Boom! My fist slammed straight into Jiao Jiao's gut, sending her body flying across the training ground, bouncing off the dirt and kicking up dust. A few people drawn by the fight noise were in total shock at the brawl unfolding before them. When my girl calmly stood, dusted off after that hit, their jaws dropped. Well, what else to say? My girls are fighters—they won't whine over that.
"You lasted a bit longer this time—congrats." – I sincerely praised Jiao Jiao. Her combat mastery, like TuTu's, grew like wildfire, and she adapted to the new physique by training day three.
"Thanks. Without all your sessions, we wouldn't have these results. We really appreciate you spending time on us despite your backlog." – Coming closer, she pecked my cheek. Nice to be praised for real effort.
But honestly, no urgent stuff right now. Sure, I could continue poison studies with Teacher Gu Daiyu, hone combat with Master Mo Shu, or resume soul-transfer experiments from parallel worlds. But that can wait.
Adapting the girls to their enhanced bodies is way more important, especially with practice tomorrow in a monster-filled city. Better safe than sorry, even if no real heavies should be there. Who knows what could happen.
"By the way, how're your newly awakened elements? Cultivating okay?" – I asked her.
"Yeah, perfect—don't worry. Same for me and TuTu. She'll say the same after her shower." – Smiling, Jiao Jiao reassured me. I'm confident in my work—tested on heaps of criminals—but still wanted confirmation.
As promised five days ago, after a wild night, I got up early for new elements for my girls. Picked top quality and purity, sifting through tons of past commoner and minor clan geniuses. Found what I wanted: prime light element for TuTu. For Jiao Jiao, poison from the same girl I borrowed mine from.
And awakened via my new spark-ignition tech. Instead of transplanting full elements, just the spark—letting the mage's spirit world form it itself from the template. Haven't figured if full foreign transplants have side effects, but better safe. Homegrown's always better than borrowed... if equal or superior.
As Jiao Jiao headed to shower after TuTu, Xiao Feng—from Imperial team—rushed up on Wind Paths and said:
"Director Sun He summons you all. He wants to discuss the joint practice between our universities. Meeting in his office in half an hour." – Spitting it fast, the guy bolted back. Guess we don't vibe with him—he even fears us emotionally. Why though...
Exchanging looks with Jiao Jiao, we nodded and went join TuTu in the shower. Half an hour's plenty to wash up, tidy, and reach the local director's office. If we shower normally, that is...
Half an hour later. Imperial University Director's office.
"...You're the last—come in." – A gray old man with long mustache, eyebrows, and classic Chinese dumpling bun eyed us. Dressed in simple-looking blue hanfu from pricey fabrics. He owned the office.
We girls, blushing a bit awkwardly, entered. Eight team members per uni, one teacher each, plus host—total crowd fit harmoniously in the spacious room. Nodding to happily smiling Mu Ning Xue at my sight, I took my seat; girls flanked me protectively.
"So, now everyone's here, let's get to it. After consulting, both universities' leadership decided on joint practice to foster camaraderie and enrich practical experience." – Sun He began.
Eh, guy's strong—not Director Xiao level, but peak Superior. Might even hit Semi-Sealed before death. No wonder he rivaled our director in youth. Though Sun He's a couple years older, Xiao matched him. Two years is big for young mages—you can skip a rank. Clear who's more talented.
"...After much debate, practice site is Jinlin." – Sun He finally wrapped situation briefing. I half-ignored it. Whatever—if important, Jiao Jiao'll fill me.
"Jinlin? Not on any map..." – Pink-haired Jin Jin, plant mage TuTu crushed (like her whole team), timidly raised hand, shivering.
"Jinlin was wiped from maps fifteen years ago. Destroyed by Dongting Lake monster horde in one night—razed to foundations." – Director solemnly addressed her doubt. Most here got chills.
"S-so Jinlin's just ruins?" – Swallowing, paling, gorilla-like Xu Da Lun stammered. Man, looks don't match personality.
"Yes—your training: split into two teams, infiltrate for intel." – Sun He calmly explained. Long teaching years inured him to nervous students.
"Just intel?" – Shen Min Xiao, our gray-haired teammate, asked.
"Yes—we need to know if city's salvageable. You'll get element detectors and marked Jinlin map. Place detectors, guard while they scan. As you know, active gear—especially wide-range—attracts monsters from afar. Meanwhile, estimate Servant and Pack Chieftain beast numbers left." – Director calmly fielded questions.
Sorry. You're saying we need to assess the number of Servants and Pack Chieftains. What about the Commanders?" The chubby Luo Song inquired, judging by the emotions and glances he was throwing, hoping to shine with his intellect in front of the Jing Jing he liked.
"If you encounter a Commander... I wanted to say run, but I just remembered in time that among you there's a person who has two beasts of that level as summons." Sun He shifted his gaze to me. The details of the battle at the abandoned factory had spread quickly. Sigh, the shocked looks from the students who didn't know about it warmed my black soul.
"Don't worry, Director Sun He, as long as it's not a peak Commander, we can safely retreat." I assured him, downplaying it considerably. But I'm not going to reveal all my cards, am I?
"There shouldn't be anyone at the Commander level there at all; I'm mentioning it just as a precaution. Just in case." Sun He hurried to calm the agitated students, seeing how they paled at the mention of monsters of that power.
"Director, is the training voluntary?" Xiao Feng asked timidly, and the other doubters nodded in support. Their faces made it clear right away – if the answer was negative, they'd go complaining to their parents in the clan.
"Yes, this training is not mandatory for graduation." The director pleased the majority of the students.
"But if you do complete it... you'll be rewarded accordingly for such a brave deed." The director lifted the corners of his mouth in a faint smile, successfully drawing everyone's attention. If a person of his caliber talks about a reward, it must be a good one!
"So, who among you will go on the training?" Pulling out a sheet and pen, not hiding his smile, the director addressed the students.
Needless to say, there were no refusals after his pitch? Sigh, politicians are scary people.