The second day of the new term.
After being set up by Fors yesterday, Nan Fusheng glared daggers at her during class. Fors only beamed back at him cheerfully.
Stuck between the two, Xu Xiaoyan suddenly felt strangely uncomfortable. She turned and gave Nan Fusheng a sharp glare of her own—forcing him to retreat in defeat.
"Today, we'll be electing class officers."
The lecturer was still Shen Yi, while Wu Zhangkong stood coldly off to the side, watching the class without expression.
"At Shrek, strength is everything. Your character has already been tested, so the Academy believes that anyone here could perform well as a class officer.
Therefore, you'll compete amongst yourselves, and those who perform best will be judged by Teacher Wu and me to take on the various officer roles.
The class officers include: one Class President, two Vice Presidents, one Blacksmithing Committee Member, one Designing Committee Member, one Crafting Committee Member, and one Maintenance Committee Member. These correspond to the four auxiliary professions."
Seven class officers in total?
At that moment, Cai Yue'er appeared at the classroom door, speaking calmly:
"Do not underestimate the class officer positions. Each officer represents every student in their field, and they also receive additional contribution points.
The Class President and Vice Presidents represent the entire class as its leaders. The President receives one thousand contribution points each month, Vice Presidents six hundred, and the professional committee members five hundred each.
Before the age of twenty-five, as long as one becomes a Battle Armor Master, they can immediately graduate from the Outer Court and attempt the Inner Court examination.
Graduate at any time, test at any time. Before thirty-five, becoming a Battle Armor Master is still enough to graduate. Fail to reach that level, and you have no right to claim you are a student of Shrek Academy.
Today, the seven class officers will be chosen."
"Elder Cai." Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong both bowed in respect, while Shen Yi yielded her spot at the podium for Cai Yue'er.
"First," Cai Yue'er began, "I will announce the appointment of one officer directly. Fors Wall will serve as Class President."
Uproar!
The classroom instantly exploded in noise.
"Stand and let your classmates see you," Shen Yi instructed from the side.
Fors rose to her feet, turned, and faced the class.
Thirteen- to fifteen-year-old youths looked back at her, expressions mixed. The boys' gazes were largely favorable—for obvious reasons. Her striking beauty and lazy charm were simply too lethal.
Even most of the girls couldn't muster hostility toward her… though not all.
"Teacher!" a girl seated near the front suddenly raised her hand.
"Speak," Cai Yue'er replied coolly.
"Why does she become Class President without competing?"
The speaker was tall and slender, with long, wavy, reddish-brown hair cascading down her back. Her skin was fair, her eyes large—but her air was cold, unapproachable.
"Wu Siduo."
"It's Ghost Wu Siduo!"
Whispers spread quickly. Tang Wulin also caught the murmurs. Ghost Wu Siduo? Was she famous?
Growing up in Eastsea City, Tang Wulin's information had been limited. News from outside rarely reached him, so he'd never heard of these so-called prodigies. But from the reactions of the others, it was clear this girl was someone of renown.
Cai Yue'er looked at Wu Siduo and said faintly:
"Yes, Wu Siduo. The reason Fors Wall does not need to compete for Class President is simple: in this year's cohort, none of you is her match. That's all."
Uproar again!
This time, even the boys stared at Fors with curiosity, challenge, and battle intent in their eyes.
Before coming to Shrek, each of them had been the pride of their own cities. Cai Yue'er's words were a direct slap to their pride—declaring they were all inferior to the girl before them. How could they accept that?
Wu Siduo was clearly among the most unwilling. She opened her mouth to speak, but Fors was already smiling sweetly, raising her hand to draw all attention to herself.
Then she said:
"Ah, well, the old hag isn't wrong. But saying it so bluntly is a little embarrassing, don't you think?"
Cai Yue'er's face twitched. Even Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong were struck speechless. Did she really just call Elder Cai an old hag to her face?
This must be the same girl who had already offended Elder Cai during enrollment, they all thought simultaneously—Tang Wulin included.
"But if you're unconvinced, that's fine too. Everyone can come to me together. Once I put the whole class on the ground, I doubt anyone will have objections left." Fors's tone was airy, as if she were mentioning something trivial.
Another uproar!
Wasn't this girl too arrogant? A solo challenge against the entire class?
"Fine! I'll challenge you first!" Wu Siduo snapped. The proud girl had never been so belittled—she instantly issued her challenge to Fors.
"Good. Let's settle it here, then. Won't take long anyway." Fors remained as calm as ever.
Somehow, her serenity only stoked Wu Siduo's fury. The way Fors looked at her—like she was just a minor thug—was unbearable.
Wu Siduo was just about to retort when Cai Yue'er's sharp voice cut in:
"Enough! Is the classroom a place for you to brawl? And you, Fors Wall—you're not even Class President yet, and you would already violate discipline by fighting your classmates?
Fine. Since you're all so eager, we'll take this to the Grand Arena. A full-class melee. That should settle your doubts.
The new rule is this: the last one standing in the arena will be Class President. The second-to-last and third-to-last to fall will be Vice Presidents.
And don't think about playing dead. If all four limbs or your torso touch the ground, you're eliminated."
She paused, then added fuel to the fire:
"Of course, if you don't care about these positions, that's fine too. Class officers don't get many benefits—only extra duties. Their sole advantage is slightly more influence in the Academy, and a bit of a boost when applying for the Inner Court.
But you all know this: in Shrek Academy—and even Shrek City itself—the supreme authority rests with the Sea God's Pavilion. Almost every Elder of the Pavilion once served as a Class President or Vice President.
There are only six grades, six classes—so only six Presidents at a time. Their chances of entering the Inner Court are always higher."
Her words ignited the fire in every student's heart. Who didn't want to rise above the rest, especially at Shrek? Whether they could succeed or not, none were willing to give up without trying.