Retreating from the Consciousness Universe, Lu Lin saw that many students had already comprehended Star Skills and were excitedly discussing them.
"Lu Lin, what skills have you comprehended?" someone nearby came over and asked.
Lu Lin turned his head. Who is this person? And why do they know my name?
The person had a fair complexion and a chubby figure. His eyebrows were strikingly amusing, slanting like the hands of a clock showing twenty past eight.
Lu Lin didn't respond immediately, asking instead, "What skill did you comprehend?"
"Me? I've comprehended an incredible Star Skill!"
"Precision!"
"Precision?"
Lu Lin thought for a moment. That's a Star Skill essential for archers. During long-range archery, the Precision Star Skill helps Martial Artists aim accurately at their opponents.
However, after sizing the other student up, Lu Lin couldn't help but think, With his physique, this Star Skill is completely wasted on him.
"Hey, what's with that look?"
Zhou Ziqiang, noticing Lu Lin's expression, felt somewhat displeased. His amusing eyebrows flicked upwards as he said, "Lu Lin, what kind of look is that?"
"Believe it or not, on the Exotic Battlefield, someone with your small build? Your Bro Qiang here could take on three of you!"
"Oh."
Lu Lin replied casually, not wanting to continue the conversation with Zhou Ziqiang. He looked up at the podium.
An old man in a white coat stood there, his eyes slightly closed.
This must be the Guide who helped us comprehend Star Skills.
The old man had salt-and-pepper hair and a lean figure. Even with his eyes closed, his right fingers drummed rhythmically on the lectern.
Clearly, guiding Star Skill comprehension for hundreds of students simultaneously is effortless for him.
"Hehe, this Guide is none other than Master Jiang Yueming, ranked eleventh among the Top 100 Elite Guides," Zhou Ziqiang explained, noticing Lu Lin's attention on the Guide.
It wasn't that Zhou Ziqiang was particularly magnanimous. He had only managed to comprehend "Precision" this time entirely thanks to Master Jiang Yueming, so he mentioned it to Lu Lin out of gratitude.
The eleventh-ranked Master Jiang Yueming?! Lu Lin was inwardly astonished.
Although he had anticipated that Golden Sword High School would surely invite a Master to assist them with their Awakening, he hadn't expected it to be Jiang Yueming.
Among Star Skill Instructors, anyone who could rank in the Top 100 Elite Guides was a figure of exceptional skill.
Last year, the Guide responsible for Golden Sword High School was Lu Qianzhao, who was extremely proficient in guiding Offensive Type Star Skills of the Five Elements Attribute.
Those ranked in the top twenty of the Top 100 Elite Guides all held the Federation-certified Master title.
It was said that even Level 5 Star Core Warriors had to queue for three to six months, or even longer, if they sought such a Guide's assistance for comprehending Star Skills.
Now, such a high-level Guide had actually appeared at Tongyuan Golden Sword High School. How much did the school have to spend to invite him?
"Impressive, right? Amazing, huh? Unbelievable, isn't it?" Zhou Ziqiang puffed his chest.
"Having Master Jiang Yueming himself guide your first Star Skill—that's something to brag about in the future."
"And..."
"And what?" Lu Lin asked.
Zhou Ziqiang leaned back smugly, his eyebrows once again forming that 'twenty past eight' slant. His face practically screamed, Come on, beg me to tell you!
Lu Lin turned his head away. I'm not about to indulge this little fatty's antics. Say it if you want, or don't. I don't care.
Seeing Lu Lin turn away, Zhou Ziqiang immediately grew anxious. He had finally piqued Lu Lin's curiosity, and for Lu Lin to stop asking now was a blow to him.
"Also—and I'm telling you this in confidence, don't go spreading it around," Zhou Ziqiang said mysteriously, leaning closer.
"The reason our school was able to invite Master Jiang Yueming this time is because Master Jiang is getting on in years, and the Star Core and Star Veins in his body have begun to atrophy. If I'm not mistaken, this graduation season will likely be Master Jiang's last public appearance."
So that's how it is, Lu Lin thought, looking at Jiang Yueming on the stage, a wave of sadness washing over him.
Becoming a Star Core Warrior didn't mean one could simply rest on their laurels. This held true whether they were entering the Exotic Battlefield to combat the Alien Race, or fulfilling roles in logistics, scientific research, Star Skill Guidance, or education within the Federation.
Star Core Warriors, while enjoying esteemed social status and generous compensation, also had to shoulder corresponding responsibilities and obligations.
Master Jiang Yueming before them was a clear example. After serving the Federation for over a century, his Star Core and Star Veins had now atrophied, and the Star Power within him was only sufficient to maintain basic physiological functions. At this stage, retirement was inevitable.
Lu Lin sighed, a deep sense of understanding and empathy washing over him.
Regardless, he was deeply grateful to Master Jiang for helping him comprehend the Stone Skin and War Cry Star Skills. If no opportunity to repay this kindness arose in the future, then that would be that. But if Master Jiang ever needed help, I wouldn't hesitate to offer my assistance.
「After a long while.」
In the Multimedia Classroom, all the students had finished comprehending their Star Skills. Jiang Yueming, on the podium, slowly opened his eyes. He smiled as he looked at the vibrant young students.
"Students," Master Jiang's voice resonated from the speakers. "I am very pleased to have guided you in comprehending Star Skills as my career draws to a close."
Although his voice sounded firm, there was a faint lack of strength in it, a slight shortness of breath between words.
Master Jiang's health is even worse than rumoured, Lu Lin thought, feeling it even more acutely.
"Looking at all of you now," Master Jiang continued, "I can't help but recall when I first had my Awakening, the first time I comprehended a Star Skill. Ah, those were truly wonderful times, full of flavour to reminisce upon."
Master Jiang spoke slowly, reminiscing about his younger days. Even the most restless students wouldn't dare interrupt him at such a moment.
After speaking for several minutes, Master Jiang chuckled softly. "My apologies for taking up so much of your time, listening to an old fellow like me ramble on about old times."
"Now, back to the main topic. Everyone did wonderfully in this Star Skill Guidance session. All students who entered my Guiding domain successfully comprehended Star Skills suited to them."
"Among them, three students... *cough cough*... three students comprehended Double Star Skills."
"Will these three geniuses please stand up and accept this old man's blessing?"
Huh? Lu Lin was startled. Besides me, two others comprehended Double Star Skills? Aren't those who comprehend Double Star Skills supposed to be one in ten thousand? How could a small place like Golden Sword High School, with just over 200 aspiring Star Core Warriors, produce three such individuals? Or perhaps... this is the true power of a Master ranked eleventh in the Top 100 Elite Guides?
From the crowd, a girl with a ponytail stood up.
"Holy crap, it's Luo Ling!" Zhou Ziqiang exclaimed, clearly recognizing her.
"If it's Luo Ling, then it makes sense! Bro, did you know? During the Awakening this morning, Luo Ling awakened the Lightning Talent!"
"And now she's comprehended Double Star Skills too! Woo-hoo! She's definitely going to soar!"
Listening to Zhou Ziqiang's explanation, Lu Lin nodded gravely. This Luo Ling's ability... it seems even stronger than mine. Lightning Talent. Double Star Skills. This student Luo Ling... is she using some kind of cheat mode?!
Amidst the murmurs, another student stood up.
This time, it was a tall young man with sharp, sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes. He wore a well-tailored suit and carried himself with an air of natural elegance and heroic spirit.
"Holy crap! Zuo Yiming?!" Zhou Ziqiang's eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Why is he here at school with us, receiving Star Skill Guidance too?!"
"Don't tell me he knew beforehand that Master Jiang Yueming was coming!"
He looked even more astonished than when he'd seen Luo Ling comprehend Double Star Skills.