21 Black Sting Academy

The sun rising makes the whole place hotter than earlier. Sweating, even more, Ai's party is now losing energy to go on after that camp game they had all night. Unlike Ai who had a good night sleep, he's now walking towards the grocery store to buy supplies for their training.

-Grocery Store-

It may not as fancy as the stores of Black Fist Clan, it has enough supplies for them to buy. The other teams had been here today first and Ai's team's the last that came after a little detour. They were able to buy a few of what they need but they have to visit the other shops for more supplies.

Like a zombie walking, "Shit... why is it freaking so hot in here?" The one with the bandana seems to be reaching his limit. He needs to rest as well as the others.

Looking at their poor condition, "That's what happens when you use your energy talking. Stop complaining or I'll leave you guys behind." Ai is not liking being in a group. He prefers being with those who are stronger than him so he could learn new things, not with a bunch of morons.

Angered by their leader's statement, "Suit yourself, dude! You've been ignoring us from the beginning. You know how it feels to be the weakest and being with you means we're pretty much the worst team. Why even bother... leave us if you want. We can handle ourselves." The guy with the bandana seems fed up of his attitude.

One with a shy face approached the one complaining "Runi, our teacher will be mad at us. Apologize... or we'll be in serious trouble-"

"Shut it, Di'er, if you want to go with- wait... where is he?" While they are all talking and trying to not be stupid, their leader disappeared.

Worriedly, "Now you've done it. Our teacher said that we should be together. We'll have to find him." Di'er, the shy guy, sure doesn't want any trouble.

*Sniff Sniff* Like a dog sniffing the ground, "You guys don't have to worry, I got his smell from the pieces of cloth. It's easy to track him down. Follow me..." Using Qi to increase the effectiveness and sensitivity of sensing abilities is pretty common for fighters and hunters.

Runi, the one with the bandana, seems impressed and at the same time grossed out of his team mate's ability, "Wow, no wonder your name's "Wu'of"."

Wu'of's expression changed after being ridiculed, "What are you implying?! That I'm a dog?! We're both rank 5 disciples but it doesn't mean I can't beat the hell out of you!" Someone hates his name...

Being excited by the trouble, "Ohhh! I like where this is going! Fight! Fight!" Anren, one with the jester's face, would love to see a fight.

Di'er worried, "Guys, we're not being a team here. We should continue looking for our leader. Jeez! What is wrong with you people."

The two idiots looked away from each other while Anren was disappointed that the fight didn't happen. Wu'of continued doing his thing and so most of them followed him.

Going deeper into the city, even for them, they know that this is a bad idea going through the alley.

"Where the hell is he leading us to?"

Even with the high sun, the buildings and the roof made of cloth made the place darker. A lot darker than it should be...

Wu'of eyes widen after his sense of smell tracked the smell of stink of iron, 'Wait... blood! I smell lots of blood!' Then he rushed ahead making the others run as well. Great Qi on his legs powered his running speed to a high degree almost leaving the others behind.

As tired as he is, "Huff huff! Why on earth are you running so fast this time! Slow down damn it!" Runi and the others ran as fast as they could.

The light started to blind Wu'of raising his hand to protect his eyes from the intense bright. Even so, he tried to check what happened and his eyes widen even more when he saw Ai lifting a guy, trying to struggle, with one hand through his neck and... *Crack* Struggling stopped. The body was sucked into Ai's magic ring after that.

Ai like an innocent lamb, "Oh, it looks like you found me." cleaned his clothes from the stain of blood but it seems it couldn't be removed.

Sounds of shoes clapping together with the ground slowly getting louder giving Ai the idea that the others are coming towards his direction, *Sighs* He's really disappointed that his members are this weak.

Speechless, this is the first time Wu'of saw a man die and his sense of smell tells him that there were more of them who died by his hands.

"Shit! What the hell happened here?!" Finally, the others arrived.

"I don't know, I stumbled upon this place and accidentally fell on the ground so as you can see, my clothes are ruined. I need a good bath but first..." Ai started removing his clothes in front of them...

"What the hell are you-"

"What? Aren't we all guys here?" Ai seems to have been mistaken.

Looking away, "..." There's one who hasn't really said anything at all since they started being together.

"Dude, we have a girl here and I think her name is Lai'li... Still, this place is a mess. We should get out of here before others misunderstood..." Runi and the others walked away after Ai finally managed to change his clothes that came from the magic ring.

Ai approaching Wu'of, "Hey are you ok? You look like you've seen a murder or something! Haha!" Laughing as if nothing happened, Wu'of is terrified of him.

'Shit... from the look of the guy he killed, he should be a strong fellow and there's no way someone like him can defeat... who the hell is Ai?' He can feel that Ai is looking at him intensely. This pressure is making him sick.

'Is this him saying I should keep my mouth shut? Shit! He's going to kill me too!' It's like he can feel like he's being swallowed by something... guilt.

...

They were able to visit more shops for other supplies and the bathhouse before heading to the meeting place.

-Black Sting City, South Gate-

Everyone is dreadful from last night's camp game and now, the sun is about to set. Training that exerts their physical and mental health. Their teacher sure is overdoing it.

"Oh man, you guys are in a mess. It's ok, we're about to leave but we have to visit the Academy first. Remember?" To her students, she really is a devil.

Everyone is disappointed and really needed a long sleep still... they still have to go on.

Walking ahead together, unlike the Black Fist Clan at night, the city became quieter and most of the shops closed early.

"Isn't too early to close?" One of the students curiously asked.

Lighting a torch, "This is their rule here. They do business early and close early. Guards will be appearing more soon and it's a policy for them to carry a torch when you walk at night so make sure at least every team should have one who has a torch."

It's getting even darker but there's still light where they are heading.

-The Black Sting Academy-

Reaching the academy, it seems that there's a commotion going on. The situation seems dire.

Someone approached them with 3-star uniform while making his subordinates stop talking, "Oh, welcome, revered students of Black Fist Clan and one of the teachers, Miss Wai. My name is Swon'du, a teacher of this academy, and it seems you caught us with an emergency situation but don't let it worry you. You are guests here and let us go and meet the Elder." Talking while trying to scan their Qi Ranks.

Swon'du, known as the top student when Wai last visited, "It's a pleasure to have such hospitality, Sir, Swon'du. My students should learn how to be as accommodating as you." Wai, didn't waste the opportunity and scanned the area as well looking for those who are stronger than her. As a teacher and the 3rd strongest student of the Black Fist Academy, she sure is even stronger than their top student for reaching only level 5 Master.

"That's all we can offer as you may have seen that this city struggles a lot. If not because of the Great Lake, this city won't prosper." He sure is good with his words. The city is doing well for a climate and situation like this.

Walking towards the Elder's room, Wai can feel two presence stronger than her. And she thought that there's only the elder who can defeat her.

Upon catching a glance of Wai being surprised, Swon'du already knew what she's thinking. "I can tell by your face that you sensed him as well. We have a student... well, I just can say that we have someone who we call a genius. Still, don't be intimidated by his presence, he may be strong but he has a pure heart." Still, Wai seems to be worried even more.

Finally, they reached the Elder's room.

"Welcome, Teacher Wai and the students of the Black Fist Clan."