Mary's Power Values had reached an astounding 21!
Not just the highest in their class—she was in a league of her own even when compared to students from the entire school.
If she could maintain her current rate of growth, it was entirely possible she'd be admitted into one of the four Capital Universities.
To the entire school, Mary was undoubtedly a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
But after the shockwave of her results, the rest of the students' Power Values paled in comparison.
One by one, more results ca in, all rather average and unremarkable.
Finally, it was Link's turn.
He walked up to the testing machine with calm composure.
Glancing around, he noticed that aside from Max, who was still cheering for him, no other students seed to pay him any attention.
That was only natural—Link had always been a low-profile student who kept to himself. He didn't have a wide social circle, and most people barely noticed his presence.
Just like everyone else, he placed his hand on the crystal of the testing machine.
What happened next, however, left everyone utterly speechless.
"Link, Power Values: 105!!!"
The voice from the machine was as chanical and unassuming as ever.
Yet the mont that number echoed through the hall, the entire school—including the principal of Yilan Middle School—was frozen in shock.
Expressions of disbelief spread like wildfire across the faces of teachers and students alike. For a mont, they all questioned whether they'd misheard the result.
Several teachers in charge of operating the machine imdiately rushed over, checking the equipnt thoroughly.
"No malfunction detected."
The teachers exchanged looks, nodding to confirm that the machine was operating normally.
And that only made the situation even more shocking.
Because it ant one thing—
Link had gone from an ordinary student to a Level 1 Esper in just one month!
Such a teoric rise was completely unheard of in the school's entire history!
Everyone was stunned.
Their gazes, like a wave, turned in unison toward Link.
If he could maintain this kind of progress, what kind of terrifying strength would he have in five months?
No one could have predicted this.
The seemingly unremarkable student who had always sat quietly in class had suddenly exploded onto the scene like a bolt from the heavens—
Instantly becoming one of humanity's rare, peerless geniuses.
In that instant, even Mary of the prestigious House of Rosewood faded into the background.
Last year, during the national Spiritual Powers Grand Exam, the student who ranked first in the kingdom was only a Level 1 Esper.
In other words, even if Link stopped training entirely for the next five months and just lay in bed all day, he could still very well end up being the national top scorer!
At that mont, many students couldn't help but feel a crushing sense of defeat.
Link was their classmate. They sat in the sa classroom, listened to the sa lectures.
And yet, now there was an insurmountable gulf between them.
Most of them would probably never reach Level 1 Esper in their entire lives.
After all, cultivation was like rowing upstream—if you don't advance, you fall back.
To beco an esper, one had to train diligently. But as one aged, the body's potential declined steadily.
Unless soone made significant progress before a certain age threshold, the window of opportunity would close.
That was why even after a lifeti of effort, many people never managed to reach Level 1 Esper.
Even in Yilan Middle School, nearly half the faculty hadn't made it to that level!
And yet Link—
Soone who had only just awakened his talent, with barely a month of training under his belt—
Had already reached heights they had failed to touch in decades!
After a mont of stunned silence, Max was the first to break into a loud cheer.
"Link, you're incredible!!"
"I knew it! I knew you were a real genius all along!"
With Max's shout, the rest of the students also erupted into excitent.
If Link had only been slightly stronger than them, perhaps they would've felt jealousy.
But this wasn't a matter of being "slightly" stronger—
Link was now at a level so far above them that they couldn't even see his shadow.
That vast difference left no room for envy—only admiration and awe.
They knew, deep down, that they were no longer on the sa level. Even if they had once sat in the sa classroom.
This was human nature.
Link, anwhile, felt a little out of place.
He wasn't used to being the center of attention.
For so many years, he had lived in the shadows, never once experiencing the feeling of being surrounded by admiration.
After he stepped down from the machine, Max imdiately ran over, eyes sparkling with excitent.
"Link! From today on, you're my shield! If anyone dares to bully , I'll just drop your na!"
"Oh, co on. I'm just a humble Level 1 Esper," Link muttered, his lips twitching slightly.
The other students began to gather around him, eyes full of respect and admiration.
"Link, how did you do it? Can you share your training tips with us?"
"Of course! We're all classmates—no need to be formal."
Just then, Mary walked over, her face calm and serene, with a slight smile on her lips.
"Congratulations, Link."
"Huh? Oh—thank you."
Link nodded politely.
He and Mary had barely interacted before, but since she ca over to offer congratulations, it was only right to respond in kind.
What he didn't expect, however, was how the entire class imdiately started casting him suspicious, teasing glances.
"Link, you're on fire! Not only are you insanely strong, even Mary is talking to you now!"
After all, Mary was known for being cold and aloof.
She rarely interacted with any male students, let alone initiated conversation.
"Hey Link... do you think maybe Mary's got a thing for you?"
Max gave him a playful wink, wearing a full-on gossip-loving expression.
"Don't be ridiculous. She just said hi, that's all," Link replied, rolling his eyes.
Truthfully, Link had no particular interest in Mary.
Ever since he'd received that mysterious notebook, his mind had been consud by one goal:
Finding a way to prevent humanity's extinction.
Romance? Love? He simply didn't have ti for such distractions.
Just as he was contemplating how to request a recomndation letter from the teacher,
sothing unexpected happened.
The teacher walked straight up to him.
"Link, you did exceptionally well today."
Link smiled and gave a modest reply.
The teacher patted his shoulder firmly and continued.
"Are you free right now? If so, co with to the administration building."
"Your performance has drawn the principal's attention. He'd like to speak with you personally."
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