Chapter 68: The Spell Assassin

Star City boasts four Evolution High Schools: Pingli High, Changjun High, Mingde High, and the affiliated school of the Teachers’ University. On this day, all four schools held their promotion and demotion tournaments, and not only them—over 5,000 evolution schools nationwide, with millions of students, participated in the event.

This wasn’t just a matter of student rankings; it was also a crucial practical assessment. Those who performed exceptionally were directly placed on the reserve lists for the Shadow Legion and the White Clouds and Grey Dogs, organizations renowned for their elite members.

The Pingli High School gymnasium was a venue on par with professional arenas, capable of hosting twenty thousand spectators. It featured two basketball courts, four tennis courts, and more. At this moment, inside the gymnasium, five classes—Class A in pink, Class B in purple, Class C in red, Class D in blue, and Class F in gray—sat clearly separated in the stands, forming five distinct factions and ranks.

Instructor Moon Fox and Instructor Drumstick stood at the center of the gym, equipped with headsets.

“Testing, testing…” Moon Fox tried the microphone. Her commanding voice echoed crisply throughout the arena, without a trace of distortion.

She nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent. All five classes are present, so let’s not waste time. I’ll explain today’s rules for the promotion and demotion tournament right away.”

A hush swept over the crowd; countless eyes fixed on Moon Fox, afraid to miss a single word.

“This time, the tournament will follow a 1v1 challenge format. It starts with Class F initiating the challenge. Anyone from Class F can challenge a student from any higher-ranked class. If the challenger wins, they take the challenged student’s rank and their position in the school’s standings; if they lose, they forfeit their chance to compete again. If no one from Class F steps up, it’s D Class’s turn—they may challenge anyone ranked above them, and so on!”

The rules were simple: the strong rise.

Yet Chen Mo felt uneasy. Weapons were unforgiving, and magic was even more destructive—wasn’t the school worried about casualties?

Many students bowed their heads in discussion, clearly troubled by the straightforwardness of the competition—could it really be safe?

Evidently picking up on the murmurs, Instructor Moon Fox continued, “Don’t worry. For this tournament, your Drumstick Instructor will prepare protective shield drumsticks. Each challenger will eat one, granting a temporary shield worth 1,000 health points, lasting ten minutes. Whoever breaks the opponent's shield first wins!”

So that was it. Chen Mo hadn’t faced Drumstick Instructor at the abandoned factory; he’d thought the drumsticks were a joke. But Drumstick was actually a support mage in the Food category. The key advantage of Food mages was their creations could be preserved for at least twenty-four hours (with the drawback that effects couldn’t be stacked), and Drumstick’s food lasted even longer—two days. He had worked through the night, crafting a batch of magical drumsticks.

He could make two types: healing drumsticks that restored 1,000 health points in thirty seconds, and shield drumsticks that granted a 1,000-point shield. Such a support was indispensable to any team.

Hearing that only the shield needed to be broken, the students breathed a collective sigh of relief. After all, they were just teenagers—no one wanted to risk their life.

Moon Fox continued, “I hope you all have courage to challenge those in higher classes. The cameras in this gym will broadcast your matches to the Shadow Legion and White Clouds and Grey Dogs. Even if you lose, the leadership might still select you—this will be very beneficial for your future after graduation!”

Encouraged by Moon Fox, many timid students began to stir, eager to try.

Moon Fox nodded approvingly and raised her voice. “I now announce that Pingli High School’s first promotion and demotion tournament begins! If anyone from Class F wishes to challenge a higher-ranked student, please stand up!”

Perhaps inspired by Moon Fox, or unwilling to fall behind, no fewer than twenty students from Class F rose to their feet—far more than Moon Fox had anticipated.

Chen Mo, however, didn’t hurry to stand. He wanted to observe how others competed first. After all, his current ID was not the Great Demon King, but the Little Prince.

Moon Fox called out the first student at the front of Class F. “Zhu Mao, very well, you’re the first to represent Class F—good luck!”

Zhu Mao was the one whose finger Chen Mo had broken at the start of the term. After being humiliated, Zhu Mao became extremely diligent, training hard ever since. He ranked 1,810 in the school, mid-tier in Class F, with a dungeon score of 8,000 meters, and his role was Warrior.

As Zhu Mao stood, he was full of spirit, intentionally glancing at Chen Mo as if to provoke, silently declaring, “Watch closely—I’m strong enough to defeat you now!”

Yet, when Zhu Mao walked to the center of the gym, nerves crept in.

Moon Fox kindly patted his head. “No need to be nervous. Now, choose whom you wish to challenge.”

Zhu Mao was pragmatic. “I choose Yan Yi!”

Yan Yi was the lowest-ranked student in Class D, 1,501st in the school, with a dungeon score of 8,900 meters—only slightly above Class F’s average. After a month of training, even the weakest in Class F had a score of 6,000 meters.

When Zhu Mao named Yan Yi, Class D erupted in laughter.

“Haha, these Class F rookies really are clueless. Didn’t they check Yan Yi’s strength?”

“They must think Yan Yi’s low score makes him easy prey—this is going to be good!”

The two students took their positions, standing at opposite ends of the central circle on the basketball court.

Drumstick Instructor produced two pre-made shield drumsticks from his storage space and handed them out. “Before the match, each of you must eat a shield drumstick. Don’t worry—they melt in your mouth and taste delicious.”

It was their first time trying magical food, so both were a bit hesitant. Slowly, they brought the drumsticks to their lips and took tentative bites. Instantly, the drumsticks collapsed like deflating balloons, and all their energy flowed through their mouths and down their throats, suffusing their bodies.

A shimmering blue shield appeared around both students.

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“Drumstick Instructor is incredible!”

“I definitely want to team up with a Food mage in the future—it’s just too cool!”

With Moon Fox’s cry of “Begin!” the first match of the tournament officially started.

“Go Zhu Mao! Knock down those pretentious Class D jerks!”

“Yan Yi, take it easy—don’t make these Class F losers wet themselves!”

Class F and Class D cheered their champions on, waving flags and shouting, full of youthful fervor.

Chen Mo shook his head; he didn’t even need to watch to know Zhu Mao would lose.

Sure enough, as the match began, Zhu Mao was so nervous that his sword hand trembled, unable to activate any combat skills. Yan Yi leapt three meters high with a jump slash and brought his blade down squarely on Zhu Mao’s head.