Flames of Ambition

58: Their First Week

Chapter 58: Their First Week

She had always considered herself a proud woman—but the cultivators in the Elementalist Category were just like her. The only difference was that they had the advantage: their cultivation was far higher than hers.

Unfortunately, she had unknowingly provoked the strongest woman in the Elementalist Category—Bai Yuan Zhi. This woman was two entire realms above her.

Provoking Bai Yuan Zhi meant provoking her followers too. Caught off guard, Fan Qingyou found herself the subject of ridicule and harassment. Bai Yuan Zhi began to mess with her relentlessly, forcing her into submission and taunting her at every turn.

Fan Qingyou started to blame Zexel and Fan Yaoli for her misery. Ever since the day the two were disowned, her life had taken a drastic turn for the worse. She convinced herself that they must be using some sort of dark magic to curse her life.

Of course, this was far from the truth.

The real problem was Fan Qingyou herself. She was the one who kept making foolish mistakes that led to her own embarrassment. But she was too arrogant to admit any of her wrongdoings—so she projected the blame onto others, especially her enemies.

Her pride blinded her, and she couldn’t see how much she was spiraling. That very arrogance became the reason why her stay at Scarlett Academy slowly turned into hell.

---

Elsewhere...

Fan Yaoli yawned as her third class for the day ended. It had already been a week since classes began, and she was quickly gaining attention. She absorbed information like a sponge soaking up water.

There were only 250 students in the Sealing Art Category, divided into 10 classes with 25 students each. Today’s lecture focused on the core of seals and how to select the correct core for different applications.

She already knew all of it.

After undergoing hellish training under the Mafia Queen of the Underground, Zexel Uenna Giovanni, Fan Yaoli had learned far more than what most students knew. Zexel had a habit of mastering new skills, and sealing was among those she had passed down.

For Fan Yaoli, the Sealing Art Category was extremely practical and powerful—so she chose it with purpose. It wasn’t about pride or reputation; it was about utility.

Unlike Zexel, she was more friendly and approachable. She began to socialize with others and make connections across categories. After all, Zexel’s orders were clear:
Lay low. Observe first. Move only when the time is right.
One step at a time. That was the strategy.

---

Feng Ming Li grinned as he completed a First-Tier Array. His professor praised him for his high affinity with arrays, and he couldn’t help but feel grateful to Fan Yaoli, who had introduced him to the subject.

The Array Category had 310 students divided into 13 classes. Each class had 25 students, except for the last one, which had only 10.

Among all the skills he had encountered, arrays had captured his full attention. Though he had knowledge in other categories, he had fallen completely in love with arrays. As the week progressed, he continued to think deeply about their plans—and whether or not their mission would truly succeed.

He also found himself worrying.

Word had reached him that chaos had erupted in the Pingjing Dynasty. His royal brothers were now fiercely competing for the throne.

“How the hell did my father ever manage to inherit the throne from his own father if he’s this much of an idiot?” Ming Li muttered under his breath one day.

That foolish public announcement had only worsened the country’s state.

For now, however, he would allow his brothers to fight among themselves. His top priority was the well-being of the civilians who were suffering because of their father's stupidity.

He pushed aside those thoughts and turned his focus to the task ahead.

---

Just like Feng Ming Li, Feng Zhengying had shown a natural talent in Armament Making. His professors had already begun to take notice of his skills, especially his intricate and powerful designs.

The Armament Category, like Alchemy, was one of the least populated. With only 115 students, it was divided into 5 classes—one of which had only 15 students.

Though he was thriving in class, Zhengying couldn’t help but worry for the man he considered a brother in all but blood. He had heard troubling news from his beloved wife, Zexel: the Pingjing Dynasty was falling into disarray.

He knew how deeply Feng Ming Li loved his homeland. If things worsened, would he do something reckless?

Zhengying could only hope his brother would restrain himself.
Their mission came first.

Their first goal was to retrieve the Fu Clan's Crystal, which was said to be hidden in the place where the upcoming Annual Tournament would take place.

That tournament was scheduled to occur one month and three weeks from today.

They had to remain focused. The success of their long-term plan depended on the outcome of this mission. Efficiency and precision were crucial.

---

Meanwhile, Leng Fu Ting had just finished his final class of the day. Without hesitation, he headed toward the Scarlett Academy Library. He loved acquiring new knowledge—especially about things he knew little of.

His current obsession was finding the Chosen Ones.

He knew for a fact that they were somewhere inside Scarlett Academy. The problem? He didn’t know who they were.

The only clue he had was that each Chosen One possessed a birthmark on their back. It would glow whenever they awakened a new power within themselves.

But beyond that?
Nothing.

No names.
No genders.
No appearances.
Not even how many of them there were.

It was ridiculous. He couldn’t exactly go around asking, “Do you have a glowing birthmark on your back?” He’d be labeled a pervert—or worse, expelled.

He sighed heavily.

If only he could get more detailed information from the library. Maybe then, he’d have a lead—something to help him fulfill his mission.

After all, the Chosen Ones weren’t just his hope.
They were the world’s hope.

Shaking his head, he continued walking, his mind racing with unanswered questions.

He would think about what to do next—once he actually found them.