8 Chapter 7: First day of class (1/2)

The next day, I left the dormitory early in anticipation of my first ever class in this new world. I wasn't sure what to expect. Though the setting was still a school, which would most likely be modeled after the millions of school settings that most light novels or manga used, this was still a martial academy. Just like the magic academies in the light novels that I read, there would inevitably be a bunch of differences.

Are they going to teach us martial arts or combat in classes?

That certainly was one possibility, but the whole class thing made no sense to me. If the other students were going to be recruited into the various sects, then what need do they have of learning in the same class with disciples from other sects? Wouldn't it benefit them more to stay within their sects and learn whatever traditional martial arts that their masters taught them? Furthermore, their masters could devote more time and energy teaching these disciples. The current system meant that most of the students, despite being in the same class, had absolutely nothing in common with each other. So what could Teacher Jiao teach us in class that the masters of the respective sects couldn't?

Only one way to find out.

”Oh, hey, Fei Wu! You're up early today.”

I waved when Zhu Jiao called out to me, and slowed down so that he could catch up. As he jogged to my side, I smiled wryly.

”You're pretty early yourself.”

”Ha ha, I couldn't sleep. I was too worried about today's class.”

Chuckling, Zhu Jiao rubbed his head sheepishly. I raised an eyebrow at that. Why would a class in Wu Ling Academy warrant such worries? And what was he worrying about? Ah…now that I thought about it, it should have been obvious. We were both One Star Constitution practitioners. Of course Zhu Jiao would be worried about ”trash” like us trying to keep up with the class.

”What do you think they will teach us in class?” I asked. ”It can't be martial arts, right? I mean, if we're supposed to learn martial arts, why can't they let the masters of the respective sects that everyone belongs to teach the disciples directly? Why gather various students from all the different sects into a single class?”

”You don't know?” Zhu Jiao sounded surprised. ”They're not teaching us martial arts in class. That's the masters' job.”

”Then…”

”You'll see.” Zhu Jiao groaned as he stared at the skies, his fingers knitted behind his head. ”Man, I hope I'll be able to survive this semester.”

So that was what he was worried about. Right, now that I thought about it, the typical protagonists tended to be those who didn't do very well academically, and their low grades were a constant concern. A good number of them, anyway.

We reached our designated classroom shortly after that conversation. The good thing about being early on the first day was that we got to select our own seats…at least until Teacher Jiao decided to reassign and decide our seating arrangement.

Tired because I actually slept a little late last night, I placed my head on my newly acquired desk and dozed off. Before I knew it, I was woken up by chattering. At some point during my short nap, my classmates had gathered in the classroom.

”Hey!” Tong Xue greeted me cheerfully as he took the seat in front of mine. ”You guys are here early!”

”You're the one who's late,” Zhu Jiao muttered. Tong Xue merely chuckled.

”Sorry, my new master kept me back until late at night. I didn't return to the dorm until after midnight.”

That shocked me out of my drowsiness and I gaped at him. ”Whoa! Why so late?!”

”Training, introduction to the Smart Shadow Sect, and a bit of learning.” Tong Xue grimaced. ”They sure don't plan on giving us a break, already starting on training on our first day here.”

I leaned back in dismay. While the Experimentalists had no choice but to retire early in their dorm last night, the Traditionalists already embarked on their first steps to becoming proper martial artists. If we maintained this pace, the gap between us would grow larger and larger.

”Okay, everyone! Find yourself a seat and settle down!”

While I was descending into gloom, Teacher Jiao strolled into the classroom and barked firmly.

”…”

The students all resumed their seats without complaints. Predictably, Qi Fu Ren and his two flunkies occupied the seats at the back, having intimidated a trio of timid classmates away and seizing those desks for themselves. The bully was already making use of his status as a Four Star Constitution practitioner to extort from others.

”I'm sure you guys must be wondering why you're in a classroom instead of learning martial arts under your masters,” Teacher Jiao began. I leaned forward, having occupied the front row just so I could pay more attention. It seemed that the decision paid off, because Teacher Jiao was addressing the one question I had in my mind.

”Yeah!” Qi Fu Ren shouted, cutting in. ”Why aren't we at the White Tiger Sect learning White Tiger techniques?” he pulled his lips into a sneer. ”It can't possibly be that you intend to teach us White Tiger Sect techniques, Teacher Jiao?”

”Unfortunately, I do not possess any knowledge of the esteemed White Tiger Sect's techniques,” Teacher Jiao replied without missing a beat. ”And in any case, a non-disciple like me is forbidden from learning those techniques. Your White Tiger Sect masters will most certainly flay me alive if I attempt to do so.” He cast a stern glance across everyone in the classroom. ”And that warning applies equally to all of you. If you're not a disciple of a sect, you're not allowed to learn martial arts of that sect. you're not permitted to learn any martial arts from any existing sect that is not your own, unless they have already agreed with the Alliance to share and disseminate their arts. In such cases, it's best not to assume – if you want to learn a technique that is not from your sect, you should approach me or any of the Wu Ling Academy staff to ensure that the technique is available for public access. Otherwise, learning a technique from another sect without permission is punishable by death.”

What the fuck?! By death? What was this, the eleventh century or something?

Then again, I was in an alternate timeline that operated on rules and culture completely different from the one I originally grew up in. there was no point trying to enforce my own moral values on a system that wasn't mine.

”The Experimentalists shouldn't have any problems in that regard,” Teacher Jiao continued. I noticed that he shot a furtive glance in the direction where Zhu Jiao and I were seated. ”Especially since we'll already provide you with resources and techniques that have already been posted on the public domain.” He cleared his throat. ”I say public domain, but I don't mean that literally. Obviously it's not open to all public, and non-martial artists or people who are not students and staff of Wu Ling Academy would not have such unrestricted access to these resources.”

”My master told me to devote all my attentions to learning the Red Phoenix techniques,” Feng Hua, a female classmate with her long red hair tied into a ponytail, quipped. Teacher Jiao nodded.

”And you should listen to your master.” He pushed his glasses up and gave me and Zhu Jiao a meaningful look. ”This information is generally for the Experimentalists. That said, I'm just warning you of consequences if you commit a taboo. Some students don't know, and attempt to learn another sect's martial arts. Even Principal Xiao Zhang will not be able to save you from one of the major sects if you cross them like that.”

An uneasy silence fell over the classroom. Teacher Jiao forced a smile, and then continued – partially because he wanted to break the awkward atmosphere.

”To return to the topic at hand, the reason you're here is for theoretical classes.” Teacher Jiao picked up a book. ”Wu Ling Academy inculcates the Wu and Wen binary. That is to say, the warrior and cultural ethics. You're not here just to become a martial artist, but also to become a cultured and intelligent one. Strength must serve a purpose, and be wielded carefully. Education is to temper your powers with reason and intelligence. Otherwise, there is nothing separating a violent brute from a wild beast.”

That last comment seemed directed at Qi Fu Ren, but the huge guy ignored the jab. He was instead leaning back in his chair while planting both feet on the desk. His bored expression clearly indicated that he didn't take Teacher Jiao's words seriously.

”Anyway, that's the reason. On that note, let's begin the lesson.” At a flick of his fingers, our desks suddenly hummed and tablets emerged on the surface. Electric qi powered on and colored screens came to life. I gaped when I saw the digital pages of a textbook appear, bearing rows of text and a vivid illustration at the bottom of the page.

Wow, even though this was a martial arts world, the technology had become really advanced. There were so many things we could do with qi.

”We'll begin with the first page…”

Even as the students chattered excitedly over the unexpected development, Teacher Jiao's voice resounded firmly throughout the classroom. Before we knew it, we were all swept away by his words and immersed with his class.

*

Despite this being a different world, the educational curriculum in Martial Academy was almost identical to that in my previous world.

Teacher Jiao taught us history, language and literature. Other teachers, such as Teacher Shu Xue, taught mathematics, and there was Teacher Wu Li who taught us physics. Which was funny, considering how everyone in this world defied the laws of physics. All in all, a pretty standard education not too different from that of my original timeline.

Even more interesting was alchemy, which was this world's version of chemistry. For our first lesson, our alchemy teacher, Teacher Lian Jin Shu, brought us to the chemistry laboratory where beakers of bubbling chemicals held over blazing Bunsen burners hovered.

”Be careful,” Teacher Lian warned us as we peeked curiously at the beakers. ”Some of the chemicals are volatile. And the Bunsen burners run on methane gas, which is highly combustible. Don't play with them!”

Seemed like some things never changed, no matter what world I was in.

Having been through this student's experience before, I found it hard to be fascinated by everything. While I had long forgotten the majority of what I had learned in school seventeen years ago, the exposure to these subjects brought back nostalgic memories. I had vague recollections of having learned this fact or that formula before.

I probably wouldn't have any trouble with the theoretical curriculum of Wu Ling Academy.

In fact, I would have an advantage. While I definitely would not be able to score perfect marks – my memory was not eidetic after all. I wasn't like Nie Li, who had some bullshit ability to remember every single detail accurately and could scheme and plan accordingly. And even if I did, I was pretty sure there were quite a few differences that I continued to be unaware of because of my gaps in memory. Seventeen years were a long time, after all.

However, the history was clearly different. Martial arts permeated the history of this timeline, with martial artists playing major roles in pivoting and directing history. Alchemy was orientated more toward the arcane and the use of qi than any actual scientific concepts and formulae of chemistry. Similarly, physics didn't bother with gravity – because martial artists could defy gravity. But it was undeniable that such gravitational forces held down ”mortals” who didn't cultivate. And our biology classes focused not on the cells or tissue, but the qi circulatory system, and the natural flow of inner energy throughout our bodies and internal organs.

I realized that many of these theoretical concepts on qi were actually meant for us to eventually apply to our practical martial arts. Qi Fu Ren didn't seem to be aware of that, but I saw no reason to inform the arrogant bastard about it.

”Phew…it's finally over!”

Zhu Jiao stretched himself when the last lesson for the day ended. Here, another difference vividly marked itself apart from what I remembered in my original timeline. The theoretical lessons for Wu Ling Academy ended at noon. The afternoons were set aside for students to return to their respective sects and learn practical martial arts.

”Yeah! I'm free!”

Whooping, Qi Fu Ren jumped from his seat even before Teacher Jiao dismissed us, and exited the classroom with his flunkies hot on his heels. Teacher Jiao glared in their direction and shook his head before he raised a hand.

”All right, class dismissed. All of you should have your respective sects to report to. As for the Experimentalists, please stay behind.”

Unsurprisingly, Teacher Jiao held the briefing for us after the Traditionalists departed. It was only natural – the briefing was completely irrelevant to them, after all.

”If you look at your screen, you'll see an array of options,” Teacher Jiao explained as he guided us through the application on the tablet. There was something resembling a website on the tablet, an electronic portal created by the academy.

Tapping on an icon, I opened up the list of available martial arts that Wu Ling Academy possessed. There was a database listing the various martial arts, and some were underlined and bolded in red. I stared at them, fixated by the contrast between these martial arts and the rest, which were coded in normal black text.

”You'll see that some of them are in red,” Teacher Jiao spoke up, almost as if he had read my mind. ”These are lost or partially lost martial arts belonging to now extinct sects. You're more than welcome to try and restore them once you've reached the required level.”