First place—Huaihai College.
No one had expected this outcome.
After all, Huaihai College's overall strength wasn't considered outstanding. Among all the academies in the southeastern region, it barely cracked the top ten. Compared to the powerhouse that was Jinghai College, Huaihai was clearly outmatched.
To make things more sensitive, Huaihai College belonged to the Eastern District.
Didn't they understand that this college competition was designed to strengthen relations with the Southern District?
And now, after humiliating Jinghai College like this, how were they supposed to maintain that relationship?
If Huaihai and Jinghai couldn't even cooperate, how could the entire Southeastern Region unite?
And if they didn't unite, how would they face the looming catastrophe: the large-scale Beast Tide predicted to arrive soon?
Xi Yan, the head of Huaihai's executive department, wore an extremely grim expression.
Those little brats! He'd told them not to provoke the Southern District schools. And what did they do?
Not only did they offend a few, they directly embarrassed Jinghai College—arguably the most influential college in the entire Southeast.
It was almost like they were deliberately trying to sabotage the alliance between the Eastern and Southern Districts.
Xi Yan glanced sideways. Beside him, Principal Lin Hai and two vice-deans of Jinghai College were visibly displeased. Their expressions were anything but friendly.
---
"The first round of trials has officially concluded," Lin Hai announced in a steady tone. "The second round will begin tomorrow."
"Unlike the first, the next round is focused on one-on-one duels. It's the longest and most challenging part, so everyone should be mentally and physically prepared."
The sky had already begun to darken.
With the announcements done, the students and faculty began dispersing, returning to their lodgings for the night.
Huaihai's team headed back toward their hotel. Along the way, Wei Lin was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Hehe, I can't believe it—we actually beat Jinghai College! Brother Smith, you're incredible!"
"Of course I am," Smith said smugly, arms crossed. "I told you I'd lead us to first place. You think I'd settle for second?"
He wasn't just showing off. Smith had a clear goal in mind.
Sure, winning meant recognition from the academy... but more importantly, his system's mission rewards were off the charts.
First place meant:
– 15,000 energy points
– A random tailed beast
– Two high-grade lucky draws
It would be crazy not to aim for first place.
---
The group returned to the hotel in high spirits. But before they could enter their rooms, they spotted Xi Yan and Sun Shuyu standing at the end of the corridor.
Neither looked pleased.
The grinning students quickly sobered up.
"Smith, Xi Congqing," Sun Shuyu called out sternly. "You two, come with us. The rest of you, go rest."
Smith and Xi Congqing exchanged a look and followed in silence.
The others sighed and went to their rooms, deflated.
---
Inside the room, Xi Yan and Sun Shuyu stood stiffly, their faces like thunderclouds.
Smith and Xi Congqing stood opposite them, exchanging uneasy glances.
The silence stretched awkwardly.
Finally, Xi Congqing broke it. "Uncle… what's wrong?"
She shouldn't have asked.
Xi Yan's temper snapped. "What's wrong? You still dare call me uncle after what you pulled? As head of the executive department, can I not even control you anymore?!"
Sun Shuyu chimed in, equally upset. "And what about me? Am I not your dean of academics anymore?!"
Their scolding echoed in the room.
Xi Congqing bowed her head, fidgeting with her sleeves. "Is… is it really that serious?"
"Have you forgotten what we told you before?!" Xi Yan exploded again. "We asked you to go easy on the Southern District academies!"
"And what did you do?" he continued, fuming. "You went and humiliated the Southern District's top academy!"
While it was true that Huaihai's win proved their strength, this wasn't the result the higher-ups wanted.
"It's not our fault they weren't strong enough," Smith muttered under his breath.
"You're still trying to defend yourself?!" Sun Shuyu snapped.
Xi Yan raised a hand to stop the rising tension. "Listen. I know this feels unfair. But let me explain why we wanted you to hold back."
He took a deep breath and spoke gravely.
"We didn't ask you to give in out of weakness. We did it to foster an alliance with the Southern District."
"Because all the major cities are predicting a massive, unprecedented Beast Tide in the next six to twelve months. If we don't unite, Huaihai City won't survive."
---
"An extreme beast tide?"
Both Smith and Xi Congqing looked up in shock.
Xi Yan nodded solemnly.
"Yes. This alliance between the Southeast regions is to prepare for that threat. We need cooperation, not competition. That's why we asked you to avoid conflict."
There was a long silence.
Smith and Xi Congqing had no idea the situation was this serious.
"…We understand," Smith finally said, though his tone still carried a trace of reluctance.
He wasn't opposed to making sacrifices for the greater good—but if Jinghai College pushed things too far, he wasn't sure how long he could hold back.
"For the individual duels tomorrow, just do your best," Xi Yan said. "Whether you win or not, it doesn't matter."
"Got it," they both replied, then left the room quietly.
---
Back in the hallway, Smith sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "So I guess first place is out of reach now."
The rewards were so tempting. It was hard not to feel bitter about giving them up.
"If not first, then just aim for second or third," Xi Congqing said, trying to comfort him. "There are still great rewards for the top ten."
She didn't fully understand Smith's obsession with being first, but after hearing Xi Yan's explanation, she agreed: it was time to put the bigger picture first.
Smith glanced at her and nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'll settle for second, then."
Seeing his downcast face, Xi Congqing suddenly burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Smith frowned.
She was pretty when she laughed, sure—but that didn't mean she could laugh at him!
"I'm just amused," she said between giggles. "You're already calculating which place you'll take like it's guaranteed. Aren't you a bit too confident?"
"If you don't have dreams, how are you any better than a salted fish?" Smith replied solemnly.
"Alright, alright, Mister Dreamer. I'll give your dream back to you," she teased, pulling out the Flying Thunder God Kunai he'd given her earlier.
"Keep it," Smith said, waving it off.
"No way!" she refused immediately, glaring at him with mock indignation. "I don't want you teleporting next to me and throwing me to the ground again!"
She couldn't help but blush as she recalled the awkward landing from earlier. That moment had felt… strange.
"No, really. Keep it," Smith said again. He reached out, gently taking her soft hand and placing the kunai into it.
His voice turned serious. "As long as you have this, no matter what happens—I'll be there for you, the moment you need me."
Ãdvåñçé 60 çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)