December 8, 2017

GCD Divine Mechanism Academy was holding its annual Winter Festival. When it came to the Winter Festival, the "Heavenly Fire War" was impossible to ignore.

This was the academy's grandest event of the year. The winning class would earn the title of "Heavenly Fire Class."

It was the highest honor imaginable. Centuries ago, during the Great Ming Dynasty, the "Heavenly Fire Divine Army" had been the mightiest force. The name "Heavenly Fire" carried weight far beyond mere words.

Whether for prestige or future career prospects, claiming the "Heavenly Fire Class" title was the ultimate achievement.

The most outstanding student in the "Heavenly Fire War" would be granted the title "Divine Flame." Undoubtedly, at GCD Divine Mechanism Academy, "Divine Flame" meant "strongest."

The academy's strongest.

Naturally, both the "Heavenly Fire Class" title and the "Divine Flame" honor were fiercely contested by every class.

Alumni consensus held that the "Divine Flame" always emerged from the "Heavenly Fire Class."

The strongest class producing the strongest individual—it was only fitting.

This year was no exception. Second Year Fire A Class was widely seen as the top contender for both titles.

Their "Four Kings"—Zhuo Wentian, Shu Xingfeng, Xie Tianai, and Yi Polai—had power surpassing even third-years, with room to grow. Some teachers claimed they could handle any mission below Rank B.

This praise wasn't exaggerated. It was entirely deserved.

Zhuo Wentian, hailed as the "Fire Successor," was a once-in-a-generation genius. At age four, he'd reached War God Imprint First Stage Seventh Level, leaving the world speechless. Now, as a second-year, he stood at Third Stage Ninth Level. Many predicted he'd hit Fourth Rank within the year—a 90% certainty. As the "Fire Successor," he was a true genius who'd make it happen.

He was also the academy's star, wildly popular with female students—and some male admirers with unconventional tastes.

Xie Tianai was GCD's undisputed beauty queen, an icy yet ethereal "fairy sister." Her strength matched her looks: War God Imprint Third Stage Fifth Level, the strongest girl in school. She and Zhuo Wentian were rumored to be the perfect couple, but contrary to gossip, they felt nothing romantic. Years as teammates had cooled any spark.

Shu Xingfeng mastered the Wind attribute like no other student. Only the teacher "Wind King" rivaled him. Others couldn't even glimpse his back. His War God Imprint stood at Third Stage Fifth Level, equal to Xie Tianai's.

Yi Polai had the lowest rank among them—Third Stage Third Level—but the strongest family ties. Descended from a Great Ming Dynasty firearms magnate, he'd started War God Imprint training late at age eight. Yet he'd still risen to the top of his age group, proving his raw talent. His true passion wasn't combat, though; he researched lost arts like Vital Qi Flow and Corpse Gu.

In short, Second Year Fire A Class was a powerhouse.

Naturally, if there was a strongest, there had to be a weakest.

Second Year Fire D Class was GCD's公认的 "worst class in school."

Though seniors, half the class was weaker than first-years. The rest lagged far behind their grade peers. They were the academy's laughingstock. Some whispered they belonged in ordinary schools, destined for ordinary lives.

Yet this didn't mean they lacked drive.

["Even if no one believes in you, never stop believing in yourself."]

These words adorned the front wall, signed by every Fire D Class student.

Labeled the least hardworking, they were actually the most diligent.

Sometimes effort wasn't enough. Wasn't that true?

Even with that doubt, they never denied effort's value.

Like Fire A Class's "Four Kings," Fire D Class had its leaders—just two: Zhu XiuRong and Pang Dun.

A girl and a boy, famous schoolwide—not for leading Fire D Class, but for their names. Zhu XiuRong shared her name with Princess Taikang, the Great Ming's greatest princess. Pang Dun's surname was absurdly rare, and his nickname perfectly matched his build.

They were Fire D Class's strongest: Zhu XiuRong at Second Rank Seventh Stage, Pang Dun at Second Rank Fifth Stage. Weaker than other class leaders—undeniably true.

"Heavenly Fire Class" was their dream. An absolute dream. They knew chasing "Divine Flame" was impossible fantasy. But for "Heavenly Fire Class"—

Was there a sliver of hope? Maybe? Perhaps? They knew that sliver was thinner than a silkworm's thread. Nearly invisible.

Still, they had to try. If you abandon yourself, you're truly lost.