Worldwide Class Change: Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward!-Chapter 28, Qualification Round Concluded, The Strongest Advances

Chapter 28: Chapter 28, Qualification Round Concluded, The Strongest Advances

The final echoes of combat slowly faded inside the Jianghe Hunter Academy arena.

The qualification battles had lasted nearly the entire day.

Match after match had unfolded under the blazing afternoon sun, filling the stadium with cheers, groans, and endless discussions about who was strong and who had simply been lucky.

By the time the final match concluded, the massive display screens above the arena flickered one last time.

The results were finalized.

Only a fraction of the original participants remained.

The rest had been eliminated.

Instructor Han Ming stepped onto the arena platform once again, his presence immediately drawing the attention of the crowd.

Students gradually quieted.

Han Ming’s calm voice spread across the stadium.

"The qualification round has now ended."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the stands.

For many students, this was the end of their tournament journey.

Some left the arena disappointed.

Others walked out quietly, already discussing how they would train harder next year.

But those who remained...

Had taken the first step.

Han Ming continued speaking.

"All participants who have won their matches will advance to the Elimination Round."

He gestured toward the display screens.

"Tomorrow morning, the bracket will be announced."

Excited whispers spread through the remaining students.

The elimination round meant the competition would become far more intense.

From now on, every match would be between people who had already proven themselves.

Han Ming’s gaze swept across the arena one last time.

"Prepare yourselves."

Then he turned and left the platform.

With that simple announcement, the arena slowly began to empty.

Students stood up, stretched their sore bodies, and began heading back toward the academy dormitories.

Some were excited.

Some were exhausted.

Some were already analyzing potential opponents for the next round.

Near the lower spectator section, Wang Hao walked beside Lin Yi with an exaggerated swagger.

"...Brother Lin."

Lin Yi glanced at him, "Yes?"

Wang Hao puffed out his chest proudly, "We survived the first round."

Lin Yi nodded, "That’s one way to describe it."

Wang Hao raised a finger dramatically, "No." He corrected himself, "We dominated the first round."

Lin Yi looked at him, "You tripped a guy."

Wang Hao frowned, "That was a highly advanced tactical maneuver."

Lin Yi chuckled quietly. The two of them walked through the crowded arena exit along with the rest of the students. The evening sky above Jianghe City glowed orange as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon. The tournament had lasted almost the entire day, and even Lin Yi could feel a faint tiredness settling into his muscles.

Beside him, Wang Hao suddenly lowered his voice, "...Brother Lin."

Lin Yi looked at him, "Yes?"

Wang Hao leaned closer, "Let’s talk about something serious."

Lin Yi waited. Wang Hao whispered dramatically, "Do you think Tang Yue noticed my victory?"

Lin Yi stopped walking. Then he slowly turned his head, "You’re still thinking about that?"

Wang Hao sighed, "...A man’s heart is complicated."

Lin Yi shook his head, "You should focus on surviving the next round."

Wang Hao waved his hand, "That is secondary."

Lin Yi stared at him, "...Secondary?"

Wang Hao nodded solemnly, "Romance is the true battlefield."

Lin Yi resumed walking, "You’re hopeless."

They soon reached the dormitory district. Compared to the noisy arena, the academy housing area felt far quieter. A cool evening breeze drifted between the tall buildings as students returned to their rooms; some were laughing loudly about their victories, while others walked silently, clearly disappointed by their losses. As Lin Yi and Wang Hao approached their building entrance, they suddenly saw a familiar figure standing nearby. Her hair reflected the fading sunlight. It was Su Qinghan.

She stood calmly near the stone pathway with her Frostblade resting against the wall beside her. Wang Hao immediately stopped walking, "...Brother Lin."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Wang Hao whispered, "I suddenly remembered something important." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Lin Yi already knew what was coming, "What?"

Wang Hao coughed, "I should... leave you two alone."

Before Lin Yi could reply, Wang Hao quickly turned and hurried toward the opposite dorm building. Lin Yi watched him disappear, "...Coward."

Su Qinghan approached slowly, "I saw your match."

Lin Yi leaned casually against the dormitory wall, "What did you think?"

Su Qinghan’s gaze was calm, "You almost impressed me."

Lin Yi smiled faintly, "That sounds like a compliment."

For a moment, the two of them simply stood in silence. The evening breeze rustled the nearby trees as the shadows stretched long across the pavement. Finally, Su Qinghan picked up her Frostblade, "The elimination round will be different."

Lin Yi nodded, "Of course."

She looked at him one last time, "If we meet in the arena..."

Lin Yi finished the sentence calmly, "You won’t hold back."

Su Qinghan nodded once. Then she turned and walked away toward the dormitory. Lin Yi watched her disappear down the pathway. After a few seconds, he entered his own building. The dorm hallway was quiet. Most students were either resting or discussing the tournament with their roommates. Lin Yi opened the door to his room.

The familiar space greeted him.

A simple bed.

A desk.

A window overlooking the academy grounds.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and stretched his arms slightly.

Today had been... interesting.

The rumors about him would probably spread even further after his match.

But that didn’t matter.

The real competition hadn’t even started yet.

Lin Yi lay back on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

In the coming days—

The elimination round would begin.

And from that point onward...

Only the strongest students would remain.