Chapter 16. Changes.
Flander had seen and experienced a lot in his life, from joy to disappointments; especially disappointments in love. After all, the one he loved had chosen his friend over him. However, despite all his experience, in recent days he had felt like a frog at the bottom of a well.
If someone had told him before that one could become a Spirit King at 12 years old, he would have laughed in that liar's face without a shadow of a doubt. But now... now he was watching from the tavern's second floor as Shrek's students, whose feast was paid for by a "treating" Zhuqing, celebrated. Among them were three Spirit Kings, each 12 years old, and what was even more absurd—their power noticeably surpassed their rank.
"What's wrong, feeling inadequate?" asked Zhao Wuji, who had come up, with an uncharacteristic melancholy on his face.
"Inadequate? Probably, yes," Flander sighed, slumping slightly. "I feel like we're holding them back. They clearly don't even need us to get their spirit rings. Zhuqing and Tang San easily killed their beasts on their own, and I have no doubt that Xiao Wu is strong too. We simply have nothing to offer them."
"What, are you just going to give up like that? Disband the academy?" Zhao snorted.
"No," Flander replied sharply. Shrek Academy was something he had poured his entire soul into, and he didn't want it to end ingloriously like this.
"So, what are you going to do? You already know that girl is here because of Dai Mubai and the Continental Tournament, and Tang San and his rabbit-girl just followed their teacher's advice. But you yourself should understand that we don't have a participation slot. And once they find out—first Zhuqing will leave, and then... maybe the others will leave too. Except maybe the fat kid will stay."
"...I know."
"So what do we do?"
"I... I have an idea, but I'm afraid Xiaogang won't agree. I wanted him to join us."
"What idea?"
"I'll contact Erlong. If we join forces, I believe we can provide everything needed. However, Xiaogang avoids her. He won't agree."
"Brother," Wuji put a hand on Flander's shoulder. "Sorry for being blunt, but to hell with Yu Xiaogang. You've already given him too much time. He rejected her love—it's time to take fate into your own hands."
"I..."
"Alright, wait. Hear me out," Zhao interrupted him. "If he can grow a pair and join—then do as planned. Continue being a cas... ahem, never mind. But if he, as usual, acts like a total coward, then it's finally time to act like a real man and win the heart of the one you love. How about that?"
"You're still a bachelor yourself, you know."
"Who cares, maybe I just haven't found the one for me who won't be just a one-night fling. But you're starting to look like a cuckold."
"You're going too far," Flander frowned.
"Then prove me wrong. Just prove it."
"...Alright. If Xiaogang refuses, I won't try to persuade him."
"Great start. Haha, we might soon be celebrating your wedding," Zhao said cheerfully and left.
And fortunately for the speakers, a certain particularly dangerous and vengeful boy didn't hear them, unlike Xiao Wu. And if the rabbit-girl initially considered telling Tang San what she'd heard, in the end, after hearing the story of Yu Xiaogang and how relationships with him turned into disaster for women from Zhuqing, she agreed that it was better not to.
The next day.
This time, no one hurried us to get up early, and for the first time in a very long time, I even allowed myself to skip the dawn training and sleep in. Honestly, even though the ring hunt ended safely, I still felt considerable stress, mostly due to my own thoughts. That's the downside of being a transmigrator who's read too many fanfics and knows perfectly well the theories that Tang San's entire path from start to finish was paved by the Asura God and the Sea God. And when such a blatant example of him being suspiciously lucky appears before your eyes, you can't help but fear that you might displease an actual deity who, being responsible for the laws of the Divine Realm, can break those laws with impunity.
Because of this, my attitude towards Tang San also changed involuntarily. I began to feel noticeably more wariness towards him, even though I tried not to show it. But I suppose sooner or later he'll notice. After all, when you're wary of someone, certain instinctive reactions appear. However, that's a problem for a completely different time, and if I can bring my plans to life, I'll hardly see him after the tournament until the ascension. And once in the Divine Realm, the main thing will be to do everything to find my successor quickly, to shed my responsibilities and get away from all these possible intrigues and schemes.
Yesterday, after Tang San finished absorbing the spirit bone, we set off almost immediately. No one wanted to stay in the forest any longer, except maybe Xiao Wu, but she didn't show it either. The encounter with such a dangerous beast as the Titan Ape had been too terrifying. But even so, although everyone was tired, no one refused to celebrate the successful hunt, and I, as I had "promised" Dai Mubai, paid for everyone. The poor guy, caught up in the mood and how everyone had bonded through shared hardships, was cheerfully chatting with everyone until it finally dawned on him why exactly I had paid for the dinner.
It was a bit strange. In that very moment, I felt a sadistic pleasure awakening inside me. The way his joyful face suddenly twisted with displeasure and the realization that he'd been tricked. Yet, to avoid ruining the cheerful atmosphere, he forced a strained smile and continued the conversation until the hidden anger gave way to resignation.
"Goodness, I really might be a potential sadist," I said out loud, realizing I was actually smiling, remembering how I had angered the so-annoying Dai Mubai.
"On the other hand, isn't this world ideal for sadists? You can legally punch someone's lights out and still be right simply because you're strong... uh-uh, seems like I'm getting a bit carried away." I tried to push these intrusive thoughts out of my head and started getting ready.
Actually, during our journey to the Star Dou Forest, at least three important deviations from canon occurred.
First, Tang San didn't reveal his hidden weapon. Which could potentially change the future a lot.
Second, judging by the conversation I overheard yesterday, we won't be cooped up in Soto for long, and soon we'll head to the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, where a merger will happen with the academy created by Liu Erlong.
And third, it seems Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang will soon fade into the background, and Liu Erlong will quite possibly get together with the much more suitable Flander.
Honestly, I'm genuinely curious where all this will lead, knowing his pettiness and pride.
But for now, I need to prepare for the upcoming meeting with Ning Rongrong's father. I'm sure it won't take much time. Especially now that the girl has developed a thirst for power after facing such a life-threatening crisis inside the Star Dou Forest.