Tower of Origin: I Evolve All Rewards

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: The Newcomer Ranking

By sunset, the first round of academy evaluations ended.

The new students gathered in the central square of Heavenly Gate Academy, waiting for their initial class placements. Some looked excited. Others were pale from exhaustion. A few had already received healing for broken ribs, twisted wrists, or spiritual shock from the Tower Adaptation Test. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Heavenly Gate Academy did not comfort students with gentle words.

From the first day, it taught them a simple truth.

The Tower would be worse.

Instructor Han Shuren stood on the front platform while several other instructors arranged crystal tablets beside him. Each tablet displayed names, scores, and class recommendations.

The academy’s class system was direct.

Ordinary Class.

Awakened Class.

Elite Class.

Core Class.

Hidden Seed List.

Most students would enter Ordinary or Awakened Class. Those with better performance could enter Elite Class. Core Class was reserved for those with exceptional talent, background, or proven ability. As for the Hidden Seed List, it was not publicly announced.

Only the academy’s upper management knew those names.

Han Shuren looked across the square.

"Your first evaluation is complete. Class placement is not permanent. The academy updates rankings every month. Those who improve can rise. Those who become complacent will fall."

The students became quiet.

"Remember this. Your starting point is not your final height."

Qin Yuheng stood among the Qin family youths.

Qin Yuchen’s result had been excellent. His Stat Pressure Test reached the fifth section, his Combat Puppet Test received strong praise, and his Tower Adaptation Test lasted nine minutes. For a sixteen-year-old, that was extremely good.

Qin Lian also performed well, especially in perception and evasive combat.

Qin Mo’s results were strange. His physical tests were average, but his formation manipulation during the puppet test caused several instructors to argue for a special note.

Qin Yuheng waited calmly.

The first tablet lit up.

Ordinary Class.

Names appeared.

Then Awakened Class.

Many students released sighs of relief when they saw their names.

Then Elite Class.

The atmosphere tightened.

Elite Class Placement:

Wei Chen

Lin Xian’er

Qin Yuchen

Qin Lian

Qin Mo

...

Qin Mo blinked. "They actually put me in Elite Class?"

Qin Lian glanced at him. "You froze a combat puppet with dust."

"That was an accident."

"No, it was not."

Qin Mo sighed. "Troublesome."

Qin Yuchen looked at Qin Yuheng. "Your name has not appeared."

Qin Yuheng nodded.

That meant one of two possibilities.

Either Core Class.

Or special observation.

The Core Class tablet lit up.

Only a few names appeared.

Core Class Placement:

Zhao Tianyu

Wei Chen

Lin Xian’er

Qin Yuheng

...

The square erupted.

"Qin Yuheng?"

"He entered Core Class?"

"Wasn’t he awakened through a Talent Fruit?"

"His Tower Adaptation Test was twelve minutes. The academy must value that."

"Still, Core Class?"

Zhao Tianyu stared at the tablet, his face dark.

He had expected to stand above Qin Yuheng clearly. Instead, both names appeared in the same class. Worse, many students were whispering about Qin Yuheng’s adaptation result.

Lin Xian’er, a young woman in pale green robes, turned her gaze toward Qin Yuheng.

She was eighteen, with clear eyes and a composed expression. The Lin family was known for trade, politics, and information networks. Unlike Zhao Tianyu, she did not show open hostility.

She studied Qin Yuheng for a moment, then smiled faintly.

Not mockery.

Interest.

Wei Chen, a tall youth with a broad frame and metallic-gray training armor, also looked over. His expression was serious and direct.

He gave Qin Yuheng a small nod.

Qin Yuheng returned it.

Han Shuren waited for the noise to settle.

"Class placement determines your initial training resources, instructor access, and mission priority. But do not misunderstand. Core Class students will face higher standards and more dangerous trials."

His gaze swept across Zhao Tianyu, Wei Chen, Lin Xian’er, and Qin Yuheng.

"If you cannot endure pressure, Core Class will crush you faster than Ordinary Class."

No one spoke.

Han Shuren continued, "Tomorrow, all Core and Elite students will attend the first Tower Theory lecture. Three days later, the academy will conduct the Newcomer Trial in Black Iron Training Valley."

The students immediately reacted.

"Newcomer Trial?"

"So soon?"

"I thought we would train for at least a month!"

Han Shuren’s voice became cold.

"Do you think monsters will wait until you are comfortable?"

The square fell silent.

"The Newcomer Trial will not be inside the real Tower, but the danger is not fake. You will form teams of three to six. Your goal is to collect Trial Tokens, monster cores, and resource markers. Injuries are expected. Cowardice will be recorded."

His final words landed heavily.

"Prepare yourselves."

After dismissal, students began gathering into groups.

Family members naturally grouped together.

Zhao Tianyu was immediately surrounded by Zhao-affiliated youths.

Wei Chen’s side attracted several serious-looking students.

Lin Xian’er spoke with two young women from allied families but did not commit immediately.

Qin Yuheng turned to his cousins.

"Our team will be four people. Me, Yuchen, Qin Lian, Qin Mo."

Qin Mo raised a hand weakly. "Can I refuse?"

"No."

"I expected that."

Qin Lian asked, "Should we include Qin Ruyan or Qin Feng?"

"They are older students. This is a new student trial. They may observe but cannot join."

Qin Yuchen said, "Zhao Tianyu will likely target us."

"Not likely," Qin Yuheng said. "Certainly."

Qin Mo rubbed his forehead. "Troublesome people always choose troublesome methods."

Qin Lian’s voice was calm. "Should we avoid conflict?"

Qin Yuheng looked toward the setting sun.

"Not completely."

The others looked at him.

He said, "If we avoid everything, they will think we are afraid. If we fight too directly, we expose too much. The best result is to let them prepare a trap and then lose more than they expected."

Qin Yuchen’s eyes sharpened.

"You want to use them."

Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.

"If someone insists on giving us pressure, we should at least turn it into value."

At that moment, footsteps approached.

"Qin Yuheng."

The speaker was Lin Xian’er.

She stopped a few steps away, graceful and calm. Her gaze briefly passed over Qin Yuchen, Qin Lian, and Qin Mo before returning to Qin Yuheng.

"Congratulations on entering Core Class."

Qin Yuheng nodded. "You as well."

Lin Xian’er smiled. "Your Tower Adaptation Test was impressive."

"It was only a test."

"Tests reveal habits," she said. "Most people fight when they should observe and run when they should think. You did not."

Qin Yuheng looked at her.

This Lin family young lady was sharper than the rumors suggested.

"What do you want to say?" he asked.

Lin Xian’er did not seem offended by his directness.

"The Zhao family has been moving frequently. They will not let the Newcomer Trial pass peacefully. If your Qin team needs information, the Lin family can sell it at a fair price."

Qin Mo muttered, "At least she is honest about selling."

Lin Xian’er smiled. "Information given for free is either worthless or bait."

Qin Yuheng’s opinion of her improved slightly.

"What price?"

"For this time, none."

Qin Yuheng raised an eyebrow.

Lin Xian’er said, "Consider it an investment. Zhao Tianyu plans to cooperate with two teams and force your group toward the western ridge of Black Iron Training Valley. That area has more Ironhide Wolves than usual."

Qin Lian’s eyes narrowed.

Qin Yuchen asked, "Why tell us?"

"Because the Lin family does not want the Zhao family to grow too smoothly," Lin Xian’er answered. "And because Qin Yuheng is more interesting than the rumors."

Qin Yuheng looked at her for a moment.

"Thank you."

Lin Xian’er nodded and left.

Qin Mo watched her back.

"She is dangerous."

Qin Lian said, "But useful."

Qin Yuchen looked at Qin Yuheng. "Do you trust the information?"

"Partially."

"Then what do we do?"

Qin Yuheng’s eyes were calm.

"We go to the western ridge."

Qin Yuze would have shouted in surprise.

Qin Yuchen only thought for a moment before understanding.

"If there are more monsters, there are more cores."

Qin Lian added, "And fewer ordinary students."

Qin Mo sighed deeply.

"And more trouble."

Qin Yuheng smiled.

"Exactly."

That night, when Qin Yuheng returned to the Qin Estate, Qin Wanshan listened to his report without interruption.

After hearing about the Newcomer Trial, the old man nodded.

"Black Iron Training Valley is controlled by the academy. The danger is limited, but not absent."

Qin Zhengyuan said, "Zhao Tianyu will act."

"I know," Qin Yuheng replied.

Mu Qinglan looked at him. "Do you need anything?"

Qin Yuheng thought for a moment.

"Weapons, basic recovery pills, antidotes, and information on Black Iron Training Valley."

Qin Wanshan smiled faintly.

"Good. You asked for preparation, not protection."

Qin Yuheng said, "The trial must be completed by us."

Qin Wanshan’s gaze carried approval.

"Tomorrow, go to the family’s resource room."

He paused.

"You may choose three items."

Qin Yuheng’s panel seemed to flicker in response.

Three items.

Three possible evolutions.

The Newcomer Trial had not yet begun, but Qin Yuheng already felt the shape of his first real opportunity.