The Era of Gods

As time passed, students gradually returned to the classroom after passing the tests set by their senior peers.

Some were happy, others were naturally worried. Most students had made significant progress after a month of effort. They might still fall short of the senior students, but as long as they sweet-talked the seniors or flattered the senior sisters, they could usually pass.

However, there was still a small group whose abilities fell too short to gain the seniors’ approval.

After all, every student’s performance was under the watchful eye of the homeroom teacher. Minor shortcuts might be overlooked by the teacher, but the seniors couldn’t let too much slide right under the teacher’s nose.

So……..

“Ji An, Zu Ding, Shang Keluo….”

With each name called by the counselor Zhu Hong, the already dejected students raised their heads, revealing even uglier expressions. “Unfortunately, you failed the assessment in the two major classes. According to regulations, you will be demoted to the Elite Class 2.”

Even with anticipation, the reality of hearing it from the teacher’s mouth still brought visible sorrow to these dozen or so students.

Falling from Elite Class 1 to Elite Class 2 may seem like they’re still in an elite class, but in reality, the disparity in status, treatment, and how the school’s upper echelons viewed them was as vast as the gap between heaven and earth. There are ten classes in the second year with each class having too to 150 students. Among them, there are two elite classes, but in reality, only Class 1 is considered the true elite. Class 2 is just a reserve for Class 1, and in terms of attention and resources, it cannot compare to Class 1 at all.

To the ear, it’s still an elite class, but in actuality, many of the top resources are not available to Class 2; they are reserved for Class 1.

Thus, being demoted from Elite Class 1 to Elite Class 2 meant being ousted from the school’s core circle, with both resources and status plummeting drastically.

I he other students had mixed reactions to their peers’ demotion. Those who ranked lower felt uneasy, aware that there was always a quota to be eliminated during each major class, and they too stood a chance of being cut.

Those ranked at the top appeared more relaxed. No matter how the eliminations occurred, it would never affect them, especially the dozen or so students like Lin Xiao who sat atop the Crystal Disc. These elites among elites faced no risk of elimination, so their moods were naturally different.

With a wave of the counselor’s hand, the figures of these students disappeared from the classroom, leaving 88 students behind.

“As you’ve seen, staying in Elite Class 1 means more attention and resources, but also fiercer competition. If you can’t keep up, you can only fall behind.” When Zhu Hong said this, the homeroom teacher Jin Sisi’s tone softened as she spoke:

“Of course, being eliminated now doesn’t mean there’s no future ahead. Each year during the midterms and finals, outstanding students from Elite Class 2 and other classes will be selected to move up to Elite Class 1. Those who are eliminated now can still return if they meet the growth requirements in the future.”

Lin Xiao

He scoffed, knowing that if he couldn’t keep pace and got demoted to Class 2, he wouldn’t have access to the same level of attention and resources as Class 1, making it exceptionally hard to come back.

“All right, now let’s move on to the rewards.”

The homeroom teacher gestured, and a light screen popped up in front of everyone, displaying three cards that shimmered with golden light.

“Among these, the ten students with the highest evaluations will receive a standard blueprint for building the Lightning Spire. Additionally, two students who received an exceptionally good review from Senior Xiong Chumo and Cao Yichen will obtain two already constructed Lightning Spires.” After the teacher finished speaking, a boy with lightning coiling behind him, forming a pair of wings like those of Thor, quickly scanned his dozen or so ’ rivals, then looked at the homeroom teacher with anticipation in his eyes. The other dozen or so students seated on the Crystal Disc mostly lifted their heads to gauge the others, appearing quite concerned.

Jin Sisi ignored all this and scanned the central row of students, then called out two names:

“Gu Xiaoming and Lin Xiao, please stay behind. The rest of you may leave.” As the words fell, all eyes turned to Lin Xiao and the other boy; Ning Shaoyun’s expression began to twist in annoyance upon hearing the teacher mention the names.

He didn’t dare to object to Gu Xiaoming, as this baby-faced, seemingly amiable young man came from a much higher background and was stronger than him, so it was inevitable for him to take one spot.

But this kid named Lin Xiao….

He remembered him as a special admissions student from the Super Newcomer Summer Camp, supposedly from the countryside. What sort of background could he have? Ning Shaoyun stepped forward and raised his hand, saying loudly:

“Teacher, I have a question!”

Jin Sisi glanced at him, knowing what he meant, and nodded:

“Ning Shaoyun, go ahead.”

Ning Shaoyun spoke up:

“I want to know if Lin Xiao received an exceptionally good review?”

Jin Sisi noticed the other students’ interest in this question and replied with a nod:

“Yes, that’s Senior sister Xiong Chu Mo’s evaluation, and there’s no mistake.”

This response deflated most of the students, including several who ranked near the top, since Senior sister Xiong Chu Mo was highly regarded in their eyes.

But Ning Shaoyun was not convinced, or rather, he was unwilling to concede the spot.

It might seem just an exceptionally good rating, but it was actually tied to a few top resources and very important opportunities in the teacher’s hands.

This was no secret to those who had managed to get into the elite Class 1 at Glorious Middle School; each one’s background was extraordinary, mostly direct descendants of True Gods, and they all knew about these opportunities. However, most students also understood that with similar backgrounds, their own abilities weren’t enough to compete for these chances.

But Ning Shaoyun believed he had a chance. His strength was within the top five of the class, and since no one could overpower the others decisively, everyone had a shot.

If another acquaintance had taken the spot, and they were all from similar backgrounds, he wouldn’t be concerned.

But if it was Lin Xiao against another special recruit, he had some ideas of his own.

Gathering his courage, he said:

I don t accept this, I want to have a one-on-one battle with him!”

Having said that, he looked at Lin Xiao with a defiant look in his eyes and added:

“I’m not convinced, if you have the guts, let’s have a one-on-one battle.”

All the students looked on with interest, and the homeroom teacher didn’t stop them, also looking on with great interest. In the school, teachers never interfered with challenges and duels; on the contrary, they were keen to witness various challenges and competitions.

Of course, that excluded malicious bullying.

Under dozens of watchful eyes, Lin Xiao smiled slightly and asked the homeroom teacher:

“Teacher, is this one-on-one battle mandatory? If I refuse, will it affect my grade in this major class?”

Ning Shaoyun’s expression changed slightly.

The homeroom teacher, Jin Sisi, shook her head and said:

“No, you can refuse, and it will not affect your grade in this major class, but it might influence how your classmates perceive you.”

“Oh!”

Understanding, Lin Xiao, with a smile, said to Ning Shaoyun:

“Then I decline your challenge.”

Amidst his anger and frustration, Lin Xiao added:

“But don’t be in a hurry. After I claim the reward, if you’re still interested, we can have a one-on-one battle then.”

While speaking, his face was the picture of sincerity but internally he thought: “Idiot, you think you can just call for a duel, who do you think you are!”

Since the duel wasn’t compulsory, Lin Xiao surely wouldn’t accept it. He wasn’t stupid—accepting the challenge would mean giving up the acknowledgement from the teacher and Senior Chumo and fighting for the spot all over again. Although he has always kept a low profile, he was also humble and refined as per the traditional Ancient HuaXia culture, as well as intelligent, and he disliked showing off.

But he wasn’t foolish, nor unreasonably modest. When he needed to compete, he wouldn’t hesitate.

The moment Ning Shaoyun started arguing for the spot, the perceptive Lin Xiao quickly realized there must be more to it than just an additional two Lightning Spires. While valuable, they wouldn’t be worth the risk Ning Shaoyun was taking by meandering from the diagrams and offending Senior Chumo especially considering the reminders from Senior Chumo herself. Lin Xiao was sure there was more to this opportunity than met the eye.

So…

He decisively refused.

The homeroom teacher Jin Sisi looked at him appreciatively. She wouldn’t scorn his supposed cowardice like the other students might; instead, she admired his adaptability and intelligence. She nodded and said:

‘Since Lin Xiao has chosen not to duel, let’s drop this matter. Gu Xiaoming and

Lin Xiao, please stay behind; the rest of you are dismissed.”

As she spoke, her voice carried a faint but mesmerizing pressure. Ning Shaoyun’s face paled, understanding it as a warning from the homeroom teacher.

He dared not object to the teacher, but…

Glaring fiercely at Lin Xiao, he flashed away and disappeared.

This threat…

Lin Xiao didn’t take it to heart at all.

Within Radiant Academy, except for the truly high-ranking individuals of the super-faction Radiance, no one else could overtly manipulate things from the shadows.

And why would any authentic high-level individual bother with such trivial matters just to trouble him?

Without even needing to know the specifics, Lin Xiao was certain that for a hundred and eight generations back, Ning Shaoyun had no such high-ranking individual among his ancestors.

If he had such a tie, he would be in First Middle School, not Second Middle School.

With no spectacle to watch, the other students gradually left, leaving Lin Xiao with the other boy who had a babyface.

The homeroom teacher started by distributing the rewards: two already-constructed Lightning Spires sealed within a silver scroll embedded with vast space, ready to be taken out and placed at any time.

Unfortunately, the space scroll that could accommodate two Lightning Spires was single-use. Once the items were removed, it would be destroyed, which was somewhat regrettable to him.

After handing out the rewards, the homeroom teacher addressed them:

“I’m sure you’re both aware that these two spots entail more than just two Magic Towers. Gu Xiaoming, you should already know. Lin Xiao, you might not have been informed, so let me explain.”

Lin Xiao perked up, knowing the crux was coming. He listened attentively.

Jin Sisi began explaining to him:

“In Glorious Middle School’s high school section, starting from the sophomore year, there are elite classes. As the homeroom teacher of an elite class, I hold many resources distributed by the school as well as most of the top resources and opportunities for the sophomore stage of Glorious Middle School. In addition, I have personal resources, including several unique and significant opportunities..”