Bab 16: Chapter 16 Social Recluse
"Splash!"
Currently Mo Xiaowen was in a small creek. After running into the group the Elder had commanded him to wash up and then make his way to the arena. 'I've brought a calamity on myself, haven't I?' The boy pondered, as he continued scrubbing himself.
Just as he was about to leave the creek he suddenly heard a disturbance. "Who's there?" Mo Xiaowen asked, submerging himself further into the creek. He wasn't very keen on having a random person look at him while naked.
There was no response. He then decided to wait a few minutes, before shaking his head. "Haa, must have been my imagination." Letting out a sigh, he couldn't help but think about the battle that awaited him.
Never in his life had Mo Xiaowen been in a fight before. Much less against a genius from a Noble Clan. Not only that, but he assumed his opponent would also be in the 5th Stage. And it was no small feat to be at the 5th Stage at their age so it only meant one thing, his opponent would be a genius among geniuses.
'Its all a matter of perspective. If I look at the fight as inflicting pain on my opponent then I won't perform optimally. However if I look at them as an obstacle between me and my Body Tempering Pills....heh, nothing will stand in my way.' He convinced himself before exiting the creek and dressing himself.
Having finished dressing himself, Mo Xiaowen was about to head towards the arena when once again he heard a disturbance. This time he was sure there was someone there. Rushing in the direction of the sound, Mo Xiaowen's face immediately turned red.
"Ahem, why is a student of the Royal Academy spying on me." Mo Xiaowen asked, glancing at the girl in front of him. She had golden hair and blue eyes, but that wasn't what concerned Mo Xiaowen. This girl was the one whose brother smiled at him.
'Don't tell me she's checking me out in her brother's stead?' The boy couldn't help but shiver slightly at this thought.
"I-I wasn't spying on you. While exploring this place I accidentally came across you, that is all." The girl replied with a slight stutter of embarrassment. Hearing this Mo Xiaowen was put at ease. Regardless of the reasoning at least she wasn't here for her brother.
"Hmm, okay. Either way I need to head to the arena now. Good bye." Mo Xiaowen said before heading off. Seeing as the girl meant no harm there was no point in pursuing the matter, besides what could he do anyway?
"Wait up, can you show me the way to the arena?" She asked, catching up to Mo Xiaowen.
"Huh? Sure, you weren't shown where it was earlier?" Mo Xiaowen replied. his wet hair sticking to his forehead.
"Well, we were, I just forgot....." She muttered, an awkward silence then ensued. Glancing back at the girl, Mo Xiaowen wasn't sure what to say, he then noticed an odd golden badge attached to her uniform with a dragon engraved on it.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's that badge?" He asked out of curiosity.
"Ah, unlike the Demonic Cliff Sect we of the Royal Academy are immediately divided into Classes, being Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Naturally Bronze is the lowest while Gold is the highest. As you can guess my badge means I am in the Gold Class." The girl said with a hint of pride.
On the other hand Mo Xiaowen couldn't help but hold a look of shock in his eyes. For her to be in the Gold Class meant she probably not only held high talent but an unmatched background.
"Now that you've asked me a question, its my turn to ask you one. Until today I've never heard of you, where are you from and how old are you?" She inquired, a curious look in her eyes.
"Well I was born in the Outer City Black Feather and lived there for the first 12 years of my life. Right now I am 13 years old. Everyone in batch 898 is 13." Mo Xiaowen gave a reply while also trying to be somewhat informative.
"Oh that's interesting, I visited Black Feather once before. I remember it being filled with books everywhere." The girl noted, clearly reminiscing somewhat.
Mo Xiaowen especially felt nostalgic when talking about Black Feather. He'd have to go back there some day.
Sometime later the two arrived at the arena. "We're a bit late, you go in first, I'll follow after." Mo Xiaowen said as he gazed upon the massive walled structure.
"Mhm okay. Good luck Mo Xiaowen, I hope my brother doesn't beat you up too much." She chuckled before walking into the arena. Hearing this Mo Xiaowen mouth twitched slightly.
'Haiz, this is why I don't talk to girls, they're all so weird.' Mo Xiaowen shook his head, before waiting for another minute or two. He then entered the arena.
A supervisor who was stationed at the entrance told him where to go and handed him a seat number. For now he wouldn't have to duel, because batches 899, and 897 were the first to go up.
Finding his seat, the disciples all had various reactions when they saw him. Some cheered, others sneered, while some simply ignored him. Sitting down in his seat, Mo Xiaowen gazed at the stage below he was quite curious to see how the battles would be held.
"Seems we're fated." Mo Xiaowen heard a voice coming from the seat on his right. Looking at the boy Mo Xiaowen sat there stumped for a few seconds until he remembered who it was.
"Ah yes, Xiao Hua right? I hope you were happy with the Body Tempering Pill." Mo Xiaowen replied with a smile on his face. Xiao Hua was the boy he had traded the Body Tempering Pill for Body Tearing Grasses with.
He had been quite helpful back then so Mo Xiaowen remembered him fondly. "Mhm, every little bit counts, I've also heard that those Body Tearing Grasses are coming in handy." Xiao Hua muttered not knowing how to look at Mo Xiaowen.
At this point everyone in batch 898 had heard Mo Xiaowen's screams, it was hard to miss them after all. "...Ahem yes they did." Mo Xiaowen coughed before settling into silence.
Today alone he had talked more than he had in the entire month, and each conversation was more awkward than the last. Before he had never considered himself a social recluse but he was considering becoming one.
'Haa, hopefully these battles can just pass quickly so I can get my Body Tempering Pills and get back to my training.'
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone