Seeing that Zhang Yi had also arrived at the office, his homeroom teacher, Guo Aiqing, spoke up. "Don't just stand there. You've been to my office so many times, we're well acquainted by now. Go ahead and find a seat."
Hearing his teacher's words, Zhang Yi didn't hesitate. He pulled a stool out from a corner of the office and sat down.
Guo Aiqing handed Zhang Yi a glass of water, then looked at him and Shen Mengting. "I've called you two here today because there's something important to discuss," she said. "It's about the assessment at the end of next month.
"In the past, one of you served as our class president, and the other as our class's wellness representative. You're both very familiar with the other students' academic situations. Therefore, I'll be blunt.
"If our class does well on this assessment and five students manage to get into the honors class, then I can pull some strings to get transferred and become the homeroom teacher of that honors class. If circumstances allow, I'll continue to be your homeroom teacher."
Guo Aiqing paused, picking up her cup and taking a sip of water.
Shen Mengting looked bewildered, clearly not understanding why their teacher was telling them this. Zhang Yi, on the other hand, had a guess but didn't voice it.
Seeing their reactions, Guo Aiqing took out two white Divine Cards. "I know what you're probably thinking," she continued. "What does this have to do with you?"
She set down her cup, her gaze turning exceptionally serious. "I need the two of you to do one thing. Of course, strictly speaking, you won't just be helping me—you'll be helping yourselves. The entire second year, with over one thousand students, will be reorganized into new classes. I need both of you to place in the top 200 on the assessment.
"And I can tell you this very clearly: only those who rank in the top 200 will have a chance to enter the honors class. Anyone ranked below 200 will be placed in the sub-honors classes.
"I've been your teacher for half a semester, and I know your academic performance is the most stable in the class. Your Divine Realm evaluations today were also exactly as I predicted. There are other students, but none are as consistent as you two."
As she spoke, Guo Aiqing's gaze shifted back and forth between Shen Mengting and Zhang Yi.
"As long as you both maintain your current performance, getting into the top 200 of the grade will be no problem. I don't need you to do anything extra—just keep up your current results. As for these two Divine Cards, take one each. Consider them my personal sponsorship for you. So? Do you understand?"
Guo Aiqing's gaze was fixed on them.
Zhang Yi certainly understood his teacher's words now that she had laid everything out. Beside him, Shen Mengting also nodded in response to the teacher's question.
To Zhang Yi, the matter was simple. The teacher wanted them to maintain their performance and get into the honors class. Then, she could use her connections to get transferred and become that class's homeroom teacher. There was no downside to this for Zhang Yi. In fact, in his impression, Guo Aiqing was a dedicated and responsible teacher—conscientious during lessons and caring for her students outside of them. She was an excellent teacher in every respect. Therefore, Zhang Yi had no objections.
Beside him, Shen Mengting thought for a moment before giving a positive response as well.
Seeing this, Guo Aiqing smiled and handed them each a Divine Card.
Zhang Yi accepted the card but didn't inspect it right away. Instead, he asked, "Teacher Guo, you mentioned that the condition for your transfer is having five students get into the honors class. Besides the two of us, you still need three more."
Hearing his question, Guo Aiqing wasn't offended at all. On the contrary, she patiently explained, "Besides you two, Li Boyang and Chen Huawei—the two I just criticized today—also have a very high chance of getting into the honors class. Although I reprimanded them, it doesn't mean they aren't strong. Sometimes, family background is a component of one's strength.
"Besides them, there's your friend Sima Yuan, as well as Hong Tianyi and our academic representative, Hu Xia. They all have a high probability of placing in the top 200. And aside from the seven of you, there are several other students in the class who, with a final push before the exams, might just make it into the honors class too. Of course, out of everyone, I still have the highest hopes for you two."
Understanding dawned on Zhang Yi. He now had a much clearer picture of his classmates' relative strengths.
He nodded lightly and slipped the Divine Card into his pocket. "Understood, Teacher Guo," he said sincerely. "I'll maintain my current state and strive for a good result."
Shen Mengting also put away her Divine Card and said softly, "Teacher Guo, you're so good to us. I definitely won't let you down."
Guo Aiqing smiled in satisfaction. "Alright, you two can go back now. Remember not to mention this to any other students, especially about the Divine Cards. Of course, even if you did, it wouldn't be a big deal."
After leaving the office, Zhang Yi and Shen Mengting walked side by side down the hallway. Neither of them checked their Divine Card immediately. It wasn't until they rounded a deserted corner that Shen Mengting whispered, "What Level do you think the Divine Cards Teacher Guo gave us are?"
Zhang Yi shook his head. "Not sure, but they definitely aren't ordinary. Want to take a look?"
Shen Mengting hesitated. "Let's wait until we're somewhere safe. There are too many eyes and ears here."
「That evening」
When Zhang Yi returned home, the first thing he saw was a sticky note on the table. It read:
"Son, we have something on tonight. Dinner is already cooked; just heat it up and eat.
Also, the three Divine Cards for your Wood Elves are in your bedroom. You can take them into the Divine Realm to check them out.
P.S. Love, Mom and Dad."
Seeing the note, Zhang Yi wasn't surprised. He was used to this; it wasn't the first time.
After finishing dinner, Zhang Yi returned to his bedroom. He picked up the three Divine Cards from his desk, then eagerly entered the Divine Domain Connection Pod and logged into his Divine Realm.