Chapter 6: The Work-Study Dormitory
The gates of Nuoding Academy had opened a new world to us, its stone courtyards and lively training fields a sharp departure from the quiet paths of Holy Soul Village. Tang San and I had split briefly after arriving, our martial soul certificates securing our enrollment. I'd headed to the dean's office to complete registration, leaving Tang San to make his way to the work-study dormitory, Qishe. My mind thrummed with the potential of the Attribute Collection System, my status window a testament to three months of relentless growth:
*Status Window:*
- *Name*: Fang Shen
- *Age*: 6 years, 3 months, 15 days
- *Race*: Human
- *Strength*: 2.0
- *Speed*: 1.8
- *Endurance*: 2.0
- *Mental Power*: 2.2
- *Soul Power*: 5.9 (Level 5.9; 1.0 represents Level 1)
- *Martial Souls*: Blue Silver Grass (Grade: King, Awakened); Clear Sky Hammer (Hidden, Awakened)
- *Soul Ring*: None
- *Techniques*: Mysterious Heaven Technique, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Purple Demon Eyes, Chaos Cloaked Hammer
The Clear Sky Hammer remained my hidden ace, locked away to avoid Tang Hao's piercing gaze. My King-grade Blue Silver Grass was my public face, its vibrant potential ready to shine at the academy. The Chaos Cloaked Hammer Technique, collected from Tang San's forge work, had sharpened my strength and precision, its principles now instinctive after nightly practice in the dark.
At the dean's office, registration was quick. The clerk, a stern woman with sharp eyes, glanced at my certificate—Level 5, Blue Silver Grass, King-grade—and muttered, "Rare for a village boy." She stamped my papers. "Work-study dormitory, Qishe. Go."
I headed to Qishe, my steps light with system-enhanced agility. As I neared the door, I heard the sounds of a scuffle—grunts, a thud, and muffled cheers. I grinned, recognizing the scene from the novel: Tang San's arrival at the dormitory, where Wang Sheng, the current boss, had likely challenged him, mistaking his slight frame for weakness.
Pushing open the door, I saw Wang Sheng sprawled on the floor, rubbing his shoulder, his face a mix of frustration and respect. Tang San stood nearby, calm and composed, his Blue Silver Grass faintly shimmering before retracting. The other work-study students—ragged kids like us—watched in awe. Wang Sheng had underestimated Tang San's Level 10 soul power and Tang Sect skills, and paid the price.
"Xiao San, you here?" I called, stepping in with a grin.
Tang San turned, his expression softening. "Yes, Brother Fang!"
I glanced at Wang Sheng, who was picking himself up, his pride bruised but his gaze deferential. The system chimed: *Ding! Detected: Agility +0.2. Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
"Yes," I whispered, my speed ticking to 2.0. Tang San's spar had left traces of his agility for the system to collect.
Before anyone could speak further, a clear voice rang from the doorway. "Is this the work-study dormitory?"
I turned, and my breath caught. A young girl stood there, about our age, slightly shorter than me. Her face was rosy and tender, like a ripe peach, framed by long black hair woven into a scorpion braid. Her watery eyes sparkled with curiosity, sweeping the room. She was striking, her presence bright and commanding. My mind flashed to the novel: Xiao Wu, Tang San's future companion, a 100,000-year-old soul beast in human form. *She's really cute,* I thought, a grin tugging at my lips.
The girl stepped forward, her braid swaying. "My name is Xiao Wu, Wu for dance," she said, her voice clear and confident.
Wang Sheng, still catching his breath, spoke up. "Newcomers fight for rank here. That's the rule. He's the boss now," he said, nodding toward Tang San.
Tang San's expression didn't change, but I could sense his thoughts, thanks to my old world's knowledge. *He doesn't want to be the boss of this dormitory. He's going to throw this fight.* His calm demeanor hid a deliberate choice to step back, to avoid the spotlight.
Xiao Wu's eyes glinted with mischief. "A fight, huh? Let's do it!"
The spar was swift and dazzling. Xiao Wu moved like a whirlwind, her agility almost otherworldly, her scorpion braid whipping as she darted and struck. Tang San countered with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his movements fluid, his Blue Silver Grass lashing out to entangle her. But his attacks were softer, less precise than they could've been. He was holding back, letting Xiao Wu's strikes land. In moments, she caught him with a swift grapple, pinning him to the floor. She stood over him, grinning triumphantly.
"I win!" Xiao Wu declared, her braid bouncing as she helped Tang San up. "Guess I'm the boss now!"
Tang San nodded, his face calm, betraying none of his intent. "You're the boss."
The system chimed: *Ding! Detected: Agility +0.3, Soul Power +0.2. Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
"Yes," I whispered, my speed climbing to 2.3 and soul power to 6.1. Xiao Wu's soul beast agility and Tang San's restrained skill had created a storm of attributes, and I'd reaped the rewards without joining the fray.
Xiao Wu turned to the room, hands on her hips. "Anyone else want to challenge me?"
The students shook their heads, awed by her speed. I could've stepped up—my Level 6.1 soul power and Chaos Cloaked Hammer Technique gave me a chance—but I held back. Being boss meant attention, and I needed to stay low, my Clear Sky Hammer hidden. Instead, I stepped forward with a smile, holding out my quilt. "Here, Xiao Wu. Take my bed. I'll bunk with Tang San."
Her eyes widened, then softened. "You're nice! What's your name?"
"Fang Shen," I said, nodding. "Welcome to Qishe."
Tang San gave me a curious glance but said nothing. I moved my belongings to his bunk, setting up nearby. Sharing space with him would keep me close, letting the system collect more attributes as he trained. Xiao Wu hopped onto my former bed, her braid swaying as she declared, "This place is gonna be fun with me in charge!"
That night, as Qishe settled, I practiced the Mysterious Heaven Technique in the dark, my soul power thrumming at Level 6.1. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Chaos Cloaked Hammer made me feel coiled, ready to strike. Purple Demon Eyes sharpened the dim room, catching Xiao Wu's soft snores and Tang San's steady breathing.
Nuoding Academy was just the start. Tang San's path would soar, and Xiao Wu's presence added new sparks for the system to collect. I'd stay in their orbit, gathering agility, soul power, and more, forging my legend in the Douluo Continent's shadow. For now, I was Fang Shen, the quiet work-study student, but the system was my edge, and it was only getting started.