"By the way, Xiao Ye, aren't you an E-Class Special Ability holder?" After dinner, Lin Yuru pulled Lin Ye onto the sofa. "How did you score so high?" Beside them, Su Qingyue perked up—she was equally curious.
Here it comes. Lin Ye recited his prepared answer: "Principal Zhang Tianming and Teacher Xu Haiping said my Special Ability might have mutated."
"Mutation?" Su Qingyue leaned forward.
"I'm not sure either. It just… suddenly got stronger." Lin Ye feigned ignorance. He hated lying, but revealing his System was out of the question.
"Stronger is good!" Lin Yuru clapped. "If only Qingyue could get into Imperial Capital University too—it's her dream!"
"Mom, my scores aren't enough." Su Qingyue stared at her lap. Eighth in Qingyang City meant nothing nationally.
"Cousin, maybe I can help." Lin Ye nudged her gently.
Three days later, Imperial Capital University Admissions Center.
Third-Tier to Fifth-Tier Special Ability holders—rare sights elsewhere—packed the conference room. Over thirty elite faculty members huddled around the oval table, strategizing recruitment for top provincial examinees.
"Let's begin." Admissions Director Zhao Qiming activated Galaxy, the university's cutting-edge AI. "Prioritize provincial champions as usual."
A holographic wall hummed to life. An electronic voice announced: "Hunan Province Champion: Zhao Yan, 12,430 points."
The 3D projection showed a red-haired girl incinerating a Shadowblade Panther barehanded. "Mid-First-Tier, A-Class Fire-Type Special Ability: Inferno Incineration."
"Solid A-Class variant."
"Her combat fluidity's impressive."
Professors murmured evaluations.
Zhao Qiming declared: "A+ Tier Special Admission for Zhao Yan. Professor Chen Kun—your team handles Hunan."
An A+ Tier designation granted core disciple status with premium cultivation resources.
"Understood." Professor Chen stood.
"Changfeng Province Champion: Zhang Mingxuan, 11,690 points."
The cycle continued. Fifteen champions were assessed: four A+ Tier, eight A Tier, three A- Tier.
"Four A+ Tier recruits already?" Zhao Qiming smiled. "This year's crop is exceptional."
"Next: Yunzhou Province."
"Yunzhou Province Champion: Lin Ye, 15,945 points."
"Impressive score," Director Zhao Qiming leaned forward. "Yunzhou hasn't produced a champion this dominant in decades."
Class: Awakened. E-Class Lightning-Type Special Ability: Static Control.
Murmurs erupted.
"E-Class? An Awakened provincial champion?"
"System glitch?"
"Galaxy was upgraded this year—"
A holographic orb materialized, pulsing with indignant light. "Galaxy does not err! Data anomalies originate from initial registry inputs."
"Enough." Zhao Qiming silenced the room. "Play his combat footage."
The hologram showed Lin Ye battering Beast Hordes with bare fists.
"Ancient martial arts? Obsolete for centuries."
"His physique rivals Mutant Beasts."
"Tactical brilliance—dividing packs to conquer."
But the clincher came when Nine Heavens Thunder Prison detonated.
"A-Class destructive output… from an E-Class?"
"Registry auditors must be blind!"
"Galaxy, analyze his Special Ability."
The orb whirred. "Lightning-Type under Natural Category. Elemental signature unavailable. Probability assessment: 3% B-Class, 9% A-Class, 87% S-Class, 1% SS-Class. F/E/D/C/SSS-Class: 0%."
Gasps choked the air.
"87%... S-Class?" Zhao Qiming's knuckles whitened.
S-Class—a nation-shaping asset unseen in three years.
"S+ Tier Special Admission," the director decreed. "Full confidentiality: his E-Class registry stays intact. I'll handle recruitment personally."
"But protocol—"
"Protocol?" Zhao Qiming crushed objections. "When did protocol ever produce a champion who solo-killed a Bloodthirsty Frenzy Bear's? Prep the shuttle—other schools will swarm Yunzhou within hours."