Chapter 8

The students murmured in a mix of shock and admiration.

Had Parker only scored 320 or 330, some of them might have felt jealous. The gap wouldn't have seemed insurmountable.

But when the difference was this vast, most could only feel respect.

People had a sense of self-awareness—when someone was clearly out of their league, there was no point in being envious.

Besides, Martial Arts Proficiency was different from physical constitution.

If a family had the means, they could hire specialized dietitians and physiotherapists, design personalized training regimens, and if one awakened martial spirit, it was entirely possible to push their physical constitution to Level 7 or even higher by senior year.

But no amount of money could simply buy progress in martial techniques.

...

By the time Parker's assessment concluded, it was already 5:30 in the afternoon.

"Alright."

"Judging from today's test, most of you have been working hard since entering senior year," Mr. Hughes' voice returned to its usual cold tone. "But some of you have regressed instead of improving."

"You're already in your final year. The university entrance exam won't decide your entire life, but at the very least, it's a crucial opportunity... I'll be overseeing your martial cultivation again the day after tomorrow. Class dismissed."

As he turned to leave, he added, "Parker, Knox Xavier—you two, come to my office."

The students, exhausted from their training, their feet sore and drenched in sweat, immediately dispersed.

Many of the boys gulped down water while rushing to the cafeteria to grab seats.

Some of the girls discussed heading to the restroom first.

"Parker, I'll head to the cafeteria with Gavin Ford and the others. We'll save you a spot and grab your nutrition meal too!" Logan Pierce called out.

"Hey, Logan, Parker's gonna need two meals," Gavin Ford chuckled before turning to Parker. "Don't worry about it, we'll handle dinner. You go to the office."

"Thanks, I'll send you guys the money later," Parker smiled.

"No need. You covered breakfast for me a few times—I'll count this as payback," Gavin laughed.

Parker grinned.

Besides Logan, he had a few other close friends in the class.

"Parker, let's go," Knox Xavier, broad-shouldered and towering, motioned to him. "Why do you think Mr. Hughes wants us?"

"For you, it's probably to transfer you into the Elite Class," Parker chuckled.

As for himself? He had a guess, but he wasn't certain yet.

The setting sun cast golden rays over the campus, enveloping everything in a warm glow.

Groups of students poured out of their classrooms, clad in matching school uniforms or martial attire, chattering and laughing as they made their way toward the cafeteria.

Parker and Knox Xavier exited the senior year teaching building, circled around a large flowerbed, and entered the administrative building.

At the far end of the left corridor on the first floor was Brandon Hughes' office.

Though called an office, it was, in reality, a vast martial cultivation chamber.

"Reporting in."

"Reporting in."

Standing at the entrance, Parker swept his gaze across the room, estimating that the martial hall spanned over 500 square meters.

This was his second time here.

It housed various advanced training devices, including the Vitality Assessment Device and a dedicated punching force testing area.

One side of the wall displayed an array of cold weapons—rifles, staffs, axes—most of them unsharpened.

Yet, there were also some with keen edges.

At the far end of the room, Parker even spotted a private restroom and a therapy chamber.

"Parker, now this is a true martial artist's training hall. Even initiate martial cultivators can train here without worries," Knox muttered beside him, a hint of envy in his voice. "My family's training hall isn't even 100 square meters—it's not even a fifth of Mr. Hughes' place. We don't even have a dedicated therapy room."

"If I need treatment, my dad has to drive me to the Martial Hall. Such a hassle."

Parker remained silent.

A therapy chamber? He didn't even have a private training room at home.

As for visiting the Martial Hall? That wasn't an option—he didn't have the money.

From what Parker knew, a martial artist's training hall of this size cost tens of millions of Blue Earth credits just for construction and equipment alone.

In Fluvia City, the price of a bare-bones apartment in a decent area exceeded 20,000 credits per square meter.

By his estimate, this martial hall had to be worth at least 20 million credits.

And what was the average monthly salary in Fluvia City?

Parker recalled seeing the latest report on the news—11,342 Blue Earth credits.

The median income was even lower.

"You two, come in."

Standing at the center of the training hall, Mr. Hughes resembled an iron fortress, his presence even more imposing due to the metallic right arm gleaming under the lights.

His aura was more restrained than it had been in the classroom earlier.

Yet, somehow, he felt even more dangerous.

"Sir." Parker and Knox responded respectfully.

"Knox, I've already submitted your transfer request. It should be approved before 6 PM. Once it's processed, you'll report directly to the Elite Class tomorrow," Mr. Hughes said, turning to Knox.

Knox, nicknamed "Grizzly," had a burly build, yet in front of Mr. Hughes, he seemed almost small.

"That fast?" Knox was caught off guard.

"Don't worry, I'm not kicking you out," Mr. Hughes' voice was cold but patient. "Now that you've awakened your martial intuition, you can train with advanced cultivation methods. Your efficiency will far surpass basic martial training."

"The entrance exams are approaching, and you awakened quite late. The sooner you join the Elite Class, the better your chances of improving before the exams."

Mr. Hughes continued, "Once your request is approved, the introductory chapters of the Seven Advanced Cultivation Methods will be sent to your school account. I recall your family has a training hall—skip evening self-study today and go home to test them out. See which one suits you best."

"After you've chosen a method, the Elite Class instructors will guide you one-on-one until you've fully mastered it."

"Thank you, sir." Knox bowed with gratitude.

He now understood—Mr. Hughes wasn't pushing him away. On the contrary, he was genuinely looking out for him.

"Go on, then." Mr. Hughes waved him off.

Knox saluted and left.

"Parker." Mr. Hughes turned his gaze to him, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Your spear techniques and movement skills should have reached Tier 3 by now."

Tier 3? Parker was momentarily stunned.

The regular curriculum in high school didn't categorize martial skills into Tiers 1, 2, or 3.

They were only graded by proficiency scores.

"Oh, I forgot." Mr. Hughes noticed Parker's confusion and rephrased, "That's how initiate martial cultivators classify skills. Let me ask another way—have you reached Gold Rank on the Star Combat Network?"

"Half a month ago," Parker replied.

Across Blue Earth and the Septastar Worlds, every planet had its own virtual network, boasting a simulation realism exceeding 70%.

Among them, the most popular platform was the Star Combat Network.