The Wind Rider

"Hahaha, Brother Louis, you refused too, meow?"

Xiluo was laughing heartily.

It was the next day, during breakfast. Xiluo brought up how an instructor had approached him on behalf of a man named Skello to recruit him. He then bluntly stated that he had directly rejected the instructor's offer.

Louis didn't reply at all. Xiluo just started talking as if Louis had also refused, without even asking if Louis had encountered the same situation or if he had refused.

"Then why, Xiluo, why did you refuse?"

Louis asked with interest.

"Isn't that obvious, meow?"

Xiluo chuckled softly. "No matter how arrogant Skello is, he's definitely no match for Spandine, meow. After all, that idiot has connections, meow."

"Even a dog is invincible when its master holds great power, meow."

"Heh."

Louis chuckled noncommittally.

"But Brother Louis, you should be prepared,"

Xiluo grinned slyly. "Since you refused, a little punishment should be coming your way, meow."

Louis understood perfectly. For those in power, the will of those beneath them was of no concern. In the face of their own authority, the will of the lower strata was utterly disregarded. Instead, if someone slightly defied their will, a small warning would be issued. Although such warnings could easily lead to utter ruin for the subordinate, for the superior, it might just be a minor lesson.

Louis was not surprised.

As the ninth month concluded, Louis finally completed the modifications to his skin, experiencing a transformative sensation throughout his body.

The essence of Kami-e was to soften the body while using airflow to dodge attacks. Louis could now freely control his skin and body hair, achieving an extraordinary level of sensitivity. The Kami-e he used to dodge Yerika's attacks before could now be taken a step further.

And that wasn't all. Prolonged wear and tear on human skin produced calluses. While not exceptionally strong, if their thickness were increased, their defensive capabilities would undoubtedly be considerable. This was also something Louis could now achieve.

Finally, there was the ability Louis desired most: the power to arbitrarily change his appearance and apparent age! For a spy, what could be more useful than this?

"There still seem to be a few discordant elements,"

Louis looked at his reflection in the mirror, his appearance completely altered. His forehead was covered in wrinkles, his skin was sallow, his nostrils flared, his nose hair was abundant, he had triangular eyes, thick lips, a full beard, and his cheeks were slightly chubby.

He controlled his skin to make it sallow, to create wrinkles on his forehead, manipulated the subcutaneous fat to plump his cheeks, made his nostrils flare, and controlled his hair to grow into a beard and nose hair.

But

He pressed his cheeks, feeling a slight emptiness. Although the fat had plumped up, his muscles hadn't changed, so the sensation was strange.

"Next, muscles?"

Louis set a new goal for himself.

The ninth-month assessment arrived as scheduled.

The written portion had been added as a course by Teacher Anna when she began instructing him. Each student underwent assessment by their own instructor. Louis and Teacher Anna had a pleasant relationship. The only thing Teacher Anna regretted was that Louis was outstanding in all aspects, just a bit too young, referring to his age.

Then came the second day, the time for practical combat.

Louis was also drawing lots this time. He was scheduled last. Looking at the instructor's face, Louis felt that the small punishment was indeed on its way.

"Louis,"

The instructor glanced at the slip of paper in Louis's hand with a smile and announced loudly, "Your opponent is Stuart!"

Just as expected.

Louis wasn't surprised. He turned his head. Stuart's gaze towards him was fanatically intense. Louis knew Stuart was eager to reclaim his status in the training camp. While he hadn't gotten the chance to face Xiluo for revenge, facing Louis was almost as good. After all, Louis still carried the reputation of a genius.

"Hehehe, Brother Louis, our chance to settle the score has arrived, meow."

Xiluo chuckled slyly. "Don't get defeated by this rat, meow. If you do, I will,"

"Be very angry, meow."

Louis's fight with Stuart was the last match. It was the ninth month, and eight people had already been eliminated. Eleven students remained in the training camp, with one receiving a bye. Louis was in the fifth match.

There was nothing much to say about the preceding battles. The other students were also somewhat distracted, all anticipating the grand finale.

Xiluo, uncharacteristically, didn't toy with his opponent, finishing him off in one blow without even knocking him unconscious.

Yerika's recent performance continued to surprise Louis. The woman was rapidly growing stronger, training diligently, and giving her all. She was truly different now.

Then, the main event of the day finally arrived.

"Hahaha, good luck, Brother Louis, meow!!"

Xiluo roared with laughter, cheering Louis on.

Louis walked onto the stage. Stuart was already impatiently stepping onto the field.

"I've finally waited for this day!"

Stuart's voice was unusually excited. "Louis!!!!"

"Oh."

Louis responded casually.

"After you, it's Xiluo,"

Stuart chuckled, "I'll let you all know who the undisputed number one in this training camp is!"

"Is that so?"

Louis raised an eyebrow. "Truly, your world is quite narrow."

"You!"

Stuart gritted his teeth fiercely. "This is your last chance. Keep talking tough while you can!"

"Alright, Louis,"

The instructor looked at Louis and waved with a smile. "The fight begins!"

"Whoosh!"

Stuart was faster. After being thoroughly beaten by Xiluo using the invisible Soru, he had clearly spent a long time studying Soru as well.

"Rankyaku!!"

Louis only felt a gust of wind. While using Soru, Stuart lifted his leg and delivered a whip kick towards Louis's head. Although he couldn't use Soru as freely as Xiluo, or even change direction while using it, Stuart could still utilize the other Rokushiki techniques during Soru.

"Hoo!"

The fierce wind generated by Rankyaku bent Louis's head backward like putty, allowing him to easily dodge Stuart's attack.

"What? He dodged!!!"

Stuart was stunned. "This Kami-e!!!"

"What?"

Louis retracted his head. "Is that all?"

"Bastard!!!"

Stuart's eyes turned red, his anger no longer containable.

"Shigan Storm!!"

His arm became a blur. All the space in Louis's vision was covered by Stuart's Shigan, leaving nothing else.

But Stuart was fast, and Louis was faster.

"Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo!!"

As if he had no physical form, Louis's body contorted and twisted rapidly, constantly changing its shape. Stuart's attacks couldn't touch Louis's body no matter what.

"Ughhhhhh!!!"

Stuart roared and threw a punch towards Louis's stomach.

"Is that all you've got?"

Louis said leisurely. His right abdomen caved in, as if a large hole had opened. Stuart's fist passed through it, still not touching Louis's body.

"This..."

Stuart retreated in shock, his face turning bright red.

"Paper Drawing Wind Rider! I'll give you a chance. I'll allow you to attack me for one minute."

Louis spread his hands, as if embracing Stuart.

"I won't fight back, so come on, Stuart. Give it your all, do your best, and try to touch me!"