Joining Beds

At Qin Muchu's words, delight flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes. "The boss? That sounds fun. All right, I'll be your boss from now on. You all have to listen to me and call me Sister Xiao Wu."

"Yes, Sister Xiao Wu," everyone answered, snapping back to their senses. She was already level twelve at the start of her first year! That made her an expert even by the school's standards. They'd be fools not to cling to a thigh that sturdy.

Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction. "Now, who's going to tell me about the academy?"

Everyone exchanged glances before Wang Sheng stepped forward. "We work-study students are responsible for cleaning the academy. A teacher assigns the specific jobs. There are six grades altogether. Sister Xiao Wu, you and Qin Muchu are new, so you're first-years. The eleven of us range from third-years to sixth-years. I moved up to sixth year this year, and until you came, I had the highest Soul Power. I just reached level nine recently, and my Martial Soul is War Tiger. We usually have two classes in the morning. One covers general knowledge, including the continent's history, level classifications, and how to identify Soul Beast species and ages. The other focuses on Martial Souls. In the afternoon, we work-study students get jobs to earn living expenses. A group of work-study students graduated last year, so you'll probably be assigned to clean the garden south of the training ground. Nobody's cleaning it right now."

Xiao Wu glanced at Qin Muchu. "What about him?"

"Uh, Qin Muchu is only staying in Dorm Seven. He isn't a work-study student, so he doesn't need to work." Wang Sheng gave Qin Muchu an envious look.

"What?" Xiao Wu sprang up. "You're not a work-study student? How come? Tell me, did you pull strings to get in?"

"Uh, why would I need to pull strings when my Innate Soul Power is level five? As for why I'm not a work-study student, my family has a little money. We've already paid my tuition, so I don't need to work to earn it."

"Really?" Xiao Wu sidled closer with a mischievous look. "Since your family's so rich, why don't you pay Sister Xiao Wu's tuition too?"

Qin Muchu's eyes widened. Good grief, this little rabbit's values were growing crooked. He needed to straighten them out at once.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Xiao Wu, look—"

Eager to establish her authority, Xiao Wu glared at him. "Hmm? What did you call me?"

"Fine, Sister Xiao Wu. Look, my family may have a little money, but it didn't blow in on the wind, right? Everyone says there's no such thing as a free lunch. You can't expect something for nothing, or people will look down on you. As the boss of Dorm Seven, you don't want that, do you? I could help pay your tuition and living expenses, but think about what you can offer in return."

Xiao Wu pressed a finger to her lower lip. "Hmm, I guess you have a point. How about I protect you from now on? If anyone bullies you, come find me, and Sister Xiao Wu will stand up for you. Fair?"

Dark lines seemed to descend across Qin Muchu's forehead. Xiao Wu was as violent as ever. Still, overall, this wasn't bad. It was a start.

"Sister Xiao Wu, the beds over there are empty. Pick whichever one you like."

But Sister Xiao Wu soon discovered another problem. "Doesn't the dorm provide bedding?"

She stared blankly at the bare wooden bed frame.

"Work-study students don't pay tuition, so we have to bring our own bedding." Wang Sheng looked at the tiny bundle in Xiao Wu's hand. "Sister Xiao Wu, why don't you use mine for now? I'll squeeze in with Chen Cheng. You can give it back after you go home and bring your things in a couple of days."

Xiao Wu looked at the filthy quilt in Wang Sheng's hands, then at Qin Muchu's bed. Her eyes lit up. His bedding was unusually large; even folded in half, it could cover the whole bed. It was covered in pictures of little rabbits and carrots.

"Qin Muchu, can we talk?"

"About what?"

"Your bedding looks big enough for two people. Why don't we push our beds together and share it? What do you think?"

"That doesn't seem right. You're a girl, and I'm a boy. Boys and girls shouldn't be so close..." Qin Muchu said bashfully.

"So what? We're both kids. Besides, I'm the girl, and I don't mind. What are you worried about? It's settled." Without waiting for an answer, Xiao Wu pushed her bed against Qin Muchu's and placed both their bundles along the seam. "This is the boundary from now on. You're not allowed to cross it. Got it?"

Qin Muchu nodded, accepting it. Seeing that everything was settled, Wang Sheng stepped forward. "Sister Xiao Wu, Qin Muchu, it's time to eat. Let's go together."

At the mention of food, Xiao Wu's eyes immediately brightened. "Sure! What good food does the school have?"

Everyone looked at one another. Wang Sheng gave a wry smile. "What does the school's good food have to do with us work-study students? We're lucky if we can fill up on the cheapest meals."

The excitement vanished from Xiao Wu's face. "You have to pay to eat?"

Even Wang Sheng's face darkened. What kind of question was that? Of course you had to pay to eat! Hadn't she heard Qin Muchu say there was no such thing as a free lunch? Who would feed you for nothing?

Qin Muchu held back a laugh. He knew Xiao Wu's pockets were emptier than her face was bare, and she was so broke they practically rattled.

"How about this? To celebrate Sister Xiao Wu becoming the boss of Dorm Seven, today's meal is on me," Qin Muchu said.

"Wow, Qin Muchu, you're a real friend! Sister Xiao Wu has decided: from now on, you're my best friend." Xiao Wu grabbed Qin Muchu and eagerly pulled him toward the door.

"Wait. Do you know where the dining hall is?"

"No."

"Then why are you dragging me off?" Qin Muchu rolled his eyes and looked back at Wang Sheng. "Lead the way. Let's all go together."

The others felt a little embarrassed at first, but Xiao Wu had already pulled Qin Muchu out of the dorm, so they said nothing and hurried after them. Along the way, plenty of other academy students were heading toward the dining hall too.

"Oh, right, Qin Muchu, what's that shabby sword Martial Soul of yours called?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"What shabby sword? It's my Dancing Shadow Sword."

"Huh. What a strange name. Your Martial Soul is called Dancing Shadow, and my name is Xiao Wu. They both have the word 'dance' in them. It's like we're meant to meet."