The day after the awakening.
Jianghai No.1 High School, Combat Training Area.
As soon as Lin Feng stepped into the training field, he sensed something was off.
It was too quiet.
Not just quiet—
Everyone was looking at him.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"That's him, right?"
"The one with zero affinity?"
"I heard his mental control is insane."
"He beat Zhao Kai like that yesterday…"
Lin Feng paused slightly.
Then continued walking as if nothing happened.
He ignored them.
He was already used to it.
"Lin Feng."
A deep voice came from ahead.
Lin Feng looked up.
A middle-aged man stood in the center of the field.
Not tall—
But carrying an overwhelming pressure.
"I am your combat instructor, Zhou Yuan."
"From today onward, I will be responsible for your training."
Lin Feng nodded.
"Teacher."
Zhou Yuan did not respond.
He simply stared at him.
His gaze was deep.
As if observing something.
After a few seconds—
He suddenly spoke:
"Release your skill."
Lin Feng paused.
The surroundings instantly fell silent.
Everyone was watching.
He didn't hesitate.
He raised his hand.
Buzz—
A fireball slowly formed.
The flame looked ordinary.
Nothing special.
But—
Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Continue."
Lin Feng didn't move.
He didn't even know what to "continue."
At that moment—
The familiar voice sounded in his mind again.
"Another fight?"
The tone carried boredom.
Lin Feng: "…"
Are you addicted to fighting?
"Too weak."
The Fire Spirit continued.
"But—fine, I'll move a bit."
The next second—
The fireball trembled.
Then shot out of his hand.
Whoosh!
It flew toward a target on the other side of the field.
Boom!
Hit!
But it did not disappear.
It paused—
Then turned back!
Boom! Boom!
Multiple hits!
Smooth.
Seamless.
Throughout the entire process—
Lin Feng did not move at all.
The entire field fell silent.
Everyone stared at the fireball.
And Zhou Yuan's expression—
Completely changed.
"As expected."
He muttered.
Lin Feng's heart stirred.
"Teacher?"
Zhou Yuan didn't explain.
He simply stared at him.
Then slowly said:
"Your skill… is not controlled by you."
The air froze instantly.
Lin Feng's pupils shrank.
He… saw through it?!
But the others were confused.
"What does that mean?"
"Isn't it mental power?"
Zhou Yuan ignored them.
His gaze remained locked on Lin Feng.
"Do you know it yourself?"
Lin Feng stayed silent.
After a few seconds—
He shook his head.
"…Not completely."
He neither denied—
Nor admitted.
Zhou Yuan watched him for a moment.
Then suddenly smiled.
"Good."
"That means—"
"Your ability is still growing."
He turned and walked toward the center of the field.
His tone returned to calm.
"All students, prepare for combat training."
"Today's content—"
"Single combat simulation."
The crowd stirred immediately.
But Lin Feng did not move.
He was still thinking about those words.
Not controlled by me…
Then what is it?
At that moment—
The Fire Spirit spoke again.
With slight irritation:
"That man… noticed."
Lin Feng froze.
"You felt it too?"
"Of course."
The Fire Spirit snorted.
"He's much stronger than those people yesterday."
After a pause—
It added:
"But—I'm stronger."
Lin Feng: "…"
Where does that confidence come from?
At that moment—
On the other side of the field—
Several students had already started fighting.
Flames, wind blades, and earth walls clashed.
The scene grew chaotic.
Lin Feng still hadn't moved.
But the Fire Spirit suddenly spoke:
"Too slow."
"They're all training."
"I can't fall behind."
Lin Feng paused.
That tone—
Something felt off.
"What do you mean?"
The Fire Spirit fell silent for a moment.
Then—
Its voice lowered slightly.
"I want to get stronger."
"I can't be surpassed by those who come later."
Lin Feng's heart shook.
Those who come later?
Aren't you the first?
The next second—
The Fire Spirit added:
"There will definitely be other spirits in the future."
"I must be the strongest."
Lin Feng: "…"
So that's what you're competing for.
"Shut up."
The Fire Spirit sounded annoyed.
"I'm going to train."
Whoosh!
The fireball left again.
Flying straight out of the training field.
Lin Feng stood there.
Watching the flame disappear into the distance.
Only one thought remained—
…It has already started competing?