pjbooks Chapter 16 Returning to School
Chapter 16 Returning to School
The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains. Jiang Chen opened his eyes and glanced at the date on his phone.
He had been back from the cultivation world for a week. Although the Liu family had undergone tremendous changes, life continued for everyone.
Jiang Chen did not change his plans because of these things.
He has his own rhythm.
"Brother Chen, are you going back to school today?! The teacher said we're going to see some monsters today!"
Jiang Chen opened his phone and saw a message from Wang Kai.
Demon gods are products of ancient times. Their existence is devastating. It is said that there are eight great demon gods who guard the demon realm, and they command countless demons under their command.
Those students who reach their senior year of high school will be divided into classes once they have completed their awakening.
Those who awaken combat professions or combat skills are divided into three classes based on their rating, while those who awaken other skills and professions are divided into classes four through six. Regardless of which class they are in, they will intermittently travel to the places where monsters are located under the guidance of their teachers in the days leading up to the college entrance examination for practical combat or to gain an understanding of them.
As the world's first person without superpowers, Jiang Chen was someone the school didn't know how to deal with before. Before he awakened, he was the best student and should normally be in the top three classes. But now, he has been relegated to Class 5, just like Wang Kai.
"I will reply."
So far, humanity has very little information about demon gods and apostles, and this may be the easiest way for Jiang Chen to come into contact with demons at this stage.
Of course I'll go! How could I not go?
Jiang Chen put down his phone and got up to wash up.
The boy in the mirror still had the same features, but his eyes were calmer than one would expect for someone his age.
He had cultivated immortality for a thousand years, yet returned still a young man; he had long since grown accustomed to this sense of dislocation.
After having breakfast, Jiang Chen pushed open the door and went out.
Downstairs, Wang Kai was squatting by the flower bed playing on his phone. When he saw him come out, he jumped up.
"Brother Chen! You've finally arrived!"
Jiang Chen glanced at him: "Let's go."
Jiang Chen didn't know much about the school's arrangements, and even if he did, he had long forgotten them. However, with Wang Kai around, he didn't need to worry about information in that regard.
"Kai, what are the specific arrangements from the school today?"
"There's been a lot going on these past few days, and you haven't been to school, so it's normal that you don't know. First of all, after the Awakening Day, our senior year classes have been reorganized into six classes in total. Classes one through three are for students who have awakened combat skills or are in combat professions. As for classes four through six, they are for students who don't have much talent. However, for the sake of the future, we will still be able to go to some monster locations with our teachers this year to accumulate experience."
"Because this is the first time, the activity is being held together by the entire grade. The teacher in charge of this activity is our former homeroom teacher, Zhang Laibao."
Jiang Chen had no recollection of his teacher, but if he had to recall, the teacher seemed to have treated him quite well back then.
It seems that he called home to offer his condolences after the failed attempt to awaken.
After briefly understanding the situation, the two walked side by side toward the bus stop.
On the way, they encountered several students from the same school. The moment they saw Jiang Chen, their expressions changed, and they subconsciously moved to the side, wishing they could stay as far away from him as possible.
After they walked away, whispers could be heard behind them.
"That's Jiang Chen?"
"Yes, that's him, the only person in the world without superpowers."
"I heard he was also nearby the night the Liu family had their accident? That's too much of a coincidence..."
"Shh, don't talk nonsense. The officials said it was an accidental fire."
"Anyway, I think this guy is weird, it's best to stay away from him."
The sound wasn't loud, but Jiang Chen heard it clearly.
Wang Kai's face turned ugly. He turned around and glared at them, and the others immediately shut up and walked away quickly.
"Brother Chen, don't take it to heart, they are just..."
"It's alright. They weren't wrong. I am a powerless person, and I did indeed destroy the Liu family," Jiang Chen said calmly.
He really didn't care.
Why bother with the whispers of ants?
Wang Kai was stunned. Although he knew that Jiang Chen was responsible for the destruction of the Liu family, this guy was too bold. How could he say it so openly? Wasn't he afraid of being overheard?
He shook his head, not thinking about it any further, and hurriedly chased after them.
The gate of Jiangzhou College stands as always in the morning light.
The moment Jiang Chen stepped into the school gate, the surrounding noise noticeably subsided for a moment. The students who had been chatting and laughing froze on their faces when they saw him, looking at him with complicated expressions.
Some people instinctively took a half step back.
Some people pulled their companions to take a detour.
Some people stood still, scrutinizing him with a critical eye, muttering something under their breath.
Jiang Chen remained calm and walked straight towards the teaching building.
Class 5's classroom is located on the far east side of the third floor of the teaching building, in an inconspicuous corner.
As soon as the door was opened, the noise in the classroom stopped abruptly.
A dozen pairs of eyes turned to look at Jiang Chen.
The classroom was quiet for a few seconds, then whispers resumed, but much quieter than before.
"He actually came to class..."
"I thought he wasn't coming."
"I heard he used to be in Class 1, but now he's in our Class 5. He must be feeling terrible."
"Not feeling well? He seems quite calm."
"Is he faking it? After all, something like that happened..."
"Stop talking, he's looking over here!"
Jiang Chen did indeed look over there.
As soon as I looked over, the whispering students immediately lowered their heads and pretended to read.
Wang Kai leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Chen, don't take it to heart. That's just how Class Five is. They're all just people with basic life skills, nothing special, and they love to gossip."
Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze and remained silent.
He looked around at the class he would be spending the next year in.
The classroom for Class 5 was older than I had imagined; the white paint on the walls had turned yellowish, and the curtains were a faded blue from washing. The desks and chairs were of uneven condition, some with pitted surfaces covered in graffiti left by students from previous years.
There were seventeen students in the class, half male and half female. Judging from their demeanor, they were indeed different from the students in the previous three combat classes—they weren't as sharp and aggressive, but rather carried a kind of... resigned feeling.
After all, in this world, the awakened are the elite. And those who have awakened their life skills are destined to play supporting roles.
However, when facing people who have awakened their life skills, even Jiang Chen, who was just an ordinary student a thousand years ago, could easily deal with them. After all, Jiang Chen was an absolute prodigy before his awakening, while most of the people here were people who didn't work hard before. So, apart from Wang Kai, Jiang Chen didn't know anyone.
Just then, a piercing static sound came from the loudspeaker in the corner of the classroom.
Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man's slightly hoarse voice echoed throughout the entire campus.
"Attention all senior high school students, this is Zhang Laibao. I will now announce the specific arrangements for today's practical training."
The classroom fell silent instantly, and everyone pricked up their ears.
The voice over the loudspeaker was unhurried, carrying the composure unique to an experienced teacher: "I know you're all getting impatient, and some of you are scared. But I want to say this first—safety is the top priority in today's training."
"The monsters you are about to encounter were captured from low-level monster lairs by the school in conjunction with the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Yes, captured. They are not wild; they are low-level monsters that have undergone initial domestication and are kept in designated areas."
Some people breathed a sigh of relief.
Someone muttered quietly, "You scared me, so it's domesticated..."
The broadcast continued: "These monsters, according to the Awakened's level classification, are roughly between Rank E and Rank D. In other words, even the weakest life skills student among you, as long as you don't do anything stupid, won't be in any danger."
"Students from Class 1 to Class 3, your task is practical combat. Each of you must independently kill at least one monster and obtain the designated material from its body as proof. Those who perform exceptionally well will have their records kept by the school and used as a reference for the practical combat assessment in the college entrance examination."
"Students from Classes Four to Six," the broadcast paused, "you will be in charge of logistics and observation."
"Each life skills class will be assigned to a different area, following behind the teachers to observe the habits and attack methods of monsters up close. At the same time, you will need to assist the combat classes in transporting supplies, recording data, and processing the collected materials."
At this moment, a helpless laugh came from the classroom: "To put it bluntly, aren't we just here to play support roles?"
The voice on the loudspeaker continued, "I will be on-site the entire time. There are monitoring crystals in all areas, and teachers will patrol regularly. If anyone encounters danger, immediately crush the teleportation talisman and they will be automatically teleported back to the school."
"Remember, this is not a game; you will really get hurt. Although they are all low-level monsters, their teeth and claws can still tear your flesh."
"Now, everyone, assemble on the playground."
The broadcast stopped with a click.