Senior Academic Building.
At this moment, nearly a quarter of the students had witnessed Andrew Han's bold display firsthand. Word spread quickly, almost reaching the entire senior grade.
The heated discussion showed no signs of stopping; the whole place was abuzz.
This was largely due to the approaching college entrance exam and the overwhelming pressure it brought.
......
Senior Class 12 classroom.
Monica Zhang and the short-haired girl returned to their seats, exchanging glances, both with complicated feelings.
They knew that Third Rank martial arts students were extremely rare, but seeing it online was nothing compared to witnessing it in person. Martial arts could truly be this powerful.
"Andrew Han is really fierce."
"When he landed on the ground, I could even hear that dull thud."
Monica Zhang stuck out her tongue, not hiding her admiration. She hugged her friend's fragrant shoulders and shook them twice, muttering under her breath.
The short-haired girl also wore a complicated expression.
She felt as though her beliefs had been completely shattered.
Any martial arts student with a slightly higher rank would be eager to let the whole school know they were Fifth Rank and eligible for Elite University. But Andrew Han remained low-key; perhaps only a handful at school knew he was Third Rank.
Getting into Southland University as a Third Rank martial artist was impressive enough, but combining his quiet demeanor with his powerful entrance made the impact even greater.
"Wait, wait a second."
The short-haired girl suddenly said, "Just now, Kevin Zong kept pestering you to write in his yearbook. Did you mention it to Andrew Han?"
Monica Zhang was taken aback, her pretty face a bit dazed.
She seemed to have asked Andrew Han for his opinion just now... It shouldn’t be a problem.
Creak.
Andrew Han, dressed in his blue and white school uniform, wore an expression as calm as a mirror lake. As he gently pushed open the door to Senior Class 12, he seemed like a ray of blazing sunlight, piercing through the clouds and illuminating the room.
"He—he really came?"
Monica Zhang blinked her beautiful eyes, lowered her head shyly, her rosy lips curling into a light smile, a new brilliance shining in her gaze.
The short-haired girl, and indeed every student in the classroom, had a change in expression. It was as if their hearts had been gripped tightly, weighed down, and in that instant, all the noisy chatter ceased as everyone turned to look at Andrew Han.
Silence.
Only the sound of breathing remained, filling the classroom with a quiet, tense atmosphere.
Leon Zhang, known for his mastery of classical poetry, took off his glasses and covered his eyes, unable to bear witnessing Kevin Zong's misfortune. "With deep sighs and hidden tears, I mourn for Kevin Zong's hardships."
The next moment.
Andrew Han spoke up, "Ahem, sorry to interrupt, everyone."
As he spoke.
He offered an apologetic smile and strode confidently to the second-to-last row... Kevin Zong's desk mate had already vacated the seat, leaving Kevin Zong sitting there, close to tears.
"Come."
"Step outside for a moment."
Andrew Han didn't bother to waste time. He simply grabbed Kevin Zong and dragged him out of the classroom.
He thought he couldn't be too selfish. There were about fifty seniors in Class 7; if he wasted one minute, that would be fifty minutes lost for the class. That wouldn't be right.
Therefore.
Andrew Han didn't consult Kevin Zong. He dragged him out of the classroom first, then spoke to him.
......
In the corridor.
Andrew Han spoke earnestly, "Monica Zhang doesn't want to write in your yearbook. How can you force her to do it?"
"B-Bro, I was just thinking we're classmates..." Kevin Zong gave a bitter smile, then saw Andrew Han raise his right hand and instantly trembled in fear. "You're right, it's like a wake-up call! I've already realized my mistake and I'm tormented by guilt."
Andrew Han scratched his left arm with his right hand, a little surprised. "You have quite the way with words."
Kevin Zong swallowed. "Bro, admitting your mistakes and correcting them is a traditional virtue. I'll go tear that page out of the yearbook right away."
Andrew Han's right palm rested on his left arm, then suddenly stopped, looking surprised. "I thought you were going to take it out and tear it up right here."
"O-Of course!"
Kevin Zong shrank back against the wall in fear.
Though the sun outside was blazing, its rays couldn’t reach the corridor. The cold of the wall seeped into Kevin Zong’s body, chilling him to the core.
In the height of summer, it felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cave.
Andrew Han spoke gently, a smile on his face. "Then go get it."
......
Time flew by.
Only ten days of senior year remained, slipping away like a fleeting horse in the blink of an eye. There were four days left until the college entrance exam, and today was the last day of regular classes.
After today, seniors wouldn’t need to come to school anymore. They could stay home and prepare for the college entrance exam.
Senior Class 7 classroom.
Click, click.
Andrew Han sat at his desk, stretched lazily, his joints making a faint sound. He glanced at the empty seat beside him.
He shook his head, squinted and turned his head, quietly watching Rina Xu.
"A-Andrew Han."
Rina Xu looked panicked, her beautiful face forcing a smile. She couldn’t help but grab Cathy Feng’s arm, seeking warmth and comfort.
She hadn’t been coming to school, but today she had no choice—she needed to collect her college entrance exam admission ticket.
Except for a few students who weren’t in the mood to study and were watching the scene, everyone else was focused on their work, not daring to slack off for a moment.
A quiet atmosphere filled the classroom.
Andrew Han sat expressionless, staring at Rina Xu.
Cathy Feng was reciting political facts, rubbing her small forehead. She helplessly reached out her left hand to push Andrew Han, advising, "Andrew, the college entrance exam is almost here. Don’t be like this, you’re scaring people."
Hiss!
All the students watching had their eyes wide open in disbelief.
They looked on in amazement, secretly clicking their tongues. Cathy Feng, so gentle and quiet... How did she have such courage?
"Cathy Feng, how am I scary?"
Andrew Han was speechless. "I just wanted to admire Rina Xu’s beauty. How could you slander me like this? It’s heartbreaking. Are we really going to stop being friends?"
Sigh.
Cathy Feng held her forehead and sighed. "Front desk, turn around now, or I’ll cry and scare you to death."
"Alright, alright."
Andrew Han glanced at Rina Xu and turned his head.
In Senior Class 7, he only had three real friends... his deskmate Gavin Bright, martial arts student Sun Hui, and Cathy Feng, who sat behind him.
"Alright then."
Cathy Feng patted Rina Xu’s arm, then went back to reviewing, not taking it to heart at all.
She knew very well that Andrew Han seemed cold and forceful, but he was actually as good-natured as any other classmate—not nearly as fierce as people thought.
Gulp.
Rina Xu pursed her awkward, rosy lips.
"My deskmate? She’s been hiding her true self this whole time." Rina Xu shook her head in disbelief, sizing up Cathy Feng, who was frowning and studying hard. Her feelings were complicated: "So you’re the real boss here."
As she kept thinking,
Rina Xu touched her face, a faint sadness rising in her heart.
Just then,
Creak.
The classroom door was gently pushed open. It was Mr. Grant King, the Senior Year Director.
He glanced around the Class 7 classroom, then walked to the third row by the wall and said in a low voice, smiling, "Andrew Han, Principal Eugene Yu wants to see you."
"Alright."
Andrew Han’s expression remained unchanged as he put down his black carbon pen.
......
Outside the Academic Affairs Building, near the principal’s office.
Mr. Grant King, with slicked-back hair, bent slightly and said, "Andrew Han, Principal Eugene Yu personally called me and wants to meet you. Don’t be nervous in the office; Principal Yu is actually very kind."
"I’m really gratified."
"That such an outstanding martial arts student has emerged from the senior year."
Mr. Grant King sighed repeatedly, his words full of praise.
"Mr. King, you don’t have to worry." Andrew Han felt a bit speechless, glanced at Mr. Grant King, then pushed open the wooden door to the principal’s office.
He understood what Mr. Grant King meant.
He was just worried Andrew might say something bad about him in front of Principal Yu. But in fact, Andrew had a pretty good impression of Mr. Grant King.
......
Inside the principal’s office.
Principal Eugene Yu wore a black suit, his hair graying at the temples and his eyes sharp. When he saw Andrew Han walk in, he quickly stood up to greet him. "As principal, I’m glad I agreed to your request to transfer into the Martial Arts Program."
Andrew Han smiled. "It was just a request back then."
Principal Eugene Yu chuckled and shook his head, grasping Andrew Han’s hand. "But now you’re a third-rank martial arts student—the only one in five years to be admitted to Southland University."
Andrew Han replied casually, "I have to thank Mr. Newman for that. By the way, Principal, do you know Mr. Newman?"
Principal Eugene Yu nodded. "Of course I do. He’s been at the school for five years."
Andrew Han kept his expression neutral and changed the subject.
But deep down, he knew Principal Yu probably didn’t have the qualifications to enter the martial arts world and didn’t really know his master, Miles Ning.
"Come, Andrew, let’s sit and talk."
Principal Eugene Yu tugged at his light gray tie, glanced at the secretary sorting files beside him, and casually instructed, "Xiao Zhi, make us two cups of tea."
Andrew Han instinctively turned to look back.
That secretary was the middle-aged man who’d made things difficult for Andrew when he applied to transfer into the Martial Arts Program. But now, Andrew barely remembered him—just found him vaguely familiar.
His journey was just beginning.
His life had only just begun.