"We're going to fight for the title of 'Heavenly Fire Class'."
The girl standing at the front declared.
Last year, she’d said the same thing. But the outcome was disastrous.
They still remembered. It wasn’t a shadow, exactly. Yet Zhuo Wentian hadn’t even moved. Shu Xingfeng alone had crushed their entire class.
It wasn’t just the winter academy festival’s 'Heavenly Fire War'. Even the summer 'Midsummer Festival'—though not a major battle for GCD Divine Mechanism Academy—was a way for classes to make their mark.
Even in the 'Midsummer Grand Battle', with none of Fire A Class’s Four Kings present, they’d still been routed.
The strength gap, the stage difference—it was a Heavenly Chasm between Class A and them.
But they hadn’t lost hope. As their wall declared: even if the world gives up on you, never give up on yourself.
They lived by those words. It was their duty.
Still, when Zhu XiuRong raised 'Heavenly Fire Class' again, the whole class froze for a moment.
Were these two really not giving up?
That light must’ve been burning in their hearts all along.
Zhu XiuRong and Pang Dun—neither had abandoned hope, even now.
Next year would be their third. Many might skip advancement. With their grades, pursuing 'Vital Qi Flow' or 'War God Imprint' universities meant little achievement. An ordinary college? Giving up wasn’t bad. If one path closed, another might open.
That’s what they thought.
They’d stand by their leaders—the ones who’d always pushed them—to the very end.
It was companionship. A companionship of gratitude.
"Class rep! We’ll back whatever you and Pang Dun decide!" Classmates waved fists in response.
"Right! Even if we’re weaker, our spirit won’t lose!"
"Damn it! Let those ABC classes see our backbone. We’ll prove to GCD Divine Mechanism Academy our spirit isn’t a flash in the pan. We’ll persist. All the way to graduation!"
"Exactly!!!"
A good leader mattered. Like a magnet, they bound everyone together—united, rowing as one.
Zhu XiuRong and Pang Dun were deeply moved. They truly loved this class. Teachers had urged Zhu XiuRong to transfer to Class A, Pang Dun to Class B. "You’re wasting time and talent in Class D," they’d said. But they refused.
It wasn’t about time, talent, or skill. It was about heart.
They’d accepted this class—these brothers and sisters who always answered their call. That bond couldn’t be betrayed.
"Thank you, everyone—" Zhu XiuRong’s voice trembled. Pang Dun felt the same, munching a juicy fried chicken wing, thumb raised at the seated students.
"Come on, Pang Dun, wipe that oil off your chin~" someone teased below.
Amid the chatter, the door to Second Year Fire D Class slid open.
In walked their homeroom teacher, Ayan.
"Alright, settle down! New student to introduce today."
Pang Dun and Zhu XiuRong quickly sat.
A transfer?
Ayan saw the spark in their eyes.
"Curious?" She voiced their thoughts.
Of course. Why join their class? Shouldn’t transfers go to A or B? Strong ones, at least... Many cut that thought short. Who said transfers were always strong? Maybe this one was weak. Ended up here. Possible, right?
They just hoped the newcomer would support Zhu XiuRong and Pang Dun—like they did.
Gender didn’t matter now. Cooperation was key. Fail that, and they’d be excluded.
"Come in," Ayan called.
She felt strange herself. That first glimpse of the kid—familiarity washed over her. Where from? Maybe just work fatigue, blurring her senses.
The electronic door hissed open. A black-haired boy entered.
He walked slowly to the podium.
Ayan stepped aside. He took her spot.
"Introduce yourself," she said.
—Strange. Why this feeling...
Her heart pounded wildly. A warmth bloomed and spread.
—Why so fast...
Zhu XiuRong didn’t know. Truly didn’t.
The feeling wasn’t bad. Just puzzling.
Watching the boy, memories surged—then vanished. Always out of reach.
She glanced at Pang Dun. His eyes held the same strange emotion. Like old friends reunited. Instant kinship? Probably. But they’d never met. How?
Amid the confusion, the boy spoke.
"Hi everyone. I’m Jiang Huoer. My hobby? Cannon Fire~"
