**********
—The next day—
Shrek Academy Dining Hall,
The following morning, a group of students gathered around one of the tables in the dining hall, quietly enjoying their breakfast.
Although it was called a dining hall, the place was actually nothing more than a simple arrangement between Shrek Academy and the nearby village. The academy had hired several villagers to prepare meals for the students and teachers.
The breakfast itself was rather simple, but there was more than enough food. For students who had spent their days training and fighting, quantity mattered more than luxury, and no one had any trouble eating their fill.
As everyone was eating, the chubby, red-haired Ma Hongjun suddenly looked toward Dai Mubai.
"That's right, Boss Dai. I heard that one of the new students made Teacher Zhao suffer a huge loss yesterday. Who was it?"
"It was Tang San—the one you fought earlier."
Dai Mubai answered seriously while continuing to eat.
However, the moment he recalled what had happened yesterday, his expression darkened.
After waking up from his defeat, he had felt as though his entire world had collapsed.
He simply couldn't accept the fact that he had been beaten so thoroughly by someone who was even younger than him.
Hearing Dai Mubai's answer, Ma Hongjun turned his attention toward Tang San again, this time with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
He had personally fought Tang San yesterday, yet he had never imagined that the seemingly harmless-looking young man was actually the person who had caused such a commotion.
"Then what about the rumor that a new student beat you yesterday? Is that true? That rumor must be fake, right, Boss Dai?"
This time, Tang San and Xiao Wu both stopped eating.
They simultaneously turned toward Dai Mubai with surprised expressions.
Ma Hongjun had repeatedly called it a rumor, but judging from Dai Mubai's unusual behavior since yesterday, both of them had already suspected that there was some truth behind it.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, froze.
His fists slowly clenched beneath the table.
Ma Hongjun had unknowingly brought up the humiliation he had been desperately trying to forget.
Dai Mubai's eyes turned cold as he glared at Ma Hongjun.
He was just about to stand up and teach him a lesson when Tang San suddenly spoke.
"Is that true, Mubai?"
Tang San's voice was filled with curiosity.
He already knew that Dai Mubai was extremely powerful. Although he didn't believe that Dai Mubai was unbeatable, hearing that someone had actually defeated him—especially a newly admitted student around their age—still came as a shock.
Before Dai Mubai could answer, however, another voice suddenly interrupted.
"Yes. Yes, it's true."
Ning Rongrong was the one who answered.
She smiled brightly as she recalled what had happened the previous day.
"And he's incredibly handsome too."
Her expression became dreamy for a moment as the memory of Lev's smile surfaced in her mind.
Her cheeks gradually turned red.
However, that expression didn't last long.
Her smile slowly disappeared as she remembered something else.
"Unfortunately... he didn't stay with us and chose to live in the Rose Hotel."
Ning Rongrong's face immediately fell.
The others around the table exchanged glances.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai's expression became even more complicated.
He had already suffered enough humiliation yesterday, yet somehow, hearing Ning Rongrong praise Lev's appearance made him feel even more irritated.
'That bastard...'
The thought of Lev immediately resurfaced in his mind.
Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San all wore surprised expressions as they turned toward Dai Mubai.
They had already suspected that something significant had happened, but none of them had expected it to be this serious.
"Dai Mubai really lost?" Xiao Wu asked Ning Rongrong again, wanting to make absolutely sure that she was telling the truth.
If it really was true, then she suddenly became interested in meeting this person.
After all, she had never particularly liked Dai Mubai in the first place. Someone who could actually defeat him was certainly worth getting to know, and perhaps they could even become friends.
"Yes. His name is Lev Hendrix."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up as she continued.
"I felt like he was deliberately letting Dai Mubai make the first move before completely beating him into the ground. Hahaha! If he hadn't used his healing ability afterward, Dai Mubai would probably have needed to stay in bed for a while."
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh as she recalled the scene.
"That's enough."
Dai Mubai finally spoke, his mood turning even worse as he looked at Ning Rongrong.
Surprisingly, his biggest grievance wasn't the fact that he had lost.
What truly bothered him was the feeling that Lev hadn't taken him seriously at all.
It was as though the entire battle had been nothing more than a game to him.
That realization was far more humiliating than the defeat itself.
"Hmph."
Ning Rongrong snorted before turning away and remaining silent.
Just like Xiao Wu, she didn't particularly like Dai Mubai.
However, there wasn't much she could do about it. Dai Mubai was older and stronger than her, so she could only endure his presence for now.
Tang San, meanwhile, didn't dwell too deeply on the matter.
Instead, his interest in Lev continued to grow.
'A powerful person like that might be worth becoming friends with.'
Tang San had always believed that having capable companions was beneficial, so he wasn't opposed to getting acquainted with Lev.
Setting the matter aside for the moment, he began asking Dai Mubai about the rules and circumstances of Shrek Academy.
Dai Mubai, having already recovered from his previous mood, patiently explained everything he knew.
Dang. Dang. Dang. Dang.
Suddenly, the sound of a bell echoed throughout the academy.
"Hmm?"
Everyone stopped talking and looked toward the direction of the sound.
"This is the Dean's signal. He's gathering everyone."
Dai Mubai immediately stood up.
"Let's head to the field."
Everyone nodded.
They quickly finished their breakfast and left the dining hall together.
As they made their way toward the training field, they encountered Oscar.
However, everyone was immediately stunned upon seeing him.
Oscar had completely shaved off his iconic beard.
"What happened to you?!"
Ning Rongrong stared at him in surprise.
Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and even Tang San were equally surprised by his sudden change in appearance.
Without his beard, Oscar looked completely different.
In fact, he looked considerably younger—and surprisingly handsome.
"Wow..."
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but stare.
Xiao Wu also looked at him with curiosity, while Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances.
Oscar, seeing their reactions, couldn't help but feel proud of himself.
"How is it? Don't I look much better now?"
"You're actually quite handsome."
Xiao Wu admitted honestly.
"Yeah, I didn't expect you to look like this without your beard."
Ning Rongrong also nodded.
Oscar's smile widened upon receiving the unexpected praise.
However, they didn't have time to continue discussing his appearance.
The Dean was already waiting for them.
With that, the group hurried toward the training field together.
*****
On the field,
Meanwhile, while everyone was still eating in the dining hall, Lev was already in the area, waiting patiently as he sat peacefully on the ground. He was actually contemplating on how long he would stay in this place as his curiosity about this place had already been answered.
All of a sudden, Lev stopped his train of thought when the sound of a bell rang from somewhere nearby. He immediately stood up and stretched his body.
'Looks like it's time to see them again.'
A minute later, Lev heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned around, and there, he finally saw the original Shrek Seven Monsters approaching together, each displaying a different expression upon seeing him.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun immediately wore sour expressions for some reason, while Dai Mubai's face carried a mixture of anger and uneasiness. Zhu Zhuqing remained as indifferent as ever, merely observing him with her usual calm expression. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, both blushed slightly upon seeing Lev.
However, among all of them, Tang San's reaction was by far the most exaggerated.
"I-It's you."
Tang San subconsciously muttered while staring at Lev in great surprise.
He finally understood why he had felt that familiar gaze in the Rose Hotel. It had been Lev all along.
Tang San still clearly remembered the boy he had met years ago during the Spirit Awakening Ceremony in their village—the mysterious youth who had left such an unforgettable first impression on him.
"Brother San, do you know him?"
Xiao Wu immediately asked after hearing Tang San's words. Judging from his reaction, anyone could tell that the two had met before. She couldn't help but feel curious since, throughout all the years she had spent with Tang San, she had never once heard him mention Lev.
"No, but I met him back at the Spirit Awakening Ceremony in our village."
Tang San answered truthfully before calming himself down.
He was genuinely surprised by this unexpected reunion. At the same time, however, he felt that this was a good opportunity. After all, he had been curious about Lev ever since their first encounter, and now he finally had the chance to speak with him properly.
Hearing Tang San's explanation, the entire group fell silent for a moment.
Especially Dai Mubai.
His expression immediately became complicated upon realizing that Lev and Tang San had known each other for years. The thought only made him feel even more frustrated.
However, the silence did not last long.
A powerful presence suddenly appeared before them, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
The group immediately turned their gazes toward the newcomer.
The atmosphere on the field changed in an instant.
Lev narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the person standing before them.
'Finally.'
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The real beginning of Shrek Academy's story was finally about to start.
The man appeared to be around fifty years old. He had a thick and sturdy build, a characteristically long face, a somewhat prominent chin, extremely wide cheekbones, and a flat facial structure. His nose was slightly aquiline, and if one were forced to compare his appearance to something, his face somewhat resembled the sole of a shoe.
Although his eyes were closed, there was a faintly crafty feeling about him. He wore a pair of black-rimmed crystal glasses, the frames forming a rigid square shape that gave him an even more distinctive appearance.
Just like in the original story, the man standing before them was none other than Flender, the Dean of Shrek Academy.
He began by greeting everyone and introducing himself before briefly explaining a few things about the academy. Although his words were nothing out of the ordinary, Lev listened carefully while observing him.
'So this is Flender.'
Lev quietly studied the man before him. He had already known what kind of person Flender was from the original story, but seeing him in person was still different from simply reading about him.
Not long after, Flender finally moved on to the day's arrangements.
"For your newly arrived five junior brothers and sisters, later tell them about the Academy's regulations. After that, each of you should return to rest and recover to your peak condition as much as possible. Today's first class will begin in the evening."
He paused for a moment before looking toward two particular students.
"Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two are exceptions. Follow me."
Following his instruction, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun left the field.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Lev, however, decided to remain behind. They were curious about why Flender had specifically asked Oscar and Ning Rongrong to stay.
Without paying much attention to the three remaining students, Flender began explaining to Oscar and Ning Rongrong how auxiliary spirit masters should fight.
He explained that auxiliary spirit masters possessed their own unique methods of cultivation and combat, and that simply relying on their spirit abilities was not enough.
Their lesson for today was simple.
Run twenty laps around the village.
Upon hearing the arduous assignment, Oscar and Ning Rongrong could only leave reluctantly, especially Ning Rongrong, whose expression immediately became bitter.
The moment they left, Flender's attention shifted toward Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Lev.
His gaze lingered on Lev for a moment longer.
He had already heard about the mysterious youth from Zhao Wuji and Teacher Li's reports. From what they had described, Lev was undoubtedly an extraordinary student.
Flender naturally wanted to know more about him.
However, he was not the type to rush into things without understanding the situation first. He therefore remained composed and decided to deal with matters one step at a time.
His attention eventually shifted toward Tang San.
"You, I have something to discuss with you. Follow me."
Tang San was surprised by the sudden instruction.
He had originally decided to remain behind simply because he was curious about what Flender intended to teach Oscar and Ning Rongrong. He had not expected the Dean to specifically call him over.
Judging from the direction Flender was walking, it seemed that he wanted to speak with him privately.
Tang San glanced toward Xiao Wu first.
Seeing her nod, he then shifted his gaze toward Lev.
However, Lev merely stood there with an indifferent expression, seemingly uninterested in what was happening.
Seeing this, Tang San could only sigh inwardly before following Flender.
Soon, only Lev and Xiao Wu remained on the field.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
Neither of them spoke.
The surrounding area was unusually quiet, with only the occasional sound of wind blowing through the trees.
After a while, Lev's attention finally shifted toward Xiao Wu.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'Finally.'
He had been waiting for an opportunity like this.
With Tang San gone and everyone else occupied, he could finally begin one of his hidden objectives.
Lev had not come to Shrek Academy merely to follow the original storyline.
He had come here with a purpose.
And Xiao Wu was one of the people he had specifically wanted to approach.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu quickly noticed Lev's gaze.
Her body suddenly stiffened.
Although she had been curious about him ever since hearing about his battle with Dai Mubai, something about the way he was looking at her made her instinctively uneasy.
It wasn't because Lev had done anything threatening.
Rather, it was an inexplicable feeling.
An instinct.
As a girl who had lived among spirit beasts for so long, Xiao Wu possessed senses far sharper than ordinary humans. Her instincts were especially sensitive toward anything that could potentially pose a danger to her.
And right now, those instincts were telling her one thing.
Be careful.
Xiao Wu swallowed quietly as she looked at Lev.
She had wanted to know more about this mysterious new student.
But suddenly, she wasn't sure whether that was such a good idea anymore.
"Your name was Xiao Wu, right? How long do you plan on hiding that spirit beast identity of yours?"
Lev suddenly asked with a smile.
Although it sounded like a simple and ordinary question, Xiao Wu's reaction was anything but ordinary.
Her expression immediately changed.
She instantly stepped backward, putting considerable distance between them while simultaneously releasing her spirit power. Her eyes became sharp as she stared at Lev with vigilance.
Seeing Xiao Wu's reaction, Lev was momentarily surprised. He then scratched his head and sighed inwardly.
'Am I being too straightforward? Looks like this is going to end in failure.'
He had intended for this to be his first attempt at probing her, but instead, he had immediately exposed the secret she had desperately tried to conceal.
'This might also cause some problems later. My first attempt already went terribly wrong. Sigh.'
"Y-You! H-How did you know?"
Xiao Wu nervously asked.
Her voice contained both fear and disbelief.
Her identity as a spirit beast had always been her greatest secret. She had spent years carefully concealing it, and even Tang San, despite being so close to her, had never discovered the truth.
Yet Lev had exposed her identity with only a single sentence.
What frightened her even more was the certainty in his voice.
He wasn't asking as though he were making a guess.
He sounded as if he already knew the truth.
That was what frightened her the most.
"I'm sorry if I surprised you, but I was genuinely just asking. I don't have any bad intentions. I was simply a little curious, that's all."
Lev replied while awkwardly scratching his head.
It was, of course, a false explanation.
Everything had already fallen into complete chaos, and he couldn't believe how difficult it was proving to convince his first target.
"Cut the crap!"
Xiao Wu shouted.
"Do you really think I'll be swayed by such a pathetic lie? Tell me! What are you planning to do now? Kill me? Or tell everyone that I'm a spirit beast?"
Xiao Wu's expression became increasingly tense as she prepared herself for the worst.
She knew exactly what would happen if her identity became public.
Countless spirit masters would hunt her down for her hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
She had no intention of simply surrendering her life.
However, despite her fear, she was still reluctant to leave.
She had lived in the human world for so long and had finally found people she cared about.
Therefore, before making any rash decision, she wanted to understand Lev's true intentions.
"No, no, no."
Lev immediately waved his hands.
"I don't care about your identity. Besides, your soul bone would be useless to me."
That part was completely true.
He had already chosen to walk the path of the Dragon God, so Xiao Wu's soul bone held little attraction for him.
"However, unlike me, there are countless people who would consider you a living treasure."
Lev's expression became slightly more serious.
"Do you really think I'm the only person who knows that you're a spirit beast?"
Xiao Wu's pupils contracted.
"How naive would you have to be to believe that?"
Lev continued.
"I'm sure Tang San has already figured out your identity as well, especially with that special eye technique of his."
The moment those words left his mouth, Xiao Wu's expression changed again.
However, she quickly shook her head.
"Even if he knew, I know he wouldn't hurt me."
Her voice was firm.
She trusted Tang San.
Perhaps more than anyone else in this world.
"So you really trust him that much?"
Lev smiled faintly.
"However, do you know that Tang San's father is a Titled Douluo?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened.
"What?"
She stared at Lev in disbelief.
"Lies! Tang San never told me that his father was a spirit master! I've always known him as an ordinary blacksmith ever since we became close."
Her voice became more agitated.
"Stop talking nonsense! Tang San would never lie to me!"
"That is indeed true."
Lev nodded.
"But what if Tang San's father was the one who lied and kept everything hidden from him?"
Xiao Wu froze.
"You may not know this, but Tang San's father came here last night."
Lev paused deliberately.
"He came here to teach Zhao Wuji a lesson."
The words struck Xiao Wu like a thunderbolt.
Her mind immediately became chaotic.
Everything Lev had said began connecting inside her head.
Tang San's mysterious background.
His incredible strength.
His strange techniques.
His father's seemingly ordinary identity.
And now, the possibility that his father was actually a Titled Douluo.
Could it really be true?
"No..."
Xiao Wu desperately shook her head.
She didn't want to believe it.
She didn't want to doubt Tang San.
Yet Lev's words had already planted a seed of uncertainty inside her heart.
Her eyes gradually became misty.
"T-There is no way that your words are tru—"
"Xiao Wu!"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
Tang San came running toward them after finishing his conversation with Flender.
He had not expected to see this scene.
Xiao Wu was standing there with tears streaming down her cheeks, while Lev stood in front of her.
Tang San's expression immediately changed.
"Xiao Wu!"
He quickly approached her, his eyes filled with concern.
"What happened?"
Xiao Wu didn't answer.
She merely stared at Tang San with tears continuing to fall from her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lev remained silent.
He looked at Tang San before glancing back at Xiao Wu.
'Well... this certainly didn't go according to plan.'
For the first time since arriving at Shrek Academy, Lev realized that perhaps interfering with the original storyline was going to be far more complicated than he had anticipated.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu stopped looking at Lev and instead stared at Tang San.
Although they had lived together for six years and she had long treated him like a brother, Lev's words had awakened a trace of doubt within her that she had never considered before.
She wanted to deny everything.
She wanted to believe that Tang San had no secrets from her.
But the more she thought about Lev's words, the more confused she became.
For a moment, she couldn't find the words to respond.
She could only stare at Tang San silently, her eyes still carrying traces of tears.
"Did you do something to her?"
Tang San's expression darkened.
"Answer me!"
Without waiting for a response, Tang San immediately dashed forward and grabbed Lev by the sleeve. At the same time, he released his spirit power, his eyes carrying a faint killing intent.
He had never seen Xiao Wu cry like this throughout the six years they had lived together.
Seeing her tears immediately ignited the anger within him.
"Aarrgh!"
However, the next moment, Tang San's voice turned into a painful groan.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Lev had effortlessly grabbed his hand and pulled it away from his sleeve.
Tang San stared at him in complete shock.
'How can he have this much strength?'
He had already heard Lev's battle against Dai Mubai and knew that the newcomer was powerful, but experiencing his strength firsthand was an entirely different matter.
"I only talked to her for a little while. Don't overreact."
Lev calmly released Tang San's hand and brushed off his sleeve.
"If I were you, I'd take care of Xiao Wu first instead of taking your anger out on someone without even knowing what happened."
He clicked his tongue lightly.
"Tsk."
Lev then glanced toward Xiao Wu one last time.
Seeing her complicated expression, he could only sigh inwardly before turning around and leaving as though nothing had happened.
Tang San remained standing there, watching Lev's back disappear.
Although Lev's words had somewhat brought him back to his senses, the anger inside his heart had not completely disappeared.
No matter how he looked at the situation, Lev had undeniably been alone with Xiao Wu when she started crying.
There was no way he could simply ignore that.
"Brother San."
Xiao Wu suddenly spoke.
Tang San immediately turned toward her.
"Just like Lev said, nothing really happened."
She quickly interrupted him, not wanting the situation to escalate any further.
Although Lev had shocked her with his words and had planted doubts in her heart, her trust in Tang San still remained.
After all, they had been together for six years.
She didn't want to let a few words from someone she had only recently met destroy that bond.
She wanted to believe Tang San.
And, more importantly, she wanted to believe that the truth was not as frightening as Lev had made it sound.
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Tang San slowly calmed himself down.
He looked at her worriedly before walking toward her.
"Come on. Let's go back to the dorm."
Tang San gently guided Xiao Wu back toward the academy.
Although he didn't continue questioning her at that moment, the matter had already taken root in his mind.
Something had clearly happened while he was away.
And he intended to find out what it was.
No matter what it took.
As the two disappeared from the field, Tang San's mind remained occupied by Lev's mysterious words.
Meanwhile, somewhere farther away, Lev continued walking with a complicated expression.
'This certainly didn't go according to plan.'
He had originally intended to slowly establish a relationship with Xiao Wu and eventually recruit her.
Instead, he had immediately exposed her greatest secret and planted doubt between her and Tang San.
Lev could only shake his head.
'Well, what's done is done.'
Perhaps changing the original storyline was inevitable once he decided to become involved.
And now, he could only see where these changes would eventually lead.
Meanwhile, as Tang San and Xiao Wu left the field, Lev continued walking through the academy grounds.
His first attempt at probing Xiao Wu had ended in failure, but he wasn't too bothered by it. There would still be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Besides, Xiao Wu wasn't the only person on his list.
In fact, there was another candidate whom he considered far more suitable for his plans.
As Lev passed by a building, he suddenly stopped for a brief moment.
"I hope you'll keep it a secret. Someone's life is at stake, after all."
Lev muttered those words quietly.
He already knew that Zhu Zhuqing was nearby and had probably heard everything that happened between him and Xiao Wu.
However, he wasn't particularly worried.
Among everyone in Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing was one of the people he trusted the most when it came to keeping secrets. From what he knew about her personality, she wasn't someone who would casually betray a companion or use another person's weakness for her own benefit.
With that thought, Lev continued walking.
He decided to return to Suotuo City and leave the matter for now.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing stood silently in the place where she had accidentally overheard everything.
She was completely surprised.
She had never intended to come to this area in the first place. Somehow, she had ended up returning at the wrong time and accidentally heard a secret that could potentially shake the entire academy.
A hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast.
Xiao Wu's true identity.
And the fact that Lev had somehow seen through it with such ease.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained calm, but her thoughts were anything but.
She understood exactly what Lev had meant.
Yet she had no intention of using this secret against Xiao Wu.
Zhu Zhuqing had never been the kind of person who would blackmail or betray someone she considered a companion.
Besides, knowing Xiao Wu's secret would not help her solve her own problems.
If anything, the incident only made Lev appear even more mysterious in her eyes.
The more she learned about him, the less she felt that she actually understood him.
'Who exactly is he?'
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Lev's departing figure.
She had already witnessed his overwhelming strength against Dai Mubai.
She had seen his strange dragon spirit.
She had also witnessed his incredible healing ability.
And now, she discovered that he could somehow identify Xiao Wu's true identity without even needing to investigate.
Everything about him seemed shrouded in mystery.
Zhu Zhuqing quietly sighed.
Regardless of how mysterious Lev was, this secret had nothing to do with her.
She had enough problems of her own to deal with.
With that, she turned around and quietly left the area.
The field gradually became silent.
Everyone had already returned to their respective activities, leaving behind only the quiet surroundings of Shrek Academy.
Meanwhile, Lev had already begun making his way back toward Suotuo City.
His plans had changed slightly.
But one thing remained certain.
His journey in this world had only just begun.
**********
—Nightfall—
Suotuo City, Great Spirit Arena,
Following Flender's instructions, Lev and the others gathered on the field once again.
The atmosphere was already tense.
Ning Rongrong and Flender were in the middle of an argument, with the Dean reprimanding her for her weakness and spoiled attitude. Everyone could hear every word he said, but none of them dared to interrupt.
Lev simply stood to the side and listened quietly.
He wasn't particularly interested in their argument.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Flender eventually brought everyone to Suotuo City, specifically the Great Spirit Arena, where they would receive their first assignment.
The Suotuo Great Spirit Arena was an enormous oval-shaped structure with a height reaching nearly one hundred and twenty meters. Its interior was divided into one main Spirit Arena and twenty-four smaller Spirit Arenas, allowing thousands of spectators to watch battles simultaneously. Among them were also one hundred VIP boxes reserved for distinguished guests.
This place wasn't merely an arena where Spirit Masters exchanged pointers.
It was also a place where various powers displayed their strength.
For Spirit Masters, the Great Spirit Arena was an excellent place to gain battle experience, test their abilities, and establish their reputation.
Flender began explaining the basic rules and procedures of the arena before finally announcing their assignment.
"Your objective is simple. Before graduating from Shrek Academy, each of you must obtain a Silver Fighting Spirit Badge."
After saying that, Flender left the remaining explanations to Dai Mubai.
As the group wandered through the enormous arena, Lev couldn't help but look around with curiosity.
There were Spirit Masters everywhere.
Some were preparing for their upcoming battles, while others were discussing their previous fights. The entire place was filled with a lively atmosphere that was completely different from the quiet environment of Shrek Academy.
Although Lev had already been staying in Suotuo City for some time, he had never bothered to visit the Great Spirit Arena.
He suddenly felt a little regretful.
'Why didn't I think of coming here earlier?'
To him, this place was practically a treasure trove.
There were countless Spirit Masters gathered here, each possessing different spirits, spirit abilities, and fighting styles.
For someone like him, whose ability allowed him to learn the skills and abilities of others, this place was practically heaven.
'I should make better use of this place from now on.'
Not long after, everyone finished registering their identities and began participating in their respective matches.
Among the group, only Dai Mubai's opponent was a Spirit Elder.
The others were matched against Spirit Grandmaster-level opponents.
This was understandable.
Dai Mubai had already established himself in the Great Spirit Arena long before the others arrived, so his reputation and previous victories naturally resulted in stronger opponents.
As the battles began, the arrival of the Shrek students quickly attracted the attention of the surrounding Spirit Masters.
After all, their ages were simply too young.
What attracted the most attention, however, was Lev.
Unlike the others, Lev had been defeating his opponents without even using a single spirit ability.
He relied purely on his physical strength and combat experience.
Every time his opponent attempted to attack him, Lev either dodged effortlessly or countered with a simple punch.
To the spectators, it was almost unbelievable.
'Is that really a twelve-year-old?'
'He's not even using his spirit abilities!'
'What kind of monster is Shrek Academy recruiting this year?'
Whispers spread throughout the rest area.
Lev paid no attention to them.
At the moment, he was sitting quietly while watching Xiao Wu and Tang San participate in their two-versus-two match.
His eyes remained focused on the battle.
He carefully observed their movements, cooperation, and the way they reacted to one another.
After watching for some time, Lev finally came to a conclusion.
'Their connection really isn't that easy to break.'
Despite everything he had said to Xiao Wu earlier, her trust in Tang San remained deeply rooted.
Their bond had been formed over six years, and a few words from an outsider were clearly not enough to destroy it.
Lev wasn't particularly surprised.
In fact, he had already expected such an outcome.
'Hmmm. I won't deliberately interfere from now on.'
He leaned back slightly and continued watching the battle.
Perhaps this was simply their fate.
He had no intention of forcing things.
There were still plenty of opportunities waiting for him in the future.
For now, he would simply allow Tang San and Xiao Wu to follow the path they were destined to walk.
As for himself...
He had his own path to create.
After waiting for a while, an announcement suddenly echoed throughout the arena.
"The next match will be between Zhu Zhuqing and Lev Hendrix!"
The announcement immediately stirred the audience, and excitement spread throughout the spectator stands. Both contestants were young, and since they were also students from the same academy, many spectators became curious about which of the two would emerge victorious.
'Hmmm. This is interesting.'
Upon hearing his name, Lev raised his head and looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Zhu Zhuqing silently turned around and headed toward the passage leading to the Spirit Arena.
Lev followed shortly after.
However, just as he was about to leave the rest area, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"Could you go a little easy on her?" Dai Mubai asked awkwardly.
Lev stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
"Why?"
Without waiting for an answer, Lev calmly removed Dai Mubai's hand from his shoulder and continued walking toward the arena.
Even without Dai Mubai's reminder, Lev had no intention of seriously hurting Zhu Zhuqing. Unlike his previous battle with Dai Mubai, he already had another purpose in mind for this fight.
Zhu Zhuqing was one of the people he had been keeping an eye on.
This unexpected match had simply given him the perfect opportunity to begin his second operation.
Behind him, Dai Mubai's expression darkened.
His teeth clenched as his fists tightened.
His hatred toward Lev had only grown since their first encounter. Every time he saw that calm and indifferent expression, he felt as though Lev was looking down on him.
Yet despite his anger, Dai Mubai could do nothing.
He had already experienced firsthand just how terrifying Lev's strength was.
In this world, strength spoke louder than anything else.
And for now, Lev possessed enough strength to make Dai Mubai swallow his pride.
*****
Inside the Arena,
Unbothered by the excitement of the audience surrounding them, Zhu Zhuqing and Lev stood several meters apart, silently looking at each other.
This was their first time facing one another in battle. Unlike Lev, however, Zhu Zhuqing was genuinely looking forward to this fight. She wanted to know exactly how large the gap between them was and whether the rumors surrounding his strength were truly justified.
"I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Xiao Wu, but if you want me to keep her secret, then you'll have to make me do it."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression became serious.
"Hell Civet Body Enhancement!"
The moment her voice fell, her body underwent a transformation.
Her left eye turned a deep dark green while her right eye became a clear blue. A pair of adorable black cat ears rose from the top of her head, and her ten fingers flexed slightly.
Shing!
Sharp, spike-like claws suddenly extended from her fingertips.
At the same time, two yellow spirit rings appeared beneath her feet, slowly revolving around her body.
[Initial Skill: Hell Civet Body Enhancement has been learned.]
The system notification echoed inside Lev's mind.
However, Lev paid little attention to it.
His gaze remained fixed on Zhu Zhuqing.
"Hmmm."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He had expected Zhu Zhuqing to keep the secret after his warning, but he never imagined that she would actually use it to challenge him directly.
For some reason, rather than making him angry, her attitude only made him more excited.
'So she wants me to make her keep quiet?'
Lev slowly lowered his body and assumed a battle stance.
His eyes sharpened as his smile widened.
"Then come."
For the first time since entering the Great Spirit Arena, Lev felt genuinely interested in the battle before him.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed.
In the next instant, both figures moved.