Changes at Shrek Academy

Douluo Continent also had a festival similar to the New Year. Although the customs differed somewhat, people still decorated with lanterns and colors on the day that marked the transition between old and new, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

But once the holiday was over, there were only a few days left before school began.

Wang Nan packed his luggage and set off for the academy amid his parents' nagging.

Two days later, Wang Nan stood at the gates of Shrek Academy, dumbfounded.

Where am I? Is this still Shrek?

Shrek Academy was built around Seagod Lake. The Inner Courtyard stood on Sea God Island at its center; the Martial Soul Department lay to the south, the Soul Tool Department to the north, and the two were connected through Shrek Plaza on the western side. Finally, the academy gates and several statues stood on the eastern shore of Seagod Lake.

The Martial Soul Department had once covered far more ground than the Soul Tool Department. Yet after only a month away, several new buildings had seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the Soul Tool Department. Their main structures were still gray, but huge signs stood atop them, bearing words such as Research Area and Experimental Area. Judging by the land they occupied alone, the Soul Tool Department had already surpassed the Martial Soul Department.

The other returning students were all discussing the changes that had occurred at the academy. Only the New Students who had never been to Shrek before had no idea what was going on.

Yet it was not only the buildings that had changed. During the first class of the new term, Head Teacher Sun He left quite a few students stunned the moment he opened his mouth.

"According to the academy's latest teaching arrangements, starting in second grade, we will be adding one theory class and one practical combat class: Familiar Soul Tools Recognition and Usage. Likewise, beginning next year, the practical use of Soul Tools will become part of the promotion assessment."

"But Teacher Sun, Soul Tools are ultimately external sources of power. Shouldn't the academy's goal be to cultivate outstanding Soul Masters?" one student bravely asked.

"Exactly. That is why an outstanding Soul Master should understand how to use and deal with Soul Tools," Sun He replied with a smile.

"Teacher Sun, do you support the academy's arrangement as well?"

"I thought that after spending a year together, we would understand each other better. It seems you still do not know me well enough. I have always pursued results in actual combat. As for whether Soul Tools are used during the process, I do not care."

"Teacher, isn't using Soul Tools like using medicine to forcibly increase Soul Power? What we show in the end would not be our true strength."

"This student, were you not paying attention in theory class? Medicine damages your foundation. Raising your Soul Power with medicine means sacrificing your potential, but using a Soul Tool is no different from using a weapon. Being without one will not cause you any loss."

"But what if we become obsessed with Soul Tools and forget to cultivate our Martial Souls?"

"Then I'll transfer you to the Soul Tool Department."

Laughter erupted among the students, but soon, another student raised his hand with a question.

"Teacher, as you said, there is no loss in not having a Soul Tool. Then why should we waste time learning about them?"

"It's very simple. Suppose there is a Soul Master whose Martial Soul, Soul Power, and Soul Skills are exactly the same as yours, but he has a defensive Soul Tool in his hand. If the two of you fought, who would win?"

That student was bold, but he was not shameless enough to lie. After thinking briefly, he shook his head. "I couldn't beat him."

"There you have it. If this were a fight to the death, he could kill you with just one Soul Tool. So start learning about Soul Tools now. In the future, you will be the ones using Soul Tools to bully others."

These students had little experience of the world and were at an age when they readily accepted new things. Sun He's words gave them an entirely new perspective on Soul Tools.

Strictly speaking, what Sun He had said was not entirely correct. But it still planted an idea in the children beneath the podium—an idea that made them want to understand Soul Tools.

The addition of Soul Tool-related courses set the entire Martial Soul Department abuzz, to the point that after class, discussions about the promotion assessment became much quieter.

"You may now return and prepare for tomorrow's promotion assessment. Also, all Core Disciples, stay behind. I have something else to explain."

Wang Nan was just about to return to his dormitory when Sun He kept him behind again.

Once all the Core Disciples had gathered, Sun He led them out of the Martial Soul Department, across Shrek Plaza, and over to the Soul Tool Department.

They continued forward and soon saw a middle-aged male teacher standing ahead of them. He was about 1.8 meters tall and wore simple cloth clothes, with his sleeves rolled up to reveal sturdy arms.

"Teacher Fan, these are Class One's Core Disciples."

Fan Yu nodded. "Hello. I am Fan Yu, a teacher from the Soul Tool Department. You should all know that the academy has added practical Soul Tool courses. As Core Disciples, the academy will tailor a Soul Tool for each of you. Now, follow me."

After saying that, Fan Yu led them before a metal door. He took out a silver-gray card and waved it in front of the door. Soon, the doors slid open to both sides.

As expected of the Soul Tool Department, its architectural style was completely different from that of the Martial Soul Department. It was not as futuristic as Wang Nan had imagined, but it already possessed a few modern elements. The card-swipe door was especially familiar.

Beyond the door was a newly built Soul Tool experimental area. Several people were already there, and judging by their uniforms, they were Outer Courtyard disciples of the Soul Tool Department.

"Teacher Fan," they said upon seeing Fan Yu.

"Good." Fan Yu stopped before them, then called Wang Nan and the other Core Disciples over as well.

"There are only a few of us here, so I'll speak plainly." Fan Yu looked at the Soul Tool Department disciples. "Based on the academy's practical combat assessment standards, you will not be able to pass this promotion assessment into sixth grade. But with this year's reform of the academy's teaching standards, you have another opportunity."

At those words, the students all looked up at Fan Yu. Having finally entered Shrek Academy, none of them wanted to be eliminated just like that.

"The academy intends to train a group of Support Type Soul Engineers. As the name suggests, this type of Soul Engineer does not require frontal combat ability. Like the Support Type Soul Masters of the Martial Soul Department, they assist other Soul Masters in battle."

"These students before you are all second-grade Core Disciples of the Martial Soul Department. Each of you will choose one of them, and within three months, create a custom Soul Tool for that person. There is no restriction on the type. As long as it can increase that disciple's combat power by twenty percent, you will pass your assessment."

"If anyone is dissatisfied with the academy's training direction, you may withdraw now." Fan Yu waited for a while. Seeing that no one spoke, he shifted his gaze to the Martial Soul Department students.

"You need not worry either. Although these seniors of yours cannot currently pass the practical combat assessment, they are all at least fourth-level Soul Engineers. Making Soul Tools for you will be more than easy enough."

The Core Disciples had no other thoughts on the matter. Instead, they curiously looked toward the seniors opposite them.

Without a doubt, whether it was the Martial Soul Department or the Soul Tool Department, a new door had now opened for both.