Douluo Dalu:Shards of Fate

Chapter 11: Pressure

One and a half years had passed since Ryo joined Nuoding Academy. His stay, though uneventful on the surface, had been marked by quiet conflict. Most of the academy's teachings were of little interest to him, and his frequent disagreements with the Grandmaster had left their relationship strained. The man's theories, while broad, were rigid and often limited in scope. Ryo found them lacking and rarely bothered to hide his disdain. Still, his time at the academy had given him the resources and space to strengthen himself—a convenience he intended to use until his departure.

Today, the courtyard was louder than usual. Ryo stood at the edge of a small crowd, his crimson eyes fixed on the commotion unfolding in front of him. Working students and noble students were arguing, their raised voices cutting through the early afternoon air.

At the center of the group stood a girl with long scorpion-braided hair, her posture confident as she faced the nobles. Her eyes sparkled with defiance, a faint pink hue coloring her irises, and her rabbit-like ears twitched slightly as she gestured animatedly. She wore a simple academy uniform, though it did little to hide her spirited personality.

Xiao Wu.

Ryo recognized her immediately, though not from this life. The memories of his past were becoming sharper, more vivid, as his spiritual energy continued to expand. Shendu's lingering influence had heightened his mental clarity, making those once-fragmented memories align more clearly. Xiao Wu, Tang San, Grandmaster… names and faces from the stories and entertainment he once consumed now felt eerily real.

His gaze shifted to another figure entering the field. Tang San.

The boy moved with calm precision, stepping into the middle of the confrontation. His blue-black hair framed a face that was both youthful and composed, his sharp eyes carrying a quiet intensity. He wore the same uniform as the others, but his demeanor set him apart. With a few words, he joined the argument, though his tone remained measured.

The dispute escalated. The nobles were growing louder, their tempers flaring as the working students refused to back down. The tension in the air thickened until one of the nobles, a tall boy with a sneer etched across his face, stepped forward.

"Enough talk. Let's settle this the proper way—with a fight," the noble said, summoning his martial soul.

The working students hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances, but Xiao Wu stepped forward without hesitation. "Fine," she said, her voice light but firm. "We'll teach you a lesson."

The courtyard erupted into action. Martial souls flared to life, glowing rings appearing as the students prepared for battle. Xiao Wu's martial soul—a soft pink rabbit—manifested behind her as she leapt into the fray with a playful grin. Tang San followed, his Blue Silver Grass weaving through the air like living tendrils.

Ryo watched from a distance, his expression unreadable. The crowd cheered and shouted as the fight unfolded, but Ryo's focus was elsewhere. He wasn't watching the techniques or the battle itself; he was observing the familiar faces, comparing them to the memories of his previous life.

Tang San moved with calculated precision, his Blue Silver Grass binding and trapping his opponents effortlessly. Xiao Wu, in contrast, was quick and unpredictable, her martial arts flowing with a strange rhythm that kept the nobles off balance. Together, they overwhelmed their opponents in a matter of minutes.

As the last noble fell, the crowd erupted in cheers, but the noise was cut short as Xiao Wu suddenly collapsed to her knees.

Her face was pale, her body trembling. Her wide eyes darted around the courtyard before locking onto Ryo.

A heavy pressure filled the air, radiating from Ryo's direction. Though he hadn't moved from his spot, his aura had surged without warning, washing over the courtyard like a suffocating wave. Xiao Wu clutched her chest, her breathing shallow as she struggled to stay upright.

Tang San noticed her state immediately, his sharp eyes narrowing as he turned toward the source of the pressure. His gaze met Ryo's, and for the first time, his calm expression faltered.

"Who... are you?" Tang San muttered under his breath, his instincts warning him of the danger in front of him.

Ryo said nothing. He simply stood there, his crimson eyes fixed on Tang San. The pressure increased, and Tang San instinctively reached into his sleeve, pulling out a hidden weapon.

The weapon shot forward, spinning through the air with deadly precision. But before it could reach Ryo, it melted away, the shards of glass surrounding Ryo intercepting it mid-flight. One shard flew forward, stabbing into Tang San's leg with pinpoint accuracy.

Tang San hissed in pain, falling to one knee as blood seeped from the wound. The crowd fell silent, their cheers replaced with murmurs of confusion and fear.

Before the situation could escalate further, a loud voice cut through the tension.

"Enough!"

Grandmaster stepped into the courtyard, his face dark with anger as his gaze shifted between Ryo and Tang San. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

The crowd parted as Grandmaster approached, his expression growing colder as he took in the scene. Tang San's bleeding leg, Xiao Wu's trembling form, and the faint traces of Ryo's aura lingering in the air made it clear what had happened.

"Ryo," Grandmaster said, his tone low and dangerous. "To my office. Now."

The Dean's office was uncomfortably quiet. Ryo sat in a chair near the door, his posture relaxed despite the tension in the room. Grandmaster stood near the window, his arms crossed as he glared at Ryo. Tang San and Xiao Wu were seated nearby, the former's leg hastily bandaged.

The Dean, seated behind his desk, sighed heavily. "Ryo," he began, his tone weary, "this behavior cannot be ignored. You've been a troublemaker since the day you arrived, but this—"

"I've already applied for early graduation," Ryo interrupted, his voice calm.

The room fell silent.

Grandmaster frowned. "You what?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Ryo continued, leaning back in his chair. His tone was almost mocking as he glanced between Grandmaster and Tang San. "You won't need to deal with me anymore."

Grandmaster's face turned red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Tang San lowered his gaze, clenching his fists tightly.

"This embarrassment…" Tang San muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "I'll return it tenfold."

Ryo smirked, standing and brushing off his clothes. Without another word, he walked toward the door, his glass box martial soul flickering faintly around him.

The tension in the room remained heavy long after he was gone.