"We're looking for your team instructor," Max stated calmly, his golden eyes locking onto Zhao Hai.
The young captain frowned. "Why? You don't look like recruiters or nobles."
"We're looking to join," Max answered simply. "You could use the help."
Zhao Hai scoffed, a small flame flickering along the edge of his sword. "We don't take just anyone—"
"Then test me." Max's words cut in cool and sharp.
The challenge was clear.
The instructors, observing from the sidelines, were about to step in, but seeing Zhao Hai's expression — proud, competitive — they allowed the spar to proceed. After all, with Zhao Hai's level and combat experience, most random Spirit Masters would be flattened.
They had no idea who Max really was.
The courtyard cleared, and students circled the space as Max and Zhao Hai took their positions.
"Don't hold back," Max said casually, twirling his Twilight Scepter, its obsidian surface gleaming faintly beneath the sunlight.
Zhao Hai's eyes narrowed as his three Spirit Rings — two yellow, one purple — flared into existence. Flames engulfed his sword, the air shimmering with heat.
The instructor raised a hand. "Begin!"
Zhao Hai charged, fast and aggressive, his sword arcing with blazing heat.
Max barely moved. A faint ripple of twilight energy coiled around him — a perfect blend of light and darkness — as he sidestepped effortlessly. The Flame Sword sliced air, and before Zhao Hai could recover, the butt of Max's scepter tapped his chest.
A flash of energy pulsed — not enough to harm, but enough to send Zhao Hai sprawling backward, landing hard on the stone floor.
The crowd went silent.
The whole exchange had taken three seconds.
Zhao Hai scrambled to his feet, flushed with frustration, but before he could speak, the lead instructor stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"What's your level?" the instructor asked, watching Max closely.
"Level 32 Spirit Elder," Max answered, not bothering to hide it.
Shock rippled through the students.
A Level 32 Spirit Elder just effortlessly overwhelmed a Level 35 Flame Sword Spirit Master?
The instructors exchanged glances, their military-honed instincts telling them this wasn't an ordinary boy.
The courtyard remained hushed as Max stood tall, calmly lowering his Twilight Scepter, its glow fading. Zhao Hai grit his teeth but offered a respectful nod, knowing he was thoroughly outclassed. Pride stung, but strength always spoke the loudest in the world of Spirit Masters.
The lead instructor stepped forward, folding his arms. He was a seasoned man in his forties, his robes marked with Barak Academy's insignia and the presence of a solid Spirit Ancestor-level cultivation.
"Not bad, young man," the instructor said, glancing from Max to the now-recovering Zhao Hai. "But we don't just take strays without reason, no matter how skilled."
He raised a brow. "So, what's your reason? Why join now? We've already been training for months."
Max met his gaze evenly. "Simple," he said without hesitation. "I want revenge on Shrek Academy."
The second instructor, a sharp-eyed woman in her thirties, frowned slightly. "Revenge?"
Max nodded. "A year ago, my team had a run-in with them during a spirit beast hunt. We clashed. I beat them fair and square, but they still played dirty, pulled their teachers into it, and almost caused unnecessary casualties. Since then, I've been waiting for the next chance to face them — publicly, in front of the entire continent."
His voice was calm, almost lazy, but there was iron in the words.
The lead instructor squinted. "You're saying your only reason for joining… is to beat Shrek Academy?"
"Yes."
He looked at Max for a long second. Then he shifted his gaze to the two girls standing quietly behind Max — Lan Xue and Mu Qing.
"Well, even if you're strong, this is still a team competition. They'll have to prove themselves too."
Max smirked faintly. "They will."
The instructor gestured. "Very well. Girls, step into the ring."
Lan Xue cracked her knuckles, silver-blue hair swaying as she stepped forward gracefully. Mu Qing stretched her arms and followed, her emerald eyes sharp with excitement. Both wore the faint smiles of those used to victory.
Two senior students stepped in to face them — Zhao Hai's teammates, both around Level 32, confident but cautious.
The fights were over in under two minutes.
Lan Xue's Celestial Lightning Rabbit spirit left the crowd wide-eyed. A burst of radiant lightning had knocked her opponent unconscious before he could summon his third ring.
Mu Qing's Heaven's Bane Ivy was a terrifying display of control. Her vines slithered like serpents, wrapped around her opponent's limbs, and injected a faint green poison that forced him to concede immediately. The instructor watching immediately recognized the rare poisonous aura — it wasn't lethal, but it would have left a Titled Douluo wary.
Silence reigned for a moment longer.
Then the instructor sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… damn. Alright. You're all in. Consider yourselves members of Barak Academy's team, effective immediately."
He looked to Zhao Hai. "From now on, Max — or whatever name you want to give — is the new captain. You're still vice-captain."
Zhao Hai nodded, this time with genuine respect. "Understood."
Max didn't say anything more. He turned to his teammates, gave a slight nod, and they left the ring together.
As they walked back to the academy's dorms, Mu Qing grinned. "Told you it'd be easy."
Lan Xue smirked, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Now we get front row seats for the fall of Shrek Academy."
****
The next morning dawned crisp and clear, sunlight cutting through the mist that rolled off Tian Dou City's rooftops. A buzz of excitement swept through the streets as crowds gathered outside the Grand Spirit Arena, eager for one match above all:
Barak Academy vs. Shrek Academy.
For years, Shrek had dominated the younger generation's attention. Their reputation, built on unorthodox methods and outrageous talent, had made them fan favorites. But today, Barak Academy was fielding something new — something unknown.
Something dangerous.
Max stood inside the preparation room, arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall. His eyes flicked across the others present — the original four members of Barak's tournament team who had been training for months:
Zhao Hai — the former captain, now vice-captain. Flame Sword Martial Spirit, level 35.
Su Mei — a calm girl with a Water Mirror Crane Martial Spirit. A tactical type, level 34.
Chen Fang — hot-headed, stocky boy with Rock Steel Boar, level 33. Pure defense.
Lin Zhou — agility attack type, a rare Feather Blade Sparrow, level 32.
***
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