Chapter 20: You're Not My Sister, Where Did You Come From?

“Judging by the time, the resonance should have already appeared,” Masafumi Toyama said nervously, standing outside the classroom with a medical kit in hand, ready to rush in for emergency treatment at any moment.

Every year, the 3E exam sees some students suffer severe mental shocks. These students usually have weaker bloodlines and are prone to various aftereffects.

Such students are not admitted to Kassel Academy. After treatment by Masafumi Toyama, their brains are thoroughly cleansed, and they are promptly sent away—a fixed routine by now.

“It shouldn’t be a big problem. The quality of this batch of students looks pretty good,” Professor Manstein remarked.

“Especially that Chu Zihang. I heard even the principal attaches great importance to him. His preliminary rating is already S-class. If he passes the 3E exam without issues, that rating will be confirmed,” Manstein continued.

“The heir of the Gattuso family seems quite promising too. I wonder if he can reach S-class as well. Then we’d have two S-class students at the same time,” Masafumi said with hopeful anticipation.

“That’s unlikely,” Manstein shook his head. “His preliminary rating is only A-class. The principal rarely errs on bloodline evaluations. Unless his exam results are outstanding, he won’t reach S-class.”

“That’s true. Our academy hasn’t seen an S-class student in a long time. The standards are still too high,” Masafumi sighed.

“So if an S-class emerges now, everyone would be quite surprised,” Manstein smiled. “Chu Zihang’s bloodline hasn’t been publicly announced yet. I suppose the principal is still considering it, since his mother seems to be an ordinary person.”

“Hmm, let’s wait and see.”

...

Chu Zihang had never felt so awkward in his life. Tang Xi forced him to promote himself and strike up conversations, but the girl named Ivina didn’t even glance at him.

Her attitude was unbearably aloof—not like Caesar, who wore his arrogance on his sleeve, but cold and dismissive, as if speaking to them was beneath her, barely bothering to look their way.

Yet, after being thoroughly snubbed, Chu Zihang didn’t feel discomfort—rather, a sense of relief. Her icy attitude made her rejection clear, so Tang Xi didn’t press him to keep persuading her.

Finally, he could focus on the exam.

The questions weren’t difficult. The draconic script seemed to flow naturally from his pen onto the paper, as if born to understand those characters.

Amid the chaotic classroom, only the three of them answered quietly, as if they belonged to another world.

Unbeknownst to them, many were watching this exam closely.

On the Kassel Academy official forum, the number of online users hit a new peak. The entire academy, even teachers under pseudonyms, were discussing this once-a-year test, chatting tirelessly all day.

“How many A-class students will there be this year? This batch of freshmen looks very promising. I heard both the Student Council and the Lionheart Society are recruiting among them—I can already feel the tension.”

“These two major factions have been at odds for a long time; isn’t it tense all the time? The guy upstairs, your perception must be off.”

...

“Isn’t anyone paying attention to the young master of the Gattuso family? I hear he’s their heir. His bloodline can’t be weak. He’s definitely solid A-class. Probably the strongest among this year’s freshmen.”

“Gattuso? The Gattuso of the Board of Directors? Their heir came to our school? Wow! Sounds powerful. Any pictures? I want to see!”

“I caught a glimpse from afar. How to put it? Very noble-looking, quite handsome, with a commanding aura. I bet both the Student Council and Lionheart Society are scrambling for him.”

“You mean the guy whose first words on enrollment were ‘You can challenge me, but I’m already prepared to mock you’? Damn, he’s so arrogant, makes you want to crush him!”

“By the way, have you heard that there might be an S-class this year? I overheard my professor accidentally spill it.”

...

Late at night, Caesar lay on the spacious sofa, a glass of champagne in one hand, scrolling through the forum with his ice-blue eyes.

He paid no mind to the chatter about himself. When he uttered those words, he anticipated the reactions. To him, the anger of the weak was irrelevant.

What interested him more was the last comment.

“S-class? There’s an S-class this year?”

As a member of a mixed-blood family, he naturally understood what S-class meant. Yet he didn’t believe any of the students taking the exam today were stronger than him.

But he was aware his initial rating was only A.

His brow lifted slightly as he scrolled further, more comments flooding in.

“S-class? Impossible! Did you hear wrong? Our academy hasn’t had an S-class in years. If there really was one, the news would’ve leaked.”

“Not sure. I also heard it from a professor who mentioned the principal gave an S-class evaluation, but it’s unconfirmed. They want to wait until after the 3E exam results to reveal the exact bloodline.”

“I see. Then let’s wait a bit more. The results usually come out fast. If this batch has excellent bloodlines, it should be soon.”

Caesar narrowed his eyes slightly and closed the forum page. Tonight was destined to be sleepless. He wondered how many others were eagerly awaiting the results.

Except for Chu Zihang.

Chu Zihang was flipping through materials alone in the dormitory, muttering quietly to himself without anyone paying attention.

“The records show the Lionheart Society has no precedent of freshmen running for president,” Chu Zihang whispered.

“But no one forbids it, right?” Tang Xi keenly grasped the key point.

Chu Zihang carefully examined the Lionheart Society’s rules, then shook his head. “No.”

“That’s good. Check the requirements for running for president. Tomorrow we’ll join the Lionheart Society and run for president ourselves.”

Chu Zihang hesitated. “Isn’t that too sudden?”

“No worries. You’re destined to be the principal. Be magnanimous,” Tang Xi said casually. “Besides, those eliminated by the 3E exam can still be approached. Kassel Academy may reject them, but the World Tree wants them!”

“Tch, that Ivina girl is a pity—so beautiful. It’d be great to have her as our face. She’s bound to be eliminated anyway, so why bother sticking to Kassel?”

Hearing this, Chu Zihang’s expression twisted momentarily. He recalled his awkward attempt at striking up a conversation. Having never done this before, it felt like being forced into a degrading act.

Tang Xi glanced at the time. “Are the exam results out? Go check. Your S-class rating should be secure now.”

Chu Zihang nodded and opened the results page. Indeed, the scores were published, but the next moment he froze.

Not because he wasn’t rated S-class, but because there was more than one S-class.

The list clearly read—

Caesar, overall rank third, bloodline rating A-class.

Chu Zihang, overall rank second, bloodline rating S-class.

Ivina, overall rank first, bloodline rating S-class.

Chu Zihang spoke slowly, “Destined to be eliminated?”

Tang Xi: “?”

No, wait—what?

This character isn’t in the original story!

Who is this woman? Did she watch a fake dragon clan?

Meanwhile, the Night Watchers forum exploded with activity.