After merely reading Zhao Mu's written exam, Xie Yingxue actually made an unprecedented offer to admit him on the spot!
Regardless of whether his talent was rank E or how he would perform in the upcoming martial trial, she was determined to take this student.
"A Perfect Score—this is the only perfect written paper I've seen since I came to Qingfeng Camp and presided over every exam."
"He's a born staff officer! Whether as a military advisor or a future government official, he'll be top-grade material."
She had set the questions herself, so she knew exactly how hard it was to award full marks.
Even she couldn't have produced such a model answer in half an hour.
"What kind of place could possibly train a prodigy so good at taking tests?"
Xie Yingxue couldn't help sighing.
Zhang Biao and Xu Zhixiong's eyes bulged. "A perfect paper!!"
In theory, they had raised the written standards to select elites.
But a perfect script at the rookie level was something beyond elite.
Even the old man dozing on the sofa slowly opened his eyes.
"A perfect written score? Haven't seen that in years."
The trio turned at the voice.
"Liu Weiguo, want a look? This year Qingfeng Camp seems to have an unusual New Recruit."
Xu Zhixiong folded his thick arms.
The white-bearded Liu Weiguo of Qingfeng Camp, Liu Weiguo, approached with his cane.
He lifted his gaze to the paper on the screen; a sharp gleam of admiration flashed in his eyes.
"Truly a rare find."
He told Xie Yingxue, "Admit him directly. Ask if he still wants to take the martial trial. Losing a seedling this good there would be a shame."
Xie Yingxue nodded. "Yes, I'll contact him at once."
After leaving the exam hall, Zhao Mu didn't wander; he walked to the rest area near the lecture theatre and sat on a bench.
"After the written test comes the martial trial. No surprises—my paper was perfect, so that's 40 comprehensive points in the bag."
"But to clinch first place in this Trial, I still need to top the martial round to be sure."
He sat on the bench, Breathing evenly.
Incidentally, the demon clown's Turtle Breathing Technique panel stayed open all day; he was grinding mastery 24/7.
Up on the lecture theatre's second floor, Shen Moran and Shao Han were still present.
As pre-admitted students, they weren't required to watch the Trial Participants.
Yet both had come, each for their own reasons, because of the same person.
They wanted to see how Zhao Mu would perform.
Shao Han nursed a deep grudge—years of being overshadowed, plus the humiliation Zhao Mu had dealt him—fueling a desire for revenge.
As for Shen Moran?
Her feelings were complicated.
When she broke up with Zhao Mu, she thought she'd made a clean, correct choice.
She had felt guilty and wanted to make it up to him.
But the stronger Zhao Mu proved to be, the more panicked she became—his brilliance slapped her face, mocking her mistake.
So, though she wouldn't admit it, she came hoping to see him eliminated.
Then she could comfort him like a benevolent goddess and use her new contacts to land him a logistics job.
She needed to prove she'd been right.
Neither of them left, but when they saw Zhao Mu exit so early, their eyes lit up.
They exchanged glances from a distance.
"Half an hour and he hands in the paper—given up?"
Shao Han mocked.
Shen Moran sighed softly. "Maybe he's planning to claw back points in the martial trial."
Shao Han snorted. "Dream on."
Hands in pockets, he stared at Zhao Mu in the square, a cold smirk in his eyes.
"In the martial trial he stands even less chance."
Just then the sharp clack of high heels rang out.
They turned to see Elementary Class Instructor Xie Yingxue hurrying down the stairs.
Both quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"Instructor Xie!"
Xie Yingxue gave a slight nod.
"Here to watch the Trial?"
Shao Han smiled. "Yes, we've got friends in it; we're here to help."
He bit out the word "help" with a meaningful grin.
"Mm."
She was ever frosty, especially strict with New Recruits.
But as she turned to leave, she paused and looked back. "Aren't you two from No. 2 High?"
They nodded.
She pointed toward Zhao Mu in the square. "So the friend you mentioned—him?"
The moment she named Zhao Mu, both felt a shift.
"Handing in early—half an hour. Such a careless attitude must have angered Instructor Xie. Zhao Mu's in for it now."
Shao Han sneered inwardly.
He hurriedly said, "Instructor Xie, we do know him. Don't mind him—he always thinks he's a Genius. I just didn't expect him to treat even the Entrance Trial so lightly."
Xie Yingxue's gaze sharpened, staring at him in surprise.
"I thought you, as his friend, would know him better."
Shao Han and Shen Moran froze, unsure what she meant.
This Ice Queen of Qingfeng Camp was always poker-faced, even with the Liu Weiguo.
Yet today her tone about Zhao Mu felt different.
Shao Han's petty scheme was transparent to her; she curled a playful smile, adjusted her Gold-rimmed Glasses, and said coolly:
"I've read Zhao Mu's paper. His score—perfect. The only perfect written exam Qingfeng Camp has seen in ten years."
"And it was handed in after just half an hour."
Shen Moran and Shao Han were struck as if by lightning, petrified, eyes filled with disbelief.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)