Chapter 2: The Entrance Exam
Chapter 2: The Entrance Exam
After entering the main gate, Chen Chuan noticed a long row of sunshade shelters on the left. He parked his bicycle there and waited. Soon, he saw students around his age gradually making their way towards the school entrance.
Most of them had anxious expressions mixed with a hint of excitement, likely candidates for the Wu Yi Academy entrance exam, just like him.
He could understand their emotions. After more than ninety years of the Great Republic, social classes were clearly defined, and the avenues for advancement were scarce for commoners.
Whether domestically or internationally, one could say that worldwide, those skilled in combat and martial arts often held higher social status. This was one of the few paths for the lower class to transcend their social standing, albeit a challenging one. Still, countless people vied for this opportunity every year.
Wu Yi Academy was the official institution for cultivating such talents. In the past decade, the academy had expanded its enrollment. As long as one was under eighteen years old, had completed primary and middle school education, and had no criminal record, they were eligible to apply. This attracted many young people who couldn't afford higher education.
However, despite this, the academy's entry requirements were genuinely high, and only a few succeeded in enrolling each year.
Chen Chuan naturally joined this group of peers. He observed that the students' physiques were robust, and their steps were light and quick. Regardless of gender, their muscles were subtly visible beneath their clothing.
To apply for the Wu Yi Academy, one must first possess qualified physical attributes and preferably have a foundation in martial arts. It was evident that almost everyone around him had some training.
Although Chen Chuan had a slightly better physique and was taller, he had never received specialized martial arts training. Compared to the other students, he was like a blank canvas. In the past, he wouldn't have considered applying to the academy, but now...
As the sun rose higher, the number of applicants increased. He was swept along with the crowd and, after four or five minutes, arrived at the main hall in front of the school's grand entrance. The square on both sides was already filled with private cars. With his limited knowledge of vehicles, he could only recognize the famous Furong domestic brand and the foreign Keti luxury cars. The remaining vehicles were also of high-end models, judging by their exterior.
Several young men and women emerged from the vehicles. It was clear that many of them had come together. Some younger ones were accompanied by adults. A common feature among them was their expensive and well-fitted attire, exuding confidence and vitality as they walked with heads held high. This stood in stark contrast to the other students.
Chen Chuan noticed a middle-aged couple walking up the steps. They took out something that resembled a silver invitation and gestured to a guide. The guide immediately bowed, and soon, a senior staff member from the school came forward to greet them enthusiastically.
Chen Chuan glanced at the item in their hands, deep in thought.
"What's that?" a curious student asked.
"Is this your first time taking the exam?" an older candidate replied as he walked alongside. "That's a recommendation voucher. With that, you can enroll directly without taking the exam." He couldn't help but show a hint of envy on his face.
To enter the Wu Yi Academy, one could either take the entrance exam or be recommended. However, the latter was not an option for commoners, as recommenders were usually social elites, officials, and the wealthy.
In fact, most students from commoner backgrounds had no idea about recommendation vouchers until that day.
Chen Chuan and the other candidates stood on the side, watching the confident young men and women chatting and laughing as they ascended the wide steps ahead. Someone whispered, "If we pass the exam, we can be like them too."
Everyone's hearts were filled with enthusiasm. Yes, if they passed the Wu Yi Academy entrance exam, they could change their lives and become like those peers on the steps.
Seemingly influenced by this thought, everyone's steps towards the exam venue quickened unconsciously.
After walking forward for another two hundred meters and turning a few corners, they arrived in front of an old four-story building. In the open space in front was a row of temporary desks, behind which sat senior students. As they approached, one of the seniors stood up and called out, "Candidates, please come here with your documents for registration."
All the candidates immediately dispersed and rushed towards the desk. The senior student shouted, "Slow down! What's the hurry? Come one by one. Starting today, the next fifteen days are all exam days. Everyone will get a turn. Those who break the rules or cause trouble will have their enrollment eligibility revoked!"
Hearing this, the candidates immediately calmed down and formed an orderly line.
Chen Chuan was near the front of the line and soon reached a desk. Behind it was a senior female student with a friendly demeanor. She had short hair with a neat fringe and light makeup, and her smile was sweet. When she saw Chen Chuan approach, her eyes lit up, and she slid a form towards him. "Please fill out the form according to the instructions, and pay attention to these areas without making any changes..."
She extended her fair-skinned finger and thoughtfully pointed out each area. Chen Chuan noticed that her fingers were firm when she drew lines, revealing her well-toned muscles beneath her seemingly delicate appearance.
After Chen Chuan filled in his basic information and confirmed his identity, he was required to pay a hundred yuan as the exam fee.
This amount was almost equivalent to a year's income for an average person, enough to live comfortably for two months.
After paying the fee, the female student asked Chen Chuan, "Have you had any martial arts training before?"
Chen Chuan shook his head.
"I guessed as much," she said. "It's easy to tell whether someone has trained or not by their muscle distribution and the rhythm of their movements, which are different from ordinary people. Those who know martial arts can easily distinguish this."
She added, "Chen Chuan, I don't know why you have the confidence to take this exam, but you should be careful. Soon, senior students will be arranged to spar with you, and teachers will observe and evaluate your performance. During the entrance exam, teachers focus on your adaptability rather than winning or losing. Don't be burdened; just do your best."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you, senior."
The young female student found his smile sunny and vibrant. She smiled back at him.
On the other side of the old building, several young people were approaching. One of them, a tall guy, saw the female student talking to Chen Chuan and suddenly felt a twinge of displeasure. He turned to an older student and said, "Old Liu, you're in charge of arranging the sparring partners for the entrance exam, right?
"He nodded slightly at Chen Chuan, indicating something. 'I'll deal with that kid.'"
Liu Cai, on guard, asked, "What are you planning to do?"
The tall young man didn't hide his intentions. "That little brat is always so serious. He's never smiled at me. If he smiles at that kid, I'll teach him a lesson!"
Liu Cai warned him, "Dan Xiong, don't do anything reckless."
Dan Xiong's expression turned defiant as he glared at Liu Cai and said, "Can't you just say yes or no?"
Liu Cai hesitated for a moment. Dan Xiong knew many people in higher positions, and he had unclear connections with some gang members outside the school. Most of the students applying at this time had no influential backgrounds, and Liu Cai didn't want to offend this man over a trivial matter. He nodded slightly in agreement.
Dan Xiong patted his shoulder, "Thanks, brother."
Liu Cai reminded him again, "Be careful and don't cause any trouble. Don't make things difficult for me."
Ignoring Liu Cai, Dan Xiong fixed his gaze on Chen Chuan. "I got it, brother."
After the students in front of the old building finished registering, several senior students led them inside in batches. They stopped at what appeared to be the entrance to a training ground that had been renovated. Then, they began distributing numbers and asked the students to wait outside.
It wasn't long before the training ground's doors opened, and someone started calling out numbers. Despite being mentally prepared, the students called were still extremely nervous as they cautiously entered the examination area.
Chen Chuan quickly glanced inside before the doors closed. He noticed the spacious area with smooth wooden floors. One side was covered by thick curtains, behind which students seemed to be moving around and recording something.
Not long after several students entered, the doors were pushed open again. One of the students who had just gone in was carried out on a stretcher, his face covered in blood.
A wave of exclamations rippled through the crowd of examinees.
"What's all the noise about?" a senior student reprimanded them. "Do you think Wu Yi is just any place? Screaming over a minor injury? If you can't handle it, leave now!"
The examinees fell silent.
More numbers were called, and students were summoned inside. Although none were as badly injured as the first one, most emerged with bruises, swollen faces, or other injuries. Some even had fractures.
The examinees looked anxious, and they didn't know if such severe injuries meant they had passed or not. However, no one withdrew, as this might be their only chance to change their destiny. They had come this far and were determined to give it their all.
The wait was excruciating. Chen Chuan observed many people fidgeting and others repeatedly visiting the restroom due to nerves.
After about half an hour, a student called out again, "Numbers 20, 21, and 22, enter the examination hall..."
Chen Chuan took a deep breath. Number 21 was him; it was finally his turn.
He straightened his hat brim and, under the gaze of the other examinees, walked into the examination area with a tall boy and a petite girl. As they walked together, he could hear their slightly rapid breathing.
Inside the hall, they saw three deep blue-clothed tables with several teacher-like figures seated behind them. Medical staff and over a dozen senior students stood on both sides, and the air carried a faint scent of disinfectant. The floor seemed freshly mopped, making it slightly slippery.
Upon reaching their destinations, the three students headed towards their respective tables according to their numbers. Chen Chuan walked towards the middle one, feeling his heart beat slightly faster under the scrutiny of many sharp eyes.
When he reached the marked area in front of the table, a student gestured for him to stop. Chen Chuan bowed and greeted the teachers, "Good day, teachers."
As soon as he stood there, several assistant teachers shook their heads. It was clear that Chen Chuan hadn't trained, and such students were here merely to test their luck, offering little of interest.
One teacher pointed to a table with a pen, "Place your belongings over there. During the exam, you can use long and short techniques, grappling, and choking skills, but no additional weapons or tools are allowed. Violations will result in disqualification. Understood?"
Chen Chuan nodded, "Understood, teacher."
"Hurry up and finish."
Chen Chuan moved to the side, removed his hat, and took off his shoulder bag, trying to calm his breathing.
Liu Cai stood nearby. He glanced at Chen Chuan, and although it was nothing at first, when he saw the shoulder bag, he paused, examining it closely. His mood suddenly soured.
Earlier, when he had seen Chen Chuan sitting with a table blocking his view, Liu Cai hadn't noticed the bag. But now, he could confirm it was the standard-issue bag of the Patrol Bureau, and it even had a serial number. This indicated that someone in Chen Chuan's family not only worked for the Patrol Bureau but was not an ordinary patroller.
In Yangzhi City, aside from the Ink Orchid Group's security team, the Patrol Bureau was the largest violent institution, and they were highly united internally. If something happened to this student, someone might come after Liu Cai.
He cursed under his breath, quickened his steps, and found Dan Xiong leaning against the wall. He whispered, "Let's call it off, brother. Do me this favor."
Dan Xiong turned around, his eyes now dangerous, "Are you playing me?"
Liu Cai unconsciously leaned back, explaining, "No, listen to me..."
"Examinees for the assessment duel, hurry up! What's the holdup?" a voice shouted.
It was too late to change now, so Liu Cai fell silent. Dan Xiong pointed at him, stretched his shoulders and neck, and lazily walked towards the field.
Liu Cai could only hope that Dan Xiong would go easy.
Dan Xiong put on boxing gloves and clenched his fists together. Standing in the middle of the field, he faced Chen Chuan, who had already taken his position, and smiled maliciously.
Dan Xiong had initially planned to teach Chen Chuan a lesson and vent his frustration. But after Liu Cai's warning, he decided to make Chen Chuan suffer.
Chen Chuan, sensing the malice in Dan Xiong's eyes, became cautious. He raised his fists, ready for combat.
Dan Xiong didn't even use his fists. He lifted his knee and swung his hip, delivering a high whip kick! Liu Cai's heart sank as he witnessed the kick.
Things were about to get ugly...
(End of Chapter)
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