"Twelve years of hard study, all for this moment!"
"The Gaokao is imminent, but you still need to keep your mindset steady!"
"Those taking the Liberal Arts exam, check your stationery tonight to ensure everything is prepared and functional."
"Those taking the Martial Arts exam should also prepare your combat suits and weapons..."
The voice of the class teacher, Chen Fan, echoed in the classroom. In his seat, Astret recalled information about the Gaokao from his memory.
In the Great Xia Nation where he lived, universities were divided into two categories.
One category was Liberal Arts universities for cultural knowledge, and the other was Awakener Universities for cultivating extraordinary martial power for humanity.
Correspondingly, the Gaokao was also divided into the Liberal Arts Gaokao and the Martial Arts Gaokao.
The Liberal Arts Gaokao went without saying; one just sat in a classroom and answered questions.
But for the Martial Arts Gaokao, candidates had to wear combat suits, carry weapons, and enter designated locations to engage in life-and-death struggles with Ferocious Beasts!
The final grade was assessed based on the number and species of Ferocious Beasts killed.
These two types of Gaokao were decided by the students themselves. If one lacked confidence in their strength or awakened a trash ability...
They could simply choose the Liberal Arts Gaokao and become an ordinary person.
Although his predecessor had only awakened an E-rank ability, he had still chosen the Martial Arts Gaokao.
Astret fully agreed with this decision.
After all, participating in the Martial Arts Gaokao offered a fighting chance.
If one didn't even dare to participate in the Martial Arts Gaokao, they truly could only be an ordinary person... "I'll emphasize it one last time: the Martial Arts Gaokao carries a risk of death. For those whose awakened ability is lower than D-rank, I do not recommend choosing it."
"There is still time to change your choice before nine o'clock tonight. If anyone wants to change their mind, you're welcome to come and see me."
"Alright, that's all for today. Class dismissed."
Before leaving, the class teacher, Chen Fan, made a point of emphasizing it again, while his gaze swept over Astret.
This caused the latter to rub his nose involuntarily.
Astret naturally knew what the teacher meant. After all, in the entire Class 5 of the third year, among the Awakeners participating in the Martial Arts Gaokao...
He was the only one who had only awakened an E-rank ability... According to previous years, most of those who died in the exam were students with abilities below D-rank.
"I know Old Ban is worried about me, but in a world like this, it really won't do without martial power to protect oneself..."
To prevent invasions by Ferocious Beasts, every city in the Great Xia Nation had strict defensive measures.
Such as high-voltage power grids, armed forces, and Awakener squads.
But these measures were not foolproof. Every once in a while, a city would be breached by a Beast Tide, resulting in countless deaths.
Astret didn't want to be powerless if he faced such a situation in the future.
"Even with only an E-rank ability, I would still take the Martial Arts Gaokao, let alone now that I'm about to obtain a rare S-rank ability."
Astret's gaze sharpened as he began to pack his schoolbag.
"Jingming, are you really not going to change your choice?"
In front of him, a boy with a bowl cut turned around and asked.
"No," Astret shook his head.
The bowl-cut boy was his best friend, Zhang Hao, who had also awakened an E-rank ability.
The two were in the same boat, but after awakening an E-rank ability two years ago, Zhang Hao had devoted all his energy to his cultural studies.
He was going to take the Liberal Arts Gaokao.
"You're something else!" Zhang Hao gave a thumbs up. "In all of Class 5, out of the six or seven E-rank Awakeners, you're the only one who dares to choose the Martial Arts Gaokao."
"What, do you want to join me?" Astret raised an eyebrow.
"Heh, this buddy of yours is going to a Liberal Arts university to spend four years of leisure with the girls."
"Heroic deeds like protecting the country should be left to an Awakener lord like you."
Zhang Hao said with a grin.
"Get lost."
Astret rolled his eyes and ignored him, leaving the classroom... Astret's parents had both died in a Beast Tide when he was ten.
They left behind a house and over a million in compensation, but nothing else.
So, when Astret returned home, he was all alone.
Since he had been an orphan before transmigrating, he was already used to this.
Moreover, he had more important things to do now.
"Newbie gift pack, here I come!"
Looking at the blue virtual box in his mind, Astret slammed the claim button!
"Newbie gift pack issued. 200 ability points have been credited."
"S-rank ability Violet Heaven Divine Lightning distribution beginning. Progress: 10%... 20%... 30%..."
Boom!!
With a low rumble, it felt as if an endless power had exploded within Astret's body.
Countless blue-purple lightning arcs flickered and jumped on his skin.
He seemed to turn into a ball of blue-purple lightning.
Crackle, crackle~~~
With the piercing screech of electricity, lightning arcs spread out from Astret, engulfing the entire living room!
The sofa, the TV, the coffee table... everything touched by the lightning instantly exploded!
Lightning mixed with flames smashed the window and surged out!
"Mom, that big brother's house across the street is on fire!"
"Quick, call the fire department!"
"That's the Xu family kid's house, isn't it?"
"..."
The explosion attracted the neighbors, and many called the fire department.
However, Astret was oblivious.
He only felt a warm sensation throughout his body, as if he were filled with power.
"50%... 60%... 70%..."
The transformation continued.
It seemed to be affecting the environment.
Outside, the clear afternoon sky was suddenly covered in dark clouds, as if night had fallen!
No rain fell, but there were bursts of muffled thunder.
One could see streaks of purple lightning within the clouds, weaving through them like flood dragons!
"Why did the sky turn dark?"
"What terrifying lightning! I feel some kind of heavy pressure."
"Jiang City Third Legion, enter alert status and stand by!"
"..."
The strange weather panicked the citizens of Jiang City, who worried a lightning-controlling beast was invading.
The legions stationed in Jiang City mobilized and entered combat readiness.
"80%... 90%... 95%... 98%... 99%..."
Inside the room, the transformation reached the final step!
Crackle!!
The sky flashed, and a bolt of purple lightning struck down from the window, pouring into Astret!
As if having fulfilled its mission, after the lightning struck, the clouds receded, and the sky cleared.
In the room, the transformation reached 100%!
The blue-purple lightning surrounding him receded into his body like a tide.
After a while, Astret opened his eyes, a flash of purple lightning passing through them.
"The ability transformation was successful!"
Astret felt filled with power and raised his right hand.
With a thought, purple lightning arcs swirled out.
Unlike the previous blue-white lightning, this purple lightning contained an ancient, terrifying energy.
"This is the S-rank ability, Violet Heaven Divine Lightning!"
Astret's eyes brightened. He felt that if this hit someone, it wouldn't just be a shock.
They might be blown to pieces!