The sky above Shrek Academy was unusually clear that morning—like even the clouds had decided not to intrude upon the solemnity of the occasion. A mild wind swept through the towering trees lining the academy's broad ceremonial plaza, rustling the branches as if nature itself was paying homage to the most prestigious academy in the world.
Qiang Ming stood still at the very back of the gathered students, clad in the crisp black and silver uniform of the working students. The material was durable, not meant to impress but to survive hardship. He could appreciate that. It matched the fabric of his new self—tempered not by privilege, but by pain, perseverance, and blood.
Around him, hundreds of outer court students had assembled in neat formation, sorted by class. He spotted Class One's top-ranked students lined at the very front, their stances stiff with pride. Not far from them, his gaze landed on Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and a new face—Xu Xiaoyan. Class Zero stood together as they always did. Though none of them turned around, Qiang Ming knew they had sensed his presence. He could feel it in the shift of Gu Yue's aura, the sharp tilt of Wulin's posture. They knew he had returned.
A sudden hush fell over the courtyard.
From the steps of the massive ceremonial platform, the figure of Elder Cai strode forward. She looked as if carved from some ancient divine statue—regal, unwavering, her white robes flowing around her like woven authority. Her eyes swept over the crowd, and for a fleeting second, they landed on him.
"You all stand now," she said, voice calm yet impossibly clear, "at the threshold of greatness."
Her tone wasn't celebratory. It was grave. Reverent.
"You've passed the entrance examination, and for that alone, you are to be commended. Thousands tried. Hundreds were sent away. You are the few who remain. But make no mistake—this is not a place for comfort."
Qiang Ming narrowed his eyes. She spoke the truth. Comfort made people weak. Slaughter Barony had taught him that in the most brutal way possible.
"At Shrek," Elder Cai continued, "we do not nurture the weak. We forge the strong. We push, we demand, and we expect more than you believe you can give. Here, only progress matters. Only strength speaks."
A murmur rippled through the students, most likely from those who had spent their lives praised for mediocrity. Qiang Ming remained still. His arms were folded, his posture relaxed, but his heart beat steady, focused.
"Every month, some of you will be evaluated. Those who fall behind will be warned. Those who fail to improve will be expelled. Shrek has no room for stagnation."
Her gaze swept the crowd like a blade. "Some of you are working students. You will have additional responsibilities—chores, errands, cleaning—but that is not a punishment. It is a chance. A crucible within the crucible. Many of Shrek's legends started from the working student dormitories."
That caught some attention. Qiang Ming smirked. He knew better than most what kind of strength came from being at the bottom.
"Now look to the students beside you. In six months, some of them will no longer be here. In a year, perhaps more. The path to the inner court is narrow. Few walk it. But all who do—change the world."
Silence.
And then: "Welcome to Shrek Academy. Your suffering begins now."
The silence hung heavy in the air until it cracked into thunderous applause. But not from everyone. Some clapped weakly. Some looked pale. Others, like Qiang Ming, simply watched. It wasn't disrespect—it was focus.
As Elder Cai stepped back, several other faculty members gave shorter speeches. One reminded them of curfews, training schedules, and dorm etiquette. Another outlined the importance of inter-class cooperation. Qiang Ming barely registered these. His mind was already leaping ahead.
He glanced down at his calloused hands. Despite the recent healing, the fine lines of his time in Slaughter Barony still lingered faintly beneath the skin—marks that no amount of washing could erase. Marks of someone reborn.
Around him, the crowd began to stir as the ceremony drew to a close. He let himself fall into the motion, his long legs easily navigating through the dispersing students. A few cast glances at him—some curious, others cautious. He stood out, after all. Tall for his age. Eyes glowing a regal violet. Hair tied loosely, streaks of deeper purple catching the sun. He looked like a prince that had crawled through hell and come out smiling.
One student, a boy barely taller than his shoulder, bumped into him and muttered a quick apology. Qiang Ming didn't respond. He barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere.
He looked up at the towering academy buildings surrounding the plaza. Their green-tiled roofs gleamed under the sunlight, ancient stone foundations bearing centuries of tradition and expectation. The banners fluttered with the insignia of dragons and mountains. The air was heavy with legacy.
For a moment, Qiang Ming simply stood there, letting the weight of it all settle in his chest.
"This is it," he murmured. "The real trial begins."
And so, with the echoes of Elder Cai's words still thundering in his ears, Qiang Ming turned and walked into the heart of Shrek Academy.