13: What level of academic ability is required to get into Kyoto University?

It was self-study time.

Lu Yuan was called to the office by Homeroom Teacher.

The office was small, piled high with various lesson plans and books.

Homeroom Teacher gestured for Lu Yuan to sit down, a gentle smile on her face.

"Student Lu Yuan, your performance in today's practical class was excellent."

"Thank you for the compliment, Teacher." Lu Yuan replied neither obsequiously nor arrogantly.

"Your Source Power control has improved remarkably, which is very rare at the apprentice stage." Homeroom Teacher looked into Lu Yuan's eyes. "To achieve this level with 77 points of Source Power, your talent is quite good."

She paused, then continued: "The school has decided to conduct a diagnostic test in one month."

"Based on the test scores and apprentice star ratings, classes will be re-divided."

"Students who meet the 8-star apprentice standard will have the opportunity to enter the Honor Class."

Honor Class?

Lu Yuan's heart stirred.

"The Honor Class will be equipped with better teaching resources," Homeroom Teacher explained, "such as access to more advanced training rooms, superior dormitory environments, opportunities for exchange with other schools, and even regular guidance from a Tier 3 Senior Card Master!"

"This will greatly help you prepare for the College Entrance Examination and get into a good Card Master university."

Lu Yuan understood.

This was the school's strategy to select top students and concentrate resources on their cultivation.

For him, it was also an excellent opportunity; at least he wouldn't have to live in a single "cell" anymore.

"Teacher, I understand. I will work hard." Lu Yuan nodded.

"Good, I believe in you." Homeroom Teacher smiled. "Additionally, to give everyone a more intuitive understanding of Card Master combat and Source Power application, the school has invited an outstanding senior who graduated from Qingteng High School to give a lecture."

"He was a top student who entered Jiang Province Card Master University last year, with rich experience that should be very enlightening for you."

Jiang Province Card Master University!

That was one of the nation's top Card Master academies! To be admitted there, one would need at least the level of a Tier 2 Provisional Card Master.

"Prepare well." Homeroom Teacher encouraged him. "Strive to break through to 8 stars within a month."

Lu Yuan thought that 8 stars was not difficult; wouldn't gambling on a card suffice?

"Teacher Qian, I'd like to ask, what level does one need to reach to be admitted to a top-tier prestigious university like Kyoto University?"

Homeroom Teacher was a bit surprised that Lu Yuan would ask such a question, but she decided to indulge his curiosity.

"It's good for young people to be ambitious, but aiming for Kyoto University might be a bit overly ambitious."

"As is well known, the College Entrance Examination has a total score of 750 points, with 450 points for theoretical knowledge and the remaining 300 points for cultivation realm."

"A typical Tier 1 Apprentice Nine-Star scores around 200 points, and the assigned score is pretty much the same every year."

"A Tier 2 Provisional Card Master Nine-Star, however, gets the full 300 points, and last year's admission cutoff score for Kyoto University was 729 points."

"You figure it out yourself, what level do you need to reach?"

... "You figure it out yourself, what level do you need to reach?"

This sentence echoed in Lu Yuan's mind like a nightmare; for several days, he felt a bit dejected.

"Actually, it's not absolutely necessary to go to Kyoto University. I think that Jiang Province Card Master University is quite good. Yes, it's already very good."

He tried to convince himself, but as soon as he thought of the boast he made in front of his mother, he shook his head fiercely, pushing those thoughts out of his mind.

Reborn into a new life, not striving to be the strongest?

Wouldn't that be an embarrassment to Earthlings!

On Tuesday afternoon, the school arranged a special lecture.

The location was the school's auditorium.

Students from all classes of the third year of high school gathered there; the auditorium was packed, and the atmosphere was lively.

The principal stood on the stage, and after a brief introduction, a young man wearing a white casual suit with the "Jiang Province Card Master University" emblem walked onto the stage.

The young man was about twenty years old, tall, handsome, with a sunny and confident smile. As soon as he appeared, he drew gasps from many girls.

"Hello everyone, I am your senior, Zheng Shuai!"

"Of course, you can also call me by my nickname, Really Handsome!"

Hahaha—the audience burst into laughter, and many younger female students' eyes lit up, already thinking about how to get his contact information.

Zheng Shuai's voice, mixed with Source Power, had a perfectly balanced affability that made people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

"It's a pleasure to return to my alma mater and communicate with my junior schoolmates."

A round of warm applause erupted below the stage.

Zheng Shuai pressed his hands down, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

"I won't say any more pleasantries; everyone's time is precious. Today, I mainly want to share some insights on Source Power control and practical application."

He didn't read from a script but went straight to the main topic.

"The power of a Card Master lies not just in how powerful your cards are, but in how you use them."

"Source Power is the bridge through which we communicate with and control cards. While the total amount of Source Power is important, the precision and efficiency of its control often play a decisive role in actual combat."

Saying this, Zheng Shuai extended his palm.

Buzz!

A dazzling ball of green Source Power appeared in his palm, more solidified than the blue Source Power demonstrated by Homeroom Teacher, and its energy fluctuations were stronger.

"Basic shaping, everyone should have practiced it." Lin Feng smiled slightly. "But in actual combat, what we need is more flexible and efficient application."

The green Source Power ball in his palm began to change rapidly.

At times, it transformed into a lifelike green bird, poised to take flight.

At other times, it condensed into a rapidly spinning shield, emanating an aura of solidity.

And then again, it split into dozens of tiny energy arrows, suspended in the air, ready to be unleashed!

This exquisite display of Source Power control left the students below the stage wide-eyed and full of exclamations.

"Amazing!"

"Is this the level of a 'top-tier academy'?"

"His Source Power control is so strong!"

Lu Yuan also watched intently; this trip was indeed worthwhile, this senior really had something special.

That feeling of effortless, precise control gave him a new understanding of Source Power application.

"This is just the basics." Zheng Shuai dispersed the Source Power. "More importantly, it's about how to combine Source Power with the characteristics of your card."

He flipped his wrist, and a card appeared in his hand.

The card was green, and its face depicted a green bird with spread wings.

【Green Wind Bird】

【Quality: Green】

【Star Rating: Three Stars】

【Type: beast taming card】

"A very ordinary green card, a three-star 【Green Wind Bird】." Zheng Shuai smiled. "Many people might think this kind of card isn't very useful."

He gently injected Source Power into the card.

Chirp!

A crisp bird cry!

A palm-sized green bird appeared out of thin air, circling Zheng Shuai, flying at extreme speed.

"The advantage of the 【Green Wind Bird】 lies in its speed and reconnaissance." He explained, "But if you only use it for sending messages or scouting, that's a huge waste."

His finger moved slightly, and a wisp of green Source Power wrapped around the Green Wind Bird.

"Watch closely."

Whoosh!

The Green Wind Bird transformed into a green lightning bolt, instantly darting towards the back wall of the auditorium!

Just as it was about to hit, it suddenly swirled, and the edge of its wing created a subtle green wind blade!

Swoosh!

The wind blade grazed the wall, leaving a shallow white mark!

Although its power was not great, its speed and precision were astonishing!

"Through precise Source Power guidance, enhancing its speed and aggressiveness, even a three-star green card can play an unexpected role." Zheng Shuai recalled the Green Wind Bird.

"Remember, there are no useless cards, only useless Card Masters."

"cards are dead, people are alive. How to leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses, maximize the potential of cards, and even create your own unique tactics—this is the true charm of a Card Master."

"And the foundation of all this, besides Source Power, is—"

Zheng Shuai's gaze swept across the entire audience, and his tone became solemn.