Chapter 8: First Sparks

Ruins E-17 Perimeter · Candidate Assembly Zone

"Any squad need a tank? D-class Enhancement-type aptitude here—can shield and deal damage!"

"This exam's brutal. Can't solo it anymore. C-class Psychic-type aptitude—partial neural lockdown on mutations. Any takers?"

"Our squad lacks heavy firepower! D-class or higher Offense-type aptitude wanted!"

"..."

The Martial Exam permitted team formations. For weaker candidates, joining a strong squad became their lifeline. Properly balanced teams—Controllers, Supports, Strikers, Defenders—could overwhelm high-tier mutations through synergy.

But shared kill-points split among members meant lower efficiency than solo hunts. Hence, elite candidates often operated alone, maximizing both score gains and combat refinement.

Class 7's squad leader, Yang Xueman, stood apart in her white combat bodysuit, tactical tablet pressed to her chest. Scrolling through psi-readouts of her classmates, she paused at Lin Ye's profile. Scrolled past. Returned. Hesitated.

Lin Ye remained isolated, no squad willing to recruit the so-called "human power bank."

"Lin Ye. Join us." Yang Xueman approached, extending her palm. "Your Electrokinesis synergizes with my Frost Dominion. Our squad needs you."

Her C-class Hydrokinetic aptitude—Frost Dominion—allowed ambient moisture manipulation into instant ice constructs, equally lethal and defensive. Paired with Electrokinesis? The fusion could unlock hyperconductive battlefield control, turning glaciers into lightning rods.

"Squad Leader!" Yang Rui, the team's sniper, abruptly cut Yang Xueman off. His psi-rifle whined at maximum charge, its azure beam deliberately grazing the defense orb at Lin Ye's waist. "We've already got four frontline slots. No need for a power bank to pad numbers!"

Medic Qin Xue flicked through Lin Ye's holographic dossier. "E-class Static Control…" Her pupils tightened behind her tactical visor. "Captain Yang, what if we run into Ironhide Rhino packs? Can his sparkles even dent their armor?"

Yang Xueman opened her mouth to argue, but Lin Ye shook his head. "Squad Leader, I'm taking the exam solo. Keep your team intact."

Yang Xueman—gentle, compassionate, and admired across Class 7 for both her tactical grace and striking physique—had always shown Lin Ye undue kindness since learning he was orphaned. Not affection, but empathy.

Her lips parted in surprise at his refusal, but the resolve in his gaze silenced her. With a sigh, she retreated to her squad.

"Kid knows his place," muttered one of her teammates, relief palpable. None wanted deadweight dragging their score.

"Turning down Ice Queen Yang's invite? Bold move, Little Ye." Li Qiang sidled up, slinging an arm around Lin Ye's shoulders with a sly grin. "Half the exam hall's dying to join her squad. Beg nicely, though, and I'll reluctantly carry you."

Li Qiang's C-class Aerokinetic aptitude—Gale Dash—made him Lin Ye's closest ally besides Zhou Mingyu. He'd watched the entire exchange, keenly aware Lin Ye's pride would never endure joining a squad that mocked him. The "begging" offer was a lifeline disguised as banter.

Lin Ye recognized the gesture, warmth flickering in his chest even as he smirked. "You carrying me? Joke's on you, son. I'm gunning for Provincial Top Scorer. Call me 'Papa,' and maybe I'll drag you into the top 100."

He tossed his hair in exaggerated mimicry of Li Qiang's swagger—a ritual of their rivalry, where claiming paternal superiority trumped all else.

"Top Scorer? Pfft. Keep blowing hot air!" Li Qiang jabbed a finger at him, grin widening. "Let's hear you top that boast!"

 "Believe it or not, nobody trusts the truth these days," Lin Ye sighed theatrically, shaking his head.

At that moment, Wang Chong's amplified voice boomed across the assembly zone. "Time's up! The 2035 Qingyang City Martial Exam of Yunzhou Province… begins!"

The colossal gates to the ruins groaned open. Candidates surged forward like a locust swarm, flooding into the fractured urban wasteland.

"Yezi, I'm heading in. Don't die out there, got it?" Li Qiang gave Lin Ye's shoulder a firm clap.

"You either, Qiangzi." Lin Ye nodded, then sprinted into the ruins.

Command Center · Surveillance Hub

"Activate all ruin cams and pursuit drones! Go live nationwide!" The Great Xia Kingdom's martial ethos demanded transparency—every exam was broadcast in real-time.

Final kill scores mattered, but combat performance under pressure weighed heavier. Freeloaders coasting on squad merits? Instant disqualification.

Ten thousand embedded cameras flickered to life across the ruins. Thousands of military drones ascended, weaving a surveillance net with zero blind spots.

Above the assembly zone, holographic projections bloomed—live feeds from E-17's carnage.

Ruins E-17 · Outer Perimeter

Lin Ye raced across desolate terrain, boots crunching gravel. Unusually lucky—no mutations ambushed him yet. Perfect chance to test Nine Heavens Thunderhold's limits, he mused.

Shhhk—

A shadow lunged from behind a toppled oak, claws glinting. The beast—leopard-sized, ink-black fur bristling—locked emerald slit-eyes on him.

"Shadowstrike Cat." Lin Ye halted, gaze steady. "First blood."

A Tier-1 mutation, the Shadowstrike Cat specialized in ambush predation. Its claws shredded alloy plating; countless candidates had died underestimating its lethality.

But to Lin Ye's heightened senses, the ambush unfolded in sluggish slow motion. "Too slow." He pivoted, violet lightning coiled around his right fist, searing claw-strikes that missed by millimeters. When the Shadowstrike Cat lunged again, Lin Ye met its skull with a thunderous punch.

KRAKOOOM!

The cat's head vaporized in a burst of plasma and gore. His tactical wristband vibrated: [Tier-1 Shadowstrike Cat eliminated. Points +5]. The Aether System's voice echoed in his mind: 『Aptitude Points +3』.

Wiping mutated blood from his gauntlet, Lin Ye froze at metallic clashing 100 meters ahead. Five candidates surrounded an Ironhide Rhino calf. Lu Tianyu—leader of the pack—swung an alloy blade, carving charred gashes into the rhino's armored hide.

"All thanks to Brother Lu!" Wang Shuo's flaming claws ripped into the beast's underbelly. "This kill's worth at least 80 points!"

"Good. Fan out. First place is mine." Lu Tianyu smirked, sprinting toward the Central Zone.

"Brother Lu's insane—charging solo into the Central Zone! Legend!"

"Meanwhile, we're stuck farming the Inner Perimeter. Typical."

Lin Ye's lip curled. Pulling up his holographic display, he scanned his stats:

[Name]: Lin Ye

[Class]: Third Jiangnan High, Senior Year (7)

[Points]: 5

The leaderboard refreshed:

[1st: Lu Tianyu (First High) – 105]

[2nd: Wang Shuo (First High) – 55]

[3rd: Xu Mingfei (First High) – 48]

...

With a frosty grin, Lin Ye veered around the skirmish, bolting toward the map's pitch-black sector—the Core Zone, the exam's deadliest arena.