(失败者学院 - Shībài Zhě Xuéyuàn)
The next morning, the academy grounds were filled with the usual commotion students sparring, elders lecturing, and the clang of training weapons ringing through the air. But Raiko's mind was elsewhere.
The appearance of the Hidden Claw assassin last night was a warning. Someone had taken notice of him. The question was: who? And why now?
He had spent his life hiding his true strength, following his father's warning to never reveal the power in his right hand. But if someone was already watching him, his time in the shadows was running out.
"Oi, dreamer."
Raiko snapped out of his thoughts to find Feng Ren (冯仁) smirking at him. "What now?"
Feng Ren threw an arm around Raiko's shoulder. "You look like someone just told you that you have to drink old man Tian's tea for the rest of your life."
Raiko sighed. "Just thinking."
Feng Ren raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous habit." He leaned in. "Listen, I've got something interesting for you."
Raiko gave him a questioning look.
"The elders are moving you to Class Seven."
Raiko blinked. "…Class Seven?"
Feng Ren grinned. "You know, the School of Losers."
Mist Dragon Academy ranked its students based on talent, combat skill, and potential. Class One contained the strongest students, those from powerful clans and promising lineages. Class Seven, on the other hand, was where the 'hopeless' were sent.
Those who had no future.
Those who couldn't cultivate properly.
Those who had no powerful background to protect them.
Raiko clenched his fists. He had purposely stayed in the middle rankings, careful not to attract attention. But moving him to Class Seven? That meant one of two things. Either the elders thought he was completely talentless… or someone wanted him hidden.
"Why?" he muttered.
Feng Ren shrugged. "No idea. Maybe Elder Tian wants to see how long you last."
Raiko sighed. He didn't care about status, but this… this would make things complicated.
Meeting the "Losers"
Class Seven's training ground was on the farthest edge of the academy, near the old stone walls. The moment Raiko stepped in, he felt the stares of his new classmates.
There were about fifteen of them, each with an exhausted or indifferent look. Some were training halfheartedly, others were simply lazing around. Unlike the elite classes, where students wore pristine uniforms, these students had patched robes and worn-out training gear.
A boy with wild brown hair and a missing front tooth scowled. "Another one?"
A tall girl with cold eyes crossed her arms. "They keep dumping people here. What's your deal?"
Before Raiko could answer, someone else walked forward a burly boy with arms thicker than most people's legs.
"I'm Lei Shen (雷申), and I run things here," he said, his voice deep and firm. "If you're here, it means you're trash."
Raiko raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Lei Shen smirked. "We don't need weaklings pretending to be something they're not. Either you prove yourself, or you get out of our way."
Raiko sighed. He really didn't want trouble, but it seemed he had no choice.
"What do I have to do?" he asked.
Lei Shen grinned. "Simple. Last three minutes against me."
The students gathered in a rough circle as Raiko and Lei Shen stepped into the training area.
Lei Shen cracked his knuckles. "I'll give you a free hit. Make it count."
Raiko didn't move. He knew Lei Shen wasn't underestimating him he was testing him.
And Raiko needed to fail just enough to avoid suspicion.
Three minutes…
Lei Shen charged. His speed was surprising for his size, and his fist came swinging in like a hammer. Raiko barely dodged, shifting his body just enough to let the attack pass.
Lei Shen grinned. "Not bad."
He attacked again, this time feinting with his left before coming in with a heavy kick. Raiko stepped back just in time, letting the force of the attack shake the ground instead of his ribs.
The students murmured.
"He's fast."
"Why is he in Class Seven?"
Raiko continued to evade, making sure not to counter too effectively. He needed to sell the idea that he was just barely surviving.
Lei Shen narrowed his eyes. "You're holding back."
Raiko stayed silent.
Lei Shen's expression darkened. "Fine. Let's see how long you last."
For the next two minutes, Lei Shen increased the intensity. His attacks became sharper, more unpredictable. He wasn't just a brute he had skill. Raiko had to be careful, dodging while occasionally letting a blow graze him to make it seem like he was struggling.
Thirty seconds left.
Lei Shen suddenly changed tactics. Instead of attacking directly, he stomped on the ground, sending a shockwave of force through the dirt. Raiko's footing wavered for just a second enough time for Lei Shen to swing a powerful hook toward his ribs.
I have to take this hit.
Raiko clenched his teeth and braced. The impact sent him sliding back, pain radiating through his side. But he stayed standing.
Lei Shen smirked. "Three minutes."
Silence.
Then, one of the students laughed. "Looks like we got someone interesting this time."
Lei Shen studied Raiko for a moment, then nodded. "Welcome to Class Seven."
Raiko exhaled quietly. He had passed.
But as he rubbed his sore ribs, he couldn't shake the feeling that Class Seven wasn't just a school of rejects.
It was a place for people like him.
People who were hiding something.