Chapter 118: Face Slapping, New Quaters
Chapter 118: Face Slapping, New Quaters
The wooden pole swept downward toward Solomon’s skull. Solomon raised his left hand and caught the strike mid-swing. The wood slammed into his bare palm with a sharp crack, stopping instantly in place.
The instructor widened his eyes and pushed his weight forward, trying to force the staff closer. Solomon merely tightened his fingers around the wood. A loud snapping sound echoed through the courtyard as the staff splintered into sharp pieces.
"You are destroying sect property," Solomon pointed out, tossing the broken pieces onto the dirt. "I think they deduct points for that."
[LazyCat: bro really just caught a full swing bare-handed.]
[GamerGuy: The disrespect is peak right now.]
[User12: teacher is going to pop a vein.]
The instructor dropped the remaining half of his staff and reached for the steel saber at his waist. Before his fingers could grasp the hilt, a loud voice echoed from the courtyard entrance.
"What is the meaning of this disruption?"
Everyone turned their heads toward the stone archway. Pavilion Leader Jin strode onto the training ground with his hands clasped behind his back. Several other blue-robed instructors trailed closely behind him.
The instructor abandoned his weapon and bowed toward the newcomer. "Leader Jin, this first-year student trespassed into the upper courtyards and assaulted the visiting disciples from the Crimson Sun Institute. He initiated an unprovoked brawl and openly mocked your authority when I threatened him with disciplinary action."
The Crimson Sun students nodded vigorously, pointing their fingers at Solomon to support the accusation. The buzz-cut boy stepped forward to show Jin his bruised ribs.
Jin stopped walking and glanced at the fallen students, the broken weapon rack, and the splinters littering the cobblestones.
He finally shifted his gaze to Solomon. The silver-haired boy stood casually beside the stone planter with his executioner’s sword resting on his shoulder.
"Is this true, Solomon?" Jin asked.
"They claimed my senior tripped over their wooden swords and cracked his own skull," Solomon replied, gesturing toward the bloodstains on the floor. "I simply decided to join their practice session to help them improve their spatial awareness. They apparently lack basic coordination."
Jin looked at the red-robed disciples and stroked his chin. The visiting students puffed their chests out while anticipating a harsh punishment for the novice.
"You must remember that Solomon just completed the trials," Jin addressed the complaining instructor. "He passed our evaluations and secured special permission from Master Wu to skip the remaining trials. I highly suggest you reflect on your own teaching methods if your trained disciples are falling to an exhausted novice."
The complaining instructor stood frozen. His jaw dropped slightly as he processed the response. The Crimson Sun students exchanged confused looks, realizing the faculty had chosen to side with the lone teenager.
Marco Alfoy sighed from the back of the crowd and resumed picking up his scattered training gear.
[BloodKnight: A predictable outcome. Strength dictates the hierarchy.]
[GoonLord: THE TEACHER LOOKS SO DUMB RIGHT NOW!]
[NewbHunter: Jin basically told him to get good.]
[Xander_Man: Is this what they call face-slapping?]
[Fatal_Beauty: Solo Man always finds a way to humiliate someone.]
"Furthermore," Jin continued, looking directly at Solomon. "I came up here to inform you that your designated quarters are ready. We prepared a private room for you near the central sword pavilion. You need to rest before our sparring sessions begin tomorrow morning."
Solomon tapped his floating bronze owl and smiled at the bewildered instructor. "I will head there right now. Thank you, Leader Jin."
He adjusted the strap of his sword and walked past the stunned group of older students.
After following the path, he reached his personal quarters. There seemed to be more of them surrounding his room, but he didn’t pay attention to them.
Solomon pushed open the wooden door to his assigned quarters. He stepped inside and dropped Eden’s Penance onto the floorboards with a loud clatter.
The room featured a simple layout containing a sturdy bed alongside a wooden table and a small washbasin in the corner.
He removed the outer layer of his clothes and tossed it onto the nearby chair. His body felt energized and free of any aches, thanks to the divine angelic core constantly revitalizing his cells. He collapsed onto the mattress and stared at the wooden ceiling.
He tapped his floating owl to bring up the translucent blue interface. The daily purchase limit had finally reset after the midnight cycle. He navigated straight to the Stream Shop and filtered the catalog by utility items and physical recovery gear.
His current balance sat comfortably around 347,260 Points. He possessed more than enough wealth to buy whatever he needed for the upcoming lessons.
[LazyCat: shopping stream let’s go!]
[1Fizzy: buy a new shirt first please.]
[User12: flex those points Solo Man.]
Solomon scrolled past the combat manuals and clicked on the everyday equipment tab. He needed a durable outfit to replace his ruined clothes. Navigating to the apparel section, he purchased a set of black combat trousers and a reinforced undershirt woven from spider silk.
The entire outfit cost him exactly three thousand points. The new clothes materialized in a neat pile next to his feet. He quickly changed into the fresh gear. The fabric fit perfectly and offered excellent mobility for his martial techniques.
He returned to the interface and bought a basic grooming kit alongside a few sealed water flasks to round out his supplies.
[BloodKnight: A wise investment. Good gear prevents fatal mistakes in the field.]
[GoonLord: AT LEAST YOU LOOK PRESENTABLE NOW!]
[NewbHunter: spending points like a rich noble.]
"I have to spend points to make points," Solomon told the chat while stretching his arms. "I also need to be fully prepared for the sparring session with Leader Jin tomorrow morning."
Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed from the wooden door.
Solomon stopped stretching and glanced at the entrance. He assumed a sect worker had arrived to deliver a schedule or Arthur had come to ask for advice regarding the upcoming classes. Or perhaps, it was second year students.
He walked over to the door and grabbed the iron latch. He pulled the door open and looked out into the stone corridor.
The hallway stood entirely empty. Torches flickered along the stone walls and cast long shadows across the polished floorboards. Solomon leaned out and checked both directions. He saw no one in the vicinity.
[LazyCat: ghost stream?]
[Skeptic: probably just a prank by the other students.]
[User12: close the door that is creepy.]
Solomon furrowed his brow and stepped out into the corridor to get a better look. He inspected the ground near his boots. A folded piece of parchment rested on the stone tiles directly in front of his room.
He picked up the paper and flipped it over.
A strange red crest depicting a coiled serpent was stamped into the wax seal.