The thin teacher led Tang San and Xiao Tian to the outskirts of Notting Primary Spirit Master Academy. At the farthest corner stood a weathered wooden building, its paint peeling, windows cracked, and roof tiles uneven. A sign creaked in the wind: Dormitory No. 7.
The teacher smirked. "This is where the work-study brats live. No rules, no luxuries. If you last here, maybe you'll last in the academy." With that, he left.
Inside, the stench of sweat and dust filled the air. Several children turned their heads, their eyes sharp and suspicious.
A boy stepped forward, tall for his age, his posture proud. "New ones, huh? Remember this—I'm Wang Sheng, Martial Spirit: Tiger. In this dorm, strength decides everything. The weak obey the strong. If you want to stay, you fight."
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow, amused. So this is how they establish order. Primitive but effective.
Tang San frowned politely. "We just want to live peacefully. Fighting isn't necessary."
Wang Sheng snorted. "No fighting, no respect. That's how it is."
The other children whispered, waiting eagerly.
Xiao Tian stepped forward first. He lifted his hands slightly—then shook his head. "Forget it. I admit defeat."
The room blinked in surprise. Wang Sheng sneered. "Coward?"
Xiao Tian only smiled faintly. Better to hide my claws for now. My body's weak and without soul rings. What's the point of showing off? I'll build strength my way, not in this childish pecking order.
He moved aside calmly, his surrender neither embarrassed nor shaken. Some children sneered, others ignored him.
Now only Tang San remained.
Wang Sheng's tiger spirit flared faintly around him. He rushed forward with a growl, his fists swinging. Tang San's eyes narrowed, his movements calm and precise. At the last second, he shifted his stance, deflecting Wang Sheng's force and sending him stumbling with a push.
The fight didn't last long. Within a few exchanges, Wang Sheng was flat on his back, groaning.
The dorm buzzed. The new boy had won.
Tang San helped him up with courtesy, but Wang Sheng's pride wouldn't let him accept easily. Before words could continue, a soft, playful voice rang out.
"Oh? So the tiger's already been beaten?"
Everyone turned. A girl about their age stood at the doorway, her lively eyes full of mischief. She wore a plain dress, her long hair braided, and carried herself with the grace of someone born to move.
"I'm Xiao Wu, Martial Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit. Since you're the new boss, why don't you test me?"
Gasps echoed. A rabbit challenging the tiger's conqueror?
Wang Sheng muttered bitterly, "She's strong… you'll see."
Tang San hesitated. He had already won one fight, but Xiao Wu's bright eyes seemed to glow with an odd charm. The first time he saw her, his heart skipped—an unfamiliar feeling for him. Still, he nodded. "If that's the rule, I'll accept."
The children quickly cleared space.
"Begin!" someone shouted.
Wang Sheng lunged first last time, but now Tang San stepped forward carefully. He tried to use the same techniques of redirecting force, but Xiao Wu was different. Her movements were fluid, unpredictable, her body twisting in the air like silk ribbon.
Tang San's hand brushed her sleeve—then suddenly, she pivoted, grabbed his wrist, and with one elegant spin, threw him over her shoulder.
Bang!
The floor shuddered as Tang San landed hard. The children erupted in laughter and cheers.
Tang San climbed back up, his face calm but his ears faintly red. He had held back—partly out of surprise, partly out of that strange attraction he felt toward Xiao Wu the moment she appeared.
Xiao Wu placed her hands on her hips triumphantly. "From now on, I'm the boss of Dorm 7. Anyone got a problem?"
Silence. No one dared.
Even Tang San gave a small smile, admitting defeat with a bow of respect.
That night, the children prepared to sleep. Tang San quietly laid out the quilt Old Jack had given him, while Xiao Tian took the bunk nearest the window, already thinking about the unused patch of dirt outside.
But Xiao Wu frowned at her empty bed. She had no quilt, no belongings, nothing but the clothes she wore.
She turned to Tang San, pouting lightly. "Hey, little San. I don't have a quilt. Lend me yours, or let me sleep with you."
The dorm buzzed with teasing whispers.
Tang San stiffened, his calm expression cracking slightly. But seeing her shiver in the night air, he sighed softly and lifted the edge of his quilt. Xiao Wu slipped in cheerfully, curling up beside him with ease, her bright smile softening Tang San's usual composure.
Xiao Tian watched from his bunk, shaking his head with a faint grin. So even Tang San, calm and disciplined, can't resist her charm. Interesting… very interesting.
That night, as snores filled the dorm, Xiao Tian lay awake. His eyes stared at the cracked ceiling, his thoughts sharp and restless.
Tang San's talent is monstrous. Innate full soul power, probably more secrets behind his calm face. And Xiao Wu… clearly not ordinary either. If I try to compete on talent alone, I'll be crushed before I even begin.
He clenched his fist beneath the blanket.
So I won't compete on talent. I'll use what only I know—discipline, training, Earth's knowledge. A body can be forged like iron, a will can be sharpened like steel. Farming knowledge turned a starving village into abundance. Here, I'll forge strength the same way.
His gaze shifted to the window, where the moonlight illuminated the weeds and stones outside.
That will be my first step. A training ground. Iron weights, stone bars, drills… I'll build what this world has never seen. While they meditate, I'll sweat. While they chase techniques, I'll harden my body. One day, when they turn to sneer at me for 'innate soul power 4'… I'll show them what a Black Tiger can really become.
Slowly, Xiao Tian closed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His future wasn't clear, but for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a path forming under his feet.