17 Chapter 16: The Announcemen (1/2)

And just like that, another week passed. Pretty soon, it would be five months after I had first enrolled in Wu Ling Academy, and I still had a month before I was required to return the Shadow Steps manual to the library. As an aside, I had also finished reading all the encyclopedias and history books. Thanks to that, I had a better understanding of what the new timeline was about. I had paid special attention to learning and expanding my knowledge on the magical beasts and demonic monsters that dwelled within this world. Knowing about their strengths, abilities and weaknesses might prove pivotal in saving my life in the future.

Fortunately, as Teacher Jiao predicted, I had finished learning everything I needed from it. Without any need for the manual, I proceeded to return it and all the other books I had borrowed to the library.

”!”

I hadn't gotten very far when I sensed movement behind me. Ducking my head, I barely managed to dodge a kick from behind. Spinning around, I jumped to evade another kick, and then whirled away from a punch that breezed past the front of my nose. The fist missed me by a hair's breadth, but the arm flicked toward my face, forcing me to retreat and bend my back. I kicked out, met resistance, but used the force to propel myself to a distance.

Who…!?

Straightening myself, I prepared myself for another assault. No doubt it must be one of those pesky seniors who believed that I was in possession of the Heaven and Earth Formula, and was going to threaten me over it again. Man, but I was sick of them. I hoped they weren't from the high school section again, but even if they were, Teacher Jiao should be keeping an eye on me…

”…eh?”

My jaw dropped when I realized that my assailant was none other than Teacher Jiao himself. Glaring at him, I dropped into a defensive stance.

”What's the big idea?” I demanded, raising my guard and preparing for another attack. Wasn't Teacher Jiao supposed to watch out for me? Why was he…?

”Not bad, not bad…”

However, Teacher Jiao had lost all intention to attack. Cupping his chin, he nodded in approval as he studied my stance.

”You've truly mastered Shadow Steps, haven't you? Like I said, you only needed five months in total to learn everything.”

I relaxed a little, realizing that Teacher Jiao was merely testing me. Bowing my head, I cupped my hands in a respectful manner.

”Yeah. I have finished learning Shadow Steps.”

”Very good. So I presume you're on your way to return the manual?”

Teacher Jiao glanced at the library behind him, which was less than fifty meters away. I nodded without any hesitation.

”Yeah.”

”Excellent. You're ahead of schedule.”

”About that…” I raised my hand. ”I was going to look for you after this, Teacher Jiao. I wanted to consult you regarding what I am supposed to borrow next. Yesterday, I realized that I'm still restricted to level 1 techniques. Should I learn another level 1 technique, or is there a way for me to advance my status to level 2 access?”

”No, before that…I wish to teach you something else. So don't borrow any new manual yet.”

I felt a surge of excitement when I heard that. Was Teacher Jiao going to provide me resources or teach me something related to the Heaven and Earth Formula? So it was possible for me to restore that ancient martial art after all?

”To be honest, I wanted to start as soon as possible, but I have an appointment tonight.” Teacher Jiao looked a little apologetic. ”So we'll start tomorrow instead.”

”What are you going to teach me? The Heaven…”

Honk!

Before I could finish asking my question, someone rudely cut me off by pressing her car's horn to divert Teacher Jiao's attention away.

”Jiao Shi! Are you done?”

My jaw dropped when I saw Teacher Yi Liao driving toward us in a red, flashy convertible (that run on qi instead of fuel). She swerved to a stop on the main road next to the courtyard in front of the library, then pushed her sunglasses down to glare at Teacher Jiao.

”Whoa!”

”Oh. You are that student…if I'm not mistaken, Student Fei Wu?”

Teacher Yi noticed that I was here as well, and she turned to me.

”Yeah, I was just giving him instructions for now,” Teacher Jiao informed her. ”Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I could only gape at both of my teachers, my mind still unable to digest what was happening. Turning back to me, Teacher Jiao patted my shoulder.

”So remember, Fei Wu, don't borrow any new manuals. Just patiently wait until tomorrow night, all right? I'll see you in class tomorrow then!”

I nodded dumbly as I watched him climb into the passenger seat of Teacher Yi's convertible. No matter how I looked at it, the two of them seemed to be going out on a date tonight. I didn't know they were a couple.

Teacher Yi waved at me one last time before zooming off. I could only stare numbly as my two teachers left the academy grounds, the convertible actually taking off and soaring high into the air a few dozen meters away from the barrier. By the time they reached the thick walls that guarded Wu Ling Academy, the convertible was high enough to crest even the tallest emplacement.

Then they were gone, just like that.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I turned back to the library to return the Shadow Steps manual and the rest of the books.

Maybe I'll borrow some new books and encyclopedias while at it…

*

The next day, when class ended, Teacher Jiao had the whole class stay back. Usually, after the theoretical lessons ended at noon, the rest of the class would disperse and leave, presumably to head to their sects for their practical martial arts training. But today, Teacher Jiao held them back.

”Sorry, but I've a bit of an announcement to make. Well, not me, actually…but the principal. It's for all the first years.”

”Eh…”

”How boring…”

There were grumbles and complaints amongst the classrooms, but nobody defied his instructions. Not even Qi Fu Ren and his cronies, despite the three of them lounging defiantly at the back of their classroom. With a huff, Qi Fu Ren rose and left the classroom while Hu Shuo and Ba Dao scurried in his wake. Ever since his crushing defeat to Zhu Jiao, he had remained in a foul mood.

”What do you think this is all about?” Tong Xue asked as Zhu Jiao, Ban Zhang and I followed him closely out of the classroom.

”No idea,” Ban Zhang replied. ”But if it involves all the first years, then it must be something very major.”

”Eh? What's going on?”

Zhu Jiao looked perplexed. I shrugged, just as bewildered as him and Ban Zhang. Tong Xue looked like he might have a clue, but he refrained from saying anything.

”Well, I guess we'll find out. Let's go.”

The two of us tailed Teacher Jiao. He guided us along the path, leading us out of the middle school campus bulilding and toward the academy square. Despite the buildings towering over us, there was no shade. The sun continued to relentlessly bear down on the compound.

A large majority of the first year cohort was already waiting there, having gathered there some time ago. The Principal of Wu Ling Academy was present, and was currently engaged in discussion with several of the other teachers. I noticed that he sent a surreptitious glance in Zhu Jiao's direction.

The movement was not lost on Teacher Jiao, who smiled wearily. He turned his head slightly to look at Zhu Jiao.

”I heard that you regained your talent and beat up Qi Fu Ren a couple of weeks ago.”

”He was getting uppity and trying to bully me and Fei Wu,” Zhu Jiao protested hotly. ”I was only teaching him a lesson!”

Teacher Jiao chuckled. ”Oh, no. don't get me wrong. I'm not reprimanding you. I agree with you, actually. Qi Fu Ren's behavior was getting out of hand, and he was becoming too arrogant for his own good. You're not the only ones he has been bullying. I'm glad you managed to knock some sense into him. Besides, you challenged him to an official match, so you didn't break any rules.”

Zhu Jiao looked relieved, but Teacher Jiao continued.

”However, knowing Qi Fu Ren's personality, I don't think this will be over. He will stop harassing you for a while, but he'll come back for revenge.”

”Hah!” Zhu Jiao snorted. ”If he's still stupid enough to come bother us, then I'll just have to kick his ass again!”

”I'm more worried that Qi Fu Ren will resort to more…indirect methods,” I muttered under my breath, maintaining an air of caution.

”Yeah. Fei Wu has a point.” Teacher Jiao nodded. ”Watch your backs, you two.”

”Will do, Teacher Jiao.”

”Speaking of which…where did you learn martial arts from?” Teacher Jiao asked Zhu Jiao. ”I don't think you're in any sect, are you?”

”Uh…actually, well…I mean…”

”He is. But for reasons, he can't tell us which sect he is from, or who his master is.” I decided to help him. When Zhu Jiao stared at me in shock, I shrugged. ”It's a standard cliché in martial arts stories. The master will sometimes ask his disciple to keep everything a secret, at least until he's ready or something.”

”Ah! Yeah! That's what it is!”

Zhu Jiao was gullible enough to accept my explanation at face value. Then again, I did have a point. Such clichés were pretty commonplace.

Teacher Jiao frowned, but he didn't question further. He must have known that it was pointless because it was clear that Zhu Jiao wouldn't give anything away.

”All right! Gather around!”

When Xiao Zhang saw that all of us had assembled, he shouted out in a loud voice. Teacher Jiao went off to the side and joined the other teachers, being discreet so that he wouldn't divert the students' attention away from the principal. The teachers the principal was speaking to earlier had also retreated, staying away from the front so that he could deliver his speech undisturbed. After they left the stage, Xiao Zhang swept his friendly gaze over all the students.

I noticed him shooting a sly glance in my direction. He probably knew that I had completed Shadow Steps and was proceeding to the next stage in supposedly restoring Heaven and Earth Formula.

”It is time.”

”…time?”

”Huh?”

”What is he talking about?”

After that dramatic line, the students all began staring at each other and murmuring amongst themselves, unsure of what had just happened. Xiao Zhang observed us smugly, like a proud parent surveying his children who just scored perfect marks.

”Your training has been progressing well. I've been speaking to each of your respective masters and teachers, and they are impressed with the rate at which you are improving and learning martial arts. As such, I believe that all of you are ready!”

”Ready for what?”

Tong Xue couldn't help but ask. Xiao Zhang merely chuckled. I swear, he was purposely withholding the answer to artificially create tension and increase the dramatic mood of the atmosphere.

”A month from now, as practical training, all of you will be sent to the Sen Lin Forest.”

It seemed like he was right in being dramatic. There was a low murmur as the students began whispering to each other.

”By that point, it would be six months since you have entered the academy.” Xiao Zhang was nodding indulgently, not at all offended by the noise his announcement had generated. ”I believe it would be a good time as any to test your newly learned skills and see how far you've progressed. After all, learning martial arts is pointless if you don't have any real combat experience. Consider it a sort of school tradition necessary for all of you to grow into fine warriors.”

Despite his grand-sounding speech, there was unease and anxiety rankling the ranks of the student. Several of the girls were pale with fright.

”Isn't that dangerous?”

”I don't know if we're ready…”

”No way! I don't want to!”

”So scary!”