Mu Chen leaned back against a railing. "Didn't think we'd end up here like this."
Zhou Kang chuckled. "Yeah. After today, it almost feels unfair."
Han Rui shook his head slightly. "Don't say that. Tomorrow won't be easy."
Lan Xue glanced around. "Especially with the rule changes."
Jin looked up. "Rule changes?"
Lan Xue nodded. "Phase One."
She held up a finger.
"Gene energy adaptability test."
Mu Chen added, "They raised the passing line."
"Used to be five out of ten," Zhou Kang said. "Now it's six."
Jin absorbed that quietly.
Lan Xue continued, "Fail that, and you're done. No dungeon test. No second chance."
Feiyu spoke calmly, "It filters unstable builds early."
Han Rui nodded. "Which leads to Phase Two."
"The dungeon trial," Lan Xue said. "Team-based combat."
Zhou Kang smirked. "Randomized squads within each province."
Mu Chen glanced at Jin. "So don't expect familiar faces."
Lan Xue added, "You're judged on coordination, threat handling, survival—everything."
"And Phase Three," Zhou Kang said, cracking his neck, "is individual combat."
"Tournament-style," Han Rui said. "Rankings decided there."
Feiyu added quietly, "That's where colleges finalize scouting."
Lan Xue smiled faintly.
"Imperial, Celestial, Sovereign… those three will be watching from start to finish."
She looked at Jin.
"With your strength, any of them would notice you."
Jin shook his head slightly. "I'll just do my best."
There was a brief pause.
Then Lan Xue sighed.
"Too bad we won't be in the same exam."
Zhou Kang nodded. "Different provinces. Different test zones."
Mu Chen smiled faintly. "Guess this is where we split."
Feiyu looked at Jin. "Good luck."
Jin met her gaze. "You too."
Lan Xue stepped forward and held out her hand.
"Do well. Wherever you end up."
Jin shook it once. "Same to you."
Han Rui nodded. "Survive."
Zhou Kang grinned. "And don't embarrass your province."
Jin snorted lightly. "I'll try."
Old Qiao watched the exchange quietly, then spoke.
"That's enough sentiment."
He turned slightly. "Rest well. Tomorrow decides your path."
They began to head toward their respective transport points.
Jin stood there for a moment, watching them leave—each toward a different direction, a different test zone.
Tomorrow—
They wouldn't be teammates.
They'd be competitors.
Jin exhaled slowly and turned toward his own lodging.
NCEE was finally here.
Morning came.
Sunlight filtered through thin curtains onto the small dining table. Breakfast was already set. Simple dishes. Familiar smells.
Jin sat with a bowl in hand, eating steadily.
Across from him, his father sipped his tea, glancing up every now and then without saying much. His mother kept refilling Jin's bowl as if afraid he hadn't eaten enough.
His sister broke the silence first.
"So… today's the NCEE, right?"
Jin nodded. "Yeah."
His mother hesitated, then spoke gently.
"Jin, you know… if you don't want to participate, it's okay. No one will blame you."
His father added calmly, "And even if you do, don't worry about rankings. Just do what you can."
His sister leaned forward, smiling brightly.
"Exactly! As long as you don't get hurt, it's fine. You don't have to be amazing or anything."
They weren't discouraging him.
They were protecting him—from pressure, from disappointment, from hope that might hurt.
Jin paused his chopsticks.
He looked at them.
And for a brief moment, the past overlapped with the present.
You didn't give up on me back then either.
Even in my last life… you always cheered for me.
And I couldn't protect anyone.
I lived weak. Miserable.
His grip tightened slightly.
But this time will be different.
It won't be the same.
I'll protect you this time.
I'll change our lives.
Jin smiled lightly and stood up.
"Don't worry, Mom. Dad," he said calmly. "I need to participate."
They looked up at him.
"I'm not the same as before," Jin continued. "Just… watch."
His sister blinked. "Huh?"
He walked over and placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently.
"Thank you," he said softly. "For everything you've done until now."
She laughed. "Why are you suddenly so serious?"
Jin only smiled.
"Get ready," he said. "I might surprise you this time."
His parents exchanged a glance—still worried, but something else mixed in now.
Expectation.
Jin picked up his bag.
When Jin reached the school grounds, the place was already buzzing.
Several large buses were lined up neatly, engines humming low. Students stood around in small groups, some nervous, some excited, others trying a little too hard to look calm.
One bus had already started boarding.
Jin spotted a familiar figure near the door.
"Jin!"
Teacher Han Qiu stood there, arm raised, waving at him with a broad smile.
Jin broke into a light run and hopped onto the bus just before the doors closed.
Han Qiu laughed. "I thought you weren't coming."
Jin scratched his head. "I was just on time."
The teacher studied him for a second longer than necessary, then nodded slowly. "You've changed a lot."
He reached out and gave Jin a firm pat on the shoulder. "Good. Go sit. We're heading out soon."
Jin moved down the aisle.
"Hey! Over here!"
Zhao Chen was already seated by the window, waving enthusiastically.
Jin walked over and dropped into the seat beside him.
"You really came," Zhao Chen said, grinning. "I thought you'd chicken out."
Jin glanced out the window as the bus began to move. "Someone had to keep you company."
Zhao Chen laughed. "Man… today decides everything."
The bus pulled away from the school, carrying them toward the exam grounds.
NCEE had begun.