Ben stood casually in the courtyard outside Dorm Seven, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he looked at the girl in front of him with mild curiosity. Xiao Wu, pink-eyed and full of spirit, brushed her bangs aside and took a step forward with a hop. Her expression was eager and competitive—exactly the kind of person who'd challenge the dorm leader on their first day.
"I'm Xiao Wu, rank twelve, Battle Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit!" she announced cheerfully. A shimmer of light enveloped her as pink rings spun beneath her feet. Her figure seemed to become more agile just from the presence of the spirit ring—leaner, faster, poised like a spring ready to release.
Ben raised a brow but said nothing. His Martial Soul was already active, radiating from within him. His build wasn't flashy, but he carried himself with the ease of someone who knew exactly how strong he was. His spirit power sat comfortably at rank nineteen, though he didn't bother announcing it.
Wang Sheng gave the signal, "Begin!"
Xiao Wu didn't hesitate. In an instant, she burst forward, her steps light and silent, vanishing with a speed surprising for someone her age. Ben watched her with a calm expression, his muscles already subtly tensing.
She appeared at his flank.
"Too slow!" she chirped, bringing her leg in for a sweeping kick toward his side.
But Ben shifted just enough. His right foot slid back and rotated his body—her kick passed barely an inch away from him. Without counterattacking, he studied her movements. She landed, twisted, and jumped again. A flurry of feints, spins, and jabs followed.
She was fast. Really fast.
But Ben had been tempering his body under weighted labor since he was able to and through his spirit skill's passive refinement for 6 months now. His reflexes, balance, and muscle control were at a level no ordinary nine-year-old should possess.
Xiao Wu darted in again—this time her body glowed as her spirit ring activated. "First Spirit Skill! Waist Bow!"
Her figure blurred mid-air, twisting with impossible flexibility. She coiled around his shoulders like a whip and flung herself upward, aiming to use his own weight as leverage to toss him over.
Ben narrowed his eyes.
But just before she could complete the toss, he planted his feet deeper into the ground, bending his knees and shifting his center of gravity. A sharp pulse of control surged through his muscles—he stopped the motion cold.
"What—!?" Xiao Wu gasped.
"Nice try," Ben said coolly.
He reached up and gently tapped her side with his knuckle—not enough to hurt, but enough to signal: I could've countered right here.
Xiao Wu flipped off him in a flash, landing gracefully. Her face lit up with competitive glee. "You're no joke!"
Ben gave a lazy shrug. "Told you I didn't feel like fighting seriously."
"Then start taking it seriously!"
Xiao Wu dashed again—this time, she was even more unpredictable. She'd leap, bounce off a wall, flip mid-air, and feint with a leg only to spin and elbow from the opposite angle. The fight grew fierce. Her control over her agility was exquisite.
But Ben had the edge in sheer reaction speed. With each exchange, he moved just enough to dodge, redirecting her without needing to strike back. He didn't need a flashy technique—his refined body was his technique.
Finally, Xiao Wu vaulted at him for a final roundhouse in mid-air.
Ben pivoted and intercepted—not with a punch, but with a single hand raised.
Her leg hit his palm with a dull thud. His feet didn't move an inch.
Xiao Wu froze mid-kick, eyes wide. Ben held her there, hand firm but not harsh.
"Let's call it a draw," he said, gently pushing her back.
The courtyard air was still charged with the aftershock of their friendly duel. Xiao Wu stood tall—or as tall as a six-year-old could—grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying her victory-by-technicality. Wang Sheng and the others were whispering among themselves, amazed by the battle's outcome, especially how easily Ben had dealt with Xiao Wu's explosive agility without ever needing to go all out.
Ben yawned, arms behind his head as he leaned against the haystack again.
"Alright, I'm calling it," he said lazily. "You can be dorm leader now."
Wang Sheng's head whipped around. "Huh?! Wait, why?"
Xiao Wu blinked. "Wait, really?"
Ben nodded, still staring at the sky. "Yeah. Think about it—she already has her first spirit ring. Her spirit skill's flashy and practical. She's got full innate soul power, probably the best talent out of all of us here. Me? I don't even have a proper spirit skill to show off. And my ring? Can't demonstrate it without a whole explanation."
He stretched his legs. "Might as well let the younger generation lead. I'm getting old."
"You're nine," Wang Sheng said flatly.
Ben ignored him.
Xiao Wu bounced up to him, beaming. "Then from now on, everyone has to call me Big Sister Xiao Wu!"
There was a long pause.
Ben slowly turned his head, eyes hollow with immediate regret. "I take it back."
Wang Sheng snorted, trying to hide a laugh.
"Nope! Too late!" Xiao Wu put her hands on her hips, triumphant. "You gave up your throne, now the queen takes the seat!"
Ben sighed, grumbling something unintelligible as he sank deeper into the hay.
This was going to be a long year.