Chapter 7 - Gu Yue (1/2)

The next day, Wu Zhangkong kept true to his words. He began the physical training class he spoke of yesterday.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie and I received heavy chains weighing in at 10kg and fashioned into metal shirts. We were asked to run ten ŀȧps around a track field with an 800 metre long loop.

The metal shirt on my body felt extremely light. It didn't feel different from wearing a cotton shirt.

Doing as I was told, I found running the ten ŀȧps incredibly easy. I kept pace with Xie Xie, but unlike him, who began to slow by the second ŀȧp, my speed was constant throughout.

By the time Xie Xie was on his fourth ŀȧp, I was already running my last ŀȧp. I slowly came to a halt as I finished the tenth ŀȧp.

”Huang Yu!” Wu Zhangkong's cold voice entered my ears as I finished. I turned around to look at him. Without waiting for my reply, he continued, ”This training seems to not be effective for you. Come here. We will train with your martial spirit instead.”

His words probably meant that I would spar with him. While most students would dread having to spar with a teacher, I looked forward to it instead. This was the perfect chance to improve my blade skills.

Walking up to him, I summoned my Sharp Blade. I enter a fighting stance with both my hands on the hilt.

Wu Zhangkong's cold and arrogant face showed a hint of surprise, ”Your skills… have improved again?”

I nodded my head in affirmation.

”We shall spar. I want to see the full extent of your skills. Come at me with everything you've got.”

I was about to take off my metal shirt, but before I could, Wu Zhangkong raised his hand. ”Wait.”

He turned around looking at the gates that lead to the field from the direction of the academy. Following his gaze, I saw a girl dressed in white and was the same age as me.

She wasn't particularly beautiful but you could consider her delicate and pretty. She had long black hair and black eyes and her body was well proportioned.

”What class are you in?” Wu Zhangkong asked as he walked over to her.

Her attention seemed to not be on him though. She was staring at me with a strange gaze in her eyes.

I was curious at her stare. Was there something interesting about me? It couldn't have been about the eye on my forehead, as it was covered by my bandana.

While stuck in my thoughts, the girl shifted her stare from me to Wu Zhangkong, ”I'm here to attend school. However, I was told that the registration period has already passed.” She said as she looked up towards Wu Zhangkong.

Wu Zhangkong's expression soured, ”So you're not an Eastsea Academy Student?”

The girl replied, ”I'm not a student at the moment, but I still want to be a student here. Is that possible, teacher?”

Wu Zhangkong's face shifted into one of contemplation. Was he actually planning on letting this girl in?

”This is a Spirit Master's academy. If you want to attend here, then you must have the ability,” Wu Zhangkong coldly said.

Well that answered my question.

”I can take a test.” the girl smiled.

Wu Zhangkong asked, ”What's your name?”

The girl answered, ”My name is Gu Yue.”

Wu Zhangkong nodded. ”Alright. I'll give you a chance.”

He turned to me. ”Huang Yu, take off your metal shirt and fight her. The both of you, stand thirty metres apart from one another and prepare. Huang Yu, I don't want you holding back like you did with Xie Xie.”

I nodded in affirmation.

Gu Yue looked at me once more with that strange gaze in her eyes before entering a fighting stance as she prepared for battle.

”Begin!” Wu Zhangkong simply announced. In the wake of his shout, I immediately released my martial spirit and dashed towards her at full speed.

Gu Yue's eyes widened in surprise at my speed. A yellow spirit ring appeared beneath her feet. It was a 100+ year spirit ring!

A green halo burst out of her ċhėst, but it was too late for her to do anything. My blade was poised to stab into her shoulder.

I stabbed into the green light blocking my path. Unexpectedly, a force pressed on both sides of my blade, slowing my stab.

Useless.

Exerting even more strength, I pushed through the green light, splitting it apart and continuing my path towards her shoulder.

Gu Yue wasn't idle though. During the momentary delay, she had jumped sideways, avoiding my blade from piercing her shoulder. The green light coalesced in front of her yet again before turning red. Red fireballs the size of a fist appeared in front of her before firing towards me at breakneck speeds.

Swerving left and right, I dodged the barrage of fireballs with ease before chasing after her again. However, my charge was halted when I nearly slipped. The ground had softened beneath my feet.