Chapter 1: Forced Expulsion

March 1, 2133.

The sun shone brightly, casting a rare beautiful day over the city.

Passersby went about their usual business, a typical scene that was hard to come by in this era of rampant anomalies.

This scene unfolded in a city called Xiyu, also known as the City of Hope, located in the eastern coastal region of Dragon Country.

Xiyu was the largest city in the world after the Moon Spirit New World War and stood unmatched in population, economy, and technology on the global stage.

After the Great Change, anomalies spread across the globe, causing widespread chaos. In response, heroes inheriting the bloodlines of ancient heroes emerged, controlling the damage caused by these anomalies.

Xiyu boasted the strongest security facilities in the world. While anomalies still appeared, their frequency and impact were minimized. This was due to powerful technology, military capabilities, and most importantly, the presence of numerous heroes.

These heroes were the city’s guardians and symbols of justice.

The primary reason for Xiyu’s abundance of powerful heroes was the presence of the world’s only top-tier hero academy—Star Hero Academy.

Star Hero Academy was situated on an island, relatively independent from Xiyu. Covering 300 hectares, it was the largest and most prestigious academy in the world.

Admission to Star Hero Academy required a special constitution, one that inherited the heroic bloodline—the Star Constitution. 

Candidates had to be at least of the Cannon, Chariot, Horse, Elephant, or Guard ranks. The General rank was exceedingly rare, while the Soldier rank, with weaker combat abilities, attended ordinary hero academies. 

Those with the Star Constitution were destined to fight anomalies. 

Being admitted to Star Hero Academy was an honor. Students here studied diligently, striving to grow stronger and protect the people, aspiring to become powerful heroes.

Today was the first day of school for various institutions, including the renowned Star Hero Academy, which held its opening ceremony.

Opening ceremonies were typically tedious, filled with speeches and commendations. However, receiving an award at Star Hero Academy’s ceremony was a matter of immense pride, surpassing the honor of being recognized by the world’s top universities in the past.

Conversely, what would it be like to be publicly criticized in front of 30,000 students?

“Student Shi Ji, after a year at Star Hero Academy, has shown no initiative, disrupted others’ studies, and failed to improve despite multiple warnings. Therefore, the academy has decided on the following disciplinary action. Shi Ji, a 2132 student of the Soldier class at Star Hero Academy, is hereby expelled for his negative attitude, laziness, and lack of progress. Despite repeated warnings, he showed no intention of reform. Thus, Shi Ji is expelled from Star Hero Academy.”

This decision was personally announced by the academy’s headmaster.

However, Shi Ji did not hear this announcement as he did not attend the ceremony. He had already been informed of his expulsion and understood he was no longer a part of the academy.

Shi Ji was now on his way to another ordinary hero academy.

Shi Ji, male, 17 years old, 179 cm tall. He had a handsome, chiseled face and medium-length hair, typical of many good-looking guys.

Although Shi Ji preferred white clothes and shoes, he always wore black. Today was no exception.

At a hero academy, good looks were not enough. Unlike before, girls now preferred strong men as long as they weren’t too ugly.

Shi Ji was infamous at Star Hero Academy. His expulsion notice made the reasons clear.

Shi Ji believed he wasn’t cut out for serious study and felt no honor in being at Star Hero Academy. To him, those things didn’t matter. The reason for his special admission as a Soldier-class student and subsequent expulsion dated back to an incident a year prior.

A year ago, Shi Ji had come to Xiyu to catch loaches. He stumbled upon a battle between heroes and anomalies. In this fierce battle, both sides were evenly matched, teetering on the edge of victory.

Shi Ji, just passing by, delivered the final blow to a severely weakened Nether-level anomaly. The media arrived just in time, and Shi Ji became an instant celebrity. Learning about Shi Ji’s feat, Star Hero Academy granted him special admission. Initially reluctant, he agreed upon hearing about the annual scholarship of at least 500,000 credits.

Thus, Shi Ji inadvertently entered Star Hero Academy.

A week into the academy, Shi Ji realized he’d been duped. The scholarship had specific requirements—maintaining a top 100 ranking in credits each year. It was an impossible task for him.

“Damn it…” Shi Ji thought. 

He expressed his frustration openly during a class, earning a week’s punishment of cleaning the male restrooms. Why not the female restrooms?

Star Hero Academy had strict rules and regulations. The only fun was the competitions between students. With nothing to do besides the essentials, Shi Ji looked forward to being reprimanded. He desperately wanted to be expelled to escape the physical and mental torment.

He could resort to violence for quick expulsion, but financial constraints held him back. Damaging public property required compensation, assaulting someone incurred medical and compensation fees, and peeping at girls’ showers involved mental distress compensation. Everything cost money, and Shi Ji was broke.

Finally, his wish was granted, and he succeeded!