Chapter 4 - Hagun Seikun!
The following morning, Luke awoke from his slumber.
Having defeated Fan Xinglu the previous day, Luke secured the position of Fan Xinglu's fourth direct disciple and was assigned to reside in a dormitory within Oushinden.
The reason it was considered a victory is due to one of the conditions for winning a duel between students from six schools in Asterisk city, which involves the destruction of the school badge/emblem.
The school badge plays a crucial role in Asterisk, consisting of electronic components with functions similar to mobile phones and computers.
All academy-related activities, such as duel applications, determining winners and losers, and browsing information, are carried out through the school badge.
Once the school badge is destroyed, regardless of remaining combat power, the student is declared defeated.
Typically, in formal battles in Asterisk city, the three conditions for failure are destruction of the school badge, loss of consciousness, or voluntary surrender.
However, even though Luke successfully destroyed Fan Xinglu's school badge, as it was not an official battle, there would be no change in rankings.
Asterisk city's schools operate on a ranking system called Named Charts. The top twelve in each school are referred to as the "Page One."
Fan Xinglu, holding the title of contemporary Banyuu Tenra, claimed the first position in the Jie Long Seventh Institute's ranking.
Had yesterday's apprenticeship test been a formal duel, Luke could have replaced Fan Xinglu as the number one student in the Jie Long Seventh Institute.
Of course, in a genuine formal duel, Fan Xinglu would likely not reveal such a critical flaw to Luke.
Moreover, the ranking of the 'Page One' is dynamic, changing in real-time. Even if Luke were to surprise and luck his way into defeating Fan Xinglu, she could reclaim her position at any time.
...
Dong Dong Dong——!
"Is junior brother Luke awake? Master asked you to go over and see her."
Just as Luke finished tidying up his bed sheets, a soft voice emanated from outside the door.
"I'm already awake, senior brother Zhao."
Luke donned the school uniform he received the previous day, opened the door, and stepped out.
Before him stood a petite man with feminine features and shoulder-length orange hair.
Fan Xinglu's third direct disciple, Zhao Hufeng, was unmistakably girlish in appearance, but he was, indeed, a man.
Following Zhao Hufeng, Luke was led to a hall in Oushinden.
In the hall, three figures were already present.
"Master, I brought junior brother Luke."
Indicating for Luke to approach, Zhao Hufeng respectfully bowed to Fan Xinglu.
"Oh, finally here! Luke, come over here."
Ignoring Zhao Hufeng's salute, Fan Xinglu smiled and gestured for Luke to join her.
"Let me introduce you. These two are also my disciples."
Fan Xinglu smiled and directed her gaze at Luke, who was lost in thought.
Before Luke, Fan Xinglu had three direct disciples.
Yes, three.
Luke was currently in a time period shortly after Fan Xinglu joined Jie Long Seventh, with three full years remaining before the start of the original story.
The third senior brother, Zhao Hufeng, was a Wood faction boxer nicknamed 'Tenka Musou,' possessing one of the fastest speeds among students in the six academies.
The second senior sister, Cecil Wang, was a Water faction Daoshi, nicknamed 'Raigeki Senka,' skilled in thunder-based Seisenjutsu.
In Jie Long Seventh, students were primarily divided into two factions: the Wood faction, focusing on physical arts, and the Water faction, specializing in Seisenjutsu.
'Seisenjutsu' was a unique specialty of Jie Long Seventh Institute.
Seisenjutsu, a mana control technique created and developed by Jie Long Seventh Institute, was a systematic technique allowing practitioners, known as Daoshi, to utilize a wide range of abilities through training.
While Strega and Dante abilities were based on individual talent, Seisenjutsu aimed to generalize these abilities to a certain extent as a technique.
Unlike Strega and Dante, which specialized in single abilities, Seisenjutsu allowed Daoshi to develop various abilities. However, mastering Seisenjutsu required special adjustments to the body's Prana flow, making it challenging to teach.
Apart from the twelve direct disciples of the first generation Banyuu Tenra and the seven disciples of the second generation, only the current third generation Banyuu Tenra could properly teach Seisenjutsu.
Despite efforts to introduce Seisenjutsu in various schools, mastering the technique proved elusive for most.
The last person needing introduction was Fan Xinglu, Jie Long Seventh's rank 1 and the third generation Banyuu Tenra.
Senior brother Wu Xiaohui, known as 'Hagun Seikun,' possessed physical skills surpassing Zhao Hufeng and Seisenjutsu exceeding Cecily's expertise.
Following Fan Xinglu's introduction, Wu Xiaohui and Cecily turned their attention to Luke.
Simultaneously, Luke observed the two of them.
However, as the three of them sized each other up, Fan Xinglu dropped a bombshell.
"Xiao Hui, you and Luke will have a duel."
"What?!"
Luke and Wu Xiaohui hadn't spoken yet, but Zhao Hufeng and Cecily were already astonished.
Despite being Fan Xinglu's disciples for only a few months, they deeply understood Wu Xiaohui's power.
Wu Xiaohui was the only one among the Jie Long Seventh qualified to spar with Fan Xinglu. His well-rounded capabilities in physical skills and Seisenjutsu epitomized Fan Xinglu's teachings.
Wu Xiaohui gazed at Luke, silent. He walked to the center of the hall, picked up a spear-shaped Lux, and stood still.
Regardless of how unconventional Fan Xinglu's orders were, Wu Xiaohui would not object. His sole purpose was to fulfill Fan Xinglu's orders, bringing joy and satisfaction to his master.
While Luke was perplexed, he was also eager to engage in a duel with Wu Xiaohui.
Just as Luke approached the center of the square and stood opposite Wu Xiaohui, Fan Xinglu issued another surprising statement.
"Luke, I ask you to do your best."
Hearing Fan Xinglu's request, Luke was momentarily stunned. He looked back at her, smiled, and offered no verbal response.
This scene did not escape the notice of Zhao Hufeng and Cecily, standing at a distance. Something seemed amiss, and the purpose of this duel appeared different from their initial perception of a 'big brother's battle to establish an image.'
For Luke, he simply smiled at Fan Xinglu's words, not taking them too seriously.
Wu Xiaohui was undoubtedly formidable. According to the main god space level system, he was a legitimate C level, ranking among the top in that level.
Since both Luke and Wu Xiaohui were C level, their strengths should be similar. In theory, Wu Xiaohui, being close to the limit of C level, should surpass Luke.
However, Luke was not a conventional C level, and the '+' sign in his level was not mere decoration.