Chapter 274: The Three Major Competitions
“Six thousand credits is an amount that’s extremely difficult for us freshmen to earn in an entire academic year. But for upperclassmen—especially those in their fifth or sixth year—six thousand is just a small sum.”
“They can often earn one or two thousand credits from a single match. And by the time they reach the higher years, they’re almost never sitting in classrooms every day. They’re either on their way to a competition or already at one.”
“Competitions bring resources, experience, and combat training. That’s their real classroom.”
Meng Chuanling was exceptionally well-informed. She kept explaining everything to Xu Zhi in detail.
“So for upperclassmen, seeing an extra six thousand credits in the betting pool backing a first-year student would probably just be dismissed as some senior’s whim—throwing in a casual bet for fun.”
I see.
So the money they had scraped together at great personal cost wouldn’t attract attention.
“We grab one win and run. Upperclassmen aren’t stupid. If you win once, they definitely won’t recklessly bet again the second time.”
So it was a one-time deal. Only one chance to profit.
Then there was no way she’d let it slip.
Xu Zhi asked directly, “How many credits can you borrow with a student ID?”
Shouldn’t she take out a loan?
“Depending on the academy’s evaluation of a student’s potential, the credit loan limit differs. For freshmen, it’s generally around one thousand.”
So the two of them had borrowed nearly two thousand combined and somehow scraped together the remaining four thousand on their own?
That was impressive in its own way.
“Got it.” Xu Zhi nodded, planning to go take out a loan later.
Seeing her agree, Meng Chuanling visibly relaxed. She had already burned her bridges for these credits. If Xu Zhi had refused, she would have had no choice but to give up.
After all, aside from Xu Zhi, she hadn’t sensed a single first-year whose aura could steadily overpower upperclassmen.
Even if there were, they were probably the kind of upperclassmen who didn’t step into the arena. Extraordinary individuals came in many types, but almost everyone who went to the arena specialized in direct combat.
With Xu Zhi’s agreement secured, Meng Chuanling’s mood improved significantly.
“It’s currently the off-season, and it’s also the monthly break. That day, plenty of upperclassmen will have nothing to do and head to the arena. You’re not exactly unknown in the academy right now—but you’re only known for having outstanding talent. And honestly, fifth- and sixth-year seniors usually don’t pay attention to that kind of news. Some of them probably don’t even know a ‘monster’ like you appeared in the first year.”
From that long explanation, Xu Zhi only caught three words.
“Off-season?”
“Yeah.” Meng Chuanling nodded.
Seeing Xu Zhi’s blank look, she sighed and began counting on her fingers.
“Although the Light Institute thrives on competition, not all competitions are equally important. The three most important ones are—”
“The Light Institute Ranking Battle, the Intercollegiate League, and… the City Ranking Tournament.”
“The Light Institute doesn’t exist only in our city—you know that, right?”
Xu Zhi nodded lightly under Meng Chuanling’s questioning gaze.
“The Ranking Battle determines the order among the various branches. Rankings decide many things. Just like you’ve already felt here—the academy places extreme importance on rank.”
Xu Zhi understood. That meant the Ranking Battle determined each branch’s resources and status.
“The Ranking Battle happens every year. There are nearly a hundred branches. Our Lian City branch has basically never dropped out of the top seven.”
Wow. Not bad.
Though it didn’t quite sound like protagonist treatment. Shouldn’t the protagonist rise from some obscure, bottom-ranked academy?
“It’s April now. The Ranking Battle usually takes place in February, right after the semester begins.”
“This year’s already finished. We placed fourth.”
At that, Meng Chuanling’s expression carried a hint of shared pride.
“The Intercollegiate League is held once every two years. It starts in early June and lasts about a month and a half—ending just in time for summer vacation.”
“As for the City Ranking Tournament… it happens once every five years. It’s not part of the regular schedule. It usually starts in October.”
“What a coincidence this year—the Intercollegiate League and the City Ranking overlap. The City Ranking doesn’t allow old monsters to compete, since they don’t represent a city’s current development. Participants are usually extraordinary individuals between twenty and fifty.”
Fifty counts as youth, huh?
“So whenever the League and City Ranking happen in the same year, those who perform exceptionally well in the League are very likely to become substitutes in the City Ranking.”
“They usually won’t get many chances to play, but they’re highly likely to become core members in the next few editions. It’s basically an early exposure opportunity.”
Xu Zhi nodded thoughtfully.
Coincidence? She had just arrived in this world, and this year everything just happened to overlap.
Definitely not a coincidence.
It was simply because her luck was too good.
With complete confidence, Xu Zhi attributed this to her own fortunate destiny.
“Anyway,” Meng Chuanling said, steering back to the point, “the period between the three major competitions is called the off-season.”
“Since two of the major competitions coincide this year, most upper-year combat specialists will choose to stay in the academy after the earlier event, digesting what they gained and recuperating.”
Xu Zhi nodded.
“The Intercollegiate League grants the Light Institute four seeded spots. Our branch ranked fourth internally, so we secured the fourth seed. That means we skip the preliminary rounds and go straight to the group stage. There are still two months before the League begins. And now there’s news about the Lost Lands selection.”
“I’m guessing the Lost Lands selection will also determine the team members for the Intercollegiate League!”
Once again, Xu Zhi heard something that piqued her interest.
She looked at Meng Chuanling. “You really know a lot.”
Meng Chuanling grinned proudly. “Did you think I got specially recruited just to freeload?”
“No Light Institute branch doesn’t want to compete. If they’re activating Lost Lands slots now, it’s definitely to further strengthen students before the League starts—to fight for the best possible ranking!”
As for potential casualties in the Lost Lands—
That was merely the price paid for strength.
No extraordinary individual feared entering the Lost Lands, even knowing how dangerous it was.
“In short,” Meng Chuanling leaned closer, “during this year’s off-season, upperclassmen will definitely swarm the arena. There won’t be a better opportunity than now.”
“Saturday at 4 p.m. We’ll meet outside our dorm.”
Meng Chuanling was fully focused on grabbing one big payout and running. Explaining all this to Xu Zhi was simply a gesture of goodwill. She hadn’t thought beyond that.
Xu Zhi nodded calmly, but inwardly she was considering something else.
If Meng Chuanling was right, then perhaps she could also see those competing with her for the Lost Lands quota there?
Meng Chuanling clearly intended for her to challenge a second-year student. Xu Zhi had no plans to do anything reckless.
First, secure the credits.
Everything else could come afterward.
