The morning sun poured through the windows of the training hall, illuminating the faces of the new students gathered inside. The atmosphere was tense but charged with anticipation. Today, Flender had something unusual planned — a test of courage and unity, and perhaps something far stranger.
"Today," Flender announced with a grin, "you will all eat Oscar's specialty — the Spirit Food Sausage!"
A collective shudder passed through the group. Tang San's nose wrinkled in disgust, Xiao Wu's eyes narrowed sharply, and Ning Rongrong looked thoroughly horrified. Zhu Zhuqing gave a cold, distant glance but didn't even try to hide her disdain.
Oscar beamed, his usually awkward demeanor brightening. "It's not just food — it's a sacred act of spirit mastery! Eating it helps bond with your martial soul's incarnation. Without that connection, you'll hesitate in battle."
Tang San hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances with the others. "I'm… not sure I can."
Xiao Wu frowned, "I don't see why we have to eat something just to fight better."
Ning Rongrong added, "It feels… degrading."
Zhu Zhuqing's arms folded tightly, silent but clearly uncomfortable.
Kazuki, however, regarded the sausages with indifferent curiosity. He took one without hesitation, biting down firmly as the others watched in stunned silence.
Oscar's face lit up in joy. "You actually ate it! You don't seem disgusted!"
Kazuki shrugged internally. The incarnation of a martial soul? Mere symbolism. I fight with my soul power and control, not some food ritual.
But watching Oscar's cheerful grin, Kazuki found himself thinking: Oscar has enormous potential. If he could get the right soul ring to match that Auxiliary Food spirit, he might become one of the strongest Auxiliary Spirit Masters ever.
The atmosphere shifted. The hesitation among the others lessened as they saw Kazuki's reaction. Gradually, one by one, they mustered courage and took bites of the sausage. If Kazuki could do it, perhaps they could as well — and not hesitate during real combat.
Flender's smile widened. "Good. Comfort and resolve in battle come not just from strength but from these little things that steel your mind. But don't get too relaxed."
Once the ritual was over, the new students were released to their own devices. Kazuki chose solitude, heading toward a quiet training spot beneath a giant ancient tree.
The system's voice buzzed softly in his mind, detailing his martial soul skills and self-created soul skills, including their cooldowns, damage multipliers, and potential upgrades.
Verdant Veil Ensare — duration increased by 3 seconds.
Vector Displacement — efficiency improved by 12%.
Temporal Delay Field — now affects a larger area.
Golden Gravitas Roar — damage radius increased.
Voidstep Claw — refined rift stability.
Kazuki closed his eyes, diving into his internal cultivation, bending laws of space and time with meticulous precision. Hours passed as he refined each ability, strengthening his martial soul's synergy with his body and mind.
That night, beneath the cold glow of the moon, the students gathered silently in the courtyard of Shrek Academy. The crisp night air carried a mixture of tension, excitement, and apprehension. Flender's tall, imposing figure stood before them, his voice cutting through the stillness with calm authority.
"The next phase of your training begins now. We leave for Suotuo City — the site of the Great Spirit Arena Battles."
A collective intake of breath rippled through the group. The Great Spirit Arena was legendary, a place where Spirit Masters proved their strength under the harshest conditions. Here, there was no room for error or hesitation. Every move, every choice could mean victory or utter defeat.
Flender continued, "Listen carefully. These battles will test everything you've learned — your strength, your wits, your teamwork. Here are my expectations:"
* Team Coordination: "You are not lone wolves. To survive and thrive, you must fight as one — synchronizing your martial souls and tactics for maximum effect."
* Combat Adaptability: "Opponents come in all shapes and sizes with unpredictable styles. Learn to read them, adapt quickly, and exploit their weaknesses."
* Spirit Rank Advancement: "Victory in the arena earns you Spirit Badges — marks of honor and progress. Today, you'll fight for a Silver Spirit Badge."
* Endurance & Pressure Handling: "These battles will push you to your physical and mental limits. Only those with iron wills will succeed.
As Flender's words settled over them, a heavy silence fell. Tang San's fingers twitched slightly, anxiety flickering in his eyes as he glanced at Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong. Zhu Zhuqing's gaze hardened, her entire body tense and ready. Even Ma Hongjun shifted uneasily, aware that these were not mere training fights — this was a trial by fire.
Kazuki, standing a little apart from the group, observed everything with a cool, measured expression. The expectations didn't surprise him. They were exactly the kind of challenges he had prepared for in his own rigorous cultivation. Where others saw daunting trials, he saw opportunity.
This is nothing more than a proving ground, he thought. Strength is gained only through conflict. They will soon learn what it means to fight at my level.
Nearby, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun exchanged glances. They had been through the arena before and knew well what awaited the newcomers. Their presence was a silent reminder that the path ahead was brutal but necessary.
Flender's voice rang out once more, "For tonight, you will participate in two battles: a one-on-one duel, followed by a two-on-two match. Use these opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow."
A murmur of excitement mixed with apprehension ran through the students. The night suddenly felt charged with electric anticipation — a battlefield was coming, and no one could predict who would emerge victorious.
Kazuki's eyes narrowed slightly. He allowed himself a faint smirk. This was only the beginning.
Let them watch closely. I will show them that strength is not just about raw power or flashy moves. It is about control, precision, and unyielding will.
With that thought, Kazuki turned toward the shadows where he planned to continue honing his martial soul, ready to face the battles ahead with calm certainty.