Over the past few decades, the provincial top scorer of Jiangnan Province had almost always come from Ning'an City, the provincial capital.
Or from one of the prosperous cities surrounding Ning'an City.
This was only natural.
After all, strong economic conditions supported better training resources, advanced facilities, and stronger mentors.
Those raised in such cities often came from well-supported families, and their foundations were naturally superior.
Historically, provincial top scorers—much like those from the national capital, Qingjing City—almost always possessed A-Rank abilities, and most had already stepped into the First-Level Ability User realm.
Yet this year…
Not only had Jiangnan Province's top scorer failed to emerge from any of the cities familiar to the teachers of Magic City Ability University—
He wasn't even an Ability User.
He was merely an Awakened One.
And his recorded ability was only E-Rank, second from the bottom in the classification system.
Who would believe such a thing?
Naturally, when Xu Jingming's data appeared before the assembled teachers, their first reaction was disbelief.
"An Awakened One becoming the provincial top scorer? That has to be an error!"
"Could the data have been misidentified? Maybe someone with the same name was recorded incorrectly?"
"Hmm… that's not impossible."
Murmurs spread throughout the room.
Every candidate's results in the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam underwent strict verification by the National Education Bureau.
No one questioned the authenticity of the ranking itself.
Instead, they suspected an identification error.
After all, with Magic City Ability University's advanced intelligence network, a simple misidentification was almost unthinkable.
"Eva's information is correct!"
As if sensing the doubt in the room, a small holographic sphere suddenly appeared in midair.
It was perfectly round, glowing faintly, with subtle projections that formed expressions resembling human emotions.
At this moment, the sphere displayed a slightly indignant look.
This was Eva, the advanced artificial intelligence responsible for all data management at Magic City Ability University.
"Eva is a top-tier AI," the slightly portly middle-aged man said calmly.
"She would never make such a basic mistake.
If there is an issue, it likely occurred during the initial registration stage.
Once we review his combat footage, everything will become clear.
Eva—play Xu Jingming's exam footage."
"Yes, Director."
Reassured by the Director's tone, Eva's indignant expression disappeared.
At the same time, Xu Jingming's figure appeared as a holographic projection above the center of the circular table.
The footage began.
The opening scene showed him entering the innermost core zone, surrounded by numerous high-tier First-Rank ferocious beasts and several Second-Rank ferocious beasts.
"Hmm… he uses a spear?"
One teacher's eyes lit up.
"That's quite rare."
Among the previously reviewed provincial champions, almost all had used swords or broadswords.
A spear-type weapon was far less common.
"A spear is significantly more difficult to master than standard blade weapons."
Another teacher nodded in agreement.
Although Xu Jingming's weapon choice attracted attention, the teachers quickly refocused on their primary objective:
Determining his true ability classification and combat rank.
His ability had not yet been displayed, so confirmation was impossible for now.
However—
His rank could be judged from his aura.
There was a clear distinction between Ability Users and Awakened Ones.
Even through recorded footage, their presence felt different.
Although Xu Jingming's aura appeared sharp and battle-hardened—
None of the teachers sensed the distinct energy characteristics typical of a First-Level Ability User.
"So… Xu Jingming really is an Awakened One?"
After repeated observation, the teachers were stunned.
An Awakened One becoming the provincial top scorer—
That was something not seen in decades.
Moments later—
The battle began.
Lightning erupted.
When Xu Jingming unleashed Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, annihilating groups of high-tier First-Rank ferocious beasts—
Multiple teachers stood up instinctively in shock.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! That is NOT an E-Rank ability!"
"That destructive power is at least A-Rank!"
"How could anyone classify that as Weak Electricity?!"
"What were the ability registration officers even doing?!"
The experienced admissions officers immediately sensed the anomaly.
The destructive scale was completely inconsistent with the recorded ability grade.
The Director of Admissions narrowed his eyes.
"Eva—analyze Xu Jingming's ability classification."
Normally, ability grading required specialized detection equipment.
However, with advanced AI-assisted analysis, reliable estimates could be generated.
"Analysis in progress…"
Eva's voice sounded.
"Xu Jingming's ability belongs to the Lightning-Type, within the Natural Element category.
Due to limitations in environmental data collection, this analysis is based solely on observed combat output."
A brief pause followed.
Then the results appeared.
"Probability results:
B-Rank — 4%
A-Rank — 10%
S-Rank — 83%
SS-Rank — 1%
SSS-Rank — 0%"
Silence.
Complete silence.
The Director's pupils contracted sharply.
"An 83% probability of S-Rank…"
Everyone in the room felt their breathing grow heavier.
What did S-Rank represent?
It represented the absolute apex of destructive potential.
A level capable of shaping the battlefield itself once fully developed
Within the Great Xia Nation—
It had been three to four years since the last confirmed S-Rank Awakener had appeared.
At that moment—
Within the projection—
Xu Jingming thrust his spear forward.
Lightning exploded.
The Second-Rank Bloodthirsty Bear collapsed instantly under the overwhelming strike.
Silence deepened further.
"A suspected S-Rank ability…"
The Director slowly exhaled.
"…combined with this level of combat capability…"
"Xu Jingming truly deserves the title of Provincial Top Scholar."
After a moment of consideration, he spoke firmly:
"Assign Xu Jingming an S+ Special Recruitment Grade."
"We must recruit him at all costs."
The room erupted instantly.
"S+ Special Recruitment?!"
"It's been years since we've used that level!"
"This will require extraordinary offers!"
"Director Zhang, I handled Jiangnan recruitment last year—perhaps I should go again?"
"Director, allow me to go as well!"
Voices overlapped.
Everyone wanted the opportunity to recruit a potential S-Rank prodigy.
However—
Director Zhang Chaoyang raised his hand.
Silence returned immediately.
"No one else needs to go."
"I will personally handle this recruitment."
Although some teachers showed disappointment, none argued.
Director Zhang Chaoyang was a Fifth-Rank Spirit-Type Ability User.
Over the years, he had personally recruited many extraordinary talents into Magic City Ability University.
If anyone could secure Xu Jingming's enrollment—
It was him.
Gazing at Xu Jingming's projected figure, he murmured quietly:
"An S-Rank ability…"
"Xu Jingming… do not disappoint me."
---
June 12 — Fifth Day After the Exam
"Jingming, don't worry. The results will be released today at the latest."
"Principal, I know. I'm not worried."
"Good, good… as long as you're calm. Young people tend to get anxious…"
After a lengthy exchange, Xu Jingming finally ended the call.
He couldn't help shaking his head.
"Everyone keeps telling me not to worry…"
"But they're clearly more anxious than I am."
During these past few days, he had received multiple calls—
From his homeroom teacher.
From the headmaster.
Even from officials within the Education Bureau.
All of them repeated the same reassurance:
"Don't worry."
Yet their voices carried unmistakable tension.
Of course—
Xu Jingming understood why.
Jiangcheng had long awaited an opportunity to prove itself.
Producing a provincial top scorer—
Would change everything.
"But it's already the fifth day…"
"The results should be released by now."
Just as he muttered to himself—
Ding!
A message notification sounded.
Xu Jingming took out his phone and unlocked the screen.
A text message appeared:
'To Xu Jingming, candidate from Jiangcheng No. 2 High School:
The Jiangnan Province Martial Arts College Entrance Exam rankings have been officially released.
Please check your results promptly.'
A link followed.
"The results are out!"
Xu Jingming's eyes lit up instantly.
Without hesitation, he tapped the link.
A long ranking list filled the screen.
Thousands of names.
Thousands of scores.
But Xu Jingming ignored everything else.
His gaze went straight to the very top.
First Place — Jiangnan Province
Xu Jingming — Jiangcheng No. 2 High School
Total Score: 11,124 Points
For a brief moment—
Time seemed to freeze.
Then—
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"First place…"
"Provincial Top Scholar…"
"I did it."
Even Xu Jingming, usually calm and composed, could not suppress the surge of emotion rising within him.
He clenched his fist tightly—
And raised it into the air.