166: Chapter 166 The Class Teacher

Wang Lin opened his eyes and glanced at Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan.

Mist Forest training? Next Wednesday? Doesn't that clash exactly with Uncle Niu's schedule?

He frowned, but quickly smoothed it out.

He had to go anyway; it didn't make much difference whether he went with the academy or with Uncle Niu.

Wang Lin looked at the excited and nervous classmates around him, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

These people probably didn't even know what a Mist Beast looked like, yet they dared to sign up?

Commendable courage.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire academy.

"Mist Forest training! This is an activity only those in their second year or above are eligible to participate in; to think it's actually open to first-years this year!"

"I heard the spots are limited, and only those who pass the physical fitness test can go."

"Speed, strength, endurance, reaction, combat simulation... five events, I heard the elimination rate is very high."

"That's for sure. Going to the Mist Forest isn't a game; without strength, going is just throwing your life away."

Everyone was discussing this matter.

Everyone was desperately preparing.

Only Wang Lin remained in his half-dead state.

Sleeping during class, spacing out after class, even half-closing his eyes while eating.

After the class ended, Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan appeared at the classroom door.

"Wang Lin, come with me to the office."

The classroom went quiet for a moment, and everyone's gaze fell upon Wang Lin.

Wang Lin glanced at Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan, said nothing, stood up, and followed him.

Entering the office, Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan closed the door and gestured for Wang Lin to sit.

"What do you need me for?"

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan walked behind his desk, took a document out of the drawer, and placed it on the table.

"Wang Lin, I need you to do me a favor."

Wang Lin raised an eyebrow: "What favor?"

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan pushed the document on the table over.

Wang Lin looked down; it was a registration form for the physical fitness test.

His name, class, and student ID were already written on it.

"Physical fitness test?" Wang Lin looked up. "Can't I choose not to participate?"

"You could before." Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan leaned back into his chair and rubbed his temples. "Not anymore."

"Why?"

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Ever since you entered the academy, I have received many questions from parents."

"Your admission method was rather special; you didn't go through the normal entrance examination."

"Although someone from above made arrangements, this matter has spread among the students' parents."

"They say you used the back door, that the academy is corrupt, and that since their children worked hard to get in, why is someone else allowed special treatment?"

"The school leadership is also under great pressure."

"Some are demanding a thorough investigation into your admission qualifications, some are demanding you be expelled, and others are saying they will report it to the authorities."

Wang Lin looked at Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

"So you want me to participate in the physical fitness test? To prove I'm not a waste?"

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan looked up at Wang Lin: "It's not that I want you to participate. I am begging you to participate."

The office went quiet for a moment.

Wang Lin was taken aback. Begging me?

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan gave a bitter smile: "You probably don't know how much pressure I've been under since you entered this academy."

"Someone from above put you in my care, saying you were a good talent and telling me to cultivate you well."

"But I can't tell those parents the truth."

"I can't tell them who you are, what you've done, or why you are qualified to enter this academy."

"Because those things are classified."

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Wang Lin.

"So everyone is cursing me. Saying Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan took bribes, saying Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan abused his power, saying Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan corrupted the academy's atmosphere."

"I can ignore what others say about me, but I can't hold out against the school leadership anymore."

"If there's nothing else that can shut those parents up, even if you aren't expelled, I'm afraid I'll have to resign."

Wang Lin was silent for a moment: "What do you want me to do?"

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan turned around and looked at Wang Lin: "Participate in the physical fitness test. Let everyone see whether you are truly qualified to enter this academy."

"You don't need to be modest, and you don't need to hide your skills. Show your true strength. And then make them shut up."

Wang Lin looked at Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan and sighed: "Fine."

Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan let out a sigh of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted: "Thank you."

...

Friday, the day of the physical fitness test arrived.

The test was held in the academy's combat Training Hall. Over a hundred people from the grade signed up, packing the Training Hall to the brim.

Wang Lin arrived very early, standing in a corner, eating two freshly bought buns.

The people around him were all looking at him with strange eyes.

"Is that person who got in through the back door also here to participate in the test?"

"He isn't just here to make up the numbers, is he?"

"I heard Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan forced him to come."

"Forced him to come and embarrass himself? Hahaha."

Wang Lin heard these words but didn't react at all.

He was thinking about what Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan said that day: "Make them shut up."

Fine, today I'll make them shut up.

First test: Speed.

100-meter sprint.

Many people were participating in the Speed test, and they were divided into several groups.

Wang Lin was assigned to the third group; there were five other people in his group, all first-year students.

When standing at the starting line, a tall boy beside Wang Lin glanced at him sideways, a trace of disdain at the corner of his mouth.

"Yo, isn't this that guy who got in through the back door?"

Another boy next to him laughed along: "Why did he come too? Didn't I hear he doesn't even attend class?"

"Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan forced him to come, obviously."

"If you ask me, this kind of person should just honestly stay in the classroom and sleep. Why come out and embarrass himself?"

"Exactly. I don't know what Class Teacher Zhou Mingyuan was thinking, letting him participate in the test. Isn't that just dragging down our grade's average score?"

The few people exchanged words, their voices neither loud nor soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.

Wang Lin stood behind the starting line, expressionless, not looking at those people, nor speaking.

Seeing that Wang Lin didn't make a sound, the tall boy thought he was scared and became even more smug.

"When we start running later, don't get left too far behind by me." He said with a smile, then specifically glanced at Wang Lin,

"Especially certain people; don't end up running last and losing face for us first-years."

"Hahaha, don't worry, I'll definitely run faster than him."

"Isn't that obvious? Who can't outrun someone who got in through the back door?"

A few people laughed.

The testers from other groups nearby were also watching this side, secretly laughing along, ready to watch the spectacle.

"On your marks—"

The referee's voice rang out.

The boys stopped chatting and laughing, walked to the starting line, and got into starting positions.

Wang Lin also walked over, took his hands out of his pockets, and crouched down.

Wang Lin's movements were very casual, not tensing his body like the others,

but the moment he crouched down, the tall boy beside him inexplicably felt a sense of oppression.

He couldn't describe what the feeling was; it was as if what was crouching beside him wasn't a person, but a wild beast ready to pounce at any moment.