A few days later, all the students were gathered to hunt the Demon Beasts in the area to curb population, Experience, and to determine how well they learned. Socializing for the first time really with those who were in the other different Tier groups with different teachers.
A lot of the Dark Tiger-fire family members were surprised at how fit and older Leroy looked. As well as his more pleasant demeanor compared to what they knew of the original Leroy. During the last few weeks since the new batch of students started, the various rumors circulated about him caused concerns on what was true and what was not.
They found conflicting information that definitely did not support he was one of them. Especially his appearance looked nothing like the Lost General and his age didn't match over all. Even those who tribe to bribe Leroy to pretend the rumors were true to increase the family's elevation as a prized student.
Outright refusal and threats pushed them back and freed Leroy from those rumors even further when they pestered him.
"So what is this Trial Week about again?" A student asked out loud. He was unfortunate in only having Two Spiritual Branches and this would make it quite hard to rise up more. 'A spared glance to Pin Feng was not missed by Leroy.
The student was named Fang Hao and definitely took orders from the others or was part of the same clique maybe.
"We are gathered to hunt the Demon Beasts to whittle them down a bit as well as gain battle experience. The trial itself will have risks mind you, so a few teachers will follow along but not really help us." Leroy said. He recited it from memory on the various passages the students who left journals on it. Finding that he was able to remember things a little better now with crystal clarity was quite scary. 'The Spatial Sense did help my memory and comprehension.. but I really do not plan on using it again anytime soon.'
Leroy was pulled out of his thoughts by the increased shouting that took place. The students were excited and looked at Victoria talking with another young lady. Surprised that the young lady wore clothing that enticed attention and was definitely not something a Princess should wear.
The outlandish young lady was Jasmine of the North Kingdom and the North King's only daughter. As well as a student of the Principal that didn't show his freaking face much and the successor of some House overseas by her Mother's side.
"Good morning big sister Victoria!" A voice yelled out happily. It was that of Chu Xue. By the looks of the person he called out to, things progressed a little further while Leroy was training. The girl turned to him with a slight blush on her face. "Hey.." The smile he gave her made it worse. 'Why are girls so weird??'
"Interesting.." Jasmine mumbled softly as she gained a cunning look. Seeing her friend's response to her junior disciple was cute. 'I smell a story there!' As she thought it over, Leroy was spotted to the side. 'Huh! They said the Lost General's son died, this guy could definitely be a member of that Family or even the man's younger brother!'
As someone who likes militaristic history, she was aware of the situation with the Lost General. She even cried when the news about the Lost General reached the North Kingdom with no promising results of discovery. The fact the Emperor did nothing besides low-level searches, she wonders why her father did nothing as the King of the North,
She was even more confused since Leroy had no iconography that matched the Dark Tiger-fire family on his person.
Giving a slight shrug Leroy walked over not seeing the harm. He would gain something from the situation if he could. Like the maturity level of those involved with the opposite sex and custom.
"Chu Xue.. you were able to make her so flustered, did something happen during your training with each other that I don't know about?" Leroy said in a suggestive manner. Jasmine caught on and her ears twitched waiting to hear more. Chu Xue and Victoria caught on after a few minutes about what he meant. "Why so flustered?"
"Don't spread any rumors!" Victoria shouted louder than she meant to. She covered her mouth after thinking he didn't really say much and only inquired. 'Ugh, I should have kept quiet. Darn it, Chu Xue, say something!' She stared daggers at the Life Martial Artist cultivator who was just as embarrassed as having remembered what happened.
"You are truly a disgrace to men, good thing you are still a boy in most aspects." Leroy sighed at Chu Xue's lack of response. He couldn't help throwing a verbal jab at him. "Nothing is really gained from being embarrassed like a nun or a prude. Shying away will lead to trouble eventually boy."
"No reason to embarrass big sis Victoria like this senior brother." Chu Xue spoke carefully not really knowing what to say. Not really defending himself, but more of trying to make sure Victoria was ok. Which just caused Leroy and Jasmine to shake their heads in disappointment.
"Huh?" Victoria was surprised at the look Leroy gave her. His sole attention on her caused the young lady's heart to skip a beat. 'His eyes are so intense, why does he look at me that way?!'
Internally her Dantian generated additional Qi making her have a flushed appearance. The situation was quiet and awkward.
"The daughter of the North King, not married off yet.. how good for you." Leroy gave a smirk as he heard the rumor about the young lady crushing her fiance like a bug during an engagement ceremony. "It seems the rumors are true about the North King Family and White Rose Family having some intersecting values, I mean Victoria is getting married off as well to a degenerate and you yourself will most likely be next after the politics involve need it."
A few people heard the last part. Wondering what that could really mean about politics using her. Some thought maybe Leroy would be kicked out soon others thought he would be killed off for offending the daughter of the North King.
A few smart ones knew the Akademy was free from most of the Kingdom's jurisdiction and could rival the Emperor's power. Only losing out due to numbers and relevant Master that decreased every year.
"Have we met before? You seem so familiar to a "little" friend of mine." Jasmine was lying through her teeth. "I must have forgotten to visit the little territory of the Dark Tiger-fire Family. "She was not a friend with anyone from the Dark Tiger-fire Family.
A few Dark Tiger-fire members bristled a little but said nothing.
"Little girl we never met before, you must be confused from your sheltered living. I am sure it is just another defect from living in luxury." Leroy's face was plain on the outside as internally he was smirking as this could be fun to cause trouble between the groups. At most he really needed to find out who was with who. 'I wonder is she as hopeless as Victoria?'
*Roooaaarr!* A deafening bestial's growl could be heard subtly in the area. It was coming from the North Princess and made a few who had Beast Dantians cover back instinctually.
Victoria nudged Jasmine back to focus. Before she could talk with Leroy again and most likely get in a fight, another student made their way over. A young man dressed in a gray unassuming clothes with deep blue eyes.
Pin Feng exuded a very positive nature that drew attention and caused the untrain to lower their guard. He was by nature A Water Martial Artist but his vibes and bearing even more than before felt different to Leroy.
'If not for the Spatial Sense I would not have caught this. He is no Water Martial Artist and is most likely only one on the surface. A few Water techniques could give him that outlook with a more powerful cultivation deep within ready to be used at any time.' Leroy had closed his eyes as he thought off what the other could be cultivating. 'The number of methods is to many to get in a certain time but History has proven that many Rebels and Shady people kill a lot of people when pushing themselves for certain goals.'
Leroy didn't bother to even talk to that kid. Only thoughts on how to kill him really if they met without knowledge on his skills. After all, the Rebel caused so many problems and needed to be put down quickly if Leroy wanted some of the restrictions removed in the Akademy.
Plus he didn't like him really. The look and feeling he gave unnerved Leroy enough that he reminded him of various corrupt politicians and military commanders.
The talks between the students turn to normal stuff after Leroy and Jasmine didn't continue talking. Finding the Hamlet members and Tang Family members, they openly conversed about their Cultivation experience.
Tang Bo had been too quiet which caused Leroy to push for him to speak about what was going on. It turned out the young man had been pressed by his senior brothers and Elders to cultivate a technique they recently acquired and was suffering from Qi Deviation from a wrong step.
The Manual was called Burst Wind and was only meant to be practiced by Wind Martial Artists or those who understood how to be free in their Cultivation. Not to mention they couldn't have strong Body as the Techniques that would be used and developed needed high flexibility.
"Why not just empty out your Dantian of Qi and destroy the build-up from the Burst Wind Manual? You couldn't have gotten far and won't lose much in the process."
"I would have but I really can't afford to start over." Tang Bo was very against that and the risk was too great. "I have a higher cultivation than my brothers and sisters and it is better to have a family member cycle the Qi back in to prevent loss. Unfortunately, my uncle is also to busy. not to mention Teacher Tang Suo ad an emergency."
"Hmmm, I get yah.. but the Qi Deviation will only get worse since you don't meet the conditions. I tell you what, if you are willing to risk it, come visit me in my Courtyard after the Trial." Leroy had a few methods to help him but was not gonna do them in the open or right before this Trial starts. "Bring whatever medicine you have as well to make it easier."
"Eh!?" Tang Bo just looked at him surprised.
"Oh, I forgot you are a Doctor! We can definitely count on him to make sure this goes well!" Tang Xia snapped her fingers in memory. Not that she really thought the commoner could do much considering they couldn't get it solved during this time. "We just need to get through this Trial first."
"Yeah, I don't plan on being stingy with my resources while in there. Better to use it and live than die and leave it for someone else." Leroy was encouraging them to protect their lives.
As they went through what to expect in detail, others busied themselves making small talk.
It wasn't long before the traitor teacher Chan-Yeol arrived. Despite how much Leroy didn't like the idea of going into the Trial with rebels and traitors all over, it gave him a chance to grow stronger since he could feed the Flame Vortex Core this way.
"You kids seem to be in high spirits!" Chan-Yeol's voice boomed outward. He looked around at the students giving slight nods. Eyes stopped on Liang Yu for just a second. "Well, time waits for no man, you come with me. We need to prepare for the smelting trial."
Leroy was puzzled as Chan-Yeol was not that strong. He was in the mid stages of the Qi Refining Realm. About at the 7th Rank close to the 8th but it was inflated from some weird Qi. Gave the same feel as that of Pin Feng and that of Chu Xue's Antilife Qi.
"Hmm?" Jasmine had done a sniff and smelled something weird in the area. Her head whipped about trying to determine its source. 'That smell is just awful! I really need to ask my Teacher what the heck is going around here!'
"Yes!" The students salute at once. Leroy and Jasmine did the salute but did not say anything.
They left off at once.