Although standing among a group of little boys and girls did make me stand out like a crane among chickens, it was honestly a bit embarrassing.

Even though I was still the class monitor...

But the problem is... your brother here is seventeen years old, 1.85 meters tall, standing among classmates whose average height is less than 1.2 meters...

I do care about my reputation, you know.

But since I can't save face anyway... I might as well just not care about it.

But today is different!

I'm leveling up!

Starting today, I'm not going to kindergarten anymore! I'm going to elementary school!

Because last night... I broke through to Martial Disciple!

Last night, as I felt the power of the Star Soul entering my body, constantly increasing, Brian Carter felt so comfortable that he accidentally let out a fart, and suddenly felt his Martial Artist bottleneck break wide open!

"Years of hard training with no result, one fart blasts open the Martial Artist gate; once a crane among chickens, today I soar among phoenixes!"

Brian Carter couldn't help but recite a poem, instantly feeling his literary talent soar.

After the breakthrough, he didn't rest, but mobilized the Star Soul power throughout his body to start tempering his bones; by dawn, he had already tempered half of his right leg!

At this speed in just one night, he was almost catching up to Grace Carter!

"I've transformed, I'm a genius now!"

"I'm a Martial Artist!"

While brushing his teeth, Brian Carter was full of excitement. Even when going to the bathroom, he couldn't help but clasp his hands behind his back, fully displaying the demeanor of a master.

...

It was Brian Carter's first time going to school with such high spirits!

He rushed all the way!

He charged straight into the office of the Martial Disciple class teacher at No. 2 Middle School.

"Mr. Hughes, I've broken through! I've become a Martial Artist!" Brian Carter announced proudly.

"You've broken through?" The delicate Mr. Hughes's eyes widened in surprise.

Brian Carter had been held back in her class for five years!

This had seriously affected Mr. Hughes's performance bonus, and her delicate face had become a bit haggard...

Five years in a row, she hadn't received the graduation bonus.

The school leadership seriously questioned Mr. Hughes's teaching ability: One student, even if his aptitude is a bit poor, but being held back for five years without breaking through to Martial Disciple? You're too incompetent as a teacher! Since you're not competent, he stays in your class as your punishment!

Mr. Hughes had already given up hope, just waiting for Brian Carter to turn eighteen and automatically drop out, so she could work hard again to make money for her family.

Who would have thought that joy would come so suddenly!

Brian Carter broke through!

At this moment, Mr. Hughes was overwhelmed with excitement.

She was excited both because she could finally send Brian Carter off, and also genuinely happy for Brian Carter finally overcoming hardship and achieving a breakthrough.

This child had struggled here for five years, and could finally move on; Mr. Hughes was happy for him. Over these five years, Mr. Hughes knew very well just how hard Brian Carter had worked.

An adult-sized body, going to school among little kids—how could he not stand out?

Just the strange looks from those around him would have been unbearable for most people, but Brian Carter persisted, never missing a single class.

He forced himself to endure, working harder than any of the kids. He trained so hard at school that he would sometimes faint, but after school, he'd go home, wash his hair, shake it out, and act like a carefree, shameless kid.

He endured everything, shouldering it all himself so his family wouldn't worry. He lived like this for six years.

He saw off five classes of students!

Yet he bore all the criticism and strange looks, holding on for six years without slacking!

Many people said he was thick-skinned, but Mr. Hughes never thought so. Even though Brian Carter had affected her performance bonus for five years, she never complained, and instead always felt sorry for him.

"If Xiaoduo can break through this barrier, his future achievements will be limitless!"

Those were the words of Ethan Hughes.

"Last night, on a sudden impulse... I broke through."

Brian Carter grinned sheepishly, a little smug: "So I came first thing this morning to tell you, teacher."

Ethan Hughes smiled with relief: "That's wonderful... Xiaoduo, you must keep working hard. Try to break through to Martial Master and reach Innate before you're twenty, no matter what."

She smiled from the bottom of her heart.

From Brian Carter's carefree smile, she could feel his current ease. And that sense of "letting the past go with the wind."

She was completely at ease now.

Five years of trials hadn't left any shadow in this child's heart. On the contrary, it had made his character even more resilient!

"I'll take you to report to the Martial Artist class this afternoon!"

Ethan Hughes said happily, "You've already built a solid foundation, and your academic theory is already at the advanced level. Now that a third of the semester has passed, it might be tough for you to jump straight into the Martial Artist class, but once you get through it, you'll be fine. After all, if you wait another three months for the normal semester, it would just be a waste of your time."

Brian Carter said gratefully, "I understand, thank you, Mr. Hughes."

Brian Carter had genuine respect for Mr. Hughes. He had delayed her performance bonus for six years, but she had never treated him differently, always showing endless patience and care.

All of Brian Carter's mischief and rebelliousness couldn't come out in front of her.

Now, finally free, having removed the shackles from Ethan Hughes, Brian Carter also felt completely at ease.

...