Chapter 9: A D-Rank System Awakening and a Clingy Interlude

The awakening instrument emitted a blinding light, making the classroom’s regular lights appear dim and insignificant.

“This… what is this!?”

A Weichangzhe staff member, witnessing the brilliant radiance erupting from the instrument, wore an expression of profound surprise and delight.

“This kind of light… could it be a D-rank!? This is a high-level ability!!”

For most people, who typically awaken only F-rank abilities or none at all, an E-rank ability already makes one stand out like a crane among chickens (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning to be head and shoulders above the rest).

It stood to reason, then, that a D-rank ability represented the pinnacle of existence.

To encounter a student of this caliber was truly a stroke of luck for them.

Such a prodigy might not even emerge among all the graduates of a major city.

Even many of today’s D-rank ability users had painstakingly climbed their way up from lower ranks.

For this individual to possess such a level from the very beginning meant they had truly won at the starting line.

“So, what’s the type?”

Individuals like this were talents coveted and eagerly sought after by all manner of organizations, no matter where they appeared.

The Weichangzhe staff present were no exception; one immediately and excitedly urged their colleague to confirm the details.

“…It’s a System type.”

“Ah, a growth-oriented type then.”

The innate abilities awakened by ability users were their ultimate trump cards, and thus, could not be fully disclosed.

Therefore, the instrument here could, at most, only detect the type of ability.

The female student who had just awakened her ability belonged to the System type, widely known for its exceptional growth potential.

Much like the plots in novels where characters acquire various ‘systems,’ System-type ability users were primarily characterized by their maximized growth potential.

Not only did they improve rapidly, but some even had features like quest rewards.

The gains from each battle and cultivation session were several times greater than those of others.

However, with great boons often came drawbacks.

Growth-oriented abilities meant a comparative weakness in combat; in the early stages, lacking sufficient power and having yet to master many common abilities and techniques, they were weaker than other ability users.

They were the kind destined to defy the heavens in the later stages.

Nonetheless, even within the same ability type, there were distinctions of power.

For instance, the female student who had just awakened possessed a D-rank ability, a level even higher than Lin Xi’s recently awakened power.

Even if her current strength might not even match E-rank or F-rank abilities, she was still an exceptionally rare talent.

One of the staff members immediately extended an olive branch to the female student named Tian Yuxin, asking,

“Student Tian Yuxin, are you interested in joining our Weichangzhe Organization? We can certainly provide ample resources; we are in dire need of talents like you.”

Such a gifted individual would naturally not be allowed to slip away.

This was precisely why the Weichangzhe Organization, despite its demanding duties, still sent personnel to oversee these awakening ceremonies: to recruit talent at the earliest opportunity.

“Isn’t she incredibly lucky? To be invited to join an official organization right after awakening her ability!”

“From now on, she won’t have to worry about food, clothing, or resources!”

“That’s so good for her. Look at what I awakened—what even is [Inspiration Mushroom]?”

“You’re lucky. I didn’t even awaken anything; I can only casually learn some generic skills.”

As the students conversed amongst themselves, they cast envious glances toward Tian Yuxin.

“Hmm… about that…”

Yet, surprisingly, Tian Yuxin wore an expression of indecision.

Bai Li, however, sensed that Tian Yuxin had subtly, almost imperceptibly, glanced at someone else.

“Please allow me some time to consider.”

“Huh? That’s a huge loss!”

“Are you worried no one will want her? With that talent, organizations will be fighting over her no matter where she goes!”

“This move can only be seen as playing hard to get, or perhaps she’s looking for an even better fit.”

While other students buzzed with speculation, the Weichangzhe staff member who had extended the invitation showed no sign of displeasure, maintaining an amicable demeanor.

“No worries. This is a very important decision for you, so take your time to think it over.”

Such friendliness was, of course, essential; missing out on such talent would be a tremendous loss.

Indeed, even if she merely joined another organization with close ties to the Weichangzhe, it would still be considered a gain.

“Understood.”

“Very well, next person please.”

Tian Yuxin returned to her seat, but the next student slated for the awakening ceremony hesitated, slow to rise.

It was understandable; after all, the previous student was a genius beyond the reach of ordinary mortals, and anyone would feel daunted.

However, with others waiting, they could only steel themselves and proceed.

“…Hm?”

Suddenly, Bai Li once again felt a gaze upon her.

Though it lasted only an instant, she distinctly perceived the contempt and arrogance hidden within that gaze.

As for the owner of that gaze, she already had a suspicion…

“What are you thinking about?”

Lin Xi’s voice broke through Bai Li’s thoughts.

“Nothing much. But Lin Xi, are you perhaps unhappy because I was distracted?”

“Yes, I am.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lin Xi answered almost instantly, leaving Bai Li utterly bewildered.

Normally, at such a moment, one would vehemently deny it, perhaps even with a touch of bashfulness.

Yet, Lin Xi completely disregarded the usual script.

However, Bai Li was certainly not one to be outdone by such a simple move.

Bai Li took a deep breath inwardly, then rested her head against Lin Xi’s.

‘!?’

Lin Xi, who had been leaning against Bai Li’s shoulder, was instantly flustered by this sudden closeness.

Of course, Bai Li was equally taken aback.

However, a strategy of ‘injuring a thousand enemies at the cost of a thousand of one’s own’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom describing a mutual destruction, where the cost of victory is as great as the loss) was a worthwhile trade for her.

She cared not whether she herself succumbed or if Lin Xi did; in either scenario, she would profit.

Indeed, she considered the former — her own ‘succumbing’ — to be outside the scope of consideration, for she could not fathom how Lin Xi would survive without her.

Without Lin Xi, she would likely have perished many years ago and would not be standing here now.

It was fair to say that her very life was inextricably bound to Lin Xi’s.

“…Right now, my little Bai is just like a clingy puppy…”

Though Lin Xi felt a blush creep up, her joy far outweighed her shyness, and she had no intention of pulling away.

The close proximity, combined with the warmth generated by their bashfulness, made her feel a little hot; even the classroom’s air conditioning seemed ineffective against their rising temperatures.

Yet, from another perspective, Lin Xi found it rather pleasant.

After all, it wasn’t just Bai Li; Lin Xi also found Bai Li’s scent delightful.

If Lin Xi’s fragrance was the sweet aroma of peonies, then Bai Li’s was the fresh, delicate elegance of white roses.

Perhaps this was simply a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘qíngrén yǎn lǐ chū xīshī,’ meaning that to a lover, their beloved is always beautiful, like Xishi, one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China).

“Is it abnormal for a puppy to be clingy? Besides, Lin Xi, you’re the same—just a clingy kitten.”

“Mmm…”

Lin Xi let out a low, discontented murmur, much like a kitten.

****

One of the staff members, feeling bored in the corner of the classroom, suddenly caught sight of a dazzling light.

“Holy moly, what is that bright light?”

It was like a flashbang, even brighter than the D-rank ability awakening just moments ago, so blinding that she couldn’t open her eyes.

When she finally managed to focus her gaze, she realized it was merely two young lovers ‘flashing’ (TL Note: A slang term referring to public displays of affection, often exaggerated for comedic effect) while others were undergoing their awakening ceremonies.

“Meow, seriously? It’s not Valentine’s Day, nor is it Qixi Festival (TL Note: Chinese Valentine’s Day), it’s just… oh, right, Gaokao (TL Note: China’s national college entrance examination) is almost here, and date-wise, it’s roughly the period known as the third Valentine’s Day.”

“…F***.”