Headmaster Hans

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Headmaster Hans (汉斯院长)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Academy
Occupation/Role	Headmaster of Notting Academy
First Appearance	Chapter 2
Soul Power	Level 42 Soul Ancestor 26 32

Background / History

Hans attended an advanced soul master academy in his youth, where he became friends with a fellow student who later became a Heaven Dou Empire Earl and a Spirit Emperor residing in Heaven Dou City. His own talent was limited; by Qi Dao's early graduation, he had reached Level 42. 26 That friend, Count Mei Luo, had shared a dormitory with Hans. Although Hans declined Mei Luo's invitation to remain in Heaven Dou City, the two kept in touch by letter for nearly thirty years. 32

As headmaster of Notting Academy, Hans welcomed former students Qi Mingyuan and Wang Rou when they enrolled their son, Qi Dao. He recognized Qi Dao as unusually steady, wise, and polite, but initially pitied him after reading that his Iron Sword martial soul had suffered a malignant mutation and that he possessed only half-rank innate soul power. 2

Believing that Qi Dao's circumstances resembled Yu Xiaogang's, Hans attempted to introduce Qi Dao to Xiaogang as a potential disciple. Xiaogang refused after reading Qi Dao's awakening certificate. 2 3

Hans had invited Yu Xiaogang to stay at Notting Academy as a guest advisor and provided his food and lodging for nearly twenty years. Over time, Hans grew troubled by Xiaogang's refusal to teach students other than Tang San, particularly after seeing how much Qi Dao contributed to the academy. Following Xiaogang's later confrontation with Qi Dao, Hans ended their friendship and ordered Xiaogang to leave the academy. 3 20 83 84

Personality

Hans is warm and encouraging toward students. He praised Qi Dao's composure upon their first meeting and continued to support him despite his poor innate soul power. After Qi Dao defeated Xiao Haijie, Hans expressed confidence that diligent cultivation could still make him a renowned Soul Master. 2 9

He is also principled in his administration. Hans permits ordinary disputes between students of the same grade, but strongly opposes upperclassmen using their age and strength to bully younger pupils. 8

Hans is protective of Qi Dao's autonomy. When Yu Xiaogang sought to accept Qi Dao as a registered disciple in exchange for studying his martial soul, Hans rejected the proposal as an attempt to treat the boy as an experimental subject. 11

Hans values loyalty, but eventually refuses to excuse a friend's misconduct. Disappointed by Xiaogang's attempt to pressure Qi Dao and his disregard for Hans's position at the academy, he helps Qi Dao despite the risk to their long friendship. He remains firm when Xiaogang demands that he reverse his decision to expel him. 83 84 85

Abilities & Skills

Soul Ancestor Cultivation

Hans is a Level 42 Soul Ancestor. He considers himself capable of assisting with soul-ring acquisition in Soul Hunting Forest, but inadequate for the higher-level spirit beasts Qi Dao seeks beyond it. 26 32

Academy Administration

As Notting Academy's headmaster, Hans disciplines students, oversees serious conflicts, and works with Director Su to enforce academy rules.

• Intervened when Xiao Haijie and other upperclassmen surrounded lower-grade students. 8
• Rebuked Xiao Haijie for bullying Qi Dao and threatened to report the incident to the city lord. 9
• Restricted Qi Dao from using his dangerous killing-oriented sword move in future academy spars. 14
• Oversaw improvements funded by Qi Dao's donation of 100,000 Gold Soul Coins, including expanded teaching and dormitory space, six training grounds, and higher staff salaries. 75
• Ordered Yu Xiaogang to leave Notting Academy after their friendship broke down. 84 85

Relationships

• Qi Dao — Student whom Hans consistently encourages and protects. He provides Qi Dao with a letter of introduction to Count Mei Luo after supporting his early graduation. Qi Dao later visits Hans regularly, donates to the academy, and gives him Soul-Calming Incense. Hans helps relay Qi Dao's warning to Poison Douluo and assures him that Notting Academy will always welcome him back. 2 9 11 26 74 75 83
• Yu Xiaogang — Former friend and guest advisor at Notting Academy. Hans initially tried to match Xiaogang with Qi Dao as mentor and student, but later condemned Xiaogang's desire to study Qi Dao as an experiment. After nearly twenty years of supporting Xiaogang, Hans ends their friendship and expels him over his conduct toward Qi Dao and the academy. 2 3 11 83 84 85
• Qi Mingyuan and Wang Rou — Former Notting Academy students and parents of Qi Dao; Hans receives them warmly when they return to enroll their son. 2
• Director Su — Fellow academy administrator who assists Hans in responding to student conflicts and supervising Qi Dao's duel with Xiao Haijie. 8 14
• Xiao Haijie — Sixth-year student reprimanded by Hans for using his seniority and strength to bully younger students. 8 9
• Count Mei Luo — Hans's close friend from advanced academy, later an Earl and Spirit Emperor in Heaven Dou City. Mei Luo receives Qi Dao with Hans's letter and helps introduce him to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. 26 32
• Tang San and Xiao Wu — Notting Academy students whose talent Hans recognizes. He helps Tang San obtain his second soul ring, but expects both students may leave when he expels Yu Xiaogang. 75 84

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qi Dao's Enrollment

Hans receives Qi Dao and his parents at Notting Academy, reviews Qi Dao's awakening certificate, and tries to arrange for Yu Xiaogang to mentor him. 2 3

Xiao Haijie Conflict

Hans and Director Su intervene after Xiao Haijie attacks Qi Dao. Hans ensures Qi Dao receives treatment, disciplines Xiao Haijie for bullying, and commends Qi Dao's ability to overcome a stronger opponent. 8 9

Dispute with Yu Xiaogang

When Yu Xiaogang becomes interested in researching Qi Dao's martial soul, Hans refuses to permit it. He argues that Xiaogang is seeking an experiment subject rather than a student. 11

Qi Dao's Second Duel

Hans observes Qi Dao's rematch against Xiao Haijie and believes that Qi Dao can create another miracle despite the apparent gap in their cultivation. After Qi Dao wins, Hans agrees that Qi Dao's lethal sword technique must be barred from ordinary academy sparring. 13 14

Early Graduation

After Qi Dao reaches Level 20, Hans supports his plan to leave Notting Academy for Heaven Dou City and seek the Crown Prince's patronage. He gives Qi Dao an introduction to his powerful friend as protection and potential assistance in obtaining a second soul ring. 26 Count Mei Luo subsequently receives Qi Dao and arranges for him to meet the Crown Prince. 32

Qi Dao's Return and Academy Renovation

Qi Dao continues to visit Hans when he returns to Notting City. Hans warmly welcomes him and shows him the academy improvements made possible by Qi Dao's 100,000-Gold-Soul-Coin donation. Qi Dao also gives Hans a box of Soul-Calming Incense. During a walk through the grounds, they encounter Yu Xiaogang supervising Tang San and Xiao Wu. 74 75

Warning to Poison Douluo and Xiaogang's Expulsion

After Qi Dao's confrontation at Notting Academy, Hans sends three couriers with copies of Qi Dao's message to Mei Luo for delivery to Poison Douluo. Relieved when Qi Dao returns safely, Hans advises caution because Yu Xiaogang has the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind him. Qi Dao leaves to move his parents to Heaven Dou City, and Hans promises that the academy's doors will remain open to him. 83

When Xiaogang accuses Hans of betraying their friendship by warning Qi Dao, Hans challenges his treatment of the former student. Recalling Xiaogang's lack of contribution and disregard for him, Hans gives Xiaogang three days to leave and ends their friendship. He does not reconsider when Xiaogang threatens that he will regret the decision. 84 85

Soul Master Tournament Aftermath

After Qi Dao leads Heaven Dou Academy to victory in the Soul Master Tournament, Hans welcomes him back to Notting Academy and praises his achievement. Hans's publicity about their former student's success helps attract an unusually strong intake of new students, including one with level-seven innate soul power. 160