The scene took place on the training field, where students were receiving their settlement rewards from the first level of the Spirit Realm.
Most students received an overall evaluation of either "C" or "B", while those who performed poorly even got a "D" grade.
For instance, one group of students from Class C managed to secure only one kill, resulting in a D-grade mission evaluation.
Naturally, their final reward was meager. Each student in the team received only 10 Spirit Points—a pitiful amount.
Spirit Points were incredibly valuable!
They directly enhanced four basic attributes and could also be reserved to upgrade talent abilities.
In short, if one wanted to become stronger, Spirit Points were essential.
This was why, even after passing the tenth level, when the Spirit Realm became freely accessible, many transcendents still ventured inside in search of opportunities.
As time passed, more students received their settlement rewards.
Ten minutes later, most of the students in the training field had been accounted for.
However, the vice-principal and other school leaders frowned, their faces reflecting disappointment."This year's batch of freshmen isn't performing well!"A female teacher couldn't help but mutter."Is there really no one who achieved an A-grade evaluation?"Another female teacher immediately chimed in:"The most promising student who could have gotten an A-grade teamed up with the weakest talent. What a pity…"Their conversation reached the vice-principal's ears, making her already unpleasant expression even worse.
They were clearly saying this on purpose.
Many teachers coveted the position of the freshmen class instructor.
It wasn't just because of the better salary and treatment—there were long-term benefits as well.
Establishing a bond with talented students meant that when these students became powerful in the future, their teachers would also benefit.
Take the current vice-principal as an example—she had once guided a powerful figure, which contributed to her rise to power.
Just as she was considering whether to replace the instructors for Class A and Class B, a new development occurred on the training field.
"Teacher, we've received our mission rewards from the Spirit Realm settlement!"
Joe Root from Class A suddenly announced loudly.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
His teammates also looked excited, their expressions full of pride and satisfaction.
Clearly, their results had been excellent.
Teacher Shen, who had high hopes for these students, immediately stepped forward and checked Joe Root's mission reward panel.
In just a moment, her eyes widened in surprise before she announced loudly:"Joe Root, Hales,
"Kill count in this Spirit Realm: 173!"
"Overall rating: A-Grade!"
"Overall ranking: 14th place!"
"Basic reward received: 159 Spirit Points!"As soon as these words left her mouth, a wave of exclamations erupted across the training field."Wait, what?! Overall ranking 14? That's the global freshman ranking!"
"This kind of performance would be amazing even at Chicago University!"
"Damn! Are they really that strong?"
"159 Spirit Points per person?! That's equivalent to six months of training in one go!"Not only were the students jealous and envious, but even the teachers and school leaders looked pleasantly surprised.
As for Joe Root, he stood with a smug expression, his face radiating arrogance and pride.
It was as if he was telling everyone:"This is just a normal performance for me. Nothing special!"However, what Joe Root didn't realize was that his team's success wasn't entirely their own.
They had unknowingly followed behind a much stronger expert and simply picked up the rewards.
If Joe Root had retained his memories from the Spirit Realm, he would have understood that his arrogance was misplaced."Well done! Joe Root, Hales, you two did an excellent job. As your teacher, I am very proud!"Teacher Shen was all smiles.
As the instructor of Class A, she carried a lot of pressure on her shoulders.
Chicago University was a prestigious school that only recruited students with high potential. If she failed to produce strong students, people would start questioning her teaching abilities.
Hearing Teacher Shen's praise, Joe Root became even more smug.
Then, for some reason, he suddenly turned to face Leo and spoke in a mocking tone:"It's ridiculous that someone actually rejected my invitation. I wonder what their grades are right now?"At his words, the students around them perked up with curiosity.
Even a fool could tell that Joe Root was referring to Leo!
Almost immediately, everyone turned their attention to Leo.
They were all eager to know how this stubborn "prodigy" had performed, considering he had chosen to team up with a so-called "useless talent."
By now, every other student on the training field had finished recording their grades.
With Joe Root's team being the most outstanding, only Leo and Ben's results remained unknown.
Teacher Shen frowned slightly.
She hadn't expected Joe Root to be so petty.
Just because Leo rejected his invitation, he was deliberately humiliating her now?
However, Teacher Shen had just praised Joe Root, so it was difficult for her to rebuke him now.
Besides, she wasn't very happy with Leo either.
She had repeatedly tried to persuade him to change his decision, yet he stubbornly refused.
No teacher liked a disobedient student.
After hesitating for a moment, Teacher Shen walked up to Leo and asked:"Leo, have your Spirit Realm mission rewards been settled yet?"Since every other student had received their results, they couldn't keep waiting indefinitely.
Hearing her question, Leo looked slightly embarrassed.
He was smart enough to know what Teacher Shen was implying.
But…
He really hadn't received his settlement rewards yet.
Even Ben found this strange.
Given his strength, he should have been able to outperform most other freshmen.
Not to mention, with Leo's Flare-Flare Fruit ability, their results should have been decent at the very least."Could it be that the first level of the Spirit Realm isn't based on combat ability?"Had he miscalculated?
Had he somehow messed up and performed even worse than expected?"Not yet..."As soon as Leo said those words, Joe Root's voice rang out again in a mocking tone:"Oh? You mean to say it hasn't arrived? Or are you just too embarrassed to reveal it?"His smug grin widened."Let me guess… a D-grade mission evaluation? Are you afraid of humiliating yourself?"However—
Before Joe Root could finish his sentence—
His expression froze in horror."Uh? Ah? W-what…??"[TO BE CONTINUED…]
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