Lili, with his usual slow stride, made his way out of the hotel.
Near the hotel entrance, Flender arrived at the exact same moment. This time, he had timed it perfectly. After yesterday's lesson, he made sure not to arrive too early and waste time waiting inside.
As Lili stepped out, Flender immediately recognized her.
But now—she was wearing an oni mask.
And… a cane?
Flender paused for a brief moment. With his sharp eyesight—enhanced by his owl martial soul—he observed her from different angles. He flicked his glasses, focusing on the mask.
From its design alone, he sensed something strange:
Sorrow.
Anger.
Mockery.
All at once.
"This woman is truly mysterious… and difficult to understand," Flender thought.
Then his gaze shifted to the cane. He saw nothing suspicious about it—perhaps just a design choice. Still, there was no doubt in his mind. The yellow kimono, the pale skin, the posture—
It was her.
Flender walked toward Lili, who was about to leave the hotel entrance.
"Oh, good morning, Your Highness," Flender said teasingly.
"Are you on your way to Shrek?"
Lili replied with his deep, hoarse voice, giving only a single response.
"…Mm."
Flender's eyes lit up.
"Oh? What a coincidence," he said smoothly. "I was heading there as well. I'll lead the way."
Lili's voice rang out again.
"Coincidence… ?"
Flender only smiled and began walking ahead, leading the path.
In truth, he had come here deliberately—to make sure this woman would attend today. He had planned it all yesterday. Passing the four students early wasn't just because of their talent; it was because he wanted to see how strong she truly was.
He intended to let the new recruits demonstrate—
All for that purpose.
Flender smirked inwardly, pleased with his brilliant idea.
Behind him, Lili didn't care.
Even if he knew exactly what this gold-digging principal was plotting, he wouldn't give a single fuck.
Instead, Lili was checking the system.
He was thinking of making another roulette draw—after all, nothing would happen if he didn't use it. And it would help pass the time.
♤
Lili's thoughts drifted as he followed Flender, his gaze fixed on the man's back.
A simple question surfaced in his mind.
Hey, Shakky… how come I have soul power even though I don't cultivate? Is it something I was born with?
If I remember correctly, soul power is connected to a Martial Soul—but I don't have one, right?
Ding—
□ Research
Host need not worry. Every ability, power, weapon, or item obtained through the roulette possesses its own innate soul power.
For example:
Brook's Soul Solid Cane Sword has an innate soul power of 4 and can naturally upgrade through daily use. Over time, it absorbs ambient soul power and can reach Level 10, at which point the host must obtain a soul ring for it.
All roulette items follow this rule.
The kimono the host is wearing has an innate soul power of 2 and can be upgraded like a normal soul tool.
Even food items may possess innate soul power—or none at all.
The Black Maria Devil Fruit the host consumed has 30 innate soul power, making it currently the highest soul-powered asset in the host's arsenal.
Lili read the explanation, then muttered flatly,
"So everything I draw… even a dildo… even a severed arm… has soul power?"
He paused.
"Then what about Shanks' left arm?"
Ding—
□ Soul Power
Shanks' Left Arm: 69 Soul Power
Lili raised an eyebrow.
"Sixty-nine… just for an arm. That's something."
So it really works like this—items in the roulette have different grades, just like in Douluo Dalu.
"Tch… I can't process all this right now."
He exhaled quietly.
"Anyway," Lili continued, utterly unbothered,
"draw the remaining 10 R.P.."
"I want Franky's cola."
♤
Ding—
□ O.P.R.
10 R.P. — Rolling the Roulette ×10
Ding… ding…
Ding—Ding—
Ding… ding… ding—
Ding— ding—
The familiar cascade of mechanical chimes echoed in Lili's mind, overlapping and stacking until they formed a chaotic rhythm—like gears spinning too fast, fate tumbling end over end.
Lili's footsteps never slowed.
Flender walked ahead, hands clasped behind his back, humming to himself, completely unaware that behind him a roulette tied to another world was spinning wildly.
The system panel flickered.
Ding—
□ ONE PIECE ROULETTE
Lili's dark purple eyes narrowed slightly behind the oni mask—not in excitement, not in anticipation, but in quiet awareness.
Flender, sensing nothing, continued forward, already envisioning the chaos that would unfold inside Shrek Academy today.
Behind him, Lili waited.
Patient.
Unimpressed.
Unhurried.
For the roulette to finish revealing what it had chosen.