Chapter 100: A Bright Future and Farewell
As the leading nation on Blue Star, China's college entrance examination schedule is synchronized with other countries on Blue Star, taking place on June 6th, 7th, and 8th.
June 4th, at the No. 1 High School in Guanshan District.
A little past 10 AM, just before the second period.
Since the afternoon of the 4th would be a holiday for all students to rest and review independently, this class was the last one for all senior students.
Class 2 of the third year was still noisy. Apart from a few, most students were chatting, enjoying the final moments of their high school years.
By this time, no one was cramming for the exam anymore.
Everyone knew the score.
In the last two days, maintaining a calm mindset and reviewing some cultural course formulas were the keys to success.
"It's finally here. It's been so tough! We've made it through," Yan Zhou muttered, "Once I get into college, I'm going to have a few serious relationships to make up for high school."
"You?" Zhou Qi scoffed, "You blush when you see a girl."
"And you?" Yan Zhou retorted, "You've been going on about Peng Lingling. Have you got her yet?"
"Shut up, it's not fawning; it's respect," Zhou Qi said angrily. "Besides, Lingling has agreed to be with me after the exams."
"Old Zhou, believe me, last time she said she'd date you in senior year. What happened?"
"This time it's real." The two chatted eagerly.
In reality, Zhou Qi knew deep down that Peng Lingling was stringing him along.
But Zhou Qi also enjoyed the process.
Li Yuan sat quietly at his desk.
With his enhanced physical condition, he could easily hear most of his classmates' conversations.
Although since the start of the second semester, Li Yuan had spent more time training in the Martial Hall, and his rapid progress in martial arts had created a slight distance between him and his classmates.
This wasn't something that could be changed by will.
Almost all his classmates understood that after the exams, Li Yuan was destined to soar, likely getting into one of the top five universities.
His future as a Source Martial Artist was almost certain.
They appeared equal now, but it was just a chance coincidence that they had been in the same classroom for three years.
However, Li Yuan enjoyed his time in the classroom, especially in cultural classes.
"When I get into college and focus on martial arts, when my body reaches level 15, I'll have to start training in various astral realms," Li Yuan thought. "These leisurely days will be gone forever."
Li Yuan looked through the window at the midsummer sunlight. It was bright but not glaring.
The warmth of it on his body was comforting.
Soon.
It would be the last class of high school.
...
"Ring~" A few minutes later, the bell rang, and all the students gradually quieted down, waiting for the teacher.
Soon.
"Thud~" "Thud~" Footsteps sounded outside the classroom, many of them, quickly heard by Li Yuan.
"So many people?" Li Yuan was puzzled.
Soon, his confusion was cleared.
It wasn't just the cultural class teacher, Teacher Chen, who came in, but all the subject teachers.
Instantly, the students cheered and laughed excitedly.
Yesterday and today, many subject teachers had already said their goodbyes in their 'last class.'
Young people are the most emotional.
"Students, this is the last class. There isn't much left to teach. After three years of high school, I believe you're all well-prepared," Teacher Chen said with a smile, "For the last class, we teachers discussed it."
"We decided to officially say goodbye to you together," Teacher Chen's eyes were already red.
She was very strict, and every student in the class, including Li Yuan, had been criticized by her.
But in the last class, she became somewhat emotional.
"Our teachers are all excellent," Teacher Chen said softly. "Teacher Li, for instance, continued teaching until a few days before giving birth; Teacher Long, you are his last batch of students..."
As she spoke.
Many teachers, looking at the students they had been with for three years, became sentimental.
And many students, especially the girls, had tears in their eyes.
"Every teacher has much to say to you, but we're at the point of parting, and there's no need to say too much," Teacher Chen said, controlling her emotions. "For this last part, we all just want to give you one final message."
She clicked her smart wristband, and immediately, a large amount of text appeared on the blackboard screen behind her.
All the students looked up.
"It's been a great honor to know you all. It's been a privilege for us to teach you, though our knowledge was limited. We've done our best," Teacher Chen said emotionally, reading the words aloud. "We wish all of you a bright future. May your efforts be rewarded!"
As the last word was spoken.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Teacher Chen and all the teachers bowed to the students.
Finally.
Almost everyone couldn't hold back anymore, and many girls started crying softly.
"Teachers, you are the best."
"We will get good scores and not let you down."
"Teachers." Students called out, some with a hint of tears, some full of determination.
Even Li Yuan, usually rational, was somewhat moved, his eyes heating up.
This was pure emotion, without any interest involved.
The teachers stood up, their eyes also red, but they smiled.
Suddenly.
"Teachers," a girl's clear, tear-choked voice said, "We have something we prepared for you too."
It was Li Shutong, the top cultural student in the class and the class president.
This surprised not only the subject teachers but also Teacher Chen.
"Everyone stand up," Li Shutong said loudly through her tears.
Immediately, all the students stood up, lips pressed tight, looking seriously at the figures on the platform.
In the next moment, with three years of shared understanding, no one needed to call a start.
"Teachers, we students are foolish and slow, but we are grateful for your teachings. In the future, as we journey far and wide, we will strive to honor your teachings and kindness."
...
With the ringing of the class bell.
The last class for all senior students ended with the teachers' blessings for a bright future.
Their high school journey was about to conclude.
Many students began making plans to attend the same university, gather after exams, meet annually, and visit teachers together.
But almost all teachers, looking at the students they had taught for three years, knew one thing: a bright future often means parting ways.
After high school graduation, many goodbyes are forever.
But no teacher would break this to them.
Because what would it change? The students wouldn't believe it.
They thought, "With V-chat groups and convenient transportation, meeting up is easy, why wouldn't we see each other again?"
They were in their youth.
They should enjoy their youth.
The greatest regret in life is not being able to possess youth and the experience of it simultaneously.
But this is true youth. Without experiencing it, how could one appreciate it?
Like a game, the exploration phase is the most enchanting, enjoying each moment of growth.
Once completed, it becomes dull.
...
With a backpack, Li Yuan walked out of the classroom, his gaze drifting to the neighboring class.
That was Class 1 of the third year, the cultural class.
He glanced at the bustling crowd but didn't see the person he wanted to see.
"Brother Yuan, where are you heading?" Zhou Qi asked with a smile, "We're planning to sit at the playground for a while before going home."
"No."
"I'm going to the Martial Hall to train," Li Yuan replied with a smile. "You guys go ahead."
"Alright." Zhou Qi nodded.
"Goodbye, Brother Yuan."
"Goodbye, Li Yuan." Many people greeted him, even students from other classes.
Downstairs.
As if by instinct, Li Yuan didn't head straight out the school gate but went to the Elite Building.
He went up to the fourth floor, took a glance, then turned and walked quickly to the office building, heading to the first floor.
"Teacher." Li Yuan stood at the door of Xu Bo's office.
Xu Bo was standing by the window, lost in thought as he watched the students leave in groups.
"Here?" Xu Bo turned and looked at Li Yuan, smiling warmly.
They both knew this student-teacher relationship was about to end.
Li Yuan would soon enter a broader world.
"Do well on the exam."
"With your strength, just perform normally, and passing the national line is a piece of cake," Xu Bo said with a smile. "I believe in you."
"Yeah."
Li Yuan smiled. "I'll follow your advice, treating every test as the college entrance exam. In the end, the college entrance exam is just another test."
"Hahaha." Xu Bo laughed proudly.
This was his best student in years of teaching.
...
In the last two days, Li Yuan neither relaxed nor stressed. His strong capabilities gave him enough confidence.
He continued his normal training but didn't neglect reviewing cultural subjects on the last day.
Time moved to June 6th.
...
The college entrance exam sites were randomly assigned across districts.
Li Yuan's exam site was the No. 5 High School in Guanshan District.
Amidst city-wide exam sending-off, police escorts, and festive sounds, Jiangcheng's 2043 college entrance exam officially began.
Even though Li Yuan said he would take a flying vehicle to the exam site and there was no need to worry.
But Uncle Li Changzhou and Aunt Chen Hui insisted on sending him off.
To them, even knowing that Li Yuan had a 99% chance of getting into a top university.
Even knowing Li Yuan was already quite successful, their hearts wouldn't be at ease until everything was settled.
"Everyone is sending off their kids, so we should too," Chen Hui said.
Li Yuan smiled, understanding clearly.
For his uncle and aunt, him taking the college entrance exam was like a 'coming-of-age ceremony,' a significant solace for his deceased parents.
How could they not be there at such a moment?
A day and a half of cultural exams.
A full day of martial arts practical exams.
When every senior student walked out of the final martial arts practical site, it marked the end of their youth.
In a sense.
The end of high school symbolized the beginning of university, the era of youth.
...
The college entrance exam was meticulous, so grading and score review took three days.
June 12th, results were announced, and various score lines were set.
Twelve years of hard study culminated on this day.