"Since you all want it so much, then I’ll let you participate!" Zhong Shenxiu said this with such nonchalance, as if it were already a settled fact!

Wayne and the others wouldn't doubt Zhong Shenxiu’s words for a second, after all, he was the teacher who had once turned the 'Diliggan Magic and Martial Academy' upside down. What more could a teacher this formidable not be able to accomplish!

Since Zhong Shenxiu had already decreed it, it meant the matter was confirmed. How could this fail to excite them? The mere thought of having a chance to participate in the widely anticipated 'Academy Ranking Tournament' sent a surge of boiling blood through their veins!

While Wayne and the others were still chattering excitedly, Zhong Shenxiu was already standing up.

Wayne and the others immediately quieted down, staring blankly at Zhong Shenxiu, somewhat surprised that he was leaving so soon! Truthfully, they desperately wanted to ask him where he had been all this time, why he had vanished for so long!

"Hey, spread the word: classes start the day after tomorrow!" Zhong Shenxiu left these words behind as he departed.

Wayne and the others didn't react immediately, but once Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were completely gone, they realized this meant they were giving more classes. Without daring to delay, they hurried off to notify everyone else!

Meanwhile, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin continued to wander through the grounds of the 'Homebound Magic and Martial Academy.' Due to the impending 'Academy Ranking Tournament,' the atmosphere across the campus had shifted; everyone seemed restless, and the primary topic of conversation revolved entirely around the event!

As luck would have it, they spotted two familiar figures in the distance. It was none other than Eileen and Makoxin.

"Hey, women!" Zhong Shenxiu materialized behind the two of them as suddenly as a phantom, making absolutely no sound.

"Ah!" The two women certainly jumped, especially since the voice was so incredibly familiar.

"It's you?" Eileen widened her eyes, seemingly struggling to believe what she was seeing.

"Teacher Zhong?!" Makoxin exclaimed as well, finding that calling him these three words was becoming increasingly natural for her.

"You’re back?" Eileen asked again.

She had tried to find Zhong Shenxiu several times during this period, only to be told he hadn't returned. To think he would just appear today was a massive surprise! She had so much knowledge about 'Lightning Magic' she was eager to ask him about—it had been bottled up inside her for days. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't resolve the issues, but now that Zhong Shenxiu was here, those problems would naturally be solved!

However, Zhong Shenxiu gave her no chance to ask. He said directly, "Woman, you can go request leave now. You are going to be very busy for the next month!"

Stone.

!

Eileen’s expression nearly froze. She couldn't believe that upon their first meeting, Zhong Shenxiu was already bringing up terms of agreement—it felt like a bucket of ice water being dumped on her! Because their previous agreement stipulated that Eileen must assist him whenever he needed it, she understood the implication of his words, though she didn't yet know what he required of her.

Makoxin, standing nearby, was utterly confused. She hadn't realized her 'Sister Linna' had some kind of secret arrangement with her young Teacher Zhong. What were they talking about? Why couldn't she understand a single word?

Just as she was feeling perplexed, Zhong Shenxiu turned his gaze toward her. "Classes officially resume the day after tomorrow. Prepare yourself in advance."

Zhong Shenxiu placed particular emphasis on the word 'prepare,' as if hinting at something significant. But Makoxin, preoccupied, didn't notice the weight of his tone; she was only focused on the content of the statement.

"Classes start the day after tomorrow? Great, I understand!" Makoxin was so thrilled she nearly bounced. She had intended to ask Zhong Shenxiu if he needed her to prepare anything, but frustratingly, she saw that he and Robin were already walking away—he had arrived in a rush and departed just as swiftly!

Long after Zhong Shenxiu’s figure had disappeared, the two women remained standing where they were.

"Sister Linna, what were you two just talking about?" Makoxin finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Nothing!" Eileen dismissed her curtly. She didn't want anyone to know about her deal with Zhong Shenxiu just yet.

"You and our little Teacher Zhong seem awfully familiar. When did that start?" Makoxin didn't relent, merely rephrasing her question.

Eileen shot her a look, irritated. "What start or what development? We're colleagues, so... so..."

"So what?" Makoxin’s smile widened. She didn't know much else, but she knew Eileen was terrible at lying; every time she tried, she got so flustered she became speechless.

"It’s nothing," Eileen sighed, deciding to be evasive rather than dig herself into a deeper hole.

"There isn't some secret you're keeping from me, is there?" Makoxin leaned closer to Eileen until their bodies were pressed nearly touching.

"Ah, right! What did he just say? Did he say classes start the day after tomorrow?" Eileen suddenly asked, appearing galvanized by a thought.

Makoxin was momentarily stunned by her sudden agitation. Why was she so excited about classes starting?

"Yes, he did say that," Makoxin nodded, her attention immediately shifting to observe Eileen's reaction.

"Kexin, you go on back first. I have to run an errand!" Eileen bolted away without waiting for Makoxin’s answer. She had to notify her brother immediately. He had been wishing for this day so intensely he was nearly going crazy; she had to deliver this good news so he could prepare in advance!

...

Late into the night, while everyone else was asleep, Zhong Shenxiu was still deep in research. On one hand, he needed to study the extraordinary items he had retrieved from the ancient tomb. On the other, he had to devise a rigorous training plan to elevate his students' power, ensuring they reached a new level before the competition! If nothing else, every student he taught had to pass the official selections—it would be too embarrassing otherwise! Moreover, he had already promised Director Lyander that he would achieve outstanding results in the 'Academy Ranking Tournament'!

Though time was tight, it was no obstacle for Zhong Shenxiu. With just a moment of thought, he had already conceived several viable strategies; his current task was simply to select the most effective one!

Zhong Shenxiu intentionally set the official start date for the day after tomorrow: this allowed the students some time to prepare, and it gave him time to set up the necessary arrangements!

Enough preamble. Soon, the official day of instruction arrived. As before, everyone had gathered in the training hall before dawn had even broken. The only difference was the addition of two people: Eileen and her younger brother, Laurent!

Laurent was incredibly excited. He had waited for this day for so long, and finally, it was here! Ever since Eileen told him the news two days prior, he had been so thrilled he hadn't slept well, yet he was still bursting with energy!

"Brother Solomon, I finally get to attend class just like you," Laurent said immediately, rushing over when he saw Solomon enter.

Solomon was slightly surprised but quickly recovered; after all, he was also in an excited state and had little focus for peripheral matters.

"Teacher Eileen, you came too!" Solomon and Laurent both approached her.

"Mm," Eileen nodded with a faint smile. While she appeared calm on the surface, she was more tense than anyone present, because she still didn't know what Zhong Shenxiu intended for her to do!

As the three were talking, Makoxin walked in carrying a large pile of things. Apparently, she had gone out to buy late-night snacks—no wonder she hadn't been seen earlier! With Makoxin’s lively presence, the atmosphere instantly became more animated, though most of the talking was done by her.

Half an hour later, even that little imp, Cherry, arrived, making the scene even livelier!

At this point, everyone except Angelia and Rhys had arrived! Some gathered in small groups of three or five, while others were quietly occupied with their own affairs. The atmosphere was generally congenial.

Leng Xiangxue sat in a corner, using a piece of brown leather cloth to polish her sword. However, her deep, somewhat icy eyes kept flicking toward the doorway. Her inner state was far from the calm exterior suggested. Ever since her battle with Angelia, the ethereal image of the other girl constantly haunted her mind. During the two months Angelia and the others were gone, she found herself obsessively thinking about what Angelia might be doing and where she might be—she felt almost bewitched!

While she was sometimes astonished by this, and had asked herself why she cared so deeply for one person, she could never find a definitive answer, ultimately dismissing it with a single, convenient phrase: they were friends! Yet, her preoccupation clearly surpassed the boundaries of mere friendship! If Angelia were a man, this could be understood as unrequited love, but the fact that they were both female made such feelings profoundly confusing!

As her thoughts drifted back into memory, the door opened again. Everyone looked toward the sound and froze! The arrivals were none other than Angelia and Rhys. To everyone’s surprise, every single student had arrived, perhaps even more punctual than if they had arranged it themselves!

"Angelia!" Leng Xiangxue cried out, nearly dropping her sword.

Angelia heard the call and nodded to Leng Xiangxue before sweeping her gaze over the assembled group once more. For some reason, being scrutinized by Angelia made everyone tense, as if something momentous was about to happen.

"Is everyone present?" Angelia inquired.

"Everyone is here!" Ban En quickly replied.

"Teacher Zhong instructed you all to follow me. Those who wish to become stronger, come along. Those afraid to die may leave on their own terms!" Angelia said, then started walking toward the exit.

Not a single person hesitated or hung back; they all followed. However, some couldn't resist asking, "Where are we going?"

"To Hell on Earth!"