As the strongest nation on Blue Star,
Xia Country's college entrance exam schedule also aligns with the unified schedule for all nations on Blue Star, which is on June 6, 7, and 8.
June 4, at Guan Mountain District's First High School.
A little after ten in the morning, before the second period began.
Starting from the afternoon of the 4th, a holiday would commence to allow all students to rest, adjust, and review independently.
Therefore, this period was also the last class for all high school seniors.
In Class 2 of the Senior year, the classroom was still noisy and boisterous; aside from a few individuals, most students were chatting with each other, enjoying the last moments of their high school careers.
By this point, no one was making a last-ditch effort to cram for the exams.
Everyone had a clear understanding in their hearts.
In the last two days, all that was required was to maintain the right attitude and briefly review cultural class formulas; the big picture was already set.
"It's finally coming. It's been so hard to endure! At last, it's at an end," Yan Zhou muttered, "Once I get into university, I'll relax and have several intense romances to make up for what I missed in high school."
"You?" Zhou Qi scoffed, "You blush at the sight of girls."
"What about you?" Yan Zhou retorted, "You talk about Peng Lingling all day. Did you even get a chance with her?"
"Bullshit, that's not fawning, that's respect," Zhou Qi snapped, "Besides, Lingling already agreed to date me after the entrance exam."
"Oh Zhou, believe me, last time she said she would date you after entering Senior year, but what happened?"
"This time is for real." The two talked excitedly.
Deep down, Zhou Qi probably knew that 'Peng Lingling' had been leading him on all along.
But then again, wasn't Zhou Qi enjoying the process as well?
Li Yuan sat calmly at his desk.
With his Entry Rank physical quality and powerful hearing, he could easily make out most of the conversations between his classmates.
Although Li Yuan had spent more time practicing at the Martial Hall since the second semester of high school and his academic performance and Martial Arts Cultivation had improved by leaps and bounds,
He had gradually become somewhat distanced from his classmates.
This was something that couldn't be changed by mere will.
Almost all students understood that after the entrance exam, Li Yuan was destined to soar high and get admitted into one of the top five prestigious universities.
Becoming a Prime Warrior in the future would be a modest goal for him.
Classmates appeared equal on the surface, but it was merely by chance they had shared a classroom for three years.
Nevertheless, Li Yuan always enjoyed his time in the classroom, especially in cultural studies classes.
"After entering university, I'll focus on Martial Path. When my body reaches level 15, I'll need to venture into the Star Realms to hone my combat skills," Li Yuan silently reflected, "When that time comes, these leisurely days will be gone forever."
Li Yuan looked out the window at the midsummer sunlight. It was very bright but not dazzling.
It felt warm on his skin.
It would be the last class of high school.
"Ding ling ling~" A few minutes later, the bell rang, and all the students gradually quieted down, preparing for the teacher's arrival.
"Bang~" "Thud~" A series of footsteps sounded outside the classroom, indicating the presence of several people. Li Yuan caught it immediately.
"So many people?" Li Yuan wondered.
Soon, Li Yuan's puzzlement was resolved.
It wasn't just the cultural studies class teacher 'Teacher Chen' who came, but all the subject teachers.
Instantly, the students in the class became excited and began to laugh with joy.
You should know that yesterday and today, many subject teachers had already had their 'last lesson' with the students and said their farewells.
Young people are so easily moved.
"Students, this is the last class. To speak of knowledge points, actually, there isn't much left to say. With three years of high school study, I believe everyone is well prepared," Teacher Chen said with a smile, and slowly continued, "For the last class, I and the other subject teachers discussed it."
"We still felt, we should formally say farewell to the students," said Teacher Chen, her eyes brimming with tears.
She was very strict, and every student in the class, including Li Yuan, had been criticized by her.
But at the last class, she became quite emotional.
"Our teachers in this class are all excellent," Teacher Chen's voice softened, "Like Teacher Li, who insisted on working until just a few days before giving birth last semester; like Teacher Long, you are his last group of students..."
All the subject teachers looking at the students they had been with day and night for three years, felt somewhat nostalgic.
And the students sitting in the class, especially many of the girls, began to tear up.
"Actually, every teacher has a lot they want to say to you all, but we feel that it's time for goodbyes and there is no need for too many words," Teacher Chen struggled to control her emotions and spoke slowly, "In this final stretch, all we teachers want to do is leave you with a message."
Whoosh~ Teacher Chen tapped her smart ring, and immediately, a lot of text appeared on the blackboard's screen behind her.
All the students looked over.
"Fortunate to have known you all, it has been a privilege. As your teachers, we are limited in our skills, we have shared all we could, but still fall short," Teacher Chen tried her best to manage her emotions and repeated the words on the screen word for word, "May all students have a bright future and may your efforts not be in vain!"
As the last word was spoken,
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Teacher Chen, along with all the subject teachers, bowed deeply to all the students.
This scene caused almost everyone to get up from their seats, with many girls unable to hold back their tears.
"Teacher, you are the best."
"We will definitely achieve good results and not disappoint you."
"Teacher," more and more students couldn't help but exclaim, their voices tinged with sobs or filled with determination.
Even the rational Li Yuan was slightly affected, feeling a warmth in his eyes.
It was the purest of emotions, untainted by any interests.
All the teachers stood up, with several female teachers also having teary eyes but smiling faces.
"Teacher." A voice, slightly choked and clear, rang out, "We've also prepared a few words in private, which we'd like to give to you teachers."
It was Li Shutong, the class valedictorian and class president.
Not just the subject teachers, even Teacher Chen showed a hint of surprise on her face.
"All stand," Li Shutong said with a trembling voice, loud and clear.
Immediately, all the students stood up one by one, their lips pursed, eyes earnestly fixed on the figures on the platform.
The next instant, as if by an unspoken understanding from three years of day-to-day association, no one called out a preparatory command.
All the students began to recite in unison: "We students, dull and slow, have been fortunate to receive generous instruction from our teachers. Though mountains high and paths long lie ahead, we shall stride forth and endeavor to repay the peach and plum graces of our mentors."
Accompanied by the sound of the end-of-class bell.
The last lesson for all the senior three students ended with the teachers' blessings of a 'future as bright as brocade'.
The high school journey was about to come to an end.
Many classmates began to make promises to 'apply to the same university,' 'meet up more often after the college entrance exam,' 'gather once a year in the future,' and 'return to school together to visit the teachers.'
But nearly all the teachers, watching the students they had taught for three years making these solemn promises to each other, understood one thing very well—the future as bright as brocade meant parting ways.
High school graduation means many people say goodbye, which could mean never seeing each other again.
However, no teacher would burst their bubble.
Because, what good would that do? These students wouldn't believe it.
They mostly think, 'with Weixin groups and convenient transportation, meeting up is easy, so why won't we see each other again?'
They are in the prime of their youth.
They should enjoy their youth.
The greatest regret in life is being unable to possess youth and the full appreciation of it at the same time.
But likewise, this is precisely what true youth is about; without experiencing it, how can one gain that appreciation?
It's like a video game, where the exploration phase is the most enchanting one—you get to enjoy every bit of growth.
Once you clear the game, it becomes tasteless.
With his backpack slung over his shoulders, Li Yuan left the classroom, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the neighboring class.
It was the classroom of Class One, Senior Three.
Scanning the bustling crowd, he didn't spot the figure he wanted to see in his heart.
"Brother Yuan, where are you planning to go?" Zhou Qi smiled as he spoke from beside him: "We're thinking of sitting on the sports field a bit longer before going home."
"I'm going to the Martial Hall to train," Li Yuan said with a smile: "You guys chat."
"Alright," Zhou Qi nodded.
"See you, Brother Yuan."
"Goodbye, Li Yuan." Many people greeted Li Yuan as they passed, and even students from other classes waved to him.
As if driven by some inexplicable force, Li Yuan didn't head directly out of the school gate but instead went to the Elite Building.
He climbed to the fourth floor and just took a glance.
Li Yuan then turned around and went downstairs, striding towards the distant office building and arrived on 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 a throng of smiling students streaming out in the distance.
"You've come?" Xu Bo turned around to look at Li Yuan, a look of relief spreading across his face.
They both knew that this chapter of their teacher-student bond was coming to an end.
Li Yuan was soon to enter a much broader field of development.
"Do your best on the exam."
"With your abilities, performing normally is as easy as playing, when it comes to breaking the national line," Xu Bo said with a smile: "I believe in you."
Li Yuan responded with a smile: "I'll just do as you've always said, treat every test as if it's the college entrance exam, and then, the college entrance exam will be just another test."
"Hahaha," Xu Bo laughed proudly. This was the most outstanding disciple he had taught over the years.
In the last two days, Li Yuan neither relaxed nor grew tense, as his considerable strength had given him enough confidence.
He continued to practice regularly, but also didn't give up on reviewing his academic subjects on the last day.
Time moved forward to June 6th.
The college entrance examination assigned students to random testing centers in various districts.
Li Yuan was assigned to 'Guan Mountain District High School No. 5.'
Amidst the citywide processions, traffic police clearing the way, and sounds of gongs and drums, Jiang City's 2043 college entrance exam officially began.
Even though Li Yuan said he would take a flying vehicle to the test center and there was no need to worry,
Uncle Li Changzhou and Auntie Chen Hui still insisted on being there to see him off.
For them, even though they know Li Yuan has a 99% chance of getting into one of the top five universities,
And even though they're aware that Li Yuan has become accomplished, their hearts won't be at ease until everything is settled.
"Everyone is going to send off their kids, so we should too," Chen Hui declared.
Li Yuan laughed, his heart as clear as a mirror.
To his uncle and aunt, him taking the college entrance exam was like a 'rite of passage to adulthood,' as well as the most important comfort to his deceased parents.
How could they not be present at such a moment?
A day and a half of academic testing.
A whole day of practical martial arts examinations.
As each senior student stepped out of the final martial arts testing venue, it ushered in the end of their youth.
The end of high school signaled the upcoming university era, which symbolizes 'youth' itself.
The college entrance examination was a solemn affair, and thus, the scoring, reviewing, and tallying of results took three days.
On June 12th, the results came out, also marking the day when various score lines were drawn.
Twelve years of arduous study culminated on this day as the dust settled.