Chapter 474 473: One Punch

This body had once trained recklessly, to the point of damaging his spleen and nearly suffocating himself, all in the desperate hope of gaining entry into a better martial arts academy.

Martial arts, however, was meant to be a gradual process of strengthening.

A person's strength was generally judged by testing their qi and blood.

The stronger a martial artist, the more vigorous their qi and blood—this was a universally accepted truth.

With Fenric's current physique, his qi and blood levels were terrifying.

If he participated in the physical fitness test, he wouldn't just pass effortlessly—he could break records, shake the academy, and draw the world's attention.

But time was not on his side. The system had only granted him a hundred days to complete his mission.

He couldn't afford to waste it learning step by step under the so-called "famous teachers."

More importantly, Fenric didn't want to attract unnecessary attention.

So for today's physical test, he had no intention of participating.

He would have to explain the matter to the school himself.

"Wait for me," Fenric said at last.

He went back inside, quickly washed up, grabbed the hospital's medical records, and headed out with Caila.

On the way, Caila frowned. "Fenric, what are you doing carrying those things?"

Fenric answered plainly, "I don't plan on going to the Martial Arts Academy. I'm not taking today's test."

Caila's eyes widened. "What? But wasn't it your dream to enter the academy and become a registered martial artist?"

Fenric let out a deliberate sigh, feigning helplessness. "You don't know how I ended up in the hospital. With my current condition, even if I participate, I'll never pass the test."

"You!" Caila looked both frustrated and sympathetic. "With your talent and physique, even if you couldn't get into the best academy, you'd at least make it into an ordinary one. Why give up?"

Fenric wore a mask of regret, but inwardly, he couldn't care less.

At the next fork, the two split ways. Caila left for her own school, while Fenric continued toward Dawn High.

By the time he arrived, the physical fitness test was already in progress on the playground.

Fenric quickly located his class.

"Ric!" A round-faced boy whispered urgently when Fenric slipped into the group. "Where the hell were you last night? Don't you know today's a big deal?"

Fenric's eyes flickered in surprise.

The boy in front of him looked exactly like his real-world friend Jitto.

Even more bizarre, this boy's name was also Jitto—and he was Fenric's best friend in this world too.

"Ric, what are you staring for?" Jitto poked him.

"…It's nothing," Fenric replied evenly. "Overslept."

"Damn, you overslept today of all days? You've got guts."

Fenric forced a discouraged sigh. "Yeah…"

But Jitto wasn't paying attention anymore. His eyes were fixed elsewhere, gleaming with excitement.

"Holy crap, Ric—your goddess just showed up!"

"…Goddess?"

Fenric followed his gaze.

From a classroom door emerged a girl with a melon-seed face, dressed neatly in her school uniform. Her expression was cool, her temperament pure yet aloof, and her looks easily outshone most.

The moment she appeared, the noise across the playground dimmed noticeably.

Clearly, she wasn't just Fenric's "goddess"—she was the entire school's.

Fenric studied her face and felt a hint of relief.

"Good… she looks unfamiliar. If someone I really knew appeared here too, I'd start doubting which world was real."

As he thought this, memories of the girl surfaced.

Xiao Ling'er—Dawn High's star student.

First place in liberal arts year after year, and already far ahead in martial training. Her qi and blood had surpassed ordinary standards, and rumor had it she was under the guidance of a famous teacher.

"Quiet!"

The principal's voice boomed across the grounds.

Though his tone was calm, the sound carried a subtle force that silenced the crowd instantly.

"The principal's sonic kung fu is getting sharper," Jitto whispered in awe.

Fenric's eyes narrowed. Indeed—the man had used a technique.

The principal wasted no time. "Today is the physical fitness test. Many teachers from prestigious martial academies are here, some with special recruitment quotas. Perform well. Understood?"

"UNDERSTOOD!"

Hundreds of students roared in unison, their voices shaking the air.

Satisfied, the principal yielded the stage to a female teacher holding the list.

"I'll call names. When I do, step up immediately for testing. No dawdling, understood?"

"Yes, teacher!" the students chorused.

The tests began.

They consisted of two parts: qi-and-blood monitoring, followed by a boxing strength assessment using specialized machines.

"Zijian!"

A sturdy boy sprinted onto the stage.

He first extended his hands to the qi-and-blood monitor, then moved to the boxing machine.

Boom—!

His punch landed, and the electronic display climbed rapidly before freezing at 592.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

"592?!"

"Zijian, did you swallow gunpowder today?"

"Damn! That's enough to get him into a martial academy for sure."

Fenric remained expressionless.

According to the body's memories, the average adult male's punch registered around 300. Zijian's result was nearly double—impressive for his age. Clearly, he had been practicing hard.

Of course, if Fenric himself struck the machine, it wouldn't measure a thing—he'd shatter it outright.

"Zijian, qi-and-blood: 133. Punch strength: 592."

The supervising teacher read out the numbers with satisfaction.

Several academy representatives on the guest stage scribbled notes, visibly interested.

Zijian walked off, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Next, Liuyang. Qi-and-blood: 93. Punch: 286!"

"Wanging. Qi-and-blood: 88. Punch: 255!"

"Yonghao. Qi-and-blood: 97. Punch: 303!"

Compared to Zijian, the others were mediocre. The invigilator's expression soured, and the visiting teachers looked unimpressed.

Still, they hadn't expected much from Dawn High—a second-rate school at best.

"Next, Xiao Ling'er!"

At the name, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd buzzed with anticipation.

Fenric's eyes narrowed.

Xiao Ling'er… if he remembered correctly, she played an important supporting role in the novel's plot.

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(POWER STONES)