September 1st, the first day of school.

Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan woke up early. After breakfast, they headed out together to register at school.

No parents accompanied them, just the two of them.

After all, they were nearly 16, independent enough. No need to trouble their parents when they could handle it themselves.

Besides, the High School Division was only a few hundred meters from home, a short walk away.

“Xiao Chen, with school this close, we won’t even need our bike anymore. Such a pity.”

Wearing a light blue skirt that revealed her fair, straight legs, Shen Qinghan walked alongside him and sighed.

Lin Zichen replied, “It’s fine, we can still ride on weekends. Nothing to be sorry about.”

“Then let’s go out riding every weekend. I’ll give you a ride! My legs are strong now, I can carry you no problem!” Her eyes sparkled.

Lin Zichen chuckled, “Alright, I’ll look forward to your riding skills.”

They chatted as they walked.

At the next intersection, Shen Qinghan pointed to a barbershop across the street, “Xiao Chen, look—doesn’t that guy inside look like Zhang Kai?”

‘Zhang Kai? That loud boy from the Martial Arts Team?’

Lin Zichen followed her gaze. Sure enough, it was Zhang Kai.

But he wasn’t the bright, cropped-hair teen from back then anymore. Now he wore an earring in his left ear, long bangs covering one eye and his hair dyed in garish colors—a stereotypical rebellious kid.

A flashy motorbike was parked out front, likely his.

‘So his grades were too poor for high school and he turned into one of those flashy street bikers?’ Lin Zichen felt a touch of melancholy at the thought.

He didn’t dwell on it and continued walking with Shen Qinghan.

* * *

Shanhai High School.

The welcoming hall.

It was really just a wide corridor under a teaching building.

Every new homeroom teacher had a desk set up, waiting for their students to register.

Senior students worked as volunteers nearby, keeping things lively.

Lin Zichen quickly found his class’s desk: Class 1 of Senior Year 1.

He led Shen Qinghan over.

“Hello, teacher. We’re here to register.”

“So early?”

The muscular man at the desk finished replying to a WeChat message before looking up.

When he saw Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan’s striking looks, he was stunned.

He handed them the roster sheet, curiosity getting the better of him, “You two look amazing. Are you siblings?”

“No, childhood friends.” Lin Zichen checked off both their names.

The teacher’s eyes widened, then he broke into a grin, “So you’re Zichen. I’ve heard about you many times and now I finally meet you.”

Lin Zichen was the brightest star in Shanhai’s junior division. Many teachers had heard of him but never seen him.

“May I know your name, teacher?”

The man laughed, “My surname’s Han. Call me Lao Han.”

“So you’re Teacher Han. Pleased to meet you.”

“Teacher Han, hello…” Shen Qinghan echoed softly, sounding shy.

“Haha, good, good!”

Han Yuanfeng laughed heartily, approachable in demeanor.

Then he called out, “He Xu! Show them around the school, will you?”

“No need, Teacher Han. We’ll look around ourselves.”

With that, Lin Zichen led Shen Qinghan away.

They spent about ten minutes exploring.

The High School Division felt like a larger copy of the Junior Division. Same gardens, same buildings.

Bored, they went to their classroom.

* * *

Third teaching building.

Class 1, Senior Year 1.

When they arrived, the classroom was empty.

They were too early. Most students were probably still sleeping in on registration day.

“Xiao Chen, look, photos of our teachers are posted on the back wall. Let’s check them out!”

She ran to the back. Lin Zichen followed.

Each photo had a short bio beneath, clearly meant to help new students get familiar with their teachers quickly. A thoughtful touch.

Four photos in total—all men, covering the four main courses of high school.

First photo: Martial Arts teacher and homeroom teacher, Han Yuanfeng.

Second photo: Wilderness Survival teacher, Cheng Bei.

Third photo: Gene Fusion teacher, Liu Deren.

Fourth photo: Mechanical Modification teacher, Cai Yuanfei.

Underneath were descriptions of each course.

Martial Arts: Physical training and martial techniques, practical focus.

Wilderness Survival: Learning survival skills—climbing, fire-making, finding water. Practical skills.

Gene Fusion: Knowledge of gene fusion, recognition of aberrant beasts and their traits. Book-based, theoretical.

Mechanical Modification: Knowledge of modification techniques, materials and alloys. Book-based, theoretical.

“Xiao Chen, so few courses in high school—just four. Less than middle school!” Shen Qinghan smiled.

Lin Zichen poured cold water on her excitement, “Don’t celebrate too soon. Fewer courses means harder courses and that’s just the core ones. There’ll be electives too.”

“It’s fine. Electives are just hobbies and academics. I’ll ace them.” Her confidence shone.

As a top student, she had every right.

Lin Zichen only smiled. He was glad to see her proud.

He’d always been dazzling. He didn’t mind her pride—he feared her inferiority. Pride meant she was happy. Inferiority meant she wasn’t. Maybe even depression.

He hoped his brightness wouldn’t dim her confidence.