The lunch break passed in a flash.

Class 1 of Year 1 soon began their afternoon Wilderness Survival class.

Their teacher, Cheng Bei, like the two theory teachers in the morning, was also going to give them an exam.

The prize money was the same amount as before.

The exam consisted of three parts: climbing, swimming and fire starting with a bow drill.

Climbing was split into tree climbing and rock climbing.

“Lu Gang, we lost to him in both theory exams this morning. This afternoon in Wilderness Survival and Martial Arts Training, we have to win it back.”

Wang Shujie said, competitive fire burning in his eyes.

Lu Gang clenched his fist, “You don’t need to tell me. I’ll go all out and crush him, washing away the shame!”

Both had their eyes locked on Lin Zichen, treating him as their greatest rival.

They had arrived at Shanhai Middle School full of pride and superiority, unwilling to let anyone surpass them.

The exam began.

First was climbing, judged by speed.

Lin Zichen came first again.

Wang Shujie was second.

He Yu finally broke his streak of always placing fourth, taking third.

Lu Gang, too heavy and cumbersome, barely climbed at all and ranked near the bottom.

As for Shen Qinghan, who had entered through connections, her weak physical fitness placed her last.

Her face burned with shame. The confidence she had gained from her Gene Fusion success in the morning evaporated.

She realized again she was only here because of connections. She didn’t truly belong in the elite class.

Lin Zichen noticed her mood but didn’t comfort her. It was just climbing, nothing major. Once they got to swimming, she’d regain her confidence.

* * *

Next came fire starting.

Thanks to Lin Zichen’s earlier hands-on coaching, Shen Qinghan did decently. Her body was weak, so her speed was low, but her technique carried her to mid-rank.

Lin Zichen, however, continued his crushing genius performance, sparking fire in under a minute.

The class was shocked.

He Yu blurted, “Zichen, your hand speed is insane, like the stick itself is on fire!”

Wang Shujie and Lu Gang scowled, feeling powerless before Lin Zichen’s display.

How could someone this strong only have been a district champion, not a city champion? Did he have a fever during the high school entrance exam?

They couldn’t make sense of it.

Cheng Bei frowned, “Zichen, if you could do this, why hide it before?”

Before Lin Zichen could reply, Shen Qinghan piped up, “Teacher, he wasn’t hiding. He was too busy teaching the three of us how to do it.”

Cheng Bei chuckled, “I see. Helping classmates improve—very good.”

* * *

The final test was swimming.

Cheng Bei led them to the sports center pool—200 meters long, 100 wide, depth ranging 1 to 3 meters.

Perfect for Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan to train in.

“Teacher Cheng, is this pool usually open?” Lin Zichen asked.

“No, only for exams or competitions,” Cheng replied.

Lin Zichen thought it a pity but also saw an opportunity. If he dominated like in middle school, crushing all rivals, the leadership might grant him privileges. Perhaps even private access for himself and Shen Qinghan—with cameras turned off.

He resolved to shine even brighter on campus.

* * *

The swimming exam began.

Lin Zichen once again took first, swimming so fast Lu Gang and Wang Shujie were left gasping and doubting themselves.

Meanwhile, Shen Qinghan redeemed herself. She swam like a fish, graceful and swift, seizing second place.

“Wow, Hanhan, you swim like a fish, so smooth and beautiful!” Li Chuxin exclaimed.

They had never seen her swim fast before—she usually practiced odd underwater tricks with Lin Zichen. No one expected her to outpace even Lu Gang and Wang Shujie.

Shen Qinghan smiled, “It’s all thanks to Xiao Chen teaching me.”

Her water talent was their secret.

Li Chuxin clasped her hand, “Hanhan, teach me too, okay?”

“Of course.” Shen Qinghan agreed.

Watching, Cheng Bei was baffled. She had been the weakest in climbing, yet here she was swimming like a powerhouse. Even with great technique, poor physique shouldn’t allow this.

Wang Shujie and Lu Gang were equally stunned.

Losing to Lin Zichen was one thing, but losing to his childhood sweetheart—a girl—was intolerable humiliation.

They fumed.

* * *

Wilderness Survival ended.

Next was Martial Arts Training with homeroom teacher Han Yuanfeng.

“Without realizing it, you’ve trained over a month. Today, it’s time to test your progress,” he said. “We’ll spar on the martial stage. Top three get rewards. Give it your all!”

Everyone shouted agreement.

Lin Zichen’s eyes lit up. Sparring was the purest test of strength—and winning with rewards meant progress in his Natural Selection achievement.

Wang Shujie and Lu Gang’s eyes lit up too.

Written exams? Survival tricks? So what?

This was Martial Arts Class. Strength and skill were what mattered.

Failing theory ≠ failing real combat.

This time, they would crush Lin Zichen on the martial stage, reclaiming their pride and superiority.