NOVEL WEB Chapter 21: SS - 21
Chapter 21: The Auxiliary Soul Master Who Can Escape
At Su Xiao's suggestion, he and Ning Rongrong started a morning run, their destination set for Soutuo City.
"Brother Xiao, I'm so tired. Let's stop and rest, please," Ning Rongrong panted, struggling to keep up.
"Use your soul power for support. Slow down to a jog if you must, but don't stop. We'll take it slow," Su Xiao instructed firmly.
Despite slowing her pace, Ning Rongrong's soul power was depleting faster, and her steps faltered. She was on the verge of giving up when Su Xiao suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Don't give up. It's just the first day. Starting today, we'll do morning exercises like this every day," he said encouragingly.
Feeling his determination, Ning Rongrong forced herself to continue. As she looked at Su Xiao's focused expression, his black hair swaying slightly in the wind, a silly smile formed on her face, and she felt a surge of energy.
After what felt like an eternity, the two finally arrived in Soutuo City. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, they found a small shop and enjoyed a meal. The physical effort made every bite feel like a well-earned reward.
As they prepared to return to the academy, Ning Rongrong suddenly spotted a familiar figure. "Zhuqing?" she asked hesitantly.
Zhu Zhuqing had also run to the city from the academy. Her face was flushed, and her sweat-dampened hair clung to her skin.
Ning Rongrong tugged on Su Xiao's sleeve. "Brother Xiao, should we wait for Zhuqing and go back together?"
Su Xiao shook his head. "Forget it." He started walking away. He knew Zhu Zhuqing was strong-willed and reserved. Inviting her might only make her uncomfortable.
On the way back, Su Xiao carried two bundles of fodder and over ten kilograms of meat for Xiao Bai, more than enough for a day's meals.
When they returned to the academy, Flender was already there, and Zhu Zhuqing had arrived ahead of them.
"We were waiting for you two. Where'd you go on a date so early in the morning?" Dai Mubai teased with a grin.
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed as she quickly joined the group. Meanwhile, Su Xiao stored the food and whistled for Xiao Bai, who trotted over to eat.
Ning Rongrong whispered to Xiao Wu, "Who's that guy with the peach blossom eyes? I don't think I've seen him before."
Xiao Wu replied, "Oscar. He shaved his beard. I didn't recognize him at first either, but when he conjured a sausage and recited his soul spell..." She trailed off, looking slightly embarrassed.
Ning Rongrong's expression darkened as she remembered the previous day. "Stop talking about it, Xiao Wu. It's disgusting."
Xiao Wu quickly changed the subject. "So, where did you and Stinky Su Xiao go this morning? You're both covered in sweat, and Zhuqing too."
"It was a secret training session between Brother Xiao and me. We ran into Zhuqing on the way back," Ning Rongrong replied, keeping it brief.
Meanwhile, Flender began announcing Shrek Academy's rules.
"I'm Dean Flender. Each of you needs to pay a tuition fee of 100 gold coins to Teacher Li, who handles finances.
"Tonight, we'll have our first class.
"Oscar, your training today is physical conditioning. You're allowed to use your martial spirit, but you must run twenty laps around the village. Finish before lunch, or you won't get to eat."
Oscar's face twisted in disbelief. "Dean, are you trying to kill me?"
"Teaching students according to their needs," Flender said sternly. "For an auxiliary soul master, survival on the battlefield starts with the ability to escape. Running is the most basic skill."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. The dean's philosophy echoed what Su Xiao had told her that morning: An auxiliary soul master who can't escape isn't a good soul master.
Running an extra step could mean surviving another moment.
Flender continued, "Ning Rongrong, you'll join Oscar in the run. Everyone else is dismissed!"
Ning Rongrong glanced at Su Xiao with determination. Without hesitation, she sprinted out of the village despite her exhaustion from the morning run.
In her heart, she cheered herself on: 'Brother Xiao is doing this for my sake. I can't let him down.'
Oscar, still standing by Flender, pleaded, "Dean, how about we make it ten laps instead? Ning Rongrong's a girl, after all."
Flender's expression turned icy. "Ning Rongrong is already running. What are you still standing here for? Get moving!"
Oscar turned to see Ning Rongrong's white dress disappearing into the distance. Resigned, he muttered under his breath and began his run.
Watching the two set off, Su Xiao finally let out a breath of relief. After spending all morning convincing Ning Rongrong of the importance of physical training, she seemed to have fully embraced it.