Chapter 11: Martial Soul

It had been a week since Shun Lee started at the academy, and while it had its challenges, he found himself enjoying it more than he had anticipated. His days were a mix of lectures, training, and the occasional scramble to avoid another scolding from their homeroom teacher, Ye Yinglou. Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi had quickly taken it upon themselves to keep Shun in line, practically dragging him to class each morning to ensure he wouldn't incur any further wrath. Shun often chuckled at their insistence, though it often involved dramatic morning wake-up calls that left him both grateful and exhausted.

Every morning, Shun would be startled awake by Zhang Yanxi's loud, exaggerated announcements, "Rise and shine, Shun! The world doesn't wait for sleepyheads!" followed by a tug on his blankets. Then, just as he'd start to grumble and try to roll over, Wang Jinxi would stride over, arms crossed, sighing, "You really don't want to get on her bad side again, trust me. Up and at 'em."

Shun would groan but couldn't help feeling a bit of gratitude for his friends' efforts. Despite the rough wake-ups, their antics kept his mornings lively, and deep down, he knew they were watching out for him.

During lunch breaks, Shun found himself gravitating toward Gu Yue and her friends, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie. He remembered their first meeting in the cafeteria with a chuckle. The memory was vivid in his mind since it was quite chaotic during that time.

That day, he was struggling to find a seat since the cafeteria was buzzing with students. His usual companions, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi, were nowhere in sight, so when he spotted an open spot next to Gu Yue, he took a deep breath and walked over, balancing his tray of food.

Setting his tray down, he greeted Gu Yue with a slightly awkward smile. "Hey, Gu Yue! How've you been? Stil remember me?"

Gu Yue glanced up at him, her expression as calm as ever. She gave him a slight nod. "Not too bad," she replied simply, then resumed eating.

Shun chuckled, feeling a bit nervous but pushing through it. "Uh, so… yeah, by the way I'm Shun Lee. I couldn't find an empty table anywhere. Hope it's alright if I join you guys." He settled into his seat as he introduced himself to the others.

Tang Wulin, mid-bite into a huge siopao, tried to introduce himself through a mouthful of food, but all Shun could hear was a muffled, "Hmmphmm, Wuwmmph…"

Xie Xie let out a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes as he reached over to swat Tang Wulin on the head. "Swallow your food first, will you? Nobody can understand a word you're saying!" He then turned to Shun, smirking. "I'm Xie Xie, by the way. And, uh, you're that guy who was with Gu Yue the first time she came to class, right?"

Shun blinked, surprised that Xie Xie recognized him. "Oh! Yeah, that was me. She… had a bit of an impressive debut, didn't she?" He chuckled, recalling the shock on Xie Xie's face during the fight.

Xie Xie rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me. She absolutely humiliated me." He shot Gu Yue a mock glare, and she just smirked in response, her usual calm and cool demeanor was unwavering.

Tang Wulin finally swallowed his food, looking at Shun with a curious grin. "Nice to meet you, Shun! So, how do you know Gu Yue? She a friend?"

"Oh, we just kind of… crossed paths when she was trying to find the academy," Shun said, scratching the back of his neck. "Honestly, it's we didn't really interact that much and I was more like a tour guide than being a friend towards her."

Gu Yue, who'd been quietly listening, looked up, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of mystery."

Shun shrugged with a grin. "Well, you kind of are! Six elements? I don't think anyone's ever seen that before. Also, you didn't even speak more than five sentences during that time."

This made Xie Xie laughed. "HaHaHa, and then what? She made you look like a servant?"

Shun Lee could only scratch his head and laughed awkwardly but this action only made Xie Xie laugh so hard that he fell to the table which irritated Gu Yue and slap the back of his head.

Tang Wulin chuckled. "Get used to it, Xie Xie. Gu Yue's full of surprises." He looked back at Shun. "So, what about you, Shun? Do you have any interesting abilities?"

Shun gave a sheepish smile. "Let's just say I'm not quite as flashy as Gu Yue. I'm more about quite ordinary... when I'm not being late to class, that is."

Xie Xie snorted. "Ah, I see. A man of mystery too, then?"

"Something like that," Shun laughed, warming up to them. The rest of lunch passed in lively conversation, with Xie Xie making jokes while Gu Yue following it with a mockery replies. This made Tang Wulin occasionally chiming in between bites, and Shun could only watch them interact with each other yet he doesn't felt excluded.

Back in the present, Shun leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself at the memory. His days had become a lot more fulfilling lately—between his rowdy wake-ups with Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi, and lunches spent joking around with Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie, he was finally starting to feel like he had a place here at the academy.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Shun Lee quickly jotted down the last of his notes and began packing up. Just then, his teacher, Ye Yinglou, called for the class's attention. "Alright, everyone, after break, we'll meet in the inner gymnasium. Prepare yourselves for our first battle assessment."

Shun felt his stomach twist. Ever since he'd been late that first day, Ye Yinglou hadn't let him off easy. It seemed like every class, she found some way to put him on the spot—making him recite tricky passages, answer complex questions, and doling out punishments whenever he faltered. Shun was pretty sure his teacher had a personal vendetta against tardiness, and he was unfortunately her current target.

Just as he was brooding over what this "battle assessment" could mean, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi strolled over, noticing the apprehension on his face.

"Hey, Shun, you alright?" Zhang Yanxi asked, nudging him with a playful grin.

Shun sighed. "Just wondering what Ye Yinglou has planned for us. With the way she's been on my case, I wouldn't be surprised if she expects me to wrestle a bear or something."

Wang Jinxi chuckled, clapping a reassuring hand on Shun's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. It's probably just a physical test—some running drills or maybe a bit of sparring. Nothing to sweat over."

Zhang nodded. "Yeah, man. Just show a little enthusiasm. I doubt she'll go overboard."

Shun managed a smile, his nerves easing a bit. "You're probably right. Alright, let's do this." He slung his bag over his shoulder, his confidence returning.

Wang Jinxi grinned, raising a finger. "But first, how about a snack? We've got time, and I'm not stepping into any gymnasium on an empty stomach."

The other two laughed, nodding in agreement. "Good idea," Shun said. "I'll need all the fuel I can get if there's even a chance of combat."

Together, they headed to the cafeteria, weaving through the bustling crowd of students. They each grabbed a couple of snacks—Shun picked up a sweet bun, Wang Jinxi went for a sandwich, and Zhang Yanxi opted for a bag of chips. They spent the next few minutes enjoying their food and trading jokes, with Zhang Yanxi impersonating Ye Yinglou's strict voice, demanding they "recite every bite" they took. Shun laughed so hard he nearly choked on his bun.

Before long, their break was over, and they made their way to the inner gymnasium, their spirits high and stomachs full. As they walked down the corridor, their voices filled the space, echoing their jokes and laughter.

"I'm telling you, if Ye Yinglou gives you a hard time again, just play dumb," Wang Jinxi teased. "You're already on her bad side; a little charm might win her over."

"Or get me double punishment," Shun replied with a grin. "But maybe I'll keep it in mind."

By the time they reached the gym, Shun's nervousness had all but disappeared. With friends at his side and a full stomach, he felt ready for whatever Ye Yinglou had in store.

Shun Lee and his friends scanned the gym, noticing most of their classmates were already present. They found a quiet corner and settled in, chatting among themselves while they waited. The gym buzzed with anticipation as everyone speculated about what Ye Yinglou had planned. After a few minutes, Ye Yinglou finally entered, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room as she gathered the class's attention.

"Alright, everyone, to the sidelines," Ye Yinglou called out, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. "Today, we're having a class battle to determine our representatives for the upcoming Class Promotion Event." Her tone was layered with enthusiasm, and Shun immediately felt a twinge of worry as she locked eyes with him, her gaze a bit too calculating.

"Of course, before we get started, we'll need a demonstration," Ye Yinglou continued, her voice adopting an exaggeratedly cheerful tone. She scanned the crowd dramatically, then rested her eyes squarely on Shun. "Shun Lee! Why don't you come forward and help us set an example?"

Shun's heart sank as he felt the weight of his classmates' gazes shift toward him. He looked around, half hoping for a way out, but Ye Yinglou's faint smile hinted that he had no choice.

Shun cleared his throat and managed a weak smile. "Uh… sure, Miss Ye," he mumbled, stepping forward, though a hint of reluctance shadowed his expression.

"Wonderful! I knew I could count on you, Shun," Ye Yinglou said, her smile turning slightly too wide, almost smug. She leaned in, her voice dropping just enough so only he could hear. "Unless, of course, you're not up for the challenge?"

The subtle challenge in her voice left Shun with no choice but to nod, his pride prickling at her not-so-subtle nudge. "I'm up for it," he said, forcing a confident tone.

"Good, good. I'd hate to think our punctuality problems were linked to a lack of bravery," Ye Yinglou replied smoothly, her words landing with a mild sting. Shun winced slightly, knowing full well that she was still holding his first week's late arrival against him.

With a satisfied nod, Ye Yinglou turned to the rest of the class. "Now, do we have any volunteers to spar against Shun Lee?" She scanned the group with a neutral expression, though it was clear she had something up her sleeve.

Before anyone else could react, Zhang Yanxi and Wang Jinxi eagerly raised their hands, shouting, "We'll go!" But Ye Yinglou didn't even glance in their direction. Instead, her gaze fell on a tall, lean figure standing at the back, a smug smile already forming on his face.

"Wei Xiaofeng," she called out smoothly, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "Why don't you show us what you've got?"

A murmur rippled through the class as Wei Xiaofeng stepped forward, his dark blue eyes glinting with arrogance. His long black hair framed his face, adding to his aloof demeanor as he sauntered toward the center of the gym, smirking.

"Me?" Wei Xiaofeng asked mockingly, flashing a cocky grin. "I guess I can show the class how it's done." He turned his gaze to Shun, his expression dripping with condescension. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? I'd hate to hurt you… accidentally."

Shun clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. "Thanks for the concern, but I can handle myself," he replied, his voice firm. Despite his attempt at calm, he couldn't hide the irritation brewing inside him.

Wei Xiaofeng shrugged, still smirking. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you," he taunted, crossing his arms. "Tell you what—I'll give you the first move. Consider it a handicap."

Shun bit back his irritation, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "You'll regret that, Wei Xiaofeng," he replied, setting his stance. "Let's see how tough you really are."

Ye Yinglou stepped forward, hands behind her back as she laid down the rules. "Alright, listen up! This is a controlled battle—no major injuries are allowed, and the match ends if someone surrenders or is knocked out. Understood?"

Both boys nodded, their eyes locked in silent challenge.

Wei Xiaofeng gave a short laugh, shaking his head at Shun. "Last chance to back out, Shun. I'd hate to see you embarrassed in front of everyone."

Shun felt a surge of determination rise within him. He raised his arm and focused, channeling his energy into his words. "Elemental Fusion: Earth!" A smart watch materialized on his wrist, and in a flash, his clothing transformed into battle gear, surprising the onlookers as they gasped in awe and lost in wonders as his hands was also equipped with gloves.

"Whoa…" whispered a few classmates, eyes widening as they took in Shun's transformation.

Wei Xiaofeng's smirk faltered just slightly as he watched Shun's confident stance, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "Not bad, I'll give you that. But flashy tricks won't save you."

Ignoring him, Shun focused on his footing, his eyes narrowing. Before anyone could react, he launched forward with quick speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

Wei Xiaofeng's grin vanished as Shun's advance caught him off-guard. He barely had time to brace himself as Shun's fist came flying toward him, channeling the strength of earth into his blow.