Chapter 42: Class Zero Established
The typhoon lasted an entire week, and as soon as it ended, Eastsea City's Administrative Office quickly initiated disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.
Eastsea Academy, located in the city center, suffered minimal damage and reopened immediately.
Jing Shaoyu returned to the academy on his bike and found Xu Xiaoyan in the classroom.
"Xiaoyu!" Xu Xiaoyan immediately ran up to him with a delighted smile. "Did you miss me while you were at home?"
"Of course I did!" Jing Shaoyu replied, gently patting her head with a warm smile.
"Liar!" She pouted playfully. "You didn't even call me, and you say you missed me? Big liar!"
"Hey, every time I was about to call, you'd call first. So it's not my fault. It's just that we're in sync!" Jing Shaoyu teased, making her eyes light up into little crescents with joy. Meanwhile, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi rolled their eyes, pretending to gag at the lovey-dovey scene.
A few moments later, Ye Yingluo entered the classroom, her expression neutral. She walked to the podium and calmly announced, "Everyone, stand and head to the field for an assembly."
Jing Shaoyu's eyes lit up as he got up, heading to the field with Xu Xiaoyan by his side.
After all five first-year classes gathered, Jing Shaoyu noticed Principal Yu Zhen and Director Long Hengxu at the front.
"Class rep, what's the assembly for?" Wang Jinxi whispered to Jing Shaoyu, curious. "Do you think it's for a reward?"
"A reward? Jinxi, stop daydreaming," Zhang Yangzi said, exasperated. "Don't you know the rules? Only challengers get rewards if they win. We were defending our position; winning is expected. There are rewards for winning, but punishment for losing."
"What? That's so unfair!" Wang Jinxi complained, feeling indignant. "Isn't that discrimination against the strong?"
"Discrimination? More like recognition," Wei Xiaofeng commented. "Only strong people are expected to go easy on the weak. It's just natural to feel sympathy for those who aren't as strong, right?"
Wei Xiaofeng's voice wasn't loud, but his words were clearly heard by the newly promoted Class 2 standing nearby, drawing several angry glares. Wei Xiaofeng, however, didn't seem to care. To him, it was only right to mock the weak.
Up front, Long Hengxu prepared to speak, and the chatter quickly subsided. He glanced at Yu Zhen, then began, "Today's first-year assembly is to make an important announcement. Given this year's outstanding first-year students, the academy board, with approval from the Eastsea City Administrative Office, has decided to establish a pilot class within the first year, selecting the top-performing students for specialized training.
"This pilot class will be provisionally named First Year Class Zero, with Teacher Wu Zhangkong appointed as homeroom teacher. Class Zero will select students from the current five classes, and for now, eight students have been chosen.
"First Year Class 1: Jing Shaoyu, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, Xu Xiaoyan, and Wei Xiaofeng.
"First Year Class 2: Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin.
"In the future, any student who demonstrates exceptional performance in this year group will have a chance to join Class Zero."
Long Hengxu's announcement instantly set off waves of excitement and murmurs among the first-year students.
Class Zero?
Is this history in the making? In Eastsea Academy's nearly thousand-year history, there had never been a Class Zero.
Jing Shaoyu, having already known about Class Zero, wasn't surprised, and Xu Xiaoyan only cared that she'd still be in the same class as Jing Shaoyu, so she was indifferent. Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng, however, showed varying expressions of thoughtfulness. Over in Class 2, Gu Yue remained indifferent, while Tang Wulin and Xie Xie seemed surprised, casting Jing Shaoyu a complicated look.
While the students buzzed with confusion and curiosity, the teachers' reactions varied as well. As Class 1's homeroom teacher, Ye Yingluo already knew of Class Zero's establishment, as did Wu Zhangkong, the newly appointed head of Class Zero. Wu was unphased, while Ye Yingluo, though reluctant, knew she had no power to overturn the board's decision.
As for the other three homeroom teachers, Ye Yingrong was generally indifferent, while the new Class 5 and Class 3 homeroom teachers felt embarrassed. They had questioned Wu Zhangkong's teaching skills, only for him to be appointed as the head of Class Zero—a hard slap to their pride.
"Quiet!" Long Hengxu called, sweeping a sharp gaze over the crowd. When the murmuring ceased, he turned to Yu Zhen. "Principal, would you like to say a few words?"
Yu Zhen nodded, stepping forward. "Students, I'm sure you're all curious why the academy established Class Zero for the first-year students.
"It's because the students selected have demonstrated strength and abilities well beyond their level. If they continue to be trained alongside you, not only would it place undue pressure on you, but it would also stifle their potential. So, for both their benefit and yours, the academy decided to create this special class, providing an environment that allows them to fully develop their talents while also setting an example for the rest of you.
"Class Zero exists to show you all that if you want the academy's attention and wish to excel, you must work harder. I hope to see more of you join Class Zero in the future and become Eastsea Academy's brightest stars.
"That's all. Dismissed. Homeroom teachers, take your classes back to the classrooms. First Year Class 2 will be temporarily overseen by Director Long Hengxu until a new homeroom teacher is selected. Teacher Wu Zhangkong and the students of Class Zero, please stay behind."
Amidst envious and admiring glances, the five first-year classes were led back to their classrooms by their homeroom teachers. Soon, only Principal Yu Zhen, Wu Zhangkong, and the eight Class Zero students remained on the field.
"Kids, come over here," Yu Zhen beckoned them forward.
The eight students gathered before Yu Zhen. While they had been rivals on the battle stage just recently, there was no enmity among them. The atmosphere was surprisingly amicable—except for Xu Xiaoyan's wary gaze toward Gu Yue.
"Kids, you're all undoubtedly talented, but let me tell you this," Yu Zhen said sternly. "The world is full of talent, but it's also full of talents cut short. If you wish to become truly powerful, you must work harder than anyone else.
"The academy established Class Zero to bring you together, hoping to foster humility and teach you that there's always someone stronger. I hope each of you will stay grounded and dedicated, working hard to live up to your potential. Do you understand?"
"We understand!" the eight students replied in unison, whether or not they fully absorbed his words.
"Good!" Yu Zhen smiled approvingly. "Now, sign this agreement."
With a flick of his wrist, Yu Zhen produced a stack of papers and pens, handing them to each student.
Jing Shaoyu took a paper and quickly scanned it, noticing the large characters at the top: Agreement.
The terms were straightforward: by signing, the student agreed to remain at Eastsea Academy through the intermediate and advanced departments, and any breach of this agreement would result in penalties.
It was a reasonable agreement. Since Eastsea Academy planned to invest resources into them, it was only natural that they didn't want to lose them to other schools. Jing Shaoyu knew, however, that Eastsea Academy's hopes would ultimately go unfulfilled; many Class Zero members would eventually transfer, leaving only memories and a boost in reputation.
Still, the academy would gain something from the publicity, and in that sense, their goal would be partially achieved.
"After establishing Class Zero, the academy will provide more resources, so we need assurance you'll continue studying here," Yu Zhen explained. "If you have no questions, go ahead and sign."
Without hesitation, Jing Shaoyu signed his name, prompting Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue to follow suit.
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