I gasped for air, my lungs burning from the exertion as beads of sweat dripped from my forehead, tracing a path down to my chin. Turning my head, I caught a glimpse of Lin, who was struggling just as much as I was. Her face was flushed, and she was breathlessly trying to keep pace with me. After what felt like an eternity of running, we finally crossed the finish line along with the rest of our class. We all bent over, hands pressed against our knees, desperately trying to recover and catch our breath. Suddenly, a commanding voice boomed through the intercom. "Attention!" It was our male teacher, clearly not one to tolerate slacking off. Instinctively, we straightened up, our fatigue momentarily forgotten.
"We are done with the warm-up," he announced. "Today's class will focus on strength and agility." He paused for a moment, scanning the faces of eager students, before continuing, "You will be paired up for a series of exercises. Choose your best weapon and defeat your partner within 10 minutes." He gestured towards the stack of numbers he had distributed earlier. "Each of you has a number assigned. Look for your number on a fellow classmate; that person will be your partner for today's exercises. You have 5 minutes to find them, so move quickly!" As the announcement ended, a flurry of activity ensued. Lin reached into her pocket, pulling out a small piece of paper containing her number, the edges slightly crumpled from being stored away during the run. I followed suit, fumbling with my own number as excitement and nervousness began to build within me. "I'm number 15," Lin said, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment as she glanced down at her scorecard. Looking down at my own, I replied, "I'm number 16," with my lips turned downward in a frown. Unfortunately, it was clear that we were not partners for the activity. Lin pouted, her bottom lip jutting out adorably, and I couldn't help but flash her a smile in hopes of lifting her spirits.
"It's okay, Lin," I said reassuringly. "Let's go find our partners before the time runs out." Lin's eyes sparkled with an almost puppy-like innocence as she regarded me, a tinge of sadness lingering in her expression. With a small sigh, she took off in search of her partner, her determination evident as she navigated through the crowd, leaving me to ponder my own quest.
As I watched her back retreating into the distance, I heard a low, husky voice behind me say, "I guess I'm your partner." I turned around to see a young man about my age, with deep-set brown almond-shaped eyes and tousled blonde hair, looking at me. I stood there silently, trying to remember where I might have seen him before.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he started, his voice a bit sheepish as he ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that only seemed to heighten the nervousness in his demeanor. "But you two were talking so loudly that I couldn't help overhearing the number you told Lin. I really don't mean any disrespect; I just wanted to—"
"Oh, now I remember you!" I cut in, my tone sharper than I intended, my heart racing with a mix of indignation and disbelief. "You're that guy who was peeking at Lin and me while we were bathing." My words hung in the air, framed with an accusatory edge as I sought his reaction.
"I'm not a pervert, Mei," Tuan stammered, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he looked down at his feet, clearly embarrassed. "It's not like we haven't all seen each other naked before."
Before I could formulate a response—or before the tension could become unbearable—the teacher's voice suddenly crackled through the intercom, breaking the silence. "Take your partner and get your weapons." The clarity of his command swept over me like a wave, dispelling the lingering discomfort. With a mix of relief and anticipation, I turned and joined the throng of classmates, the atmosphere shifting as we moved toward the armory station. The air buzzed with excitement and the clattering of gear being organized.
As the last of my classmates in front of me grabbed their chosen weapons, a wave of anticipation surged through me. It was finally my turn, and I approached the weapon rack, feeling a mix of excitement and hesitation. My eyes roamed over the array of gleaming blades, sturdy axes, and sleek bows, but I ultimately reached for a spear. Its long, slender shaft felt foreign in my hands, as I was unaccustomed to wielding weapons; as werewolves, our primal instincts urged us to rely on our claws and sheer physical prowess in battle.
Just as I gripped the cool surface of the spear, I heard Tuan's unmistakable voice behind me, bright and chirpy. "Mei, that's a good choice! That's one of my favorite weapons to use too!" His enthusiasm was palpable, and despite my intentions to brush him off, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of annoyance.
Trying to ignore this pervert, I walked away, my focus shifting towards the battle practice ground where the rest of my classmates were assembling. The air buzzed with a mixture of nervous energy and camaraderie, punctuated by laughter and the occasional clash of metal as others prepared themselves. Tuan did not miss a beat; he followed me, his cheerful demeanor unshaken by my silence. He positioned himself directly in front of me, grinning like a child on his birthday. "This is the first time I've seen you with a spear! Normally, you opt for a small blade, which you wield so skillfully." I glanced at him, my expression carefully neutral, but he continued to chatter away, blissfully unaware of my indifference. "I can teach you how to use that spear effectively! I promise, I'm actually quite good at it. Okay? Okay!"
The teacher's voice resonated through the intercom, slicing through the charged atmosphere of the classroom like a sword. "Time's up! We're about to begin Lesson 30 from Chapter 5. You have ten minutes to compete against your opponent. START!"
Standing at the ready, I felt the electric pulse of adrenaline racing through me, each heartbeat echoing the thrill of impending battle. As the bell rang, signaling the start of our duel, a kaleidoscope of images flooded my mind. I could vividly recall the textbook chapter, its key concepts about La Na flashing before my eyes in a whirlwind of information, each detail aligning perfectly in my memory.
The sharp clang of the bell snapped me back to reality, and I focused intently on Tuan, my opponent. He stood before me, draped in an impressive black hanfu training outfit that clung to his form. The fabric shimmered faintly under the fluorescent lights, accentuated by crimson trim that traced the edges of the collar and cuffs, reflecting our guild's colors. On his left chest, a striking red serpent coiled gracefully, symbolizing both power and agility. As his eyes locked onto mine, he flashed a playful grin, mouthing the words, "I'll go easy on you," before launching himself forward, spear in hand.
Reacting on instinct, I shifted my weight back, just as his spear aimed straight for my throat. My training kicked in, and I swung my own spear with determination, creating a swift arc in the air. The sharp clash of our weapons resounded through the room as I deflected his attack, the vibrations reverberating up my arms and intensifying my focus. Tuan, not one to back down, executed a powerful leap, his foot solidly stomping against the floor as he propelled himself upward. The air buzzed around us as he kicked my spear away with a deft maneuver, sending it spinning through the air.
I felt the familiar jolt as I struggled to maintain my grip, my fingers tightening around the shaft. Steadily, I regained my composure, balancing my stance as Tuan descended, his feet finding purchase on the ground once more.
In that split second, I saw my opening. As he landed, I surged forward with renewed determination, thrusting my spear like a striking viper. With precision, the sharp tip sliced cleanly through the air, catching the hem of his pants. I felt the fabric snap and yield under the pressure, the excitement of the moment surging through me as I ripped upward, exposing his waist. The motion was fluid, a combination of skill and boldness, as I stepped back, spear positioned proudly next to my right side.
My lips curled into a triumphant smirk as I surveyed Tuan, who now stood before me, half-naked, wearing nothing but his white underwear. His cheeks flushed a deep crimson, giving the scene an air of both hilarity and surprise.
Unable to suppress his laughter, Tuan took it in stride, his humor lighting up the atmosphere. "Naughty, naughty Mei!" he exclaimed, placing his hands on his bare hips with mock indignation. "Didn't know you were so eager to see me naked!"
I could feel the weight of my classmates' gazes as their heads turned to watch the unexpected scene unfold. Tuan, clad only in his underwear, approached me with his arms open wide, a gesture that clearly implied he wanted to hug me. I was taken aback, flabbergasted not just by his boldness but by my own strength. How had I misjudged the situation? I thought, "What the hell? I was only trying to scare him into backing up. Who would have imagined that my werewolf speed would miscalculate the timing and create such a spectacle?"
As Tuan drew nearer, I quickly raised my spear, creating a barrier between us. He was mid-sentence, attempting to explain himself, when suddenly the teacher's voice crackled over the intercom. "Good job, team. Your critique will be given to you in tomorrow's class."
The shrill sound of the bell rang out, signaling the end of the day, and just like that, I turned my back on Tuan. My classmates, once captivated by the unfolding drama, shifted their attention back to their own conversations. Yet, with my heightened werewolf hearing, I couldn't escape the whispers swirling around me.
"Is she trying to seduce senior Tuan?" a girl hissed to her sparring partner, her tone dripping with disdain. "What a slut."
"Who is she? I don't remember seeing her before. She's pretty bold for getting senior Tuan to expose himself like that," another girl chimed in, her voice heavy with intrigue.
Determined to brush off their snide remarks, I made my way towards Lin, who was standing at the far end of the classroom, her familiar presence a welcome sight. As I walked, I could hear Tuan's footsteps trailing behind me, growing closer, so I quickened my pace, eager to put distance between us. The world around me faded as I focused on reaching Lin, desperate to escape the awkwardness of the moment.