For a moment, Little Black was lost in thought.
Was the guy in front of it really a paladin?
How could a paladin use his skills to produce such a twisted effect?
He really seems to have the potential of a cultist...
Meanwhile, after his brief shock, Tie Chen began to worry about the state of his pants.
Looking at Jiang Lin not far away, he really wanted to give the guy's parents his regards, but on second thought, Jiang Lin didn't actually have any. It felt like punching a cloud of cotton.
Now, he just wanted to give his past self from a few minutes ago a good punch.
Of all the things to ask for, why did he have to challenge Jiang Lin to a duel?
"Have you used this move on anyone else?" he asked.
"Not yet. Today was the first experiment. I didn't expect it to succeed on the first try."
Hearing this, Tie Chen gnashed his teeth in even greater frustration. Then, he had a sudden brainwave:
"Promise me, don't tell anyone else yet. I'll help you keep it a secret too.
"Wait until the mid-term exam. Use this move then to make a real splash."
After a moment of thought, Jiang Lin nodded and agreed, "No problem."
"Good. I'm going home to change my pants. If I'm not back before the afternoon classes start, tell the teacher for me.
"Just say I had something to take care of at home. Whatever you do, don't say I soiled myself."
With that, Tie Chen walked away with a strange gait.
Watching Tie Chen's retreating figure, Jiang Lin couldn't help but sigh, "Even the strongest people have their moments of vulnerability!"
Little Black looked at Jiang Lin from the corner of its eye. It no longer wanted to find words to describe the absolute beast before it.
Then, the system message box appeared before Jiang Lin's eyes.
The system loaded for a moment, seemingly also contemplating how to evaluate Jiang Lin's actions.
【Appalling! Such cruel and terrifying demonic methods were actually your handiwork! You have completely stripped this small fry of the courage to fight you.】
【Quest Completed】
【Randomly copying the opponent's skill...】
【Obtained skill: Basic Punching (proficient)】
【Would you like to learn it immediately?】
Jiang Lin hesitated for a moment before selecting 【Yes】.
In the next instant, a flood of memories poured into Jiang Lin's mind.
However, the volume of memories this time was the smallest it had ever been.
It only took him the equivalent of two or three years to push his proficiency in Basic Punching to the level of proficient.
Still, there were some physical changes.
New reflex circuits formed within his body, and new muscle memories were etched into his form.
At the same time, a thick layer of calluses appeared on his fists. To an expert, one look would reveal that these were calluses that could only be accumulated through years of training, exposure to the elements, and constant refinement.
In just a few seconds of real-world time, Jiang Lin had transformed from a novice who only knew a little about fist arts into an old hand with considerable insight.
One wondered how Tie Chen would react if he knew about Jiang Lin's rate of progress.
Beside him, because Little Black hadn't opened up its sensory abilities, it didn't sense the internal changes in Jiang Lin's body. It just watched with a bit of confusion as Jiang Lin suddenly started practicing punches on the spot.
...
After performing a set of fist techniques with fluid grace, Jiang Lin discovered that the punching style brought him more than just an understanding of combat; it also took his control over his body's muscles to the next level.
"Little Black, did you see that? I mastered the Basic Punching he used in the blink of an eye. That's what you call talent."
Little Black's face darkened. "Don't call me Little Black. Call me by my name, Lilith.
"Besides, who knows how long you've been practicing in secret? Stop putting on an act in front of me. In my eyes, you're nothing more than an ant."
With that, Little Black wore a look of disdain.
"Are you still planning on eating lunch and dinner today?" Jiang Lin attempted to strike Little Black where it hurt.
"Hmph. I am now practicing a breathing technique. I'll be stepping into the realm of a transcendent creature soon. Who cares about your measly food?"
"Then why didn't you practice before? Why did you run to my house to mooch meals?" Jiang Lin asked, voicing the doubt in his heart.
However, Little Black remained silent, playing the role of a cryptic cat.
...
After taking Little Black out for lunch, Jiang Lin returned to the classroom.
By now, Tie Chen, having changed into a new pair of pants, had returned to his seat.
When he saw Jiang Lin enter the classroom, his eyes were as resentful as a vengeful ghost seeking a life.
It gave Jiang Lin goosebumps.
"Old Jiang, I have a wish," Tie Chen said after Jiang Lin sat down.
"Uh... Sure, tell me. What's your wish?"
"I hope you'll use that move you used on me on other people too—especially during the mid-term exam."
Seeing that Tie Chen was so hung up on the matter, Jiang Lin could only offer some comfort, "Well, if the opportunity is right, I'll try."
"It better be."
As he spoke, he didn't forget to shoot Jiang Lin another resentful look, once again giving him goosebumps.
It was clear just how much psychological damage the Jetting Aura Jiang Lin developed had caused him.
Of course, what Tie Chen couldn't have predicted was how much tragedy and chaos those few words of his would cause in the practical portion of the mid-term exam in a few days.
...
Before the first class started, Jiang Lin began sitting cross-legged in his seat to practice his breathing technique, continuously accumulating magic essence within his body.
Beside him, Tie Chen had finally recovered and began silently grinding practice problems.
At that moment, the homeroom teacher suddenly arrived to announce some news regarding the mid-term exam in a few days:
"Listen up. The practical assessment in a few days will be different from the usual arena matches. After discussions between the school leadership and the leadership of the other two junior magic academies, it has been decided that an artificial secret realm will be rented. Students from all three schools will enter it for a joint exam.
"The competition venue this time is very large, enough for the students of all three schools to enter together. Furthermore, this secret realm will simulate a real-life monster forest, identical in format to the final Junior Adventurer Exam. This will give you a chance to adapt in advance.
"The cost of renting such a secret realm venue is very high. Previous years didn't have the chance for such a simulated test, so you must do your best to cherish it.
"As for the specific rules, I don't know them yet. They should be released when the time comes. You can refer to the practical test rules of the Junior Adventurer Exam. I suspect the rules will be the same.
"Although you're in the tail-end class, if you work hard, you might still make it into a Middle Magic Academy. I believe in you, and you must believe in yourselves."
The homeroom teacher's name was Lake. He was a man who wore glasses and looked quite honest and hardworking. After he finished speaking, he scanned the students below and found that, except for a few individuals, almost no one was listening to him. He couldn't help but sigh.
Being shoved into the role of homeroom teacher for this kind of class showed exactly where he stood among the teaching staff.
Because he was too honest and dutiful, he was often dumped with these mess-of-a-classes.
It looked like there wouldn't be much of a performance bonus again this year...
If only the top student in the grade could be in his class...
Rate on N.U.
