On the playground, Cold Night Feather ran expressionless at the front of the girls' line. The girls behind her were panting to varying degrees, except for Bai Xin running beside her. Well, Bai Xin was now at least a B-rank ability user. The gap between ranks was enormous. Even as the weakest B-rank, she far surpassed top C-rank users like Lin Mi, who was slightly panting.

"Since students are still too inexperienced with their abilities, prioritizing physical training as the vessel for power? Not a bad idea," Cold Night Feather mused to herself.

"Ah! Faster! Even faster! This is youth! Everyone! Run toward the sun!" Not far ahead, the boys' line kept sneaking glances back at the girls. Leading them was a bear-like, muscular man. He ran while occasionally grabbing the whistle on his chest and blowing it, looking wildly excited.

This bodybuilder-type man was Cold Night Feather's physical training instructor. She glanced at other running groups and couldn't help smirking. Why was her teacher the quirkiest?

By the way, though his ability was unknown, Cold Night Feather sensed he was only slightly stronger than Lin Mi. But those muscles weren't for show. From his running form, she could tell he was highly skilled in body mechanics. His actual combat strength remained debatable.

Cold Night Feather shook her head, chuckling self-deprecatingly. She'd habitually analyzed his fighting ability and counters again—a relic from her past training, now almost instinct.

Just then, as if remembering something, she asked Bai Xin beside her, "Oh, Bai Xin, I have a question."

"Huh? What? I'll tell you if I know," Bai Xin replied, turning her head.

Cold Night Feather didn't hold back. "For you and Lin Mi now, this school can't meet your needs, right? Some teachers here aren't even as high-ranked as you in ability levels."

Bai Xin answered, "Well, it's not just you. The authorities realized it too. In the long tug-of-war between humans and Sin Beasts, they've poured in massive resources. They're desperate to end this war and won't neglect talented students' education."

Cold Night Feather nodded. "So how exactly do they do it?"

Bai Xin scratched her hair while running, thinking. "I recall low-level academies like ours set a standard line per grade. Those below stay; those above qualify for higher schools. People like me and Lin Mi should get Uncle Li's notice soon."

Cold Night Feather said understandingly, "I see. Teaching by talent level ensures the best resources go to valuable students. Not a bad method."

Bai Xin frowned. "But isn't it unfair? Mediocre students stay mediocre, maybe ending as cannon fodder! Isn't that inhumane?"

Cold Night Feather smiled at her naivety. "Heh, you're still too innocent, Bai Xin. In peacetime, maybe everyone gets equal education. But in wartime, valueless students are destined for mediocrity. That's society's current trend—you can't change it."

Bai Xin nodded thoughtfully.

Soon, the "warm-up" run ended. Students were drenched in sweat, panting heavily. Even the muscular teacher had broken a sweat. To avoid standing out, Cold Night Feather forced her body to sweat and feigned panting. For a veteran like her, controlling bodily functions was trivial.

"Hahahahaha! This is youth! Sweating makes you feel reborn, right? Rest for three minutes!" the teacher boomed, laughing.

Students stared at their eccentric instructor with deadpan expressions. They were used to him—they only cared about his last words.

"Don't mind it, Cold Night Feather. Teacher Liu's just like this," a classmate said.

Cold Night Feather smiled back. "It's fine. I don't mind. Actually, I find Teacher Liu quite cute. Heh."

Seeing her approachable, girls swarmed Cold Night Feather with questions, overwhelming her. Boys watched enviously. Nearby, Bai Xin and others twitched their eyes, thinking how Cold Night Feather's charm truly appealed to everyone.

Three minutes flew by. Teacher Liu checked his watch, blew his whistle, and yelled for assembly. Cold Night Feather sighed in relief—the girls' gossip was terrifying, but she couldn't shoo them away.

Teacher Liu cleared his throat. "Even if the new student's super pretty, save chats for after school, alright? Right, Cold Night Feather?" He nodded; she nodded politely back.

"Everyone! No abilities. Free grouping for close combat! Hmm, Cold Night Feather, you just arrived and haven't trained—you can skip," Teacher Liu said, arms crossed.

Cold Night Feather shook her head. "It's fine. I know a thing or two about close combat."

He didn't stop her. "Alright! Show me your strength! But don't overdo it."

Cold Night Feather smiled and nodded in understanding.