A Test of Mettle or a Leisurely Stroll?

The class's collective groan was loud and clear upon hearing the announcement, with Isabella visibly drained. 

She had spent the previous night honing her sword skills, only managing to snatch a brief rest before dawn broke. The notion of doubling her practice workload seemed almost insurmountable. If Isabella was struggling, it spelled even worse news for her peers. 

It wasn't long before a hand shot up, the owner boldly inquiring, "Mr. Mills, you just emphasized yesterday that the critical balance of health in our training, warning against the pitfalls of overexertion. Has that changed?" 

Oscar's expression turned sour instantly. Wendy had managed to master the Divine Light Shield, and here you were complaining about rest? 

The mere thought of defeat, however unlikely, was intolerable — the prestige of Warrior Class A hung in the balance. 

Fueled by this frustration, Oscar Mills snapped, "Is the concept of pushing yourselves a little harder so alien to you? The essence of cultivation is to challenge the limits, to strive beyond the ordinary. If you can't handle this, perhaps you're better off as expendable soldiers on the battlefield. Warrior Class A has no room for the faint-hearted!" 

The admonished student reluctantly withdrew their question, sinking back into their seat amidst a wave of silent indignation. 

The mood among the students of Warrior Class A was one of muted fury — they were painfully aware of the power their instructor wielded over them, with expulsion being a potentially grim outcome. 

Witnessing his students' resentful looks only fueled Oscar's displeasure. 

How could it be that the Omni-Class, with its less-than-stellar teacher and students, managed to commit to their training with such endurance, while his own, the cream of the crop, seemed so dispirited? Were they really about to be outdone by the Omni-Class? 

"Why are you still seated? Get up and train! Sword practitioners, aim for a thousand cuts today! Those specializing in internal cultivation, dedicate five hours to meditation! I'll tolerate no laziness — fail, and I'll double your workload!"

In the Omni-Class, Wendy, surrounded by a soft halo of light, couldn't hide her excitement. "Mr. Watson! Following the method you showed me yesterday, my body has started to emit this light. Does this mean I've gotten stronger?"

Alex, wearing a smile that was as warm as his tone, assured her, "Indeed, you have grown stronger. At this point, you've reached the fifth stage of Divine Light Mastery."

This revelation left Wendy astounded. She had been accustomed to gradual progress, but the leap of two stages in a single night's practice was beyond her expectations. 

Alex, observing Wendy's stunned expression, remarked with a mix of amusement and sympathy, "Aren't you aware of your own cultivation level?"

"I've been stuck at the first stage for so long," Wendy earnestly explained, "the sudden gains these past few days felt almost overwhelming. I guess that's why I wasn't quite aware of how much progress I had made."

Her statement might have left anyone else in disbelief at such rapid advancement. Suddenly, Wendy remembered something that piqued her curiosity further. "Mr. Watson, last night, when I progressed to stage five and started glowing, Isabella mentioned the Divine Light Shield. What does that mean? I thought I was practicing Divine Light Mastery?"

Alex, ever patient, clarified with a gentle smile, "She was correct. Your current condition indeed reflects the effects of the Divine Light Shield. Essentially, the Divine Light Shield is a technique that evolves from Divine Light Mastery. In theory, mastering Divine Light Mastery allows you to wield any Divine Light Attribute technique. The difference lies in the intricacies of each technique. Among them, the Divine Light Shield is relatively straightforward."

Wendy, now somewhat clearer on the concept, wondered about her next steps in cultivation. She had gotten used to Alex's daily ritual of providing guidance through notes. 

However, this time, Alex shook his head, his smile unwavering, "There's no need to switch your cultivation approach, or even to cultivate at all right now. Your main task is to maintain this state for as long as possible. With just three days before our journey to the secret realm, focus on sustaining this state and rest."

Wendy was momentarily puzzled. Could maintaining a state be considered cultivation? 

But by now, her trust in Alex was profound, deeply influenced by her recent breakthroughs. She had almost unshakeable faith in his words. "Whatever Mr. Watson suggests, I'll do it!"

In a blink, seven days had passed, marking the time for Santania School's annual initiation into the junior secret realm. 

This event, held at the start of each academic year, wasn't so much an assessment but a casual gauge of the newcomers' capabilities and the progress upperclassmen had made during the vacation.

Assembled outside the junior secret realm's gateway, excitement was palpable among the students from all classes. The assessment was known for rewarding the top-performing classes and individuals with generous prizes. Naturally, everyone was eager to prove themselves.

Yet, amidst this general atmosphere of anticipation, two classes stood apart in stark contrast. 

The students of Warrior Class A, positioned at the forefront, were the picture of exhaustion, their faces betraying sleepless nights. The strain was evident not only on the students but also on their instructor, Oscar, whose grim expression spoke volumes. The rigorous training of the past few days seemed to have taken its toll, leaving them worn out—a fact Oscar found embarrassingly conspicuous before the entire school community.

On the other end of the spectrum was the Omni-Class, nestled in a corner. This class, with its single student and teacher, exuded a sense of ease that seemed out of place at an assessment. They appeared more as if they were there for a casual visit rather than a rigorous evaluation.

Oscar noticed this stark difference, a slight twitch forming at the corner of his eye, filled with intrigue. How could Alex and Wendy appear so unstressed? Did they harbor some secret strategy? 

Driven by curiosity, Oscar discreetly employed a fundamental technique "Clairaudience". Instantaneously, he eavesdropped on a conversation between Alex and Wendy.

"Last night's dinner at the cafeteria was awful. I can't stand cauliflower. I much prefer meat."

"Picky eating isn't conducive to good health. You should eat your vegetables too."

"Alright~"

Stunned, Oscar found their exchange not just irrelevant but utterly disconnected from the upcoming assessment. Were they truly here for a leisurely Stroll?