Chapter 10: Testing Skills, Raising Suspicions, and a System That Won’t Shut Up

Su Yan stood in the academy's training yard, staring at his hands.

For the first time since arriving in Palde, he actually had skills.

Not just “run away and hope for the best” skills—actual usable abilities.

"Alright," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Time to see what I can do!"

"Oh-ho, this is gonna be good," the system cackled. "Try ‘Shadow Step’ first!"

Su Yan activated the skill. Immediately, a dark mist wrapped around his body, and his presence seemed to vanish.

He took a step forward—

And instantly faceplanted into the ground.

"PFFFTTT—HAHAHAHA!" The system wheezed. "Oh man, I forgot to mention—Shadow Step doesn’t work well if you have the movement grace of a drunken ostrich!"

"YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT BEFORE I ATE DIRT!" Su Yan hissed, spitting out a mouthful of grass.

"Details, details~"

Su Yan got up, dusting himself off. "Alright, let’s try ‘Iron Body’ next."

He activated the skill, and immediately, his skin hardened, taking on a faint metallic sheen.

Su Yan smirked. "Now we’re talking."

To test it, he punched a tree.

The tree barely shook.

His fist, however, felt like it just collided with a steel wall.

"AaaAAAAHHH!" Su Yan screamed, clutching his hand. "WHY DOES THIS HURT ME TOO?!"

"Pfft—Hahaha!" The system was losing it. "You forgot to increase your strength more, dummy! Your body is tough, but your punches are still weak!"

Su Yan wanted to cry.

This system upgrade was supposed to make things easier, not humiliate him in new and creative ways.

"Fine!" he grumbled. "I’ll train more before using this in actual combat."

"Smart choice!"

Just as Su Yan was about to test something else, he felt a sharp gaze on him.

He turned—and saw Zhen standing a few meters away, arms crossed, her piercing eyes locked onto him.

"You’re acting suspicious."

Su Yan froze. "W-What? No, I’m not!"

"You are."

"I’m really not!"

"You’re sweating."

"It’s hot!"

Zhen narrowed her eyes. "You have training today. Be at the courtyard in five minutes."

Before Su Yan could protest, she turned and walked away.

The system chuckled. "Oooooh, she’s onto you, buddy!"

"Shut up."

Training with Zhen (a.k.a. The Pain Session)

Su Yan arrived at the courtyard, dreading what was about to happen.

Zhen was waiting, her usual stern expression in place.

"Since you’re so full of surprises lately," she said, "I’ve decided to push your training further."

Su Yan gulped. "What does that mean exactly?"

Zhen pointed behind her.

A group of elite second-year students stood, their eyes gleaming with amusement.

"They’ll be your sparring partners today," Zhen said casually.

Su Yan turned pale. "What?!"

"You need to learn the hard way," she replied. "If you survive, you might actually improve."

The system snickered. "Oh man, this is gonna be fun!"

Five Minutes Later…

Su Yan was on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Why… do all of you… hit so hard…?" he wheezed.

One of the second-years, a tall girl with a mischievous smile, shrugged. "Zhen told us to go easy on you."

"THIS IS EASY?!"

Zhen sighed. "You’re still too slow. Your reaction time is terrible. And your footwork? Even worse."

Su Yan groaned. "Anything good about me?"

Zhen thought for a moment. "You’re persistent."

Su Yan blinked. "…Is that a compliment?"

"Maybe."

The system burst out laughing. "HAHAHA, BRO, YOU’RE GETTING COOKED!"

After Training

After surviving what could only be described as torture disguised as education, Su Yan collapsed onto a bench.

"I hate my life," he muttered.

"Correction: You love money," the system said. "And money comes with suffering."

"That doesn’t make me feel better."

"Oh, but I do have some good news!"

"What?"

"A new mission just dropped!"

Su Yan sat up immediately. "Is it easy?"

"Depends on how you define ‘easy’!"

A new system notification appeared.

[New Mission: The Great Escape!]

Objective: Sneak into the academy’s forbidden library and steal a secret assassination manual.

Reward: ¥30,000 + ???

Penalty for Failure: Immediate Expulsion

Su Yan’s soul left his body. "WHY IS EVERYTHING SO DANGEROUS?!"

"Because danger makes you money, my dude!"

"I WANT A REFUND ON THIS SYSTEM!"

"Too bad! Now get ready for another ridiculous mission!"

Su Yan collapsed back onto the bench.

Why did he feel like his suffering was only just beginning?

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