Free Web NovelChapter 20: Chapter 20: The Three Major Benefits
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yan Hong!"
Yan Hong wrote her name on the blackboard. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"I was the homeroom teacher for the original Class 3 and I teach Chinese. From now on, I will also be the homeroom teacher for the Elite Class."
"We’ll be spending the next year together, and I hope we can all have a pleasant one."
CLAP CLAP CLAP!!
Jiangtao led the applause, and the classroom filled with the sound of clapping.
After she finished speaking, Yan Hong turned on the projector.
"The Elite Class brings together the fifty most outstanding students of our No. 2 Middle School."
"You will have access to the best faculty, with the top teacher for every subject."
"This is to ensure your academic scores can steadily improve."
"In addition to that, as students of the Elite Class, you all have three special benefits."
"First is the Independent Martial Arts Room. Teacher Zhang has already told you about this. Only the top thirty in the grade can enjoy this privilege."
"Second is for meals. All students will receive a 20% discount on nutritional meals in the cafeteria."
"Third is the grade-level scholarship. Only those ranked in the top fifty of the grade are eligible for a scholarship."
"Ranks 50 to 35: 10,000 Xia Country Coins!"
"Ranks 34 to 20: 20,000 Xia Country Coins!"
"Ranks 19 to 11: 30,000 Xia Country Coins!"
"Ranks 10 to 4: 50,000 Xia Country Coins each!"
"The top three: 100,000 Xia Country Coins each!"
"You heard that right. The scholarship amounts have been significantly increased compared to your second year. You will all receive your scholarship money this afternoon."
A chart appeared on the projector, clearly displaying the three major benefits and the scholarship amounts.
The moment Yan Hong’s voice faded, the classroom erupted in discussion.
"The scholarship money actually went up! I’m ranked 31st, so I’ll get 20,000. That’s a huge amount of money."
"Brother Qi, I can get 30,000! The school is really generous."
Jiangtao’s expression was also one of excitement.
Lin Qi’s heart also burned with excitement, his mind racing as he frantically did the math.
’The benefits in the Elite Class really are great.’ A 20% discount on food meant he could save 20 coins on a 100-coin nutritional meal, which added up to 40 coins a day.
That was 280 Xia Country Coins saved per week, enough to buy two boxes of Qi and Blood Capsules. It was like pure profit for him.
And then there was the scholarship. He was ranked 45th and would still get 10,000 in scholarship money.
That was equivalent to five of his part-time sparring partner jobs, money he could use to buy more resources.
"Of course, don’t get too happy just yet."
"Just because you’ve entered the Elite Class doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels."
Yan Hong threw a bucket of cold water on their excitement, her expression turning serious as she scanned the students and said:
"In three weeks, there will be the joint monthly exam for all high schools in Celestial Sea City. If you drop out of the grade’s top fifty, then I’m sorry, but you will have to leave the Elite Class. Another student will take your place."
"All the benefits and privileges you’ve been enjoying will be gone."
Many students’ expressions grew solemn, especially those ranked below 30th. Those ranked around 40th were in the most danger, at constant risk of being surpassed.
Yang Lei lost his former confidence, his face showing anxiety and nervousness.
In Class 3, he was in the top ten, but in the Elite Class, he was at the very bottom of the pack.
"As for the students at the top, your goal is to climb higher. You must not only surpass your classmates."
"You must also compete for a higher ranking among all the third-year students in Celestial Sea City."
After speaking, Yan Hong’s gaze swept over the top ten students in the class, lingering especially on the top three: Qi Yuelin, Yu Jing, and Li Zhou.
Now, even those in the top 30 couldn’t remain calm.
This was especially true for the geniuses in the top ten. They were the absolute best at No. 2 Middle School, but that wasn’t necessarily the case for the entirety of Celestial Sea City.
Everyone felt a strong desire to improve.
In an instant, the intensity in the room ratcheted up.
"Very good. As a Martial Artist, you must have a competitive spirit."
Yan Hong nodded in satisfaction.
"Class dismissed. Anyone applying for a ’Genius Loan’ can come with me to get an application form."
Jiangtao let out a breath and said, "Brother Qi, this is your chance. You have to seize it."
Lin Qi nodded. An acquaintance, Chen Zichuan, was also going, and the two of them followed Yan Hong out of the classroom.
As the grade-level lead for the third-year Chinese teachers, Yan Hong had her own private office.
It was an ordinary office, only five or six square meters in size. After sitting down, Yan Hong took two forms out of a black drawer and handed them over.
"Fill these out."
Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan sat on the sofa and began filling out the forms.
"This isn’t the first time either of you has filled out this application."
"Both of your previous applications were rejected, but now that you’re in the Elite Class, there’s a high probability your Genius Loan will be approved."
Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan looked up at the same time, glancing at each other.
Lin Qi hadn’t expected the other boy to have gone through the same experience.
"The Genius Loan is specifically designed for students like you from low-income families."
"We’ve already investigated your family incomes, and there are no issues there. Now, it all comes down to your grades."
"Lin Qi, Chen Zichuan, your Talent isn’t bad at all. You just lack resources."
"Chen Zichuan, you improved from 70th to 50th in the grade, a jump of 20 ranks."
"And Lin Qi, you’re even more impressive. You went directly from 101st to 45th, an improvement of a full 56 ranks. That’s especially incredible; it’s rarely seen in the history of our No. 2 Middle School."
Yan Hong remarked with admiration. Chen Zichuan once again looked up at Lin Qi in surprise.
Lin Qi calmly stood up and submitted his application form, saying:
"No matter how fast I improve, I’m still just 45th in the grade. It’s nothing to brag about."
"Well said!"
Yan Hong nodded in praise, then added:
"Now that you’re in your third year, the Genius Loan process is accelerated. It should be approved in a week at the earliest, or half a month at the latest."
"Understood!"
Soon, Lin Qi and Chen Zichuan left the office. Neither of them spoke in the hallway, but Lin Qi felt that the two of them could now be considered acquaintances.
Meanwhile, in the office, Yan Hong looked at the application forms and murmured to herself:
"Chen Zichuan’s Talent is good; a third-tier Genius Loan shouldn’t be a problem."
"But Lin Qi is a bit strange. I feel like his Talent might be even better. Is this a case of accumulating strength for a final burst, or is he just a flash in the pan?"
"Lin Qi’s progress over the last year has been remarkable. Maybe he’s worthy of a second-tier Genius Loan?"
With this in mind, she opened her computer, typed a few things, and sent a file to someone.
...
「Principal’s Office」
BEEP!
The burly Jiang Zhiguang hadn’t even brought the tea in his hand to his lips when he saw the projected file.
After taking a quick sip, he clicked to open the two projected application forms.
"Genius Loan application forms?"
"Chen Zichuan and Lin Qi."
Jiang Zhiguang quickly scanned the file, his eyes soon stopping on a line of text: "Recommendation: Apply for a second-tier Genius Loan!"
"A recommendation?" freēwēbnovel.com
A smile appeared on his face as he muttered to himself:
"What’s there to recommend? If he can apply for a second-tier, then he should. Whether it succeeds is one thing, but whether we apply or not is another."
"It won’t just be Lin Qi applying; Chen Zichuan should apply for one too."
With that, he amended the application forms and sent them out again.
WHOOSH—
After finishing, Jiang Zhiguang let out a breath and stroked a brown flowerpot on his desk, which still contained only soil.
"When will our No. 2 Middle School finally produce a genius who has an Awakened Special Ability?"
"Even one without a Special Ability would be fine, as long as their Talent is high enough."
"..."
...
「Second Floor of the Celestial Sea No. 2 Middle School Cafeteria」
BEEP!
"Payment of 80 coins complete!"
At the food counter, Lin Qi swiped his student card, then took his tray and found a place to sit.
’It really is discounted. It used to be 100 coins, but now it’s only 80.’
A satisfied smile appeared on Lin Qi’s face. He had effectively earned 20 coins from one meal.
"Brother Qi, after we eat, come to my Martial Arts Room for a nap."
"From now on, you can come train in my Martial Arts Room too. It’s spacious enough, and the old teach said the school allows it," Jiangtao, sitting across from him, suggested.
"Okay!"
Lin Qi didn’t refuse.
BEEP!
His phone vibrated and the screen lit up. Lin Qi picked up his ancient smartphone.
It was a text message.
[Your ICBC card ending in xxx received a deposit of 10,000.00 on Sep 8 at 12:02. Current balance: 13,445.12.]
’The scholarship money came through!’
...
