Chapter 41

The door to the classroom creaked open, and all eyes turned as a man shuffled in, dragging his feet across the floor. His appearance immediately caught everyone's attention—a disheveled figure with unkempt hair sticking out in all directions, worn-out clothes that looked like they hadn't seen an iron in years, and dark eye bags that sagged beneath his hollow eyes.His posture was slightly hunched, and as he moved toward the podium, it was as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Morning," he mumbled in a low, sluggish voice that barely reached the back of the room. The students exchanged curious glances. Was he drunk? His voice had that groggy, slurred tone that suggested he hadn't had a proper night's sleep in weeks. The room was filled with a hushed murmur, as everyone tried to figure out just what kind of teacher they had.

"I'm Mr. John," he introduced himself, though he sounded like he would rather be anywhere else. He glanced at the students with little enthusiasm and added, "Welcome to the academy."

Without any further pleasantries, he turned to the board and picked up a piece of chalk. His movements were slow, deliberate, and almost painful to watch, as if every motion required immense effort. He scribbled the words "Soul Crystal" on the board in jagged letters that barely looked legible. Then, he turned back to the class, eyes half-lidded.

"This," he drawled, "is our topic for today." He leaned against the podium, scanning the faces in front of him with the same lack of energy. "What do you know about Soul Crystals?"

Hands shot up across the room, eager to make an impression on this odd new teacher. He pointed lazily at a girl seated near the front. She was slim with long, flowing blonde hair that shimmered in the artificial light. The confidence in her posture was undeniable, and a smug smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Standing up with an air of superiority, she said, "First of all, my name is Claire, and I'll be the top student here."

Several students rolled their eyes at the self-introduction, but she ignored them and continued, "A Soul Crystal is a vital organ, originally resembling a heart, but it transforms into a powerful crystal as it absorbs Soul Essence. The Soul Crystal acts as a storage vessel for this essence and links directly to an individual's unique ability."

Mr. John gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod. "Correct," he muttered. The lights dimmed slightly, and a chart of a human body appeared on the television screen behind him, displaying the placement of the Soul Crystal and various openings throughout the body.

"Just like Blondie said," Mr. John gestured vaguely toward Claire, "the Soul Crystal is a vessel to store Soul Essence. The more essence it holds,.the brighter it is. And for those of you who haven't form their soul crystal yet, your Soul Crystal will be dim." His voice was monotonous, almost hypnotic, drawing the students into the explanation despite his dreary tone.

"But..." he continued, and a hint of challenge crept into his voice, "to activate an ability, you must first form a Soul Crystal. To do that, you need to draw in Soul Essence from the air and nature, moving it to your heart. Once your dim crystal is full, it breaks apart and reforms as a new, brighter one."

A collective murmur spread through the class as the students processed the information. The tension in the room grew palpable, the air thick with curiosity and disbelief. Then, Mr. John dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the room.

"So," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly, "your assignment is to form a Soul Crystal before tomorrow's class."

Silence fell over the class for a brief moment before a ripple of incredulous whispers broke out.

"Is he serious?"

"That's impossible!"

"Nobody can form a Soul Crystal in one day!"

The room buzzed with disbelief and anxiety, students glancing at each other, unsure of whether Mr. John was playing a cruel joke.

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Mr. John, seemingly unfazed by the uproar, raised a hand lazily to calm the class. "I know it's usually said that it takes up to a week, but what if..." He let the words hang in the air, building suspense. "What if you were in a place where the Soul Essence is abundant? You'd be able to draw in more, faster."

Gavin, one of the rowdier students, turned to Liam, his usual partner in crime. "How long did it take you to activate your Soul Core?"

Liam puffed out his chest proudly. "Two hours."

Gavin raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "I shouldn't have asked." Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Then a student stood up and asked "Mr John what kind of place has more Soul Essence."

Mr. John, almost ignoring the student question, continued in his same sluggish tone. "For those asking what kind of place has more Soul Essence, well... don't you read? Soul Essence is abundant in nature—places with plants, water... even in toilets due to—well, you know, natural stuff."

A collective groan went through the room. The students were bewildered, a mix of disbelief and amusement spreading among them. Yet, despite the bizarre explanation, Mr. John's closing words were almost inaudible, but filled with an intensity that caught some students off guard. "I'll make you great," he muttered, "just like Sensei Lee made me."

Without waiting for the bell to ring, Mr. John grabbed his bag and shuffled out of the classroom, leaving the students stunned and confused.

On the academy grounds, five students, including William, walked toward the cafeteria. The afternoon sun shone lazily, casting long shadows across the walkway. Inside the cafeteria, they grabbed trays and served themselves food, sitting together at a table. The mood was light, with most of them chuckling about the odd lesson they'd just endured.

But William was absentminded, barely touching his food. His mind was racing as he silently asked the system about Mr. John's claim. To his surprise, the system confirmed the teacher's words.

Gavin noticed William's distant expression. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth.

"Nothing," William replied, shaking his head. "Just thinking about what the teacher said."

Gavin scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Don't worry about it, man. That guy's crazy. No one can form a Soul Crystal in a day."

The others nodded in agreement, and Liam, ever the arrogant one, chimed in. "Well, I did it in two hours, but, you know, I'm a genius."

Gavin rolled his eyes. "Shut up, will you."

Just then, William's phone—currently disguised as an earring—pinged softly, alerting him to a new message. The device, which was like a neuro chip, projected the message directly into his mind.

"$50,000."

William's brow furrow

ed. Who could it be? Then it clicked—General Zhao wanted to meet him.

Author's Note: Don't forget to drop a review. Thanks for reading.