Chapter 45 – First Grade

The morning light filtered through the immense glass panes of Shrek Academy's first-grade auditorium, casting long rays across the orderly rows of students seated in rigid silence. One hundred and two students, each chosen among tens of thousands across the Federation, had earned a seat here. And today, they would hear what that truly meant.

Qiang Ming sat with his arms folded at the front row, alongside Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan. Class 0. A name that didn't mean anything officially here—but in their minds, it still held power. The reunion still felt fresh, and though they didn't speak much this morning, the bonds between them remained palpable, even if Gu Yue's gaze still flicked away when it met his.

A presence sharper than steel cut through the room.

Elder Cai entered.

All motion ceased. Her white robes shimmered with an almost intangible air of dignity and power. To most students, she was a symbol of prestige, terror, and impossibly high standards. To Class 0, she was something worse—someone who'd personally pushed them to their limits during their entrance trials.

Yet when her gaze swept the room, it paused—just for a second—on Qiang Ming. Not sternly. Not with suspicion. But… recognition. And perhaps something more.

She stepped up to the front platform and lifted a hand to address them.

"Welcome to the First Grade of Shrek Academy."

Her voice, calm and unwavering, filled every corner of the vast room.

"You have made it through the gates. You've proven yourselves capable of becoming true Shrek students. But I want you to understand something—this is not the end of your trial. It is the beginning."

The words rang like a gong in every student's chest.

"You are now part of Shrek's system. Your past—your family, your status, your background—means nothing here. Shrek does not care who you were. It only cares who you become. Remember that."

The silence held. No one dared move.

"Follow the rules. Grow stronger. Make this place worthy of your presence—or leave."

Without another word, she turned away. But as she walked past Class 0, she gave a slight nod—barely perceptible—to Qiang Ming. Tang Wulin caught it. So did Gu Yue. Xie Xie narrowed his eyes.

What the hell was that?

Before anyone could whisper about it, Side Teacher Chen Yi stepped up to the platform, a scroll in her hand. Her voice was clear, brisk, and authoritative.

"I will now explain the rules of Shrek Academy. Pay close attention. Ignorance is not an excuse."

She unrolled the scroll.

"First: At Shrek Academy, the only rules that apply are Shrek's. Whatever status or power you had outside the school—leave it at the gate. This academy is independent from the Federation in governance. We do not answer to your parents. We reward excellence. We punish failure. Equally. Harshly."

A few students shifted nervously in their seats.

"Second: Your student ID is more than identification. It is your key to survival here. It keeps track of your contribution points—the currency used within Shrek City for all goods and services. Contribution points are earned through completing missions assigned by the Academy. Lose all of them—and you're expelled. If you're expelled, however, you may first spend any remaining points before you're formally removed."

Murmurs began to ripple across the room.

"Third: Classes are mandatory and held only in the mornings. You are free to manage your own training and study for the rest of the day—but attendance is not optional. Lateness is considered absence. Three absences? Expulsion."

This time, the room froze completely. A boy in the second row visibly flinched.

"Fourth: Shrek Academy prohibits the use of Federation money within school grounds. You cannot purchase items outside and bring them in. If caught, the penalty is ten times the item's value deducted from your contribution points."

Gu Yue's eyebrows lifted slightly. Qiang Ming just nodded silently.

"For cooperative students—such as working students—you may eat outside the Academy. However, time is your most valuable resource. We suggest you not waste it."

Chen Yi then took out a slim packet and held it up.

"This list will be distributed to each of you. It contains a catalogue of what can be purchased with contribution points: weapons, materials, spirit power supplements… even lessons. Some classes are free for full students, but co-op students must pay for everything."

Xu Xiaoyan raised a brow at that.

"And yes," Chen Yi continued, "you can trade items and services with one another. But any trade processed by the Academy carries a 10% middleman fee, paid in contribution points. This fee ensures the trade is guaranteed and monitored."

The logic made sense. Qiang Ming nodded thoughtfully.

"Lastly, missions can also result in loss of contribution points. Failure to complete assigned tasks will result in penalties. Normal students will be expelled if their point total reaches -1000. Working students will be expelled at 0."

Chen Yi rolled up the scroll with a snap.

"There is no pity here. Only effort and results. Prove yourselves—or leave."

With that final statement, the Vice Principal stepped down. The silence in the room now had a different tone—not anxiety, but sharpened determination.

Qiang Ming leaned back slightly in his seat. His gaze flicked to the students behind him, then to his right at Wulin, Gu Yue, and the others. The path forward was clear.

The bar had been raised. Now all that was left was to shatter it.