These two guys, one a noble of the Empire and the other a prince from an allied nation, looked as if they’d had plastic surgery—so handsome they were practically off the charts. Naturally, they were wildly popular among the girls at Almeythia Academy. So when these two decided to duel, going so far as to bring out crystal energy swords, it was no wonder the entire female student body showed up to watch.
Clearly, Zack had also heard about Zhang Wen, the discipline teacher who had been specially assigned to Almeythia Academy by the Governor’s Office after saving the Governor’s life. As soon as Zhang Wen stepped forward from the crowd, Zack lightly waved his sword and spoke first, saying, “Mr. Zhang, this is between me and Cloud. Please don’t interfere.”
As the eldest son of the Shinra Army General, Zack naturally didn’t feel the need to respect the Governor’s Office. Although his words sounded polite, a little deeper thought revealed that he actually held Zhang Wen in no regard at all. When he told Zhang Wen not to interfere, what he really meant was obvious—“Even if you try to stop us, you can’t do anything about it anyway.”
“Oh! Mr. Zhang, you’d better step aside quickly. Otherwise, they might end up hurting you in the fight!”
“Haha! That’s right! Crystal energy swords don’t have eyes. If they accidentally stab you, no one here can block a sword for you!”
As Zack’s words fell, the surrounding male students began to jeer and laugh out loud. Soon, even many of the girls joined in with hissing sounds. Even among those girls who didn’t want to see the two “Campus Princes” duel, many wore expressions of disdain.
In an Empire where strength is valued above all, these noble offspring generally looked down on Zhang Wen, who had entered the academy through the Governor’s favor. As soon as they saw Zack leading the charge to humiliate Zhang Wen, those students who had long disliked him naturally seized the opportunity to mock him.
Frankly, Zhang Wen had originally had no intention of interfering in Zack and Cloud’s duel. In his own nature, he would rather buy a drink and sit aside cheering on these two passionate young men who were willing to gamble their youth for their ideals.
But now… Zhang Wen smiled as he looked around at the jeering crowd. If he backed down in front of so many people, he wouldn’t be able to hold his head high at Almeythia Academy ever again. As for rising in status or achieving success, those would all be impossible. In an Empire where strength and honor are valued above everything else, a coward who retreats in battle would be looked down upon forever!
Although Zhang Wen usually preferred to be cautious in his dealings with others, he had never truly feared anything when faced with challenges. Slowly scanning the crowd, Zhang Wen finally fixed his gaze on Zack and Cloud at the center.
Zhang Wen naturally knew of the two well-known students’ strength. With their fifth-level martial arts skills, most of the academy’s discipline teachers probably couldn’t even handle them. However, the feeling he had when he fully activated the Spring Water Technique in the library earlier had given him great confidence.
Before today’s breakthrough in Spring Water Technique, he had secretly tested his abilities and already approached fifth-level strength. And judging from his speed just now, his martial arts power had at least doubled—meaning he was now at least at the peak of fifth level, close to sixth level. Moreover, the martial arts of the Muso Empire focused too much on “energy” training, and lacked in skill compared to Spring Water Technique.
Since both skill and energy were superior, if he still couldn’t handle them, Zhang Wen thought he might as well go buy a block of tofu and knock himself out.
Having made up his mind, Zhang Wen smiled faintly and asked Zack, “You two want to duel?”
“That’s right.” Thinking Zhang Wen was about to back down, Zack nodded contemptuously. As he did, the girls who adored Zack erupted into cheers again. Alongside them, some boys began to inhale deeply, holding their breath in anticipation of loudly jeering at Zhang Wen once he spoke.
Zhang Wen looked around the crowd once more, then smiled and said slowly, “Then you can do it next time when I’m not around. Today, you definitely won’t be able to fight!”
“Hiss… cough, cough!” Zhang Wen’s calm and confident declaration left the students, who had been ready to jeer, only able to start their hissing before being cut off. Instantly, the academy square was filled with coughing sounds.
The boys all pounded their chests in frustration, glaring angrily at Zhang Wen. The girls supporting Zack and Cloud angrily began hissing wildly. Zhang Wen’s previous statement was essentially pointing at Zack and Cloud and saying, “You won’t get past me.” Naturally, how could their female fans remain calm?
Zhang Wen’s confident reply also clearly surprised Zack. He stared at Zhang Wen for a while before solemnly saying, “My duel with him must happen today! Mr. Zhang, this doesn’t concern you. Please step aside!”
“That’s right! We must settle this today.” Cloud also tightened his grip on the crystal energy sword, echoing Zack’s words to Zhang Wen.
“Haha! That’s really funny! You two are violating school rules by fighting a duel, yet you tell me, a discipline teacher, that it’s none of my business? I say, there must be limits to how much you can ignore the school regulations…”
Zhang Wen paused here, suddenly noticing Linoah’s tall figure at the edge of the crowd. Moreover, he noticed that Linoah was staring directly at him.
She’s here for me. I must have been seen leaving the library earlier in my uniform. If she sees my Spring Water Technique’s movements now, she’ll recognize me for sure. In a flash of thought, Zhang Wen abandoned his original plan to subdue Zack and the others immediately.
Although Zhang Wen didn’t act immediately, his words still angered Zack. Zack sneered coldly and lifted his lips, “Oh? Then what does Mr. Zhang plan to do?”
As the eldest son of the Shinra Army General, although Zack wasn’t particularly arrogant, he did have a sense of self-importance. His slight respect for Zhang Wen was only due to the title of discipline teacher. As for fighting, Zack didn’t even consider Zhang Wen as someone worthy of fighting him.
“Haha! If I fight you and drag you to detention, I’ll also be violating the school rule against private duels. But if I don’t fight you, you won’t follow me quietly. So, how about we try a different kind of match?”
Zhang Wen smiled and spoke calmly.
“What kind of match?” Zack continued, sneering.
“This is simple. I’ll stand here without moving. If you and Cloud can make me take even one step back, the discipline committee will no longer interfere with your duel today!” Zhang Wen smiled confidently, his expression exuding an unshakable calmness. “As for the number of attacks, you can decide!”
“What? Not move even one step?” As soon as Zhang Wen finished speaking, the surrounding students couldn’t help but widen their eyes, murmuring among themselves.
In the Empire’s martial arts and combat training, movement was an extremely important subject. The former Shinra Army General, known as the God of War, Saferos Shinra, once said that movement was the foundation of martial arts. A warrior who didn’t understand movement techniques would be at least two levels weaker in battle.
“So does that mean Mr. Zhang is confident his martial arts are at least two levels higher than Zack and Cloud’s?” a male student said in surprise.
“What? How is that possible? Zack and Cloud have already reached fifth level! If he’s two levels higher, wouldn’t that mean he’s already seventh level? If he were that strong, why would he be a discipline teacher? He should be a martial arts instructor!” the boy’s companion immediately shook his head.
After all, in the Empire, where martial arts are highly valued, the status of martial arts instructors is self-evident.
“Hmph! I think he’s just putting on a show. Think about it! He deliberately set the conditions so harshly that even if he loses to my Zack, he can still save face!” a girl, clearly a fan of Zack, joined in, proudly showing off her deductive skills to the two boys.
“Oh! That’s right! That must be it!” the girl’s deduction quickly gained the agreement of most of the onlookers. The jeers directed at Zhang Wen once again echoed across the square.
“Haha, if you two have no objections, let’s begin.” The jeers from the students had no effect on Zhang Wen. He still smiled, extending his right hand to the still-exchanging glances between Zack and Cloud.
“If Mr. Zhang insists on this condition, then we’ll have to offend. Let’s say three moves,” Zack clearly thought Zhang Wen was bluffing, just like his female fans. As for why Zack said “three moves,” it wasn’t because he wanted to leave himself any room, but simply because the phrase sounded natural.
Then, Zack casually glanced at Zhang Wen and slowly raised his crystal energy sword. However, just as Zack was about to strike the annoying discipline teacher aside, a sudden sharp cry came from outside the crowd: “Wait!”
Soon, the surrounding students parted like a tide to both sides. Then, Zhang Wen saw Amelis, who had been blocked outside the crowd, walking in with another girl wearing a female discipline committee uniform and long hair trailing down her back. As the long-haired girl appeared, all the surrounding students stopped talking and laughing. In an instant, the academy square was so quiet that only the sound of the long-haired girl’s footsteps could be heard.
When Zhang Wen first saw the long-haired girl, he felt she looked familiar. As the girl approached, Zhang Wen suddenly remembered her identity.
This beautiful girl with long flowing hair was none other than the only daughter of Planetary Governor Temiso and the student president of Almeythia Academy’s Discipline Committee—Carlyt.
Several months ago, shortly after Zhang Wen had saved Governor Temiso’s life, the Governor had specially invited him to a banquet at the Governor’s Mansion. At that banquet, the Governor’s daughter Carlyt had met him briefly.
However, back then, she wore an elegant silver evening gown, always smiling sweetly, like an angel fallen to the mortal world. Compared to her current appearance in the discipline committee uniform, showing no trace of a smile, the difference was like heaven and earth.
“Mr. Zhang, please come over here! I have something to say to you.” Carlyt walked up to Zhang Wen, looked at him seriously, and called him aside.
Frankly speaking, whether it was Carlyt’s pure and delicate face or her gentle and quiet voice, almost anyone could feel the girl’s delicacy. However, when she stood out with such a fragile appearance, it made people feel an undeniable courage and seriousness.
However, Carlyt directing her courage and seriousness at him left Zhang Wen quite puzzled. It wasn’t him who had arranged the private duel. Why was this young lady so determined to confront him? Could it be that she wanted him to let those two humiliate him before watching their duel helplessly?
Thinking this, Zhang Wen followed Carlyt a few steps to the edge of the crowd and stopped, saying indifferently, “President Carlyt, what do you want to say?”
“Mr. Zhang, the agreement you made with them just now is too absurd!” Carlyt’s words finally made Zhang Wen understand why this young lady was confronting him. She didn’t want Zack and Cloud to duel, but rather believed Zhang Wen couldn’t handle the two.
Thinking this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but smile, sarcastically asking, “Is that so? I didn’t feel that way at all. President Carlyt, where do you think I was being absurd?”
“You… saying that you can withstand three moves without moving a single step, isn’t that absurd enough? Are you using the Discipline Committee’s duty as a shield just to save face for yourself?” Carlyt continued, her expression serious as she questioned Zhang Wen.
“Oh! So that’s your opinion of me? A talentless, boastful, selfish little man?” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but lift the corner of his mouth, both mocking and sneering.
“I…” Carlyt was left speechless by Zhang Wen’s question, her deliberately stern face involuntarily blushing slightly.
Actually, deep down, Zhang Wen’s description was pretty much in line with Carlyt’s impression of him. However, how could she possibly admit, in front of Zhang Wen, that she considered this man, who had saved her father’s life, to be so annoying?
Carlyt’s silence made Zhang Wen’s smile widen even more. He hadn’t expected that saving the Governor’s life would result in the Governor’s daughter having such a bad impression of him.
Zhang Wen’s smile made Carlyt even more embarrassed. She bit her lip hard and quickly changed the subject: “Alright! Now isn’t the time to discuss my opinion of you! Mr. Zhang, I hope you’ll cancel the bet with them immediately. As for their private duel, I’ll find a way to resolve it.”
“Cancel the bet? Miss Carlyt, are you giving me orders? Although you are the student president of the Discipline Committee, you don’t have authority over me as an advisor teacher, do you? Besides, if I cancel the bet, wouldn’t that make me a man of no word?” Zhang Wen glanced at Carlyt and smiled faintly.
Hiss! As Zhang Wen and Carlyt began speaking, many of the onlookers had already turned their gazes to this pair of teacher and student from the Discipline Committee. When they heard Zhang Wen say the words “cancel the bet,” the hissing sounds quickly echoed across the entire square again.
“Miss Carlyt, did you hear that?” Zhang Wen shook his head and continued smiling in a way that made Carlyt furious. “I am a teacher of the Discipline Committee. If my promises can be broken, then what credibility will the Discipline Committee have in the future? For the Discipline Committee, isn’t the loss from this more serious than a private duel between students? Besides, if I admit to being a man of no word, wouldn’t that drag down Governor Temiso, who recommended me to the Discipline Committee? Miss Carlyt, what do you think?”
“This… this…” Zhang Wen’s proposal caught Carlyt off guard.
Her only argument for persuading Zhang Wen not to fight Zack and the others was that he was joking about the Discipline Committee’s duties. However, what Zhang Wen said about the Discipline Committee and the Governor’s reputation did seem to have some logic. Although Carlyt still felt something was wrong, she couldn’t think of how to argue against it for the moment.
Seeing Carlyt’s hesitation, Zhang Wen smiled again and pressed his advantage: “After all, you still don’t trust my ability. In that case, Miss Carlyt, how about we make a bet too?”
“A bet? What kind of bet?” Carlyt looked at Zhang Wen warily.
“What else? Obviously, whether I can defeat the two of them!” Zhang Wen lifted the corner of his mouth, glancing at Carlyt with a smile.
The expression on Zhang Wen’s face, as if mocking a fool, was exactly what made the fiercely competitive Carlyt unable to bear it. “You… how could you possibly defeat them?” the girl glared at Zhang Wen, her delicate face flushed with anger, making her even more charming.
“Haha! Isn’t it better if he loses? Carlyt, why don’t you just go ahead and bet with him!” A few of Zack and Cloud’s female fans, who had overheard the conversation between Carlyt and Zhang Wen, excitedly shouted at Carlyt.
“Yeah! Carlyt, don’t be afraid! Zack and the others are definitely going to win!” the boys, hearing the girls’ shouts, also began to join in the teasing.
“Haha, well then, since Miss Carlyt isn’t saying anything, I’ll take that as your agreement.” Amid the crowd’s noise, Zhang Wen calmly smiled again, nodding at Carlyt. “If I lose, then I’ve neglected my duty and allowed students to fight. I’ll naturally accept the school’s punishment. But if I win, Miss Carlyt, what will you do then?”
Agree? When did I agree? Zhang Wen’s reckless attitude almost made Carlyt gnash her teeth in anger. Since her birth, the Governor’s daughter had never encountered such an impolite person!
“What do you want?” Carlyt clenched her teeth, glaring at Zhang Wen with eyes that seemed ready to shoot flames. She swore that if Zhang Wen dared to utter a single indecent word, she would make him pay dearly.
“Huh? Miss Carlyt, this question is for you to answer!” The smile on Zhang Wen’s face made Carlyt feel like her lungs were about to explode.
“If you win… I… I…” In her anger, Carlyt opened her mouth several times but couldn’t think of a suitable condition.
“Haha! Isn’t it simple? According to our academy’s old tradition, if he wins, you can wash his socks for a month!” a group of boys nearby, seeing Carlyt’s expression, began teasing again with wicked grins.
“What… what?” As soon as the group’s words fell, Carlyt’s face turned red with both shame and anger.
Carlyt’s beautiful and furious expression made Zhang Wen smile involuntarily. He generously shrugged and said with a smile, “Haha, if you’re really afraid of losing, Miss Carlyt, you don’t have to pay any price at all.”
“Are you insulting me?” Zhang Wen’s generosity only made Carlyt even more furious, and she shouted angrily at him.
“Exactly! Carlyt, bet with him! What are you afraid of? No matter what the condition, he’s definitely going to lose!” the girls supporting Zack and Cloud began to encourage Carlyt again.
“Who’s afraid?!” Carlyt couldn’t help but turn her head and shout at the teasing students. Since her birth, Carlyt had never encountered such an annoying situation.
Zhang Wen clearly twisted every word she said, yet she couldn’t find fault in his words, only being led around by this annoying guy.
No! She needed to take control! At the peak of her anger, Carlyt’s mind suddenly became clear. Although the teasing crowd was annoying, one of their words was right. Zhang Wen definitely couldn’t be a match for Zack and Cloud! In that case, why not just let Zhang Wen fight? If this guy lost, he would have to obey her! If she continued to argue with him, she might get angry and fall into his trap! Yes! Exactly! That’s right!
Thinking this, Carlyt felt she had completely taken control of the situation. Therefore, the furious Carlyt, who almost wanted to bite Zhang Wen on the spot, instead actively lifted her beautiful face, smiled slightly, and stretched out her hand: “Alright! Since Mr. Zhang is so confident, I’ll bet with you according to everyone’s suggestion!”
“No problem.” Zhang Wen slapped hands with Carlyt, and the two once again walked through the crowd back to the center of the square.
Zhang Wen definitely couldn’t be a match for Zack and Cloud, so let him enjoy his moment of pride. Once he lost the match later, she would definitely deal with this shameless, despicable, and the most annoying bastard in the universe! Standing at the innermost edge of the crowd, Carlyt glared at Zhang Wen walking toward Cloud and the others, thinking angrily to herself.
At this time, Cloud and Zack were lightly swinging their crystal energy swords, clearly growing impatient. Meanwhile, Amelis, who had just called Carlyt, stood between the two, standing on tiptoe to look outside the crowd. As soon as she saw Zhang Wen and Carlyt walking into the crowd together, Amelis immediately sighed in relief. However, when she saw Amelis standing at the front of the onlookers and Zhang Wen walking alone toward this side, her eyebrows immediately furrowed.
“Alright, leave this to me. You go to Carlyt’s side first.” Zhang Wen walked to Amelis’s side, smiling and pointing at Carlyt, who was waiting coldly nearby.
“Hmm…” Amelis couldn’t even say a word of objection due to Zhang Wen’s unquestionable attitude. She could only follow Zhang Wen’s words in confusion, standing beside Carlyt.
“Carlyt, what did you and Mr. Zhang talk about just now?” After Amelis stood in place, she suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly asked Carlyt beside her.
In fact, it was precisely because Amelis had heard from outside the crowd that Zhang Wen seemed to be getting into a conflict with Zack and the others that she hurriedly called Carlyt here. But how come, after Carlyt talked with Zhang Wen for a while, the situation was the same as before?
“You don’t need to worry about it! Anyway, he’s asking for trouble himself. Once he loses later, you take him to the detention room first. I’ll stop Zack and Cloud’s duel here.” Naturally, Carlyt couldn’t tell Amelis about her bet with Zhang Wen, so she vaguely shook her head and whispered a few words in her ear.
“Lose? Detention room? Carlyt, what exactly…” Amelis’s surprised gaze swept over Carlyt, but before she could finish speaking, she saw Zhang Wen and Zack at the center of the field were already ready.
“Alright, the troublemaker has been convinced. We can continue our previous agreement.” Zhang Wen smiled, walking proudly to the center of the field and standing still, extending his hand to Zack with a gesture indicating he was ready to start.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage