"Oscar, just how long is one lap?" Ning Rongrong's voice was tinged with helplessness.
At the start, she'd been full of confidence. Even though she was a support-type soul master, her father had always insisted she train her body back home, telling her things almost identical to what Flender had said earlier.
So physically she wasn't weak — not on par with a battle soul master, but years of exercise had given her a healthy, fit body, and she'd even gotten good at running.
But now, after leaving the academy with Oscar leading the way, she hadn't even finished a single lap, and a fair bit of time had already passed. At this pace, forget lunch — dinner might be in question. Her stamina was draining steadily; there was no way she could keep this speed the whole way.
Oscar gave a rueful laugh. "I told you when we set out — this is basically an impossible task. But don't worry. With two support-types like us together, afraid of going hungry? Never. You want something to eat…"
She shot him a sidelong glance — and even being so young, there was a hint of alluring charm in her eyes that made Oscar's knees feel a little weak. He chuckled, "Your big bro's got a giant… sausage!"
With a flash of light, a fragrant sausage appeared in his hand, which he held out to her.
"My first ring skill — recovery sausage. Not only helps heal injuries, but restores stamina. Eat one. With this, forget twenty laps, we could run two hundred without worrying about food."
Ning Rongrong looked at him strangely — and then dropped a bombshell. "I've got two thick… slices of bread. Why would I eat your crap?"
Before he could react, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda floated out, her agility boost lighting up, and she shot forward at a faster pace.
"Uh…" Oscar froze. If even Tang San or Dai Mubai had been here to hear such a refined, elegant young lady say something like that, they'd have been floored.
They had no idea what sort of role Ning Rongrong played back in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
And now she'd finally lost patience and shown a glimpse of her true nature.
—
After boosting her speed, she ran a while longer before running out of steam again.
"This is too much. I'm done!" she muttered, veering toward the main road. She'd just head to Soto City for a good meal, maybe wander around and shop.
After all, she'd gone to all the trouble to sneak out — this trip was for fun. Studying was just an afterthought.
Shrek Academy? Just a convenient cover.
As she turned to leave, she noticed a figure leaning casually against a tree by the roadside. He looked like he'd been waiting some time.
"Teacher Tang. What a coincidence… what are you doing here?" she asked, a flicker of guilt in her chest. No truant student could feel perfectly calm upon running into a teacher.
"Ning Rongrong, and where might you be headed?" Yun Chuan looked her over with a half-smile. 'Finally caught you, you little princess.'
"I… I…" Her jewel-blue eyes darted restlessly as she thought of possible excuses. But in the end she decided on honesty — in her view the headmaster was just making trouble for her anyway.
"To Soto City." She said it as if ripping off a bandage.
"Oh, Soto City." Yun Chuan nodded knowingly — then tilted his head. "But aren't you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting? No, I have a great memory." She widened her eyes in feigned innocence, clearly trying to bluff her way past.
"If I recall correctly, didn't Headmaster Flender give you a task to run twenty laps around the village? Are you done with those twenty?" He didn't bother with pretense.
With the act called out, her expression shifted and she simply came clean. "No, I haven't. But that headmaster's just messing with me — it's not possible to run twenty laps."
Yun Chuan gave her a look somewhere between exasperation and amusement. Twenty laps was a lot, yes, but doable with effort. It would just be tiring — but clearly, the pampered Ning Rongrong had no intention of putting herself through it.
Feeling the weight of his gaze, she bristled. "Tang Chuan! Just because I call you 'teacher' doesn't mean you really get to control me. Don't meddle! If you think you can make me go back, forget it!" She took a few steps forward.
"Heh… finally showing your true colors." He chuckled and shook his head. "As long as you're a student of Shrek, and I'm your teacher, you're not leaving until you finish those twenty laps. I don't usually raise a hand to a lady, but now and then I don't mind making an exception."
She froze in mid-step.
"If you don't want a beating, go back," he went on lazily. For a spoiled heiress like her, pandering only turned you into a lackey. The only way to make an impression was to shatter her pride and show her weakness — good or bad, a deep impression was half the battle in winning over a "princess" type.
Hearing the calm but unyielding words, her face flushed with rage. She glared at him. "Who are you to tell me what to do? This is just a school! If you dare lay a finger on me, Tang Chuan, you'll regret it!"
She wasn't used to being denied. In the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, everyone spoiled her. That this good-looking man — yes, she'd admit that — actually dared to block her now, was beyond tolerance.
"The headmaster gave me the authority to watch over you," Yun Chuan said blandly, neatly planting the blame on Flender. If the clan's two Titled Douluos came to settle scores later, the headmaster would be first in line. Yun Chuan himself didn't plan on staying here long.
"If you really think this is 'just a school' and don't want to follow any rules, you can leave. As for consequences… do you think I, Tang Chuan, am afraid of your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?" His tone was soft, but the force behind it made her instinctively step back a few paces.
A twenty-five-year-old Soul Sage — that meant at minimum he would become a Titled Douluo someday. With that kind of genius, there was no way he didn't have major backing. Trying to pressure him with her clan name might be pointless.
"You can't scare me! I'm not quitting!" she snapped, tilting her chin defiantly. "Now get out of my way — I'm hungry!"
"Alright."
Surprisingly, Yun Chuan stepped aside, clearing her path.
She barely had time to feel pleased before his next words froze her.
"I'll just go tell the headmaster you're not fit for the academy, have him pack your things, and send you home."
"You—!"
She glared daggers at him. Those beautiful eyes she'd once thought so pleasing now looked hateful to her. "Don't push me too far! You might be a Soul Sage, but my clan has Titled Douluo! If you bully me, they'll make you pay!"
"Oooh, Titled Douluo. I'm soooo scared," Yun Chuan said, pulling a mock-horrified face so fake it was insulting. "By all means, go fetch one. I've been dying to see how strong they really are."
"You—!" She trembled with fury at the mocking tone.
"Hmph! I don't believe you'd really dare hit me!" she huffed, striding forward.
As she drew level, the faint scent of her perfume drifted over, almost pleasant enough to distract him. Almost. Just as she passed, Yun Chuan silently stuck a foot out.
Thud!
Off-balance, she went sprawling.
After casually executing his "Ultimate Divine Trip," he sighed as if lamenting fate. "Ah, you guessed right. I wouldn't hit you — but I will trip you."
She shot up like a startled cat, her elegant blue-green dress now smudged with dirt, her flawless white face streaked with dust. The image of grace and refinement was utterly ruined.
"You… you…"
Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she flushed crimson, glaring at his unruffled expression. In all her life, no one had ever dared treat her like this.
Fine! Wonderful!
Man… you've managed to get my attention!
(End of Chapter)