The students listened attentively to Xavier's lesson, including Zeke. The topic for today's class was relatively simpler, so he was able to catch on despite not being familiar with previous materials.
When the bell rang, Professor Xavier abruptly stopped. He glanced outside, then turned his gaze towards everyone. With a small nod, he ended the lecture concisely. "That's all for today. Make sure to prepare, the class exam is next week."
After saying a few words, he took his stuff and left the classroom, leaving the class in a stupor. A pin drop silence lingered even after he left, as though they were still processing what he had just said. A moment later, the class exploded.
"The class exam is starting next week… I'm doomed…"
"This is bad, I barely improved since last time…!"
"I hope it isn't hard. I heard from seniors in my club that their class exams in the past were insanely difficult, even causing conflicts within their class. But fortunately, they had a good class representative…"
Speaking of the class representative, everyone's gaze subtly turned towards Franz, who was surrounded by one guy and one girl. Franz noticed their gaze and scoffed. "Don't worry. I'll lead us all to victory."
When they heard him, they fell silent.
Victory? It was good enough if they didn't have any problems in the class exam, as it involved class cooperation.
Seeing this, Franz's expression changed. "Huh? You think I can't do it?"
"Looks like they're doubting you Franz," The boy next to him snickered, glaring at the other students. "Alyses, Gunter, Nulan, Kaytor… tch. If I remember correctly, many of you here performed badly on the last class exam. Only Franz managed to get a lead."
The girl beside him nodded. "That's right!"
Hearing the guy mention specific names, the students in question flinched. Their expressions changed, looking at him with a murderous glare. But when Franz met their gaze, they scowled and averted their eyes.
While the class was in turmoil, Zeke stood up and left the classroom. Since nobody had left yet, his actions took everyone's attention, causing most to glance at Franz. But at that moment, a familiar voice resounded.
"Zeke, wait for me!"
The others' gaze turned to Andrei, who was sprinting towards Zeke.
Before stepping outside the room, Andrei swept his gaze to everyone in the room, smiling slightly. His gaze lingered on the boy next to Franz. The boy's expression changed subtly, and Franz also frowned.
'… It wasn't only Franz who led in the rankings that time.'
They recalled, glancing at the boy again.
'Andrei had even reached the top ten.'
***
Outside the academy's main building, Zeke abruptly stopped, looking at his back and seeing Andrei. He frowned. "… Why are you following me?"
Andrei chuckled, putting his hand over Zeke's shoulders. "Don't be like that. Where are you going?"
Zeke answered directly. "To train."
"Well, the class exams are next week…" Andrei nodded in understanding. His eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll join you then!"
Zeke quickly walked away, ignoring him. But Andrei followed on his tail, causing him to feel a slight headache.
'Doesn't this guy have anything better to do?'
Just as he thought of this, Andrei suddenly froze. Zeke only noticed it when Andrei's voice suddenly died down. He turned his gaze to his back, seeing Andrei wear a solemn, conflicted expression.
Zeke furrowed his brows. "What's wrong?"
Andrei snapped out of his daze, then rubbed his nose. He looked at Zeke quietly with a wry smile. "Sorry, I suddenly remember that I have something to do today."
Zeke's frown deepened, but seeing Andrei's expression, he had a feeling that things weren't that simple. He wasn't someone who knew how to push people to begin with, so he simply sighed and turned his gaze to the front.
He hesitated for a moment, but then spoke.
"You can join me any time, I actually don't mind."
After saying that, he entered the training facility. Andrei's eyes widened, his lips curving slightly. But when Zeke left, his expression turned cold, a hint of murderous intention flashing in his eyes. He turned his gaze to his left, seeing a familiar person. But sensing they got caught, the person immediately ran away.
Seeing this, Andrei couldn't help but mutter quietly.
"Maybe I should kill that guy, after all."
Inside the training facility, Zeke went to the fourth floor and occupied a relatively empty corner. Since the class exam was approaching, the training facility was quite packed, with the first through the third floors fully occupied by other students.
Students sparring with each other was a common sight, and skills were being thrown left and right. It was chaotic. Zeke even wanted to go to the fifth floor for less noise, but he was stopped by a sign in front of the floor.
Starting from the fifth floor until the last, there were various special "rooms" that could only be used by spending merit points. But to even have access to them, one must first possess the required personal value.
To be exact, only those with a personal value of 20 and above could go upstairs.
Zeke gave up and decided to just ignore the noise. Without wasting any more time, he manifested a stick in his hand. The stick had long transformed from its original wobbly, frail appearance. Its edges darkened like a piece of carved ebony, while its body straightened like an unsheathed blade.
Now it looked something like a wooden baton.
While in all appearances it was still a stick, Zeke still couldn't help but be inspired seeing how much it had changed.
'Okay, let's start.'
Taking a deep breath, Zeke closed his eyes. His entire vibe suddenly changed, a solemn, dignified air quietly surrounding him. A moment later, he opened his eyes, a determined glint flashing in them.
He clasped the stick's handle tightly, as if what he was holding was not a stick, but a sword. He let out a thick breath, his muscles activating as though a fire lit up in his entire body. He raised the stick slowly, then made a swing, causing a small clapping sound to echo.