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Chapter 50: Alright, It's Just Ugly.
2023-04-04 Author: Fu Hejun
"Clang, clang, clang...!!!"
Outside the dining hall, a clang, clang, clang sound suddenly rang out.
Everyone had just finished eating. Upon hearing it, Dai Mubai said, "That's the Dean's bell summoning us. Let's go, we need to gather at the large Training Ground."
When the five of them arrived at the large Training Ground, Zhu Zhuqing, who had left the dining hall earlier, was already there.
The group stepped forward to gather, standing in a line, silently waiting.
A moment later, a middle-aged man walked over from another direction of the Training Ground.
Seeing this person, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but be startled. The person looked to be around fifty years old, with a robust build and a very distinctive face. His chin protruded slightly forward, his cheekbones were wide, his face was flat, and he had a slightly aquiline nose. If one had to use an object to describe him, then one could only say his face resembled the sole of a shoe.
Even with his eyes closed, he had a somewhat cunning look about him. He wore a pair of black-rimmed Crystal glasses with rigid, square frames.
Ning Rongrong asked in surprise, "Is this person the Dean of the Academy?"
Oscar, who was trying to flirt nearby, answered attentively, "Indeed, this is our esteemed Dean, Flander, the founder of Shrek Academy, the Four-Eyed Owl. He's a Level 78 Soul Saint. He's even more formidable than Teacher Zhao. Moreover, he possesses a flying-type Beast Martial Soul. Among Battle Soul Masters, he's quite rare. Fatty is his direct Disciple."
"His Martial Soul is an owl. His appearance indeed matches the image of an owl..." After hearing this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but glance at Ma Hongjun's stout and sleazy appearance again, shaking her head inwardly. Isn't there a saying, 'Like master, like Disciple'? Why is the Master consistent in appearance, while the Disciple is so bizarre? If you said this guy was a Phoenix, who would believe it?
Undoubtedly, Flander's appearance was a classic example of being influenced by his Martial Soul, making him... well, to say he was ugly, not quite. He was just a bit strange, not handsome, the kind that made it hard for women to feel admiration... alright, he was ugly.
Soon, Flander walked up to the six Students and stopped. Then, he focused on the three New Students, each with a more prominent background than the last, feeling a surge of panic inwardly. After all, the Students he had taken in the past generally had no powerful connections. Unlike these three before him... each one had a stronger background than the last. If he handled things poorly, Shrek Academy itself could face an Annihilation Disaster.
Therefore, he made up his mind. The upcoming teaching had to be handled with extreme caution, maintaining a careful balance. He absolutely couldn't let anything bad happen to these three little ones. Otherwise, the consequences would be dire.
"Cough, cough."
He lightly coughed, then said, "This year is excellent, we have three more little Monsters. I, Flander, Dean of Shrek Academy, welcome your arrival on behalf of the Academy. Later, each of you will hand over one hundred gold coins to Teacher Li, who is in charge of finances. Mubai."
"Dean."
Dai Mubai stepped forward. Having been thoroughly convinced by Flander, he respected him greatly, even with a hint of admiration.
Flander said, "Three more juniors have arrived. Later, you will tell them the Academy's Rules. Then, each of you can go back to rest and try your best to restore your condition to the optimal state. Today's first class will begin tonight. Oscar, you and Ning Rongrong are exceptions. The two of you, follow me."
Oscar's expression immediately fell. Unwillingly and reluctantly, he walked up to Flander and bowed. His expression only improved when he saw Ning Rongrong walk to his side.
Flander waved his hand and said, "The rest of you can go rest. Remember, get yourselves into the best condition before nightfall. Don't say I didn't warn you. The teaching here at this Academy is different from other places; you might even face danger."
Zhu Zhuqing left without looking back, and Dai Mubai didn't pursue her this time. Ma Hongjun scurried away quickly, disappearing in a flash.
Tang San wasn't in a hurry to leave. He wanted to see how this Dean taught. Oscar and Ning Rongrong's Martial Souls were both Support Type, which should be the reason they weren't participating in the evening class. What puzzled Tang San, however, was why the teaching would be conducted at night.
Flander didn't mind him staying. He said to Oscar and Ning Rongrong, "Everyone has their own Cultivation method. With different Martial Souls, Cultivation methods also vary greatly. On the Douluo Continent, there are almost no completely identical Martial Souls. Therefore, what the Academy teaches you isn't how to Cultivate your Martial Soul, but how to use your Martial Soul, how to better preserve yourselves and assist your comrades in future Combat."
Tang San found Flander's words somewhat familiar. After careful consideration, it seemed Grandmaster had said similar things, only Grandmaster's explanation was more detailed than Flander's.
Leaving Oscar aside for the moment, Ning Rongrong, however, looked as if she profoundly agreed, waiting for him to continue.
Flander continued, "Both of you are Support Type Soul Masters. One provides Attribute enhancements, and the other possesses a Food-type Martial Soul. Soul Masters like you, whether on the battlefield or in daily life, need the protection of companions; otherwise, you'll find it difficult to survive. Oscar, tell me, as a Support Type Soul Master, how can you best preserve yourself on the battlefield?"
Oscar answered without hesitation, "As much as possible, hide behind your allies, and utilize all available terrain and Buildings in the surroundings to avoid risks. Stay as far away from dangerous areas as possible."
Flander nodded and said, "Very well said. But there's one point you didn't mention. As a Support Type Soul Master, the ability to escape is an essential quality. A Support Type Soul Master who can't escape isn't a good Soul Master. And what does escaping require? It requires physical stamina. Although as Soul Masters, with your own Soul Power assisting you, your physical qualities are stronger than ordinary people. However, the enemies you might face are the opposing Battle Soul Masters. Therefore, as a Support Type Soul Master, you also need to undergo physical training. In critical moments, perhaps just one extra step you run could save your life."
Oscar understood Flander quite well. Listening to the Dean speak so grandly before him, he secretly gave a bitter smile, thinking, 'It's over, there's no escaping today.'
As expected, after his lengthy discourse, Flander nodded to Oscar and Ning Rongrong and said, "Your lesson for today is physical training. From now on, run twenty laps around the entire Small Village. If you haven't run back before lunch, you won't get to eat lunch. You can use your Martial Soul to assist you. Now, depart. Oscar will lead the way."
"Yes." Ning Rongrong replied, and ran out without hesitation. Oscar cast a somewhat resentful glance at Flander, then followed her.
Although the Small Village where Shrek Academy was located wasn't large, Oscar understood that when Flander referred to the entire Small Village, he included the farmlands within it. One lap would be at least three kilometers. Twenty laps, that was a truly terrifying number.
P.S. I feel like I shouldn't have written about Shrek. I'm afraid of being called out for 'filler,' yet I want to write something new, resulting in pleasing no one and losing control of the plot, turning it into a complete mess. It seems I should quickly transition past this storyline and let the protagonist happily cause trouble.
(end of chapter)
2023-04-04 Author: Fu Hejun
"Clang, clang, clang...!!!"
Outside the dining hall, a clang, clang, clang sound suddenly rang out.
Everyone had just finished eating. Upon hearing it, Dai Mubai said, "That's the Dean's bell summoning us. Let's go, we need to gather at the large Training Ground."
When the five of them arrived at the large Training Ground, Zhu Zhuqing, who had left the dining hall earlier, was already there.
The group stepped forward to gather, standing in a line, silently waiting.
A moment later, a middle-aged man walked over from another direction of the Training Ground.
Seeing this person, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but be startled. The person looked to be around fifty years old, with a robust build and a very distinctive face. His chin protruded slightly forward, his cheekbones were wide, his face was flat, and he had a slightly aquiline nose. If one had to use an object to describe him, then one could only say his face resembled the sole of a shoe.
Even with his eyes closed, he had a somewhat cunning look about him. He wore a pair of black-rimmed Crystal glasses with rigid, square frames.
Ning Rongrong asked in surprise, "Is this person the Dean of the Academy?"
Oscar, who was trying to flirt nearby, answered attentively, "Indeed, this is our esteemed Dean, Flander, the founder of Shrek Academy, the Four-Eyed Owl. He's a Level 78 Soul Saint. He's even more formidable than Teacher Zhao. Moreover, he possesses a flying-type Beast Martial Soul. Among Battle Soul Masters, he's quite rare. Fatty is his direct Disciple."
"His Martial Soul is an owl. His appearance indeed matches the image of an owl..." After hearing this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but glance at Ma Hongjun's stout and sleazy appearance again, shaking her head inwardly. Isn't there a saying, 'Like master, like Disciple'? Why is the Master consistent in appearance, while the Disciple is so bizarre? If you said this guy was a Phoenix, who would believe it?
Undoubtedly, Flander's appearance was a classic example of being influenced by his Martial Soul, making him... well, to say he was ugly, not quite. He was just a bit strange, not handsome, the kind that made it hard for women to feel admiration... alright, he was ugly.
Soon, Flander walked up to the six Students and stopped. Then, he focused on the three New Students, each with a more prominent background than the last, feeling a surge of panic inwardly. After all, the Students he had taken in the past generally had no powerful connections. Unlike these three before him... each one had a stronger background than the last. If he handled things poorly, Shrek Academy itself could face an Annihilation Disaster.
Therefore, he made up his mind. The upcoming teaching had to be handled with extreme caution, maintaining a careful balance. He absolutely couldn't let anything bad happen to these three little ones. Otherwise, the consequences would be dire.
"Cough, cough."
He lightly coughed, then said, "This year is excellent, we have three more little Monsters. I, Flander, Dean of Shrek Academy, welcome your arrival on behalf of the Academy. Later, each of you will hand over one hundred gold coins to Teacher Li, who is in charge of finances. Mubai."
"Dean."
Dai Mubai stepped forward. Having been thoroughly convinced by Flander, he respected him greatly, even with a hint of admiration.
Flander said, "Three more juniors have arrived. Later, you will tell them the Academy's Rules. Then, each of you can go back to rest and try your best to restore your condition to the optimal state. Today's first class will begin tonight. Oscar, you and Ning Rongrong are exceptions. The two of you, follow me."
Oscar's expression immediately fell. Unwillingly and reluctantly, he walked up to Flander and bowed. His expression only improved when he saw Ning Rongrong walk to his side.
Flander waved his hand and said, "The rest of you can go rest. Remember, get yourselves into the best condition before nightfall. Don't say I didn't warn you. The teaching here at this Academy is different from other places; you might even face danger."
Zhu Zhuqing left without looking back, and Dai Mubai didn't pursue her this time. Ma Hongjun scurried away quickly, disappearing in a flash.
Tang San wasn't in a hurry to leave. He wanted to see how this Dean taught. Oscar and Ning Rongrong's Martial Souls were both Support Type, which should be the reason they weren't participating in the evening class. What puzzled Tang San, however, was why the teaching would be conducted at night.
Flander didn't mind him staying. He said to Oscar and Ning Rongrong, "Everyone has their own Cultivation method. With different Martial Souls, Cultivation methods also vary greatly. On the Douluo Continent, there are almost no completely identical Martial Souls. Therefore, what the Academy teaches you isn't how to Cultivate your Martial Soul, but how to use your Martial Soul, how to better preserve yourselves and assist your comrades in future Combat."
Tang San found Flander's words somewhat familiar. After careful consideration, it seemed Grandmaster had said similar things, only Grandmaster's explanation was more detailed than Flander's.
Leaving Oscar aside for the moment, Ning Rongrong, however, looked as if she profoundly agreed, waiting for him to continue.
Flander continued, "Both of you are Support Type Soul Masters. One provides Attribute enhancements, and the other possesses a Food-type Martial Soul. Soul Masters like you, whether on the battlefield or in daily life, need the protection of companions; otherwise, you'll find it difficult to survive. Oscar, tell me, as a Support Type Soul Master, how can you best preserve yourself on the battlefield?"
Oscar answered without hesitation, "As much as possible, hide behind your allies, and utilize all available terrain and Buildings in the surroundings to avoid risks. Stay as far away from dangerous areas as possible."
Flander nodded and said, "Very well said. But there's one point you didn't mention. As a Support Type Soul Master, the ability to escape is an essential quality. A Support Type Soul Master who can't escape isn't a good Soul Master. And what does escaping require? It requires physical stamina. Although as Soul Masters, with your own Soul Power assisting you, your physical qualities are stronger than ordinary people. However, the enemies you might face are the opposing Battle Soul Masters. Therefore, as a Support Type Soul Master, you also need to undergo physical training. In critical moments, perhaps just one extra step you run could save your life."
Oscar understood Flander quite well. Listening to the Dean speak so grandly before him, he secretly gave a bitter smile, thinking, 'It's over, there's no escaping today.'
As expected, after his lengthy discourse, Flander nodded to Oscar and Ning Rongrong and said, "Your lesson for today is physical training. From now on, run twenty laps around the entire Small Village. If you haven't run back before lunch, you won't get to eat lunch. You can use your Martial Soul to assist you. Now, depart. Oscar will lead the way."
"Yes." Ning Rongrong replied, and ran out without hesitation. Oscar cast a somewhat resentful glance at Flander, then followed her.
Although the Small Village where Shrek Academy was located wasn't large, Oscar understood that when Flander referred to the entire Small Village, he included the farmlands within it. One lap would be at least three kilometers. Twenty laps, that was a truly terrifying number.
P.S. I feel like I shouldn't have written about Shrek. I'm afraid of being called out for 'filler,' yet I want to write something new, resulting in pleasing no one and losing control of the plot, turning it into a complete mess. It seems I should quickly transition past this storyline and let the protagonist happily cause trouble.
(end of chapter)
