Trouble-maker

"...I heard the Pope's new disciple is coming to our class."

It was a girl's voice, buzzing with the kind of excitement that came from gossip.

"I heard that too. Apparently, he's only six." Another girl spoke. "Six years old and attending an advanced Soul Master Academy? What a joke."

"What's so strange about that? He's the Pope's personal disciple. He can go to whatever academy he wants." A boy spoke, his tone thick with jealousy. "Pulling strings. How shameless."

"How strong could a six-year-old be? Ten-odd levels at most. Won't he just hold our class back?"

"He doesn't need to be strong. Having a good teacher is enough for him."

"If you ask me, these privileged brats who get in through connections ought to learn what a real Soul Master Academy is like."

A chorus of jeers and agreement rose from the classroom, punctuated by several disdainful chuckles.

Gu Qingshan stood outside the door, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

A bunch of little brats, that's all.

Back when he'd played games in his previous life, plenty of people in his guild had cursed far more viciously than this. He'd never cared.

In games, strength did the talking. If you could beat someone, they'd naturally shut up.

Of course, this wasn't a game, but the principle was the same.

Alice glanced sideways at Gu Qingshan and saw not a trace of displeasure or nervousness on the six-year-old boy's face.

This child... is far too composed.

Alice pushed the door open and led Gu Qingshan up to the podium. She clapped her hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

"Class, we have a new student joining us today. His name is Gu Qingshan. He's six years old, has Innate Full Soul Power, and is a Level 15 Soul Master."

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

Then a wave of hushed discussion broke out.

"Innate Full Soul Power?"

"Level 15? At six?"

"Is that for real...?"

"He's the Pope's personal disciple. They can say whatever they want about him."

Alice's brows knitted slightly. She was about to speak when Gu Qingshan spoke first.

"Teacher, where's my seat?"

Before Alice could answer, a cold snort came from the back of the classroom.

"Six years old, Level 15, the Pope's personal disciple. Sounds impressive. I wonder how he'll do in a real fight."

Everyone turned to look toward the back of the classroom.

A boy stood up from his seat.

He looked about fourteen or fifteen, half a head taller than his classmates. He was sturdily built, with broad shoulders and short black hair sticking up in spikes.

"Linghu Chong." Alice's voice held a note of warning.

Linghu Chong.

When Gu Qingshan heard the name, the corner of his mouth twitched.

Linghu Chong stepped out from behind his desk, speaking as he walked. "I just think that since His Holiness the Pope personally took him as a disciple, he must have something special about him. I happen to be the hands-on type myself, so why don't we spar? Let me see what he can do."

A chorus of quiet agreement rose from the classroom.

"Yeah, teacher, let them spar."

"Just keep it friendly. Nothing bad will happen."

"Let's see how strong the Pope's disciple is."

Alice looked troubled.

She knew Gu Qingshan's Martial Soul was Thorn Shield, but as far as she understood it, shield-type Martial Souls were defensive. His defenses might be decent, but his attack power should be limited.

Meanwhile, Linghu Chong was the fourth-ranked student in the class, a Level 31 Soul Elder with the Berserk Ape Martial Soul. He had tremendous attack power and was a pure powerhouse, built for offense.

A six-year-old defensive Soul Master against a thirteen-year-old attacking Soul Elder? How could that possibly work?

"Linghu Chong, this—" Alice began, about to refuse.

"Teacher, it's fine."

Gu Qingshan's voice came from beside the podium.

Everyone's eyes turned back to him.

Gu Qingshan looked up at Linghu Chong, a faint smile on his face.

"If Linghu Chong wants to spar, then let's spar."

Linghu Chong raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected the child to agree so readily.

"But I have one small request, Linghu Chong. Give it everything you've got. Otherwise, you won't stand a chance."

The entire classroom erupted.

"That kid's way too cocky!"

"Linghu Chong, teach him a lesson!"

"He's six years old, but he sure talks big!"

Linghu Chong's face turned livid, and his fists clenched with a creak.

Born a commoner, Linghu Chong had worked his way up to where he was through his own efforts. He hated privileged brats who threw their weight around on the strength of their backgrounds.

"Fine. I'll show you what giving it everything means."

Alice was so anxious she stamped her foot. Her heels clicked as she hurried over to Gu Qingshan and bent down to whisper, "Qingshan, Linghu Chong is a Level 31 Soul Elder. The Berserk Ape Martial Soul is one of the best in the Power Attack System. Are you sure you want to fight him?"

Gu Qingshan looked at Alice's face, close enough to touch, and caught a faint scent of lilies.

"Teacher, could you call a healing Soul Master over?"

Alice froze, then sighed and sent someone to fetch a healer from the infirmary.

Hu Liena and the other two sat by the window. Not one of them had said a word from beginning to end.

When Linghu Chong stood up to provoke him, Hu Liena had been resting her chin in her hands, gazing outside. At Gu Qingshan's words, "Give it everything you've got," she turned to look at him, rolled her eyes, and went back to watching the scenery.

Xie Yue sat with his hands crossed on the desk, watching everything expressionlessly. Only the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Yan clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

He remembered what had happened yesterday on the practice field, when the three of them had joined forces to attack Gu Qingshan—only to be sent flying and gravely injured in a single exchange.

The healer arrived soon after. She was the same high-level healing Soul Master who had treated them on the practice field last time.

When she walked into the classroom and saw Gu Qingshan, the look on her face was priceless.

"Again?"

Gu Qingshan smiled at her. "Sorry for the trouble."

The healer shook her head and took up position in the corner of the classroom, ready to step in at any moment.

Seeing this, Alice felt even less sure. Why did even the healer look as if she'd been expecting this?

Alice took a deep breath. "All right, then. Begin. Linghu Chong, please control your strength."

Linghu Chong released his Martial Soul in an instant. His body surged half a foot taller, muscles bulging all over. His skin turned dark gray, the hair on his arms grew thick and coarse, and his eyes turned bloodred, brimming with madness and savagery.

"Third Soul Skill: Berserk Punch!"

Linghu Chong opened with his strongest Soul Skill, without the slightest intention of testing the waters. He meant to knock the arrogant little brat flat with a single punch.

Gu Qingshan, meanwhile, remained where he was, his left hand in his pocket and his right still holding half a Blue Silver Leaf he hadn't finished chewing.

He hadn't even released his Martial Soul. He'd merely adjusted the damage-reflection ratio to 20%.

Seeing this, Linghu Chong's anger flared even hotter.

This wasn't merely looking down on him. The kid didn't take him seriously at all.

"You're asking for it!"

Berserk Punch came crashing toward Gu Qingshan's chest, its fist trailing a howl of wind.

The students in the classroom held their breath.

Some of the more timid girls even covered their eyes.

Hu Liena propped her chin on her hands and yawned.

Then.

"Hss! Aah!"

Linghu Chong's body flew backward as if he'd been struck head-on by a charging rhinoceros, moving far faster than he had on his way in.