38: Chapter 38 The Benefits of Being Ranked First

The Elite Class headquarters was even more independent than Qin Ce had imagined.

A six-story grey building sat in the northeast corner of the Battle Academy, surrounded by training grounds, simulated combat rooms, and a Pet Beast training area covered by a transparent energy dome.

The class teacher, Wei Ming, was an efficient man. In just a few moments, he led Qin Ce through the transfer procedures, assigned him an independent Elite Class student dormitory, and issued his standard equipment—a set of highly resilient combat gear and communication devices. Finally, he pressed a crystal energy meal card printed with special patterns into Qin Ce's hand.

"The treatment in the Elite Class is different, starting with the food." Wei Ming looked at the sky and saw it was lunchtime, so he beckoned to Qin Ce. "Come on, let's eat and talk. There are some rules you need to understand as soon as possible."

The Elite Class cafeteria was located in an independent building deep within the Battle Academy. The environment was elegant, and the air was filled with a rich aroma of food. However, it wasn't the usual smell of cooking, but a strange fragrance containing energy that made one's blood feel active upon smelling it.

There weren't many windows, and the dishes weren't fancy, but every item was clearly labeled.

[Today's Specials]

Black Iron High-grade · Armored Savage Bull Steak (Nourishes blood, strengthens bones): 30 Credits/portion

Black Iron Mid-grade · Clear Water Crocodile Stew (Nurtures the spirit, relieves fatigue): 25 Credits/portion

Black Iron Low-Grade · Wind Wolf Meat Pie (Agility boost, lasts 3 hours): 15 Credits/portion

bronze low-grade · Rock-Armor Earth Dragon Tendon (Limited purchase, reservation required, strengthens meridians): 80 Credits/portion

"Fierce Beast flesh, specially processed to remove violent energy while retaining the essence. Long-term consumption can slowly enhance the physique and assist in Soul Power cultivation." Wei Ming was clearly familiar with the place. He ordered two Black Iron High-grade sets and added an extra bronze low-grade set for Qin Ce. "You're in a rapid growth phase, eat more. This meal is on me, consider it a welcome... well, even if the welcome method was a bit special." He smiled, remembering Qin Ce's feat of taking down a whole team alone.

The two found a corner and sat down.

Qin Ce didn't stand on ceremony. The Armored Savage Bull steak was thick and juicy, melting in his mouth. A warm current spread through his esophagus to his entire body. He clearly felt his depleted physical strength recovering rapidly, and even his mind felt a bit clearer.

Wei Ming watched him wolfing down the food and smiled. "Slow down, no one is going to snatch it from you."

Halfway through the meal, Wei Ming put down his chopsticks and pointed to the dark purple "Thunder" team badge on Qin Ce's wrist. "Use your mental power to immerse yourself and take a look. The true function of the team badge isn't just an identification marker."

Following his instructions, Qin Ce sent out a thread of mental power and slowly probed into the team badge.

Buzz—

His consciousness seemed to pass through a layer of water, and his vision suddenly opened up.

The interior of the team badge was not a physical space, but a 3D interface made of light and shadow. Several clear modules floated in the center:

[Thunder Squad (No.: 03)]

- Current Total Points: 1427

- Monthly Mission Completion Points: 0/300 (Basic Requirement)

- Overall Ranking: 7th (Out of 13 teams)

On the left was the [Mission Hall], divided into three sub-columns: "Daily Missions," "Star Missions (One to Three Stars)," and "Accepted Missions." On the right was [Resource Exchange], showing the "Next Month's Resource List (To be updated)" and "Current Available Points: 1427."

At the very bottom, there was also a [Contact List] containing basic information about the other eleven teams (visible only to the captain).

Qin Ce jerked his head up, shock evident in his eyes.

This was no simple ID badge; it was clearly a highly integrated miniature command and resource system!

Wei Ming seemed to have expected his reaction. He picked up his juice and took a sip. "See that? This is the true value of the team badge—it connects to the academy's central system and is the core tool for competition in the Elite Class."

"Teacher, this..."

"Eat first." Wei Ming tapped Qin Ce's plate with his fork. "Finish the soup, and I'll tell you slowly."

Qin Ce suppressed the waves in his heart and took a large gulp of the stew. The warm broth had a faint fishy sweetness, but his spirit indeed felt refreshed after it entered his stomach.

Wei Ming waited for him to put down the bowl before tapping his finger on the table and beginning his explanation:

"First, that overall ranking at the top—that's what all the teams are ultimately fighting for."

His tone became serious:

"Qin Ce, you must remember, this is the Fengling Battle Academy Elite Class. The best university in the city, the most Elite Class. The people who graduate from here every year represent the backbone of this city for the next decade."

"Therefore, upon graduation, the team ranked first in total points will receive the highest specifications of preferential treatment the city can offer."

Wei Ming paused and said word for word:

"First, career choice. Any position below the level of 'Department Chief' in Fengling City is yours if you want it. This includes the Military Department, City Hall, Resource Management Bureau, City Defense Department... all departments with real power."

"Second, top-tier social security slots. Three immediate family members can enjoy Inner City-level medical security, pension subsidies, and priority for children's education—simply put, it lifts your entire family from the 'commoner' class directly into the 'citizen' class."

"Third, franchise rights. A monopoly qualification for a strategic resource, perhaps rare ores, or hunting rights for Fierce Beasts in a specific area. These are things that can build a family legacy."

"Fourth, Inner City real estate. Not those pigeon coops in the Outer City, but real Inner City residences with independent courtyards, security, and supporting resources. The moment you get the keys, you become a resident of the 'noble district.'"

"Fifth, security level. The same level as the City Lord's family. This means that as long as you are within the range of Fengling City, your family will receive protection from the shadows."

"And there are more implicit resource tilts, networking access..."

Wei Ming looked at Qin Ce's slightly widened eyes and smiled.

"Now do you understand why the powerful and wealthy of the city squeeze their heads trying to send their children in?"

"Why Wu Zhou losing the team badge is almost equivalent to ruining a bright future?"

"Because graduating as the number one team in the Elite Class here means your family's resource foundation will leap up a massive level!"

"Of course, these rewards are usually distributed internally among team members, with each person picking the one they need most and then negotiating internal compensation."

"However..." Wei Ming paused, looked at Qin Ce, and suddenly smiled with a hint of teasing. "For someone like you who is a one-man team... theoretically, you could monopolize all the rewards."

"That would be a literal ascent to heaven. Concentrating so many rewards on one person would be equivalent to creating a new noble family within Fengling City. But... just kidding." He shook his head, his smile tinged with emotion. "It's too difficult, almost impossible. First place is never easy to take."

...