Zhou Sen nodded with satisfaction. "Now, the real training begins." He gestured toward a patch of wire obstacles not far away. "Starting from here, crawl through the wire mesh, climb over four high walls, navigate the overhead monkey bars, and finally, crawl back through the wire mesh on the other side."

Hearing his instructions, the students began to look at one another in dismay. Wen Jiu, however, found nothing strange about it; she believed that if one wanted to be an official soldier, this level of training was nothing.

"The training begins now. Everyone must complete three cycles before gathering back here!"

With that, Zhou Sen blew his whistle. The students scrambled toward the first wire obstacle. Wen Jiu maintained a steady pace, neither fast nor slow. By the time she reached the wire mesh, half the group had already started, while the others stood there, stunned. Without hesitation, she dropped to the ground and crawled into the muddy pit beneath the wire.

Watching the muddy water splash as Wen Jiu moved forward, two boys behind her frowned. "Is it really necessary for us to train in such filthy mud?"

"I... I suppose so. Should we continue?"

There were many others who shared their disdain. Seeing them lingering, Zhou Sen walked over and snapped, "What are you all standing around for? Do you think the battlefield will give you a choice of conditions?"

"If you don't continue training, you’ll be doing double the repetitions!"

Hearing this, those who had been hesitating gritted their teeth and began to crawl through the mud one after another. Wen Jiu, as agile as a loach and completely unbothered by the filth, pushed herself forward with her hands. She quickly finished the crawl through the mud pit, and despite being covered in sludge, she didn't blink an eye as she ran toward the next obstacle.