10: Chapter 10 Provocation at the Victory Banquet

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

The lights in the auditorium dimmed, and the spotlight on the rostrum lit up.

Li Jianguo, the principal of Baijiang City No. 3 Middle School, walked onto the stage and picked up the microphone.

"Good afternoon, leaders, parents, and students."

Clap clap clap!!

Applause rang out from below the stage.

"Today, we are holding this Victory Banquet to celebrate the outstanding results of this year's Awakening Day."

Li Jianguo's voice echoed through the auditorium via the speakers: "This year, a total of 1,320 students from our school participated in the Awakening. Among them, 152 awakened D-rank talents and above, 58 reached C-rank and above, and 19 reached B-rank and above..."

"And what makes us most proud is that our school has produced an SS-rank Talent student—Su Zhiruo!"

Thunderous applause.

Everyone's gaze turned toward Su Zhiruo in the corner.

Despite being very introverted, Su Zhiruo stood up and nodded to everyone with a polite smile on her face.

"Su Zhiruo has awakened an SS-rank Space-type Talent and has been admitted early to Longjing University." Li Jianguo continued loudly, "Let's congratulate her!"

Applause rang out once more.

After Su Zhiruo sat down, Luo Yu whispered, "Congratulations."

"I've decided not to go to the capital after all." Su Zhiruo turned her head and said very seriously, "I want to go to the Magic Capital with you."

Luo Yu opened his mouth,

But in the end,

He just held her hand.

As for being admitted to a university in the capital, it was no big deal; for Su Zhiruo with her SS-rank Talent, she had the right to choose any school she wanted.

On stage,

Li Jianguo continued to introduce other outstanding students.

"B-rank Fire-type, Li Ming."

Li Ming stood up and waved to the crowd, his face full of pride.

"B-rank Healing-type, Wang Ya."

"B-rank Strength Enhancement-type, Zhang Hao."

Name after name was called, and students stood up one by one to receive applause.

Luo Yu sat in the corner, listening quietly.

He knew that

No one would call his name.

An F-rank Talent

Didn't deserve to appear on such an occasion.

This was the reality.

Sure enough,

After Li Jianguo finished reading the names of all students B-rank and above, he began to introduce the guests.

"Today, we are honored to have Director Wang from the Baijiang City Bureau of Education."

A middle-aged man in his fifties stood up and waved to the crowd.

"And President Chen from the Baijiang City Awakeners Association."

A burly, bald man stood up and nodded.

"As well as representatives from various companies, all here to recruit talent early."

Over a dozen corporate representatives in suits sat below, each wearing a professional smile.

Li Jianguo put down the microphone, and the Victory Banquet officially began.

Students began to mingle, talking with parents, teachers, and corporate representatives.

Su Zhiruo was quickly surrounded.

"Student Su, I am the HR manager of Xinghui Group. Our company specializes in training Space-type Awakeners. I wonder if you'd be interested in joining us after graduation?"

"Student Su, I am a representative from Tianqi Technology. Our company has the most advanced Space-type training equipment."

"Student Su..."

A group of people scrambled to hand out their business cards.

Su Zhiruo was a bit at a loss; she was not good at handling such situations.

Luo Yu stood by her side and decisively blocked some of the overly enthusiastic people: "Sorry, she's still a student and isn't considering employment yet."

"..."

The corporate representatives glanced at Luo Yu, a hint of disdain in their eyes.

What right did someone with an F-rank Talent

Have to speak for an SS-rank genius?

But for Su Zhiruo's sake, they didn't say much, just left their business cards and departed.

At this time,

Li Ming walked over with a drink,

Followed by several other students who had also awakened B-rank Talents.

"Student Su, congratulations," Li Ming said with a smile. "An SS-rank Talent, your future is limitless."

"Thank you."

Su Zhiruo replied politely.

"Hehe!"

The next second, Li Ming's gaze shifted to Luo Yu, his lips curling into a mocking sneer.

"By the way, Luo Yu, what was your talent again? How come I didn't hear the principal call your name?"

Everyone around them looked over.

Luo Yu said calmly, "F-rank, Mutated Lizard Control."

"Pfft—"

A student beside Li Ming intentionally burst out laughing.

"Mutated Lizard? What kind of ghost talent is that? Is it for raising pets?"

"Hahaha, that's hilarious. An F-rank can still attend a Victory Banquet?"

"He's a top student, after all. Good grades come with privileges."

"What's the use of good grades? In the world of Awakeners, talent is everything."

Mocking laughter rose from all sides.

Su Zhiruo's face darkened, and she snapped, "That's enough!"

"Oh, the genius Su is angry," Li Ming said mockingly. "We're not wrong. An F-rank Talent is just trash. That's a fact."

"You..." Su Zhiruo was so angry she couldn't speak.

Luo Yu pulled her back and shook his head.

He looked at Li Ming and asked flatly, "Finished again?"

"Finished," Li Ming shrugged.

"Then get lost."

Li Ming's smile froze again, and the people around them were stunned.

What?

An F-rank trash

Actually dared to tell a B-rank Awakener to get lost?

"What did you say?" Being told to get lost yet again, Li Ming's face darkened.

"I said, get lost," Luo Yu repeated, his tone still calm. "I'm not deaf, and you shouldn't be either."

Before he even finished,

Li Ming's face turned beet red.

He thought the Victory Banquet would make Luo Yu realize the cruel reality, but he didn't expect to still be looked down upon. He couldn't take it anymore, he really couldn't!!

The next second,

Li Ming's eyes widened. He raised his hand, and flames suddenly sprouted from his palm.

This was the ability of the B-rank Fire-type Talent. Although his spiritual power was insufficient and he could only exert E-rank power, it was more than enough to deal with an ordinary person.

People around them scrambled back.

Su Zhiruo quickly blocked Luo Yu: "Li Ming, don't you dare try anything!"

"Move," Li Ming said in a low voice. "Today, I'm going to show this trash what the gap in talent really means."

However,

Just then,

A cold voice rang out.

"Using talent abilities in school—do you want to be expelled?"

Li Ming's movements froze.

He turned his head and saw a young woman in professional attire walking over.

She was about twenty-five or twenty-six, with her long hair pinned up, delicate features, and a tall figure, exuding a cold and elegant aura.

"Teacher Liu."

Li Ming sheepishly withdrew the flames.

The newcomer was Su Zhiruo's homeroom teacher, Liu Ruxue.

Liu Ruxue walked between the two and glanced at Li Ming: "The Awakeners Association has clear regulations prohibiting the arbitrary use of talent abilities in public places. Violators will be fined at best, or have their Awakener certificates revoked at worst."

Li Ming's expression changed.

An Awakener certificate was the identity proof for every Awakener; once revoked, it meant losing all the rights of an Awakener.

"I... I was just scaring him," Li Ming said stubbornly.

"Scaring him isn't allowed either," Liu Ruxue scolded unpleasantly. "Go back to your seat."

"..."

Li Ming gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

Before leaving,

He looked back and glared fiercely at Luo Yu.

"Luo Yu, just you wait."

Luo Yu ignored him.

Liu Ruxue turned around and looked at Luo Yu and Su Zhiruo with a serious expression.

"You two, come with me."

She turned and walked out of the auditorium.

Luo Yu and Su Zhiruo exchanged a glance and followed her.