Chapter 16: A Bit Stronger

Lu Chen stepped onto the track but didn't start immediately. Instead, he looked at Professor Mans and politely asked, "May I ask, sir, what is the highest record in the history of this test at the academy?"

Mans looked at Lu Chen. He knew this child, a new student recruited by Schneider, and heard that his file had already been tagged with an AA-level seal for archiving.

"The current highest record within the academy system is 6.113 seconds."

Lu Chen was the last one, and even if he said a few more words, it wouldn't affect the other students' tests. Mans was patient enough for this and looked at Lu Chen with interest. Asking such a question, Lu Chen was probably prepared to challenge the record.

"Is it the principal? I heard he's an S-level, the strongest dragon slayer."

Lu Chen asked.

"No, the principal has not undergone this type of test. The record was left by a former S-level student a few years ago."

As he said this, Mans seemed to recall something, and his gaze revealed a hint of regret.

"I see. Thank you, sir."

Lu Chen nodded, then turned his gaze to the track, slightly lowering his body. However, instead of starting, there was a moment of silence as everyone, including the new students, watched him closely.

Lu Chen wasn't adjusting his state; he was estimating in his mind what approximately 6.113 seconds would be like. Running too slow might affect the goal of completing the task, and running too fast might be seen as abnormal and attract unwanted attention.

Taking a deep breath, he lowered his body even more.

As a dove flew overhead, a gust of wind surged.

His shadow swept across the track, stirring up the remaining dust on the ground until the shadow reached the end and slowly descended.

Like the wind, like lightning—these were the words in everyone's minds.

"Beep—"

Only when the sound rang out from the computer did the new students come back to their senses, watching Professor Mans and waiting for the result.

"5.981 seconds."

Mans muttered the result, looking towards Lu Chen who was strolling back from a distance. Suddenly, he understood why Schneider had been in such a good mood these past two days.

This boy... was very likely an S-level, long unseen!

The new students facing Lu Chen's direction burst into applause. They were elites, but they also respected those who were even more elite than themselves.

A difference of 2 seconds in a hundred-meter dash might not seem significant, but when placed among ordinary people where some might run 12 seconds and others 14 seconds, the difference wasn't that big. However, as the speed increased, it became increasingly difficult to close the gap, just like the records in the Olympics, often separated by only 0.01 seconds, becoming a chasm that a generation struggled to cross.

And to shorten it by another two seconds within 8 seconds, compared with Lance's comparison, it was not just a concept of being one-third stronger in physical fitness, but being twice as strong, or even more!

In that instant, these A-level new students keenly felt the pressure. They might have to spend their four years of college life with an S-level hybrid far exceeding their level of excellence.

"You're a bit 'stronger' than expected," remarked Chu Zihang, looking at Lu Chen as he returned to the queue. Even with his reserved demeanor, he couldn't help but express his thoughts.

Lu Chen smiled but didn't say anything.

In the eyes of others, it was a confident yet humble smile, accepting the honor he deserved without deliberately undermining others. It was no wonder he was an S-level; he also had outstanding character traits.

"The physical test is over. You can take these days to familiarize yourselves with the campus or preview the required courses."

Professor Mans instructed the workers to pack up the equipment and announced the dispersal.

Most of the new students gathered around Lu Chen, introducing themselves one by one, getting to know each other.

Lu Chen didn't distance himself from them either. He knew that these hybrids didn't rely primarily on physical fitness as their main weapon; their strength also depended on Linguistics. Therefore, he wouldn't completely underestimate them.

Besides, he rarely had the chance to live again in this world, so now was the time to experience campus life; of course, he wouldn't deliberately exclude others.

After chatting for a while, he excused himself, claiming he wanted to go back and change clothes.

This also made the new students realize something they had overlooked before: Lu Chen was actually wearing a school uniform!

Although Cassell College's uniform was tasteful, aristocratic, and even made of special fabric that was fireproof and bulletproof, it was by no means the best attire for a hundred-meter dash.

If Lu Chen changed into lightweight sportswear, could he run even faster?

This question lingered in everyone's minds.

"Do you really like wearing the school uniform?"

On the way to the dormitory, Chu Zihang looked at Lu Chen's clothes.

"Are you asking why I didn't change into sportswear?"

After spending some time together, he found Chu Zihang quite interesting. Some things he wouldn't directly ask, but from a different perspective, he could see the other's hidden curiosity, which didn't match his poker face at all.

"It's not what you think. I didn't wear the school uniform to look cooler or anything. I only wore it because it's the only outfit I have right now. After today, I don't plan on going out until I've washed it."

Lu Chen explained that he had only remembered his training clothes after arriving at the dormitory the day before. He texted Lutixia, but was told they had been thrown away... thrown away.

Lu Chen was a bit regretful. He actually thought that outfit was pretty good.

So now he didn't even have spare clothes to change into.

"In fact, you could have borrowed some from me. My dad bought me a lot of new sportswear, and I haven't worn any of them."

Chu Zihang looked at Lu Chen with a somewhat regretful expression, as if he felt that Lu Chen could have performed even better today.

Lu Chen looked at Chu Zihang's indifferent gaze and realized he had misunderstood. He truly was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Dad... that would be nice. Too bad I don't have a family.

"Well, thanks a lot, Chu. Just lend me some casual clothes to replace the school uniform. I'll repay you when I have money."

Lu Chen thanked him. There was no need to reject all kindness; just keep it in mind.

"Chu? What's that?"

Chu Zihang muttered to himself, feeling a bit strange. He thought Lu Chen was like someone who had traveled through a martial arts film.

"Oh, it was a slip of the tongue."

Lu Chen realized he had just said it without thinking. Old habits die hard.

"It's nothing. If... if you find it comfortable calling me that, then let's go with it."

Chu Zihang also changed his address, although it seemed a bit juvenile, it actually sounded more pleasant than calling him "XX classmate."

Back in the dormitory, Fingal was still sleeping soundly, probably from staying up late playing games. When Chu Zihang brought over the clothes, he saw this scene and knew it wasn't the right time to talk, so he just left.

Lu Chen went into the bathroom, quickly washed up, and then changed into the new clothes Chu Zihang had brought. He felt refreshed.

He and Chu Zihang agreed to go to the cafeteria together. He had been ordering takeout with Fingal's guidance these past two days, but Chu Zihang told him on the way that the cafeteria actually had a free window!