A few months had passed since Wang Chen's awakening ceremony, and today marked the start of a new term at Nuoding Academy. For the first time in a while, Wang Chen felt a tinge of excitement. After all, he was about to dive into the world of spirit masters, something he had been looking forward to. Unlike his usual routine, he dissipated the clone that was training at home, eyes closed as he absorbed the memories and energy of the clone. The flicker of energy merged with him, his mind adjusting to the new knowledge and progress from the training.
With that done, Wang Chen stood and left the house. His mother wasn't home, working late as usual. They had talked the night before about his first year at Nuoding Academy, his mother urging him to work hard and make a good life for himself. Now, here he was, standing in front of the tall gates of the academy.
The gate was imposing, with a guard lazily standing watch. Beyond the gate, students dressed in blue uniforms moved about, chatting and laughing as they walked through the beautifully maintained grounds. Wang Chen glanced down at himself. He was wearing simple, slightly worn-out clothing with an old leather bag on his back. In his pocket were two letters—one containing his identification form, detailing his martial soul and innate soul power, and the other, a letter from Master Zhou.
As Wang Chen approached the gate, the guard gave him a quick once-over, sneering. The man's eyes showed boredom, but also a hint of disdain. "What's a ragged kid like you doing here?" the guard asked, his tone mocking.
Wang Chen remained silent, handing over his identification form. The guard's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the form, but then a chuckle escaped him. "Innate soul power, huh? Pity it's wasted on a useless martial soul," the man sneered. "What good is soul power if your martial soul's nothing special?"
Wang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his cool. There was no point in getting riled up over some bored guard looking for trouble. He took the form back without a word and walked through the gates, ignoring the man's continued muttering.
Once inside, his attention shifted immediately. The cobblestone road beneath his feet was clean and well-maintained, lined with benches and flower fields on either side. There was a large fountain ahead, water sparkling in the sunlight. The whole scene was... serene.
Is this really a school or an amusement park? Wang Chen thought, his eyes scanning the beautiful grounds. The academy felt more like a lavish estate than a place of learning. He found himself comparing it to the academy in Konoha from his past life, which was far more utilitarian. This place? This was luxury.
He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't hear the quiet giggling from behind him. Turning, Wang Chen's eyes landed on a group of girls standing by one of the flower fields, chuckling to themselves as they watched him. His face reddened slightly, a wave of embarrassment washing over him. Seriously? You're a shinobi, for crying out loud, he scolded himself, shaking his head as he quickly turned away, hoping to forget the moment as soon as possible.
He made his way toward the largest building on the grounds, the main academy building, its towering presence almost overwhelming. Once inside, he approached the reception desk. The receptionist, a middle-aged man, looked up lazily as Wang Chen handed him the letter from Master Zhou.
The receptionist read through the letter briefly, his demeanor shifting slightly as he realized who it was from. Without a word, the receptionist led Wang Chen through the building and to the principal's office. After a polite knock, a voice called from inside, "Come in."
The office was surprisingly modest, considering the grandeur of the academy. A slender man sat behind a large wooden desk, writing something down. He glanced up as they entered, his eyes lingering on Wang Chen for a moment before shifting to the letter the receptionist handed him.
The principal's eyes scanned the two letters, his expression unreadable at first. But then, his eyes widened slightly as he read Master Zhou's letter. Wang Chen noticed the shift, but the principal quickly returned to his composed demeanor. However, the receptionist glanced between them, clearly confused at the principal's reaction.
"Can you show me your martial soul?" the principal asked, his tone polite but curious.
Wang Chen's heart raced slightly, but he remained calm on the outside. What had Master Zhou written in that letter? Why was the principal so interested in him?
Regardless, Wang Chen complied, activating his Sharingan. The red, one-tomoe Sharingan spun slowly in his eyes, its power radiating faintly.
The principal's face remained calm, though his eyes betrayed a hint of confusion. "Hmm, a mutated body-type martial soul. Interesting." He leaned back in his chair. "Work hard, and you may go far," the principal said finally, his tone neutral. "You'll be staying in the seventh dorm, where all the work-study students live. Every year, you can schedule a meeting with me through the receptionist to collect your scholarship money."
Wang Chen nodded and left the office, but even as he walked out, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Inside the office, the principal leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Why would Master Zhou help this kid? the principal thought.
Most commoners would beg to get an opportunity for a half-fee scholarship while the kid outside gets to study for free.
And the school even has to pay him the scholarship fee back?
There's something going on here…
Meanwhile, Wang Chen followed the receptionist down the hall to a room lined with drawers. "What's your size?" the receptionist asked, his tone flat.
Wang Chen gave him his measurements, and the man quickly retrieved a blue school uniform from one of the drawers. "This is standard for all students. If you need more, you'll have to buy them yourself."
Wang Chen took the uniform, his mind still lingering on the principal's reaction. He was led to a building at the far end of the academy grounds, the seventh dorm. The receptionist stopped in front of the building.
"This is it," he said, nodding toward the structure. "Your dorm."
Wang Chen stared at the building for a moment. It was large, though clearly designed as a single-floor structure.
'So this is home for the next few years, huh?'
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