THE DRAGON TOURNAMENT

After class ended, Meili had thoughts of checking on jaggy. She hesitated for a moment, then walked over to where Jaggy was standing. "Hi, Jaggy," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I saw how well you were doing today, you looked really strong and confident." Jaggy stood there, silent and still as a statue. Meili began to feel nervous. "I-I just wanted to check in with you," she said, her voice faltering. "I hope you're feeling alright."

Jaggy continued to stare, his expression unreadable. Meili began to feel even more nervous. Suddenly, Jaggy's expression softened into a warm smile. "Ha-ha, Meili, you think I'm some kind of softy, don't you?" he said, his tone light and teasing. "Just because I was feeling a bit glum yesterday, doesn't mean I'm like that all the time." Meili blinked, caught off guard by Jaggy's change in demeanor. "Oh, well, that's good to hear," she said, recovering from her surprise. "I'm glad you're feeling better, would you be ok if i tagg along with you back to the hotel?" . A huge blush rose up on jaggy's face for a moment then he snapped out and responded "yeah, sure."

They both began to walk back home to their hostels, bringing up random chats on the way.

Meili and Jaggy were approaching their hostels, they noticed Fuse following close behind them. "Fuse, you sly dog!" Jaggy said, a laugh in his voice. "Were you spying on us this whole time?" Fuse just grinned in response, her tail wagging happily. Meili and Fuse both waved Jaggy goodbye, Meili's heart filled with joy at seeing Jaggy in a better mood. As they turned to go their separate ways, Meili couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment.

Jaggy arrived at his room, Ryou was already there waiting for him. "Hey, look who's smiling now!" Ryou teased, his voice filled with amusement. "Shut up," Jaggy replied, rolling his eyes, but unable to hide the slight smile on his face. "Aww, come on, don't be like that," Ryou said, feigning hurt. "It's nice to see you happy for once!" Jaggy huffed, but couldn't help but feel a little more lighthearted.

"You know, it's Meili who's been the only one able in cheering you up, so you must have a crush on her," Ryou said, his tone teasing. Jaggy glared at him, his face flushing red. "I said, stop talking," he growled, his voice sharp. But Ryou only laughed, clearly amused by Jaggy's reaction. "Just admit it, you have a soft spot for her!" he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Jaggy let out an exasperated sigh, knowing there was no point in arguing with Ryou.

As Meili followed Fuse to their room, she happened to catch up to Lei on the way "Hey, Lei, wait up!" Meili called out as she hurried to catch up with her . "I just wanted to thank you for helping convince Miss Mei to let us accept the challenge of climbing Shaoshi Mountain," she said, a note of gratitude in her voice. But Lei just shrugged, her expression unreadable. "That's not why I did it," she said, her tone cold. "I have something to prove on that mountain, something that's more important than your desire for friendship."

Meili's face fell, but she tried to stay optimistic. "Lei, please know that we'll always be here for you, no matter what," Meili said, her voice soft and gentle. "We need to work together to complete this mission, and it would be too dangerous to go it alone. I know you're upset, but I hope we can still be friends." Lei looked away, her eyes clouded with emotion. "Just leave me alone, Meili," she said, her voice hoarse. And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Meili feeling heartbroken and confused.

As Fuse observed the events that had just unfolded, Meili returned to her room with Fuse. Fuse greeted her with a gentle tone. "Meili, are you okay?" he asked. "I'm fine," she replied with a strained smile, trying to hide her true feelings. Fuse continued, "I had to ask, because of what Lei said." Meili interrupted him, "Let's not dwell on Lei's words. I know she'll come around eventually. It takes time to forge strong bonds with others, especially those we don't know well. Y'know ". Fuse nodded in agreement.

As the night drew on, Miss Mei found herself consumed by troubling thoughts. She wrestled with the idea of letting her students go on a mission to Shaoshi Mountain, knowing how dangerous it could be. She had her own experiences on the mountain, and knew it would be no easy feat. She also couldn't shake the frustration she felt at Zabuza for planting the seed of the idea in her students' minds, when they were clearly not ready for such a task. Sleep evaded her as she tossed and turned, her mind racing with worry.

The next morning, Miss Mei gathered her students in the dojo. "Good morning, everyone," she began. "I know you're all eager to start your training, but I think it's important that we take a moment to discuss something first." The students looked at her expectantly. "Many of you possess special abilities that come from your lineage," she explained. "And while you may be able to perform the basic movements of Kung Fu, I think it's crucial that we first focus on harnessing your chi." The students nodded in understanding.

Miss Mei explained that chi is a universal energy that exists both within and around us. It is limitless and formless, and cannot be identified as one specific thing. However, we can learn to control and manipulate this energy to achieve various effects. To do so, we must first gain mastery over our own emotions and learn to focus our minds. With time and practice, we can then learn to draw upon the chi that surrounds us and channel it to activate our abilities. This process is often compared to a martial artist learning to manipulate their own chi, or life force.

"Different styles of chi manipulation have developed over the years," Miss Mei said. "The Tai Chi style is known for its slow, flowing movements, while the Qigong style focuses on breath control and meditation. Both of these styles aim to help the practitioner gain control over their chi. Meditation is another technique that can be used to harness chi, as it allows the practitioner to clear their mind and focus their energy."

Miss Mei could see that the students were struggling to grasp the concepts she was teaching. In an effort to get them back on track, she said, "We don't have to waste of our much time on this, so we need to focus on the basics. If we don't understand how to harness chi, we won't be able to progress in our training. So, let's start with a simple exercise. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply, and let the breath flow through your body. On the exhale, visualize your breath releasing all the stress and tension from your body."

As Jaggy looked around the room, he noticed that some of his classmates seemed tired and uncomfortable. He wondered if they were struggling with the intense focus required to harness their chi. Then he turned his attention to Ryou, who appeared to be dozing off. Jaggy tried calling his name, but Ryou didn't respond. Jaggy stretched over to Ryou's desk and gently tapped his shoulder. Ryou's head dropped onto his desk, confirming Jaggy's suspicion that he had fallen asleep. Ryou slowly opened his eyes, mumbling, " Wha… What's going on? Is the lesson over?" He was still half asleep, his mouth drooping and his words slurred. "You idiot," Jaggy responded. "You were sleeping this whole time! Did you not hear anything Miss Mei said?" Ryou sat up in his chair, blinking in confusion. "Damn, I was listening at first, but then everything started to sound like it was underwater. It was like I was in a trance." Jaggy rolled his eyes. "Seems like you're not the only one catching Z's. Half the class is almost asleep," Jaggy remarked. "Only Meili, Lei, and Kai seem to be paying attention." He continued, "They look more determined than the rest of us to become warriors." Ryou sat up in his seat, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. "Hey, don't say that. Just because we're sleeping in class doesn't mean we can't become warriors. What's gotten into you though?, Ryou noticed that Jaggy was uncharacteristically quiet. Usually he was outspoken and charismatic, but now he seemed withdrawn and disinterested. Ryou decided to press the issue. "Come on, you can tell me what's up. C'mon speak up" Jaggy hesitated, but finally spoke up. "It's just… well, I'm starting to wonder if the path of a warrior is really for me." Ryou was taken aback. "What makes you say that?

Lei cut through the silence with a sharp reprimand. "Can you two stop talking? You're disturbing the rest of the class with your idle chit chat!" Ryou and Jaggy let out a sigh in unison, knowing they had been caught. "Sorry, Lei," Ryou replied. Lei stared at them both with a stern expression before turning back to face the front of the class. Ryou and Jaggy exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the awkwardness of the moment.

Then there was a knock on the door and the whole class woke up from their slumber to see who that would be. It was the Si-Fu Yagushi, the head of the School of Iron Fist. He's commonly known around as Grandmaster, he greeted the class and had a word with Miss Mei. As Si-Fu Yagushi spoke, the entire class sat up straighter in their seats, their attention now fully on the Grandmaster. "Miss Mei, I am not sure it is wise to send these students to test their skills in the mountains," he said. "Lately, there have been reports of missing warriors in the mountains, and some of them have been found in remote parts of the North region. I think it would be best to give the students more time to develop their skills and become full-fledged warriors before testing them in such a dangerous place." Miss Mei listened intently, pondering the Grandmaster's words.

Miss Mei nodded thoughtfully, then addressed the class. "Students, it seems the Grandmaster has a point. It may be best to give you all more time to hone your skills before sending you to face the challenges of the mountains. For now, let us focus on our training and work on improving our techniques. We will test your progress at a later date, and when you are ready." While the rest of the class accepted the news with a mixture of relief and disappointment, three students in particular did not show any outward emotion. Kai, Jaggy, and Ryou all remained impassive, their faces unreadable. Perhaps they were merely hiding their true feelings, or perhaps they did not care either way. Meili wasn't sure what to think or feel, she was actually hoping to have to test her abilities on that mountain. Then she turned to Lei who she thought needed the opportunity most.

The news boiled up frustration on the face of Lei. She was totally disgusted by that decision, but she held herself not to make a scene in the class. The Grandmaster continued "Students, I have an important announcement to make," said the Grandmaster. "There would be a tournament soon, you guy's will be divided into teams and will compete against each other in the Dragon Tournament. Make sure you are ready for the challenge ahead."

The students looked at each other in anticipation and excitement. They had heard rumors of the Dragon Tournament, but this was the first time they had been told about it officially. They knew that it would be a fierce competition, but they were determined to do their best. Lei felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been waiting for an opportunity to prove herself, and the Dragon Tournament seemed like the perfect chance to do just that. She was determined to show Si-Fu Zabuza and the other Si-Fu's what she was made of.

"Everyone, please listen carefully. Not all of you know this, but the academy ranks its students based on their performance in the various exercises. These exercises determine the higher your rank will become. Eventually, you could become a 'certified dragon Warrior of Wushu Guan'. It's a crucial part of the ranking system, and it's important for the students to understand the consequences of not giving their best effort.It's important to note that leaving a tournament unfinished will cause a lot of stress and will only hinder your progress. It's best to give it your all and do your best to win ."

As the Grandmaster concluded his speech, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room with a brisk step. Some of the students were left reeling, their faces pale and their hands trembling. The ranking system he had outlined was clearly going to be a challenge, and many felt the weight of expectation settle upon their shoulders. Some began to wonder if they had what it took to succeed, while others were determined to rise to the occasion and prove themselves. But one thing was certain: the road ahead would not be easy.

As Jaggy rose to his feet, his face contorted in disbelief. "What the… what did he just say? We have to repeat the tournament if we don't do well?" he asked, his voice shrill with panic. Koko turned to him, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Jaggy, we all heard what he said. I know it's a lot to take in, but it's no reason to freak out." Jaggy's hands began to tremble as he stammered, "I-I-I just can't believe it. In a composed and reassuring tone, Miss Mei explained the ranking system to Jaggy.

"Yeah, the results for the students will be ranked in three lists, A, B, and C," Miss Mei explained. "The A list is for those who excel in the tournament. The B list is for those who pass but do not excel, and the C list is for those who do not pass at all. This way, we can recognize those who are truly gifted, and those who may need to repeat the tournament or leave the school, depending on their choice." Meili's eyes widened as she took in the details of the ranking system, her brows raising in surprise. "Wow," she breathed. Meanwhile, Jaggy's expression grew more and more troubled, his eyes filled with worry. But Miss Mei's calming tone and reassuring smile helped to put him at ease. "Don't panic, Jaggy," she said gently. "I know you're a fighter and you'll blossom." Jaggy felt a little more comfortable, his shoulders relaxing a little.

Meanwhile, the mysterious figures happened to be lurking nearby and were secretly listening in on what went on I the classroom. "Looks like we'll have to put our plans on hold," one of them with a commanding tone said. "The traps set on the Shaoshi Mountain will have to wait until after the Dragon Tournament. We'll have to bide our time and prepare our next move." The others nodded in agreement, their expressions cold and calculating.

The mysterious figures appeared to have a nefarious plan in store for the students of Wushu Guan, if they attempted to go to the Shaoshi Mountain. Their motivations were still unclear, but it was obvious that they posed a serious threat to the students and the academy. There was a sense of foreboding in the air, and it was clear that something sinister was afoot.