Chapter 53: Zhu Zhuqing's Departure
"Unworthy of being part of this place?"
"You think I care about wasting my time in this lousy academy?"
As soon as Ning Rongrong finished speaking, she didn't wait for Flender's response and directly turned around, decisively heading toward the dormitory. It was obvious she was going to pack her things. She left just like that, without a hint of hesitation.
Flender was momentarily stunned.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
With her temper, shouldn't she be stubbornly refusing to leave, trying to threaten him, only to be lectured by him in return? How was she being so resolute, preparing to leave within minutes?
Where was her spoiled princess attitude?
At least argue a bit, so he could respond properly. Leaving so decisively how was he supposed to continue playing his part?
Flender felt a headache coming on. He wanted to say something to make her stay, but he had already spoken so harshly about expelling her. Taking it back now would be humiliating, completely undermining his authority as dean.
So, he could only watch Ning Rongrong walk away, regretting that he had been too forceful. He should have taken a gentler approach. But who would've thought this spoiled young lady couldn't handle even the slightest grievance? Now she was really leaving.
Great, now they had lost a top tier support soul master. A huge loss.
Even though he was inwardly bleeding at the thought of losing such a valuable team member for Shrek's future, Flender outwardly showed no reaction to Ning Rongrong's departure. As if nothing had happened, he clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Alright, time to head out. You've all seen the consequences of Ning Rongrong and Oscar's choices. If you wish to stay and cultivate here, you must follow the academy's rules and take every lesson seriously. My word here is law.
"Starting now, you will undergo your first lesson at Shrek. Each of you will complete your own training independently. Don't say I didn't warn you if you don't perform well, you won't die, but you'll wish you had."
Finally, Flender waved his hand. "Let's go. Follow me."
With that, he lightly tapped his foot on the ground and leaped forward, swiftly heading out of the academy.
The group hurried to keep up.
Zhu Zhuqing, walking at the back, glanced in the direction where Ning Rongrong had left, and a similar thought of leaving surfaced in her mind.
Before, she had at least had another girl, Ning Rongrong, by her side. But now, even her only friend had left. She was now the only girl in the entire Shrek Academy. It was inevitable that she would feel lonely.
More importantly, like Ning Rongrong, she had already seen through the true nature of this academy. The only question left was whether Shrek had any unique training methods. After all, they dared to claim they only accepted "monsters," so there had to be some kind of exclusive training technique, right? If there was, then maybe staying would be worth it.
But if not, Zhu Zhuqing would leave without hesitation.
As for where she would go after leaving? Zhu Zhuqing wasn't sure.
Perhaps she would return to the Star Luo Empire, or maybe she would join a higher tier academy. She might even choose to train alone in seclusion, desperately working to improve herself.
When that final moment arrived, she would make her last stand.
The outcome wouldn't matter anymore.
At least she would have resisted and fought for herself. There would be no regrets.
If she still couldn't change her fate in the end, then she could only hope for a better life in her next reincarnation.
…
Under Flender's lead, the group arrived at Soto City, the closest major city.
Even though it was already nighttime, Soto City seemed as if it had just awakened. It was even livelier than during the day. The streets were lined with brightly lit shops, and small vendors, who only operated at night, had already set up their usual spots, selling snacks and trinkets.
Flender led the students to a massive building. From this angle, they could only see that it was nearly a hundred meters tall, an enormous structure that looked even more imposing in the dark. Faint lights flickered from within.
Dai Mubai's expression changed slightly as he whispered, "Dean, are you really sending them there on their first day?"
Flender said indifferently, "Remember, you are all monsters, not ordinary people. Since you are monsters, you must have a monster's training regimen." He paused before continuing in a deep voice, "Your martial souls are different, and each of you has your own cultivation methods. What the academy can teach you is how to utilize your martial soul more effectively, how to obtain better spirit rings, and how to gain more combat experience to maximize your potential.
"Beyond that, we will provide knowledge about martial souls and the world of spirit masters. But among all the things you need to learn, the most important is real combat experience."
"At the same level and strength, experience in battle determines the outcome. Only through continuous combat can you develop your adaptability in fights. That is why your first lesson is actual combat. And that place " Flender pointed to the massive building ahead "is your classroom."
Zhu Zhuqing listened to Flender's words while looking at the towering structure, which had appeared in future visions. A wave of disappointment washed over her. She had finally let go of any last illusions she had about Shrek Academy.
Now, she fully understood Shrek didn't have any unique training methods. Their so called curriculum was just sending students into the Soul Arena to fight.
Combat training was fine, but seriously? Did they really need Shrek Academy to tell them that?
Who didn't know that real combat was essential for a soul master?
Who didn't know that the Soul Arena was the best place for real combat?
As she weighed Shrek's strengths and weaknesses, Zhu Zhuqing realized that for all its grand claims of only accepting "monsters," the academy wasn't offering anything special. Other prestigious academies taught the same things. In fact, their facilities were far superior to this rundown excuse for an academy.
No wonder Ning Rongrong left.
Now, Zhu Zhuqing wanted to leave too.
But she would at least finish today's lesson first.
Thinking back to the future visions, she and Ning Rongrong had once formed a team in this very Soto Great Spirit Arena. If that unaltered future still existed, how had she ended up taking that mysterious master as her teacher?
Zhu Zhuqing didn't know. But she knew she couldn't rely on an uncertain future.
People had to save themselves. They couldn't wait for someone else to do it.
…
The next day.
Dawn had yet to fully break.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped out of her dormitory. After finishing last night's matches, she had packed all her belongings in advance. She could leave at any time.
Taking one last look at this academy, her gaze lingered in the direction of the boys' dormitory. She thought of Dai Mubai… sighed silently… and then walked toward the academy gate.
The entire process went smoothly.
No one jumped out to stop her.
By the time Zhu Zhuqing reached Soto City, the sun had fully risen. Warm morning light bathed the streets, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of renewal, as if she had been reborn.
"…Zhuqing!"
A familiar voice called out from behind.
Hearing that voice, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively turned around, only to see Ning Rongrong, who had left just the day before, smiling at her.
(End of chapter)
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