Blissfully asleep, Fang Zhou had no idea about the promise Instructor Lu Hu had secured for him.
The next morning, he arrived at the Company One classroom brimming with energy.
Today was their first day of the new term. They had politics and culture classes in the morning, followed by meditation and physical training in the afternoon.
By the time Fang Zhou reached the classroom, the seating arrangements had already been made.
On his left was an ordinary-looking boy with a plain demeanor and simple clothes who introduced himself as Ye Fan. He had awakened the [Demon Hunter] Profession.
Hearing that name, Fang Zhou immediately regarded him with respect. If it weren't for my own cheat ability, I might have mistaken him for the protagonist.
On his right sat a girl with fair skin and striking, cold features named Bai Xiaochan, who had awakened the [Chanting String] Profession.
Though her name had "Xiao," meaning "little," in it, she seemed unfathomably deep.
"Sigh, I actually wanted to be an [Assassin]," Bai Xiaochan lamented softly, slumping over her desk.
"Hmph, only the weak are shackled by their Profession. My fate is my own to forge, not heaven's!" Ye Fan crossed his arms and snorted coldly.
"..." Bai Xiaochan and Fang Zhou exchanged a look, both a little speechless.
After chatting for a few moments, Fang Zhou discovered that Bai Xiaochan, despite her aloof appearance, was quite the chatterbox.
Ye Fan, on the other hand, rarely spoke and carried himself with the air of a brooding anti-hero, though he would occasionally drop one-liners that made it hard to keep a straight face.
Soon, Instructor Lu Hu walked into the classroom, and the cadets immediately fell silent.
He glanced at Fang Zhou, seated between Ye Fan and Bai Xiaochan. This is all I can do to help.
Principal Su had already warned him yesterday, so he dared not disclose any more information to Fang Zhou. All he could do was scheme a little with the seating chart.
Placing Fang Zhou between two students with Rare Professions is the best I can do. Hopefully, he'll be inspired to follow their example.
Lu Hu brought his gaze back to the podium and began with passion, "Cadets, today our first lesson is—Loyalty!
"As you sit comfortably in this classroom, your comrades are fighting bloody battles on various fronts!
"From the distant [Twilight Canyon] and [Sigh Fortress] of the [Mythical World] to the nearby [Calamity Sun Demon Country] and [Fierce Beast Battlefield] on [Blue Star].
"Just yesterday, a [Spatial Fragment] appeared over [Sea City], resulting in dozens of casualties among our warriors.
"You must always remember that every resource you consume is stained with the blood and sweat of your compatriots."
The first politics class was incredibly uplifting.
From Lu Hu's words, Fang Zhou also gained a deeper understanding of this world.
Decades ago, a massive spatial rift had appeared over the Pacific Ocean.
After initial exploration, people discovered that the rift led to a vast, boundless [Mythical World].
At the same time, humanity began to evolve, with individuals having an Awakening of various powerful Professions.
Some awakened as [Warriors], their bodies becoming immensely powerful, capable of withstanding direct artillery fire.
Others awakened as [Mages], able to conjure fireballs with power rivaling cruise missiles.
There were also those who became [Priests], able to wield [Holy Light], which could cure any ailment of those bathed in it.
Just as humanity was brimming with hope to develop this new world, a formidable enemy emerged.
Endless creatures from the [Otherworld] descended through the rift. They called themselves the [Abyssal Demons] and unleashed a massacre upon [Blue Star].
In just ten years, the global human population plummeted from nearly ten billion to three billion.
Facing the threat of extinction, the remaining major human nations formed the [Human United Government].
Forged in a crucible of blood and fire, more and more humans mastered the power of their Awakening, and countless powerhouses rose from the fray.
Finally, after decades of relentless warfare, the [Human Alliance] expelled the vast majority of [Abyssal Demons] from [Blue Star] and established a solid defensive line in the [Mythical World].
Now, the human population has recovered to about five billion, and a relatively complete system for [Awakened Professionals] has been established.
Through constant research, the average success rate of an Awakening has reached a considerable one-in-ten.
In its efforts to survive and thrive, the [Human Alliance] heavily encourages childbearing while implementing militarized governance, doing everything possible to increase its combat strength.
The [Longxia Federation] established ten top military academies, investing massive resources to nurture Awakened warriors. [Sea City Military Academy] was one of them.
[Sea City Military Academy] had a four-year program, though outstanding students could apply for early graduation. Graduates were naturally sent to the military, generally serving within [Blue Star] first. Only after reaching a certain level of strength would they be deployed to the battlefields of the [Mythical World].
Fang Zhou listened to the lecture while simultaneously controlling his [Skeleton Clone] to sweep through the newly spawned Skeletons in the [Burial Wilderness].
By the end of the morning classes, his [Skeleton Clone]'s Attributes had increased slightly.
Strength +0.2, Constitution +0.1, Soul Power +3.
At noon, Fang Zhou went to the cafeteria with his two new deskmates.
The [Longxia Federation] never treated its soldiers poorly, especially when it came to food.
The cafeteria was dominated by meat dishes, including common types from [Blue Star] as well as some ingredients from the [Exotic Beasts] of the [Mythical World].
Bai Xiaochan carried a plate piled high with roasted meat, remarking as she ate, "The academy is truly loaded!
"This expensive [Exotic Beast] meat is supplied without limit. It's a pity that since we've just had our Awakening, our bodies aren't strong enough to handle too much of it."
Fang Zhou chewed on a piece of purple meat. He found it sweet with a rich aftertaste, and after he finished, a slight warmth spread through his body.
He then ate a piece of a pink mushroom, and his somewhat weary soul was instantly invigorated.
An idea struck him. My biggest problem right now is the soul fatigue from multitasking and continuous combat. If there were a potion to alleviate this fatigue, the time and efficiency of my [Skeleton Clone]'s grinding would increase dramatically.
Thus, Fang Zhou asked, "Xiaochan, what kind of mushroom is this? Where can I get them?"
Bai Xiaochan glanced over and replied, "That's a [Soothing Mushroom]. It's effective at alleviating soul fatigue, but eating too much can cause hallucinations.
"For Professions like ours that require Meditation, consuming [Soothing Mushrooms] can slightly extend our meditation time.
"If you could get your hands on the [Soul Calming Potion] made from it, the effect would be even better.
"Unfortunately, we freshmen don't have that clearance."
Ye Fan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke with confidence, "As long as you become a [Seed] of the academy, a mere potion is easy to obtain."
"A [Seed]?" Fang Zhou looked at Bai Xiaochan, his eyes full of curiosity.
Bai Xiaochan hesitated. A controversial profession like [Undead Mage] would have a hard time getting on the [Seed] development list.
Looking at Fang Zhou's handsome face, she couldn't bear to crush his enthusiasm and said tactfully, "I heard the academy conducts a series of tests to determine a priority cultivation list.
"I think the [Simulation Battlefield] is probably a key part of the assessment."
So it's like special treatment for the top students. I get it.
Fang Zhou didn't press the matter further, but he made a mental note of the [Simulation Battlefield].
The academy has so many great resources. I have to get clearance!