The purpose of Xin Huo is never to cultivate muscle-bound brutes, but rather highly qualified individuals well-rounded in intellect, morals, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor.
Even setting that aside, to deal with anomalies, one must understand their characteristics, combat methods, and weaknesses. Rushing in blindly to fight an anomaly to the death is the act of a barbarian.
Therefore, the course "Introduction to Anomalies from Scratch" is a mandatory subject for all trainees; no one can escape it.
This single course alone comprises three textbooks: "Volume I," "Volume II," and "Volume III." The latter two are advanced texts and also mandatory. Whether there will be volumes IV, V, VI, and VII in the future is uncertain.
It's highly probable there will be!
Another course, "Mysticism and Awakening," teaches newcomers to perceive the world from a mystical perspective and understand what awakening entails. This is also mandatory.
The course "Basic Analysis of Materials" aims to enable trainees to recognize some mystical materials at a glance. After all, one cannot afford to miss a treasure trove simply because they can't identify it.
Thus, it is also a mandatory subject.
Mystical materials courses also have advanced versions, but those are not mandatory.
These three mystical courses, along with "Passing on the Torch," constitute the four fundamental mandatory courses. They accompany every newcomer to the Xin Huo base, offering them caring guidance. Some senior trainees, even after awakening and excelling in combat skills, are forced to return to the base for re-examinations due to failing their cultural courses.
"Actually, the seven or eight textbooks we need to study are just for mandatory courses. If we include electives, there are probably dozens of textbooks."
"Are there that many textbooks?"
"Of course there are!"
Yu Bai Bai explained, "If you want to join the medical department, you have to plow through at least ten related textbooks, and that's not including modern medical textbooks outside of mysticism."
"It's similar for the forging department and the cultivation department."
He stated this with certainty because he had tried it himself!
There are many young ladies in the medical department, and the department head, the legendary Silver Bell, is a goddess possessing both beauty and wisdom. Who wouldn't want to join such a department?
Yu Bai Bai tentatively inquired, and in response, a stack of textbooks, half his height, was placed before him.
"This is the first part; feel free to self-study."
"Of course, little fatty. If you can awaken a professionally compatible ability, the medical department will extend an invitation to you."
Yu Bai Bai left dejectedly.
He then tried to strive for the cultivation major. Studying medicine has always been difficult, but farming shouldn't be, right?
As a result, a pile of mysterious plant books was slammed down on him.
Yu Bai Bai declared he couldn't afford to mess with it.
"Studying cultural courses is truly difficult."
Ye Luo nodded in agreement, "I'd rather triple my training volume than memorize mystical materials."
Yu Bai Bai: "???" That's not the kind of talk you should be having, brother.
Ye Luo looked at the large cardboard box in the胖子's hands, "You say these are new textbooks, for which class?"
"It seems to be for the General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm course, but it's an advanced textbook."
"Advanced textbook, huh."
The General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm course is also mandatory.
However, it's usually only studied by awakened individuals. Ye Luo is currently learning it in the beginner class.
This is also one of the few courses he enjoys. He is exceptionally curious about the mysterious and vast anomalous realm, and this course gradually peels back its veils.
It's a shame, though, that he's still in the basic class. To attend the advanced course, he needs to pass the basic class assessment, and there might be other prerequisites.
In the evening,
it was time for the "General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm" class. Ye Luo wiped the sweat from his body, grabbed his backpack containing textbooks, and hurried from the training grounds to the teaching building.
He was heading to this particular teaching building where all the classes were teaching the General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm. The only difference was the progress of different classes, and some were remedial classes for graduated students.
He glanced at the adjacent building, which was also brightly lit. But he remembered this building was dark last night?
Now, not only was it bright, but people were gathered around.
Ye Luo checked his phone. There were still five minutes until class started—it only took 30 seconds to run from here to the classroom—so he went to join the crowd.
"Brother, is there any special event here?"
"No event, you must be from the latest batch of newcomers."
The young man looked at him a couple of times, seemingly asking, but his tone was very certain.
Was it that obvious?
I'm at least an awakened individual; there should be a difference in aura from a newcomer.
Ye Luo was puzzled.
The young man chuckled and said, "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sun Hao. I'm a senior trainee from the ninth batch of the Xin Huo training camp; well, I'm already a graduate."
"As for why I'm certain you're a complete novice, it's simple. The advanced class of the General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm course starts every three days. If you stayed here for a few more days, you wouldn't find it strange."
"Uh..."
Ye Luo looked at the surrounding trainees who seemed like they were about to chase a star, still not understanding, "What does the advanced class have to do with them?"
"It has a lot to do with it. You don't know the enrollment requirements for this advanced class, do you? Besides passing the prerequisite courses, you must also be a dual awakener."
"In other words, everyone who can attend this advanced class is a powerhouse, and they are all returning senior students who graduated some time ago. This advanced class is also called the 'Big Shot Class'."
Sun Hao shook his head regretfully, "I'm still a little short of a second awakening, otherwise I could attend the advanced class now."
So that's how it is.
Ye Luo somewhat understood why there were so many people. Witnessing the big shots up close was indeed a rare opportunity.
But who were these big shots?
Having only joined the camp for just over a day, Ye Luo didn't have a clear grasp of the organization's big shots. That was until he saw a familiar figure.
Big Shot Luo!
Luo Jianxing, the big shot in charge of the newcomer reception area, was now walking towards the teaching building with a textbook tucked under his arm, just like an ordinary trainee.
He was even chatting and laughing with another person.
They must be big shots of the same caliber! So these are the students of the Big Shot Class!
"Who is that big shot?"
"That's Big Shot Luo Rui. He seems to work in the intelligence department."
Ye Luo silently took note.
Suddenly, exclamations erupted from the surroundings. He followed the sound and saw a figure flying on a sword.
The person stepped onto a wide, door-like greatsword. Faint light flowed on the sword's surface. Their clothes were a striking silver-white, glittering under the night sky. They also wore a necklace and bracelets, and a silver crown inlaid with jewels.
They flew their sword to the ground below the teaching building, stepped lightly onto the ground, and the greatsword flew up on its own, settling onto the sword sheath on their back.
Without looking back, they walked straight into the teaching building and disappeared from the sight of the onlookers, leaving behind a wave of awe.
"Who is this big shot? Such a powerful aura!" Ye Luo gasped.
"That's Big Shot Jiang Nian from the second batch of recruits. Her presence... is indeed astonishing."
Sun Hao pouted, "Look at that girl; she's from Sakura Country."
"She's so kawaii!"
Yu Bai Bai popped out, holding a small notebook, "What's her name?"
Sun Hao glanced at the胖子, "Her name is Yueqi Wuka. The key isn't whether she's pretty or not; that girl is ice-cold... Cough, the important thing is that just ten days ago she was an ordinary person, and now she's a member of the Big Shot Class."
She wore a simple white training uniform, unadorned except for a sword at her waist.
As she walked, her cold, frosty aura forced the onlookers to make way.
One by one, the students of the advanced class entered.
The new and semi-new trainees gathered were truly widening their horizons.
So this is what a big shot is like.
...
Inside the teaching building, in the corridors, the big shots in the eyes of the students were already picking up their textbooks and doing some pre-reading.
Awakened individuals have strong spiritual power and abundant energy, so they learn quite quickly.
Although those who dislike studying still dislike studying.
Luo Jianxing flipped through the textbook with a bitter expression; he belonged to the group of those who disliked studying.
"I haven't even finished the last textbook, and now there's a new one! It's not like they'll release another new textbook soon, right?"
"Alas, just study."
Luo Rui adjusted his decorative glasses frame, making himself appear knowledgeable and eager to learn.
Although he wasn't a top student, as long as he stood with the slackers, well, he was the top student.
He was also pre-reading.
Most of the time in the advanced General Knowledge of the Anomalous Realm course was self-study. They gathered together to exchange ideas and compiled their questions to submit.
In the next class, the teaching assistants would provide them with the answers.
"However, I heard that today's class is a bit different and might involve a practical session, with a teacher present."
"A teacher? Are you sure?"
Luo Jianxing was astonished, "Does your intelligence department have some information? Spill it!"
"We really don't have any."
Luo Rui waved his hand, "This isn't classified intelligence, but I genuinely don't know. I just heard that today's class is very important, and those who took leave and didn't come will probably cry."
"Then who do you think will be our teacher? Will it be a mentor?"
Most of the current textbooks were compiled by mentors, but mentors are rarely seen in person.
Probably not.
Luo Jianxing really wanted to discuss it, but the self-study time had begun, and the large classroom became silent. He could only force himself to focus on his textbook.
"Spatial Elements of the Anomalous Realm."
"Precautions when traversing the Anomalous Realm."
"Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong are ten kilometers apart in the real world. After entering the Anomalous Realm, Xiao Ming moved 5 kilometers eastward, and Xiao Hong moved 3 kilometers westward. Now, please calculate, how many kilometers apart are they?"
Isn't it two?
Luo Jianxing turned the page; the specific answer was here.
12 kilometers, 11 kilometers, 8 kilometers, 6 kilometers, 2 kilometers, 0 kilometers.
All of the above are correct answers, but they are not the only correct answers.
"So this is the strangeness of the Anomalous Realm's space?"
"If you study the advanced course well, you can travel anywhere in the Anomalous Realm. Slackers can't even get out the door, right!"
Luo Jianxing felt once again persecuted.
But the Anomalous Realm was vast and full of treasures. He would definitely have to go in the future. Not going would mean falling behind others. He could only grit his teeth, force open his drooping eyelids, and continue to pore over the textbook before him.
The lines of text seemed like distorted musical notes, singing a slumberous melody.
Luo Jianxing drifted off.
Suddenly, his keen hearing caught the sound of footsteps approaching from afar.
His spirit perked up, and he instantly woke up, his eyes wide as he gazed at the entrance of this large classroom. A slender figure came into view.
The teacher for the exploration class had arrived.