Morning came early at Shrek Academy.
The sun had barely risen when a loud bell rang through the compound, dragging every student out of bed. The courtyard quickly filled with familiar faces—Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing among them.
Lin Chen arrived last, unhurried.
Zhao Wuji stood at the center, arms crossed, his expression darker than usual.
"Today's lesson is simple," he said gruffly. "Combat basics. Understanding your limits."
His gaze swept across the group—then paused on Lin Chen.
"…And understanding when limits don't apply."
A few students chuckled nervously.
Zhao Wuji pointed at Dai Mubai. "You. Fight Zhu Zhuqing."
Dai Mubai frowned but stepped forward, white soul ring flickering to life. Zhu Zhuqing followed, her movements silent, eyes sharp.
The clash was fast.
Dai Mubai's power was overwhelming, aggressive, filled with brute force. Zhu Zhuqing darted in and out of his reach, claws flashing, shadows clinging to her movements.
Yet—
She was losing.
Zhao Wuji nodded slowly. "This is the gap between raw strength and technique. Learn it."
Before he could say more, Lin Chen spoke.
"She's holding back."
The courtyard went quiet.
Zhao Wuji turned. "Explain."
Lin Chen stepped forward, eyes on Zhu Zhuqing.
"She's fighting like someone who expects to run," he said calmly. "Not someone who plans to win."
Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened.
Dai Mubai scoffed. "What do you know?"
Lin Chen didn't answer him.
Instead, he looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Don't retreat," he said. "Advance into the shadow."
Something in his voice… clicked.
Zhu Zhuqing inhaled sharply.
The next instant, she vanished.
Not speed.
Intent.
Her shadow twisted unnaturally, stretching beneath Dai Mubai's feet. Before he could react, pain exploded across his back as Zhu Zhuqing struck from an impossible angle, claws tearing through his defenses.
Dai Mubai staggered, eyes wide.
"What—?!"
Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up.
"That wasn't a soul skill," he muttered. "That was understanding."
The fight ended seconds later.
Zhu Zhuqing stood still, chest rising and falling, eyes blazing—not with anger, but clarity.
She had lost nothing.
She had gained direction.
Lin Chen stepped back.
"That's the lesson," he said. "Strength without purpose wastes itself."
Zhao Wuji stared at him for several long seconds—then laughed.
"Hah! Looks like I'm the one being taught."
He turned to the others. "You heard him. Think before you swing."
Tang San watched Lin Chen closely.
He doesn't train people…He aligns them.
The system interface shimmered faintly.
[Combat Insight Shared — Minor][Bonded Target: Zhu Zhuqing][Shadow–Dragon Convergence: Initial Sync 12%]
Zhu Zhuqing met Lin Chen's gaze across the courtyard.
This time—
She didn't look like someone searching for escape.
She looked like someone who had found a path.
Above them, unseen, fate adjusted again.
Shrek Academy's lessons had begun.
But for Lin Chen—
They were already outdated.