Okay, He's Just Ugly

"Clang clang clang...!!!"

Outside the Cafeteria, the sound of clanging suddenly rang out.

The group had just finished eating. Upon hearing it, Dai Mubai said, "That's the bell summoning us from the dean. Let's go. We need to gather at the main training ground."

By the time the five of them arrived at the main training ground, Zhu Zhuqing, who had left the Cafeteria earlier, was already there.

They stepped forward, lined up, and waited silently.

After a moment, a middle-aged man walked over from the other side of the training ground.

Upon seeing him, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing could not help but freeze. The man looked to be around fifty years old, with a sturdy build and highly distinctive features. His chin jutted forward slightly, his cheekbones were broad, his face flat, and he had a somewhat hooked nose. If they absolutely had to compare his face to something, it could only be said that it looked a little like the sole of a shoe.

Although his eyes were closed, he still gave off a somewhat sly impression. He wore a pair of black-framed crystal glasses, with stiff, square frames.

Ning Rongrong asked in surprise, "Is this person the academy's dean?"

Oscar, eager to impress her, answered attentively from beside her, "That's right. This is our dean, the founder of Shrek Academy, Four-Eyed Cat Owl Flender. He's a level seventy-eight Soul Sage, even fiercer than Teacher Zhao. He also possesses a flying-type Beast Martial Soul, which is fairly rare even among Battle Soul Masters. Fatty is his direct disciple."

"His Martial Soul is an owl... His appearance really does match an owl's image..." After hearing that, Ning Rongrong could not help but glance at Ma Hongjun's fat, lecherous-looking figure again and shake her head inwardly. Wasn't there a saying that like master, like disciple? Why was the master consistent inside and out, while the disciple was such an oddball? Who would believe this guy was a phoenix?

Without a doubt, Flender's appearance was a classic case of being influenced by his Martial Soul. That was why he looked so... Calling him ugly would not be quite right. He was just a little strange, not handsome by any means, the kind of face that made it difficult for women to feel any affection for him... Fine, he was just ugly.

Very soon, Flender came to a stop before the six students. He then focused on the three new students, whose backgrounds were each more formidable than the last, and could not help feeling a little uneasy. After all, the students he had accepted in the past had basically had no backing. How could they compare to these three...? Each one had an even more powerful background than the last. If he mishandled things, Shrek Academy might even face complete destruction.

Therefore, he made up his mind. He had to be extremely cautious with the teaching that followed and keep it within proper bounds. He absolutely could not let anything truly happen to these three little ones. Otherwise, he would be finished.

"Ahem."

He coughed lightly before saying, "This year has been quite good. We've gained three more little monsters. I, Flender, dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you on behalf of the academy. Later, each of you is to pay one hundred Gold Coins to Teacher Li, who handles the finances. Mu Bai."

"Dean."

Dai Mubai stepped forward. Having been thoroughly taken in by Flender's persuasion, he respected him greatly and even held a trace of admiration for him.

Flender said, "Three more junior brothers and sisters have arrived. Later, tell them the academy's rules. Then go back and rest, restoring yourselves to your best condition as much as possible. Today's first lesson will begin tonight. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two are exceptions. Come with me."

Oscar's face immediately fell. Reluctantly, he walked up to Flender and bowed. Only when he saw Ning Rongrong come to stand beside him did his expression improve slightly.

Flender waved a hand. "The rest of you may go rest. Remember, get yourselves into your best condition before nightfall. Don't blame me for not warning you. This academy's teaching differs from everywhere else. You may even face danger."

Zhu Zhuqing left without looking back, and this time Dai Mubai did not chase after her. Ma Hongjun fled just as quickly, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Tang San was in no hurry to leave. He wanted to see how this dean intended to teach. Oscar and Ning Rongrong both had support-type Martial Souls, which was likely why they would not be attending the evening lesson. What puzzled Tang San, however, was why the teaching had to take place at night.

Flender did not mind his remaining behind. He said to Oscar and Ning Rongrong, "Everyone has their own method of cultivation. Different Martial Souls require vastly different cultivation methods. On Douluo Continent, there are almost no completely identical Martial Souls. Therefore, what the academy will teach you is not how to cultivate your Martial Souls, but how to use them—how to better preserve yourselves and assist your comrades in future battles."

Tang San found Flender's words somewhat familiar. After considering them carefully, he recalled that Grandmaster seemed to have said something similar. Grandmaster had simply explained it in greater detail.

Oscar aside, Ning Rongrong looked as though she deeply agreed and waited for him to continue.

Flender continued, "You are both support-type Soul Masters. One provides attribute enhancements, while the other possesses a Food System Martial Soul. Soul Masters like you need the protection of companions, whether on the battlefield or in daily life. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to survive. Oscar, tell me: as a support-type Soul Master, how can you better protect yourself on the battlefield?"

Oscar answered without hesitation, "Hide behind your own companions as much as possible. Use all available terrain and buildings around you to avoid danger. Stay as far away from dangerous areas as possible."

Flender nodded. "Very correct. But there is one point you did not mention. As a support-type Soul Master, running away is an essential quality. A support-type Soul Master who cannot run away is not a good Soul Master. And what does running away require? Stamina. Although, as Soul Masters, your physical condition is somewhat better than that of ordinary people due to the assistance of your Soul Power, the enemies you may face will be the enemy's Battle Soul Masters. Therefore, as support-type Soul Masters, you also need physical training. At a crucial moment, perhaps taking one more step will allow you to survive."

Oscar knew Flender quite well. Listening to the dean in front of him speak so grandly, he smiled bitterly to himself. It's over. There's no escaping it today.

Sure enough, after his lengthy speech, Flender nodded at Oscar and Ning Rongrong. "Your lesson today is physical training. Starting now, run twenty laps around the entire village. If you have not returned before lunchtime, then you will not be eating lunch. You may use your own Martial Souls to assist yourselves. Now, set off. Oscar will lead the way."

"Yes." Ning Rongrong responded and immediately ran out without hesitation. Oscar cast Flender a resentful glance before following after her.

Although the village where Shrek Academy was located was not large, Oscar understood that by the entire village, Flender meant including all the farmland within it. One lap would be at least three kilometers. Twenty laps was an extremely terrifying number.

P.S. I feel like I never should have written Shrek. I'm afraid people will say it's filler, but I also want to make it feel fresh. In the end, I've pleased no one on either side, and I can't control the plot—it's become a complete mess. As expected, I should hurry through this part of the story and let the protagonist happily go cause trouble.