Night fell.
Andrew Han dragged his exhausted body, step by step, back home.
Tired.
Truly tired.
His qi and blood surged violently, demanding vast amounts of nutrition and energy. On top of that, the intense emotions triggered during his breakthrough to Third Rank resulted in a dual exhaustion of both body and spirit.
Tap.
Tap.
His footsteps were unusually steady, but his mood was like roaring waves, growing ever more intense.
"Third Rank."
Andrew Han lowered his head and chuckled, unable to suppress the wild joy in his heart: "Third Rank, hahaha!"
He had finally taken the first step... This was the first step toward success, the first stride toward hope!
To fight against monsters and demons, he had to become stronger without end.
Getting into the Academy would greatly increase his chances of success, since the martial arts training there was surely superior to that of Elite Universities.
"Good, very good."
Andrew Han walked to the entrance of his building, taking a deep breath: "Let me sort things out. The first goal since my rebirth, the first milestone, was actually the college entrance exam."
"By passing the college entrance exam, I could receive superior martial arts instruction."
Up to now, having reached the Third Rank, he could enter a top-tier Academy. He had already overachieved his short-term goal.
He was deeply satisfied.
These were the main advantages of achieving the Third Rank in martial arts.
There were also secondary benefits: making his parents proud, repaying their nurturing, and handing in a perfect answer sheet for his twelve years of schooling.
"Home."
He opened the door to his apartment, a gentle smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.
It was time to tell his parents about switching to martial arts studies.
......
In the living room.
Andrew Han cradled a pristine soup bowl, puzzled. "Mom, why isn’t Dad back yet?"
He was all prepared, even rehearsed his confession about practicing martial arts. But William Han still hadn’t come home.
Linda Chen leaned back in her chair and replied casually, "Your dad’s been busy these days. There’s some issue with the supermarket supplier. Don’t worry about him—just focus on your studies."
"Okay."
Andrew Han smiled faintly.
He’d wait until tomorrow night, when both parents were home, and then confess everything.
He couldn’t help but feel a secret joy, his heart brimming with anticipation and hope.
Since childhood, William Han had always dreamed of college. If he learned Andrew was guaranteed admission to the Academy, he’d be over the moon.
Tomorrow night, the whole family would be in for a shock.
......
In the bedroom.
Andrew Han held his phone, chatting idly with Monica Zhang.
After so many days and nights of intense martial arts training, even if his mind could take it, his spirit was starting to falter.
Humans, after all, are social creatures.
These days, Andrew had barely interacted with the outside world, almost to the point of breaking down. Now that he’d reached Third Rank, he could finally breathe a little easier.