After convincing the students from Dormitory Number 7, Arthur decided to rest for the day and clean up the remaining dust in the dormitory he would be staying in. Although he had already tidied up the larger and heavier items, there were still scattered belongings on the floor! So, after thoroughly cleaning the dormitory, Arthur issued his first order.
"Since today is a holiday and there's no part-time work, I want you all to practice meditation—and don't stop until noon! Any objections?" Arthur declared loudly.
"No, sir! We have no objections!" they replied in unison.
Once they began their training, Arthur also instructed Jing Liu to join. But Jing Liu wanted to train in the system room, so Arthur sent him there without realizing what he was actually planning. Arthur himself was about to meet Master Dwarf—not physically, but spiritually.
"Master Dwarf, I need your help again! I want a spiritual tool to amplify the surrounding spiritual energy within a 10-meter radius, and a storage bracelet to discreetly retrieve my belongings," Arthur said.
"Sorry, but that's impossible! The annual limit for crafting spiritual tools is three, and you've already used two of them. So, you can only make one more this year," Master Dwarf replied.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me there was a yearly limit for crafting spiritual tools?!" Arthur exclaimed, confused.
"Because I wanted you to realize you can't always rely on me in unexpected situations!" Master Dwarf said, trying to sound authoritative.
"Sigh... Is that so? I guess I've grown too dependent on you and started feeling a bit arrogant, thinking I could do anything. Thanks for bringing me back to my senses," Arthur said with a light sigh.
"Good that you understand! But your current problem can still be solved—by modifying one of your previous spiritual tools into what you need now. However, this will reduce next year's quota!" Master Dwarf explained.
"What?! You mean I can alter a previously crafted tool, but it'll also cut into next year's chances?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, exactly! So, think carefully before deciding. Now, which do you need more: the spiritual energy amplifier or the storage tool?" Master Dwarf inquired.
"I'll take the spiritual energy amplifier first, to help the dorm members level up without drawing attention. If possible, make it a wolf-shaped bracelet or brooch," Arthur said after a moment of thought.
"Alright! This will take some time. Maybe you'd like to check on what your friend is doing in the system room?" Master Dwarf suggested.
"Hmm... What exactly is Jing Liu up to? Isn't he training with the ecosystem to boost his progress—or what you might call mimesis?" Arthur muttered as he prepared to shift to Jing Liu's location.
But...
Just as Arthur was about to move, he heard the door open! He quickly snapped back to his physical body and saw—it was the same troublemakers who had harassed Jing Liu when they first met! They hadn't learned their lesson after being scared off by Arthur's aura before.
"Hey, looks like this is where those students—"
"HUP!"
Before the troublemaker could finish, Arthur grabbed and hurled them out of the dormitory! Arthur himself leaped out, closed the door, and told the other dorm members to keep meditating. They could only stare in awe at his speed before deciding to trust him and resume their training.
"Seems you haven't learned your lesson from three months ago? Do you want something more 'fun' this time—instead of just feeling my aura and running away?" Arthur said, trying to sound menacing.
Though he threw them, Arthur made sure they weren't seriously hurt—he cushioned their fall before they hit the ground. After all, they were still kids who needed guidance, not violence. But they needed to understand that those they bullied could fight back!
"You?! How are you here?!" shouted the ringleader, who had met Arthur before.
"I'm now the boss of Dormitory Number 7! I challenge you to a 10 vs. 10 battle—six months from now! You can refuse if you're scared of losing... but then no one will follow you after this!" Arthur taunted.
"What?! Grrr... Fine! Just wait, I, Xiao Ganyu, won't lose in six months! If you lose, you'll serve me for the rest of your time at the academy!" Xiao Ganyu shot back.
"Deal! No clashes are allowed during these six months. If there's any provocation, I'll come for you!" Arthur said, releasing a wave of aura that sent them tumbling.
"AAAAH—!"
After that, they fled immediately! But Arthur didn't return to the dorm—he went around the academy spreading a rumor:
"Xiao Ganyu challenged a part-time student! The battle will happen six months from now after midterms—and no provocation is allowed during the break!"
The rumor spread like wildfire—within 30 minutes, it was the hottest topic in the academy! Even the teachers heard about it.
"Should we stop this fight?" asked a healing-type spirit teacher.
"No need! This will motivate other students to train and prevent random brawls. Besides, it's just a kids' fight—no one will get seriously hurt," replied the person beside them.
"Oh, come on! You should be more careful about encouraging this, Dean! What if they lose control and someone gets badly injured?!" the teacher protested.
Turns out, they were talking to the headmaster!
Meanwhile, Arthur returned to Dormitory Number 7. The spiritual energy amplifier—a wolf-shaped brooch—was already finished by Master Dwarf. Watching the students still meditating, Arthur murmured:
"I'll only help you until graduation. But how high you climb... is up to you."
With everything going smoothly, the path to Dormitory Number 7's dominance over Nuoding Academy had begun! Though to adults, it might just seem like child's play...
"Alright, now let's see what Jing Liu is up to..." Arthur said.
But...
The moment he saw Jing Liu's activity, Arthur was shocked!
TO BE CONTINUED....