Three days had passed since the tournament's climactic end.
East Sea Academy had fallen into rare quiet—students released early from their usual grind due to a regional festival that filled the city with lights, music, and sea-swept color. Recess gave way to laziness, and for most students, the tournament faded into memory.
But not for everyone.
Not for the two classes that had stood face-to-face on the arena floor in the final match.
The meeting room was sunlit and spacious, far too luxurious to match the stress stirring within it.
At the center sat a large round table surrounded by nine chairs. Occupying them were the former members of Class 5—Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, and Qiang Ming—as well as the four top students of the defeated Class 1: Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, Wei Xiaofeng.
At the head of the table sat Wu Zhangkong, arms crossed, posture straight.
Standing beside him with both hands behind his back was a stout man with a broad smile and faintly silver hair. The Principal of East Sea Academy.
The mood was surprisingly light.
A few students exchanged casual nods or small grins. After so much rivalry, it felt strange to sit as equals in the same room. Yet the tension beneath the surface remained. Something important was coming.
The Principal cleared his throat.
"Well then," he began, his voice warm. "After watching the tournament unfold, and after... extended conversations with Teacher Wu, we've come to a conclusion."
He gestured toward the students.
"You seven are among the most talented Soul Masters this academy has seen in years. And your potential—your combined potential—cannot be allowed to waste away in a conventional setting."
He paused.
"That is why we've decided to create a new class. A special class. Class Zero."
The Principal's tone became formal now, almost rehearsed.
"Class Zero will operate outside the structure of the regular grade levels. It will have access to enhanced resources—advanced classrooms, personalized training regimens, direct teacher attention, and even external martial arts instructors."
He lifted a folder and flipped it open.
"Moreover, Class Zero students will receive priority access to medicinal baths, rare cultivation-enhancing foods, forging opportunities, and beast integration simulations far beyond the standard curriculum."
Xie Xie's jaw had dropped slightly. Even Wulin's eyes lit up.
"But," the Principal continued, now closing the folder, "Class Zero is not a gift. It is an investment."
Everyone fell still.
"This academy does not have the means to offer such resources freely. Therefore, should you accept the position, you will be required to swear loyalty to East Sea Academy."
Gu Yue frowned slightly. Qiang Ming's gaze narrowed.
The Principal elaborated.
"This loyalty doesn't mean servitude. You won't be bound to the academy forever. But until graduation, and for a number of years after, you will be expected to represent East Sea Academy in all major tournaments. You'll train here. Live here. Compete for us."
"It's a mutual contract. We provide everything to help you grow… and you help us shine."
There was a long silence.
The first to speak was Wei Xiaofeng.
"I'm sorry," he said, tone cool and even. "My family has already planned my trajectory. I'll be moving to a different province next semester for private study."
He stood, bowed once, and left the room. No one stopped him.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Wang Jinxi rose next.
"I accept," he said without hesitation. "My family is… modest. And this is more than they could ever afford to offer me."
He sat back down, expression calm.
Zhang Yangzi nodded immediately after. "Same for me. I'm not wasting this chance."
The room turned next to Tang Wulin.
He looked at his hands for a moment, then nodded. "I want to grow stronger. For reasons of my own."
"Then it's settled," said the Principal.
"I'm in," Xie Xie added, shrugging. "My dad only really cares about my older brothers anyway. Might as well make something for myself."
Gu Yue glanced at Wulin, then said simply, "Me too."
All eyes turned to Qiang Ming.
For the first time in months, his expression faltered.
His jaw tensed.
His eyes shifted from face to face—his friends, his rivals, his teacher. He looked at their eyes, their ease in answering, the way they belonged in this moment.
And he… did not.
Why am I hesitating? he thought.
Why does this feel wrong?
He wanted to stay. That was the truth. He wanted to train with Xie Xie again, laugh after sparring. He wanted to learn under Wu Zhangkong, whose ruthless discipline had polished his raw power into something finer. He wanted to be near Gu Yue and Wulin and the others.
But also…
He couldn't shake the growing awareness inside him.
That he was being outpaced.
That his growth had slowed—not due to lack of effort, but because his trajectory was no longer unique.
Zhang Yangzi was faster.
Wang Jinxi was more precise.
Even Wulin, with one ring less, had become harder to read.
Worse still…
The word "loyalty" rang in his head like a hammer striking iron.
How dare they ask that of me?
I'm the son of a Duke. Even if his clan was weak, it was still wealthy, ancient, with roots that ran deep in the Federation.
One of my grandfathers sat in the Parliament!
And now… this Principal dared to ask for his loyalty like a charity boy begging for scraps?
His hands began to shake.
Twenty seconds passed in silence.
Wulin furrowed his brow.
Xie Xie leaned forward.
Gu Yue's expression darkened with concern.
Even Wu Zhangkong had shifted his weight, as if preparing to intervene.
But before he could speak—
Qiang Ming shot to his feet.
"I… I won't be able to accept this offer, Principal. I…"
He trailed off.
And then—he turned.
And ran.
The door slammed open, then closed with a violent crack.
The room remained frozen in place.
No one moved.
Not even Wu Zhangkong.