Chapter Twenty-Nine: Learning Combat Skills

The next morning, Luo Chen rose as usual, performing his breathing exercises with clockwork precision. He was now certain that the bizarre events of the previous night were not a dream, but the reality of it all still bewildered him. From today onward, he would have to share his consciousness with a bio-intelligent lightbrain.

He’d drunk quite a lot the night before, and his bladder was aching. As he headed to the bathroom, just as he was about to relieve himself, he paused and tentatively called out in his mind, “Nicole?”

A response came instantly. Nicole’s sweet, syrupy voice sounded in his head, “Good morning, Master.”

Luo Chen was curious. “How do you know it’s morning? And weren’t you dormant for a long time? How do you know so much?”

Nicole explained, “After integrating with you, I can access your memories and receive external information in real time through your senses.”

“So, during… private moments…” Luo Chen felt a bit awkward. Though Nicole was only an intelligent lightbrain, she seemed more like a young woman to him. Having her see things she shouldn’t made him uncomfortable.

“Please don’t worry, Master,” Nicole’s voice reassured him, “I will deactivate sensory sharing during your private moments…”

“Oh, that’s good. Thank you!” At that, the mental connection was cut once more. Nicole clearly understood what Luo Chen intended to do next.

Feeling relieved, Luo Chen finally let himself go, sighing with pleasure as he did.

Behind him, Shi Feng’s voice suddenly rang out, “Beast, it’s just taking a leak. Can’t you keep it down? Anyone would think you were getting up to something indecent!”

Compared to Nicole’s courtesy, Shi Feng was a real headache. Luo Chen muttered in exasperation, “Birdbrain, can’t you show some respect for my privacy?”

Shi Feng yawned hugely, clapping Luo Chen on the shoulder and nearly making him wet his hand. “Privacy? With the kind of brotherhood we have—sharing even our underwear—talking about privacy is just too formal. Don’t worry, it’s not like I haven’t seen your thing before. Sure, it’s no match for my legendary weapon, but you’ve got a fine piece yourself, no need to be self-conscious!”

It really wasn’t Shi Feng’s fault. This tower had once been a library, and the restrooms were communal by design.

Shi Feng, having finished his business, groaned with even more theatrical pleasure than Luo Chen had, “Ah, that’s good. Damn, I really drank too much last night. Now I’m starting to regret it—my luck with women, my big score… Beast, you owe me!”

“Come on, who was it that kept pushing me to drink? Did you think I wanted to?” Luo Chen shot him the finger as he walked out of the bathroom.

Luo Chen’s schedule was tight. After his performance in the end-of-month test, the mentors of Class Six had unanimously judged him an “Awakened One,” the kind of student who needed well-rounded development. Each instructor required him to set aside time daily for their own curriculum.

The academy’s courses were divided into primary and secondary disciplines. Breathing Technique and Energy Control were the fundamentals, the focus of all students. Each day, significant time was devoted to Master Hogg’s class. To manage time more efficiently, students were grouped by level.

From eight to ten in the morning, students with Level Four psychic energy and above attended Energy Control lessons. Top students of Level Three trained from ten thirty to noon, while lower Level Three and Level Two students had their session from two thirty to four in the afternoon.

The secondary disciplines—Lightness, Martial Technique, Hidden Weapons, Defense—were less rigid. From eight to twelve in the morning and two thirty to five in the afternoon, students could consult their mentors at any time. A student particularly gifted in Hidden Weapons or especially interested in Lightness could spend the whole day with the relevant mentor. This open style of education was typical in most martial academies.

After gathering in the classroom, Luo Chen went first to his Breathing Technique mentor, Hogg—it was time for Hogg to teach him the more advanced Energy Control method.

Energy Control was the art of manipulating spiritual energy flow. With it, martial artists could channel their energy more smoothly and unleash greater power. During the half-hour break after the Energy Control lesson concluded at ten, Hogg gave Luo Chen a private tutorial. To his delight, Luo Chen instinctively managed his energy flow more naturally than any beginner Hogg had ever taught. Even the typical hurdles for newcomers posed no problem for him—he grasped every concept at once. The lesson was so effortless that Hogg could only marvel: the “Awakened Ones” truly were extraordinary.

Next, Luo Chen visited the mentors for Lightness, Martial Technique, Hidden Weapons, and Defense, squeezing in lunch and an hour’s rest as well.

Though Martial Combat wasn’t as essential as Breathing Technique for a psychic warrior, it was still an invaluable tool—necessary for travel, self-defense, or battle, whether one-on-one or outnumbered. Every student yearned to master it. Those with the opportunity treated it as a top priority.

At the entry-level academy, there were few students with Level Four psychic energy or higher, so classes weren’t divided by level. The entire afternoon was devoted to Martial Combat tutoring.

After his midday break, Luo Chen arrived at the training ground on time. Besides his own outstanding classmates, he was surprised to see two familiar faces from other classes.

One was the belle of Weston Academy, the renowned beauty Elijie from Class Five. The other was his nemesis, the hypocrite Kevin from Class Four.

The same Martial Combat mentor, Andrew, taught Classes Four, Five, and Six. Both Elijie and Kevin were qualified for the advanced class, so their presence was unremarkable.

Before long, Mentor Andrew arrived. After assembling the students, he announced, “I’m pleased to welcome a new member to our Martial Combat class. This means Weston Academy has produced another outstanding student. Luo Chen, please introduce yourself.”

Luo Chen stepped forward. “I am Luo Chen from Class Six, Year Three. I look forward to learning with you all.”

His introduction was met with scattered applause. Truthfully, everyone already knew who he was. But the group was far from pleased about his addition—Martial Combat was a prestigious circle, and membership was a mark of honor in the academy. Luo Chen, however, was a blot on their reputation. If not for Mentor Andrew’s presence, the others wouldn’t even have bothered to feign politeness.

Andrew understood the students’ coldness. He had Luo Chen return to the ranks, then cleared his throat, saying, “Regardless of your feelings, you’re all classmates here and should help and encourage each other. I don’t want anything to disrupt our unity. Harmony is essential—do you understand?”

“Yes, Mentor Andrew,” came the reply.

But their agreement was perfunctory. None of them cared to be associated with Luo Chen, a notorious disgrace—no one wanted to be mocked for keeping such company.

After a brief dismissal, the students gathered in small groups to discuss combat techniques, leaving Luo Chen isolated and awkward, an outsider among his peers.

“Luo Chen, welcome to the Martial Combat class.” To his surprise, someone actually greeted him warmly. But when Luo Chen saw who it was, his face darkened instantly.

Kevin—the one who professed to live by chivalric ideals but was, in truth, devious and treacherous. Luo Chen’s ruined reputation was all thanks to him.