School Days? School CHAOS!
The Training Hall Area was impressive. It has an arena that reminded Beiyue of Colosseum... except without the tall rows of seat. And it was square, not a circle.
People were training here. Not at the arena, no, around it. Fellow students like her, with a teacher overseeing their training. Beiyue wonders, does Dongling's class trained here too? How about Zhonglei? The arena is big enough for a duel, but not for training a whole class. Beiyue bet a thousand gold most summoner pick large-sized summons for a show of strength. Where does his course train their beast coordination? She has to ask them later.
Then the other teacher noticed their existence. "Oh, if it isn't Teacher Guo." He greeted.
Teacher Lei's expression fall, even though the smile was still in his face. "Ah, Teacher Lei." It was clear to her that he's trying to hide his distaste and jealousy. Hm. Used to be classmates perhaps? Rivalry? "This is the first day at school. I am just showing these young masters the Training Hall."
"Is that so? Then do you care for a little competition?"
"Competition? No. It's not necessary." Teacher Guo quickly said. "You can just give us some tips."
Yeah. Beiyue thought. No way her class can compete. Hell no! They are having only the basic martial arts, unlike these tru-blu warriors with experience and years of learning under their belt. The Infirmary would be full of injured students!
"So that be it. Meng'er, show them some tricks."
The crowd parted, open a way for a petite girl who was revered as the leader. Beiyue raised an eyebrow. She knows that facial features. It quite resembles that idiot ex-fiance of her. The whispers from her classmate confirmed it. Xue Meng. Xue Che's younger sister. Two peas in a pod with her brother in terms of personality. How troublesome. Beiyue thought she was done with the Xue. Apparently not.
She really shouldn't take Mount Archery Class.
Xue Meng bowed to Yingye, thankfully didn't recognize Beiyue. Flashing a pretty (arrogant) smile, she began a series of movements. Her short-skirted dress (by this world standard) flared around her hip as she twisted her body around. Exposing her beauty to the max.
The students were impressed and (for male students) mesmerized by her beauty and grace.
Not Beiyue, though, who was NOT impressed in the slightest. In fact, she resists the urge to yawn.
Those are not movements of a true martial artist. Those are the movement of stage practitioner. A show(wo)man.
Oh sure, you can turn a martial arts into a form of art. It could go two ways. 'Oh lookie! Cool movement!' kind of art, or 'holy shit! That could kill me in no time flat!'.
Xue Meng was the former.
"These movements are quite simple, anyone wants to practice with me?" She finished with an arrogant smile. Looking down at the fearful face of Imperial Academy students, she feels proud and good... until she someone who was scowled at her. "How about you there?" She pointed at the 'pretty boy' with long hair.
Beiyue was offended. So offended she jerkily shook her head. Unable to trust her voice.
She was aware Luoluo and Yingye felt it. Hell, her entire class and Teacher Guo definitely felt it with the way they flinched and subtly inched away from her. Teacher Guo quickly excused them with some excuse for continuing the tour or something, leading the class away from the area.
They were shown several other features in the Warrior course before returned to their 'classroom'.
Everyone was trying to not engage her in conversation, afraid of her. That is until Luoluo happens.
"You're angry."
"I'm disgusted." Furious too.
"At Xue Meng's arrogance?"
"More like at what she shows us today."
"Eh?"
Beiyue turned to Yingye. "Cousin. Say, have you ever see your brother's training? Like solo training in martial art without an opponent? Can you describe it?"
"Well..." Yingye frowned, tried to recall her memories. "If I wasn't mistaken, brother would act as if he was fighting an invisible enemy."
"Exactly." Beiyue snapped her finger. "When you have no sparring partner, you imagine you were fighting an enemy. You move fast trying to hit the said enemy. Did Xue Meng act like that? No. She didn't. She put up a show. A flashy show nonetheless. Her movements weren't of actual fighting skill, but a bastardized version of it. One that she knew would amplify her charm. And she had the gall to ask us to practice those movements. Bitch!" She spat. "If anyone were to try it, it would only end badly for them. Best case scenario? Twisted ankle. Worst case scenario? Someone is bound to have their neck broken. Martial Arts is designed to defend ourselves from harm, not causing us harm."
Everyone balked at that.
"Surely you're overthinking it, Princess?" One of the students asked.
Beiyue stared at her with a deadpan expression. "Remember the twist she done with one leg? That requires strong core, balance, and agility. Failing so, even if only in one field, and you will fall. Not only you will made fool out of yourself, but you will have to be carried to infirmary. Sure, your neck might be not broken. But sprained ankle? Dislocated shoulder? Yes." After all, it was performed on a cold, hard, stone-ground, not padded floor. "I bet you a gold coin Xue Meng know it and trying to goade you. She has a nasty reputation, isn't she? Thank god no one rises to the bait."
Tsuna may not a martial artist expert like Ryohei, Lussuria, grown-up I-Pin, or better yet, Fon. She also not a savage trigger-hitting-happy like Kyoya. But hand-to-hand combat was her favorite fighting skill. As such, she was disgusted beyond belief at what Xue Meng showed at them today. If Fon was here, he either would weep or kill Xue Meng. Probably both in that order. He took teaching martial arts very seriously.
Her classmates, upon letting her word sinks in, turned pale.
Had they does rise to the bait, they would only hurt and made fool of themselves! After all, how could they compete against a Warrior Course student? On their first day nonetheless!
Teacher Guo, on other hand, was pissed.
Princess Beiyue was right. That girl tried to make fool out of HIS class! Just because she has great backing and was Teacher Lei's favorite pupil! Like teacher like student!
He resolves the tension by showing them the CORRECT movement, going as far as giving them tips to do if the movement feels awkward for their body or if they were losing footings or something. If they want to replicate it, he's going to make sure they perform the REAL one. The ones that won't risk his student's life if they tried it in combat.
The class ended with the students has some new gossip.
~X~
"For someone who doesn't want to cause a problem, you're making quite a wave," Zhonglei commented while making dinner. It was his turn to cook today. "Do you know that people were talking about you? That for all you look like a young man instead proper princess, you care about your classmate's safety."
Beiyue snorted. "You don't know half of it."
"Enlighten us then, O Wise One."
Rolling her eyes, Beiyue recounts how her riding class goes.
"Ribbons? Ribbons? Who in their sane mind think the ribbon-decorated dress is suitable riding outfit?" Asked Zhonglei incredulous. "That was, like, asking to get strangled with those! Did she dropped on her head as a baby or something?" He knew girls want to be pretty, hell, he nagged Beiyue to wear more girly things, but ribbons on what basically battle uniform is Stupid with capital 'S'.
"I know right?!" Beiyue threw her hands.
You do NOT wear unnecessary accessories if you go to battle. They are just liability. If you want to wear accessories, ensure that they either a) not go in the way, or b) additional weapon. Ribbon, especially pretty looking thin ribbon to make dresses look pretty, was neither of those. Kanzashi, yes, they can work as a surprise weapon. Ribbons? NO!
Her bandages were a different story. They're here to secure her sleeve, and they can be used for first aid in case someone gets injured. They have purposes.
"I want to be surprised, but I am not." Scowled Dongling. "Given what sorts of rumor I heard."
There was supposedly a girl a year above her. A commoner girl who got talent. People call her talented and beautiful. Then Xue Meng who heard it become jealous. She roused up her followers and beat the girl until she has to be brought to the infirmary.
The girl was a no-show since then. Traumatized.
"Gee. The more I hear about Xue Clan, the more I'm convinced they're loose cannon. Cousin Jing seriously needs to distance himself from them before their messes bite him in the ass." Beiyue shook her head. "Would you be alright? After all, if words got around that not only you are a commoner but a privileged maid..."
Dongling smiled. "Don't worry miss. I'll be fine." After all, she has plans for Xue Meng, and for her plan to be successful, she needs that chit to notice her.
It was laughably easy, actually. Just slip up that she was a commoner with a backer. Haughty nobles look down those below her stations, thinking they're the big fish. A little show hand-to-hand of what she can do (because of course her course have unarmed combat training—who the idiot who limited themselves to weapon training?) and the arrogant brat come at her. Stomping and glaring.
"I've heard some poor commoner get lost here." She approaches Dongling during break time between classes. "Do you need assistance finding your way out?"
Dongling glanced at her, and resist the urge to snort. Wow. She carries cavalry. "Oh no. No need to." She replied and walked past by. Her instinct, honed by facing danger time and time again, warned her about an attack from behind. Dongling takes three steps to the left, avoiding Xue Meng's attack. "Yes? Is there something I can help you with?"
"How about you go away?" Sneered Xue Meng. "Lingyang is a place for the gifted, not some waste of space like you."
"That's for the teacher to decide, not you." Dongling rolled her eyes. "After all I passed the entrance test fair and square, so if you have a problem, feel free to take it up to the teachers."
"Watch your tongue, peasant." Snapped Meng. "I am the lineal daughter of Anguo Gong, sister of a four-star summoner and cousin to the First Prince, Prince Jing. You are a mere street brat."
"Wow." Dongling almost looks impressed at the sheer arrogance. Keyword: almost. "As if I'm scared of a little girl who can only riding the coattail of her relatives." She mocked. "I mean, you listed off your relatives' achievement, not yours. That means it was they who truly have power, not you. You are mere brat who gonna throw tantrum if things don't go the way you want it to be."
Hook.
"Ha! As if you're better! You probably sleep with your backer, you slut!"
Dongling raised an eyebrow. "Wow. What a foolishness. Have I ever said my backer was a man?" She drawled. "As for the record, I actually earned my backings because I have skills. You? As I said before and I'll say again, you are merely riding your relatives' coattail. No skill on your own. And since you mention bribery... do you bribe your way in?"
Line
"You...!"
"What? Do you gonna order your lackeys to beat this poor me? Oh my. Is the famous Xue Meng is so weak she needs henchmen? I thought you were supposed to be strong, but it seems I was wrong. I mean, if you are strong, you can do it yourself, don't you?"
And... sink.
"You. And I. Arena. Lunchtime." Hissed Xue Meng, red-faced in anger. "I'll make you regret this." With that, she stomped away, like an agitated brat she was.
Dongling was fully aware they draw quite a scene, and now people are whispering to each other. Let them be. She is not afraid.
After all, Xue Meng almost becomes her miss' sister-in-law had the engagement was not broken. To think such a twat almost become a family... and that arrogance. That girl needs to be knocked down a peg... or a dozen. How she didn't fall at every single step while holding ego the size of Linhuai city, Dongling may never know.
By the time lunch rolled in, almost everyone had known about the news, including students from Imperial College. Dongling saw Miss and Zhonglei among the crowd, stood side-by-side. Both are amused and kind of annoyed.
From the other end of Arena, Xue Meng emerges. She was glaring at Dongling... but compares to beasties she faced in Beiyao, she not even rated a 'meh'.
"Last chance peasant. Grovel and apologize and I may not beat you too badly." She threatened.
Dongling fell into stance she's been using for years. Growling, Meng fell onto her own stance before rushing forward.
Her skill was worthy of C-Rank Silver Class Warrior, sign that at least she does know her skills. She just overestimates what she's capable of.
Dongling, however, readily blocked or redirected the attack. Firmly on the defensive side. The punches and kicks were not as hurt as they were supposed to be since she makes sure to block or redirect them before they could connect with her vital places, such as the neck, face, chest, and abdomen.
Ten minutes of defensive, she saw Meng's attack start to slow down.
That's it!
She got closer, dodging the next punch before grabbing the hand, locking it in place. Hooking her leg with the other girl, Dongling tripped her off and twisted the hand. Now she pins Xue Meng to the floor with one hand twisted on her back.
"You. Lose." She declares.
The arena erupted in cheers and whistles.
Dongling let her go before turning around. She didn't get five steps before she heard stomped footsteps from behind her.
Crouching down, Dongling avoided the blade. Grabbing the outstretched hand, she flipped the girl and slam her at the ground, followed by knees to the guts.
"This." She hissed. "For being a sore loser." She twists Meng's wrist for one good measure, inciting pained cries from the pinned down girl.
She saw Xue Che look very pissed off and seemingly want nothing but blast Dongling out of existence. She raised an eyebrow at him as if saying 'what? Attack me, I dare you, and I'll show people what Xue Clan is made of' which got him fuming like mad, yet remained rooted in his place.
When they're back to Miss' house, Dongling was one tired, but a very satisfied girl.
Especially when Miss cook all her favorites for dinner.
Life is good.
TBC