Seeing Shen Xiao storm in with an exploding aura, Hao Xian, the Vice Chairman of the Supernatural Club, had already anticipated this.
However, instead of being intimidated, he wore a face full of sheer irritation.
"Understand the situation? What is there to understand about trash like her?"
Hao Xian barked, pointing at the still-prostrate Lu Qingyue.
"The excuses are always the same. 'I didn't sleep well last night so I'm dizzy,' or 'My fingernail might break tomorrow so I can't practice.'"
"I'm sick of hearing that whining! And you, Shen Xiao! This is our club's internal business; you're meddling far too much in other people's affairs!"
Hao Xian looked back at Lu Qingyue with ferocity.
"The instructors might tolerate you, but I won't! As Vice Chairman, I declare you EXPELLED. Pack your things and kick rocks from this academy today!"
Lu Qingyue bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back tears so that her remaining dignity wouldn't crumble entirely.
"I'm sorry... cough, cough... I'm sorry, Shen Xiao. I've let you down. My abilities truly are unworthy."
"I didn't even pass the basic exam, I can't accompany you on missions. Find another teammate who is more useful."
Shen Xiao knelt beside her, his previously cold eyes suddenly softening for a moment.
"Don't say another word. Sit over there and rest. Let me handle this."
"But—"
"No buts. Do you want to go home in such a humiliating way? Listen, just sit and watch. I'm the one who will stand for you; I'm the one who will settle this bastard!"
Ding!
[Received Favorability from Lu Qingyue. Reward: 100 Fate Tickets!]
Hao Xian crossed his arms, laughing cynically.
"Fine. I want to see how you're going to 'settle' me. Let's see if this rank-one genius has the ability to make me budge."
"Explain it to you?"
Shen Xiao stood up, looking down at Hao Xian with a demeaning gaze.
"After I beat you until you're on your knees, you'll have plenty of time to listen to my explanation while you're kissing the floor."
"You think you're capable, kid?"
The tension at the edge of the arena drew a crowd.
Shen Xiao was the strongest student in his year, anyone who had ever challenged him in a one-on-one class ended up in the medical room.
But this time was different. Hao Xian was a third-year senior at the peak of Rank 2, while Shen Xiao, despite his talent, was officially still at Rank 1.
The gap in experience and spiritual power was considered far too wide.
Many thought Shen Xiao was being too reckless.
Hao Xian stepped down from the stage, trying to maintain his dignity.
"Shen Xiao, I know you want to show off, but I don't have the time. I have an outside mission tomorrow. If you want to fight, wait until I get back."
"Scared?" Shen Xiao mocked curtly.
"Not scared, it's a matter of efficiency. Use your time to train harder, oh Rank 1 ability user," Hao Xian replied indifferently.
Shen Xiao glanced at Ma Zheng, who was standing trembling beside him.
"Ma Zheng, didn't you just say you wanted to kick this 'Dog Hao's' butt a few times?"
Ma Zheng turned pale instantly, cold sweat pouring down.
"Senior Shen! Don't just say things! Chairman Hao... uh, Senior Hao... I didn't... I never said that!"
Before Ma Zheng could react, Shen Xiao suddenly pulled off Ma Zheng's shoe, which hadn't been washed in six months.
With a lightning-fast motion, Shen Xiao hurled it toward Hao Xian.
SLAP!
Hao Xian managed to catch one shoe, but the other one struck his face dead center.
A pungent, stinging stench immediately filled the air.
Ding!
[Received Favorability from Ma Zheng. Fate Ticket +0.05]
Ma Zheng hurried to retrieve his shoe while bowing repeatedly. "Sorry, Chairman Hao! Don't be angry! My shoes really do smell a bit; please forgive me!"
Hao Xian returned the shoe in disgust. "Not your business! Move!"
Ma Zheng returned to Shen Xiao's side, whispering in pure awe, "Damn, Senior Shen, you're crazy!"
"Throwing a shoe in his face... this will be my story for a whole year! If I had known, I would have stepped in dog poop this morning!"
Ding!
[Received Favorability from Ma Zheng. Fate Ticket +0.05]
"One on one, Rank 2? Still refusing?"
Shen Xiao asked while stretching his body.
Hao Xian trembled with suppressed rage.
His face was flushed beet-red after being insulted with a stinky shoe in public.
"NO!"
Seeing Ma Zheng bringing his shoe back, Shen Xiao casually took it again and-SLAP!-the second throw landed right on Hao Xian's forehead while the man was caught off guard speaking to his club members.
Hao Xian exploded.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU'RE ASKING FOR DEATH!"
The Supernatural Club members immediately held Hao Xian back so he wouldn't charge in.
"Chairman, calm down! This is a provocation! If you attack him without official permission, the Dean will be furious!"
"Shen Xiao, what do you mean by this?! Don't think that just because you hold the title of 'Rookie King' I won't dare to teach you a lesson!" shouted one of the club members.
"Teach me a lesson? Just try it if you can," Shen Xiao challenged.
"Like I said, if you don't accept this, let's have a one-on-one duel."
Hao Xian steadied his racing breath.
"Shen Xiao! If it weren't for the Dean's order forbidding me from touching you, you'd be crushed right now!"
Shen Xiao shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, I remember. The Dean forbade you from physical conflict with me until my strength was equal to yours, right? Because at the start of the semester, you lost a verbal argument with me."
Shen Xiao looked at the crowd and shouted, "I declare the Dean's order void! I personally guarantee I won't report it. This is just a spar between students. Step up, Dog Hao! Or are you really only brave enough to bark in front of a disabled girl?"
"You... you don't even respect the Dean! You're so arrogant!" Hao Xian stammered.
"Sorry, having talent lets me do whatever I want. I'm even brave enough to insult the Dean to his face, let alone a mere vice chairman like you," Shen Xiao cut him off.
"Listen, the school rules state, the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Supernatural Club are held by the strongest."
"Today, I challenge you for your seat. You have no reason to refuse unless you're dying."
Hao Xian went silent, his face darkening.
He hadn't expected Shen Xiao to use that ancient rule to corner him.
"Why? Are you afraid of losing to a Rank 1 student?" Shen Xiao mocked again.
"Even though you've been here two years longer. Four months ago you were Rank 2, and you're still Rank 2. You haven't developed at all, while I... you will never know what I can do in a single second."
Shen Xiao pointed toward the stage.
"Get up there. Or step down from your position right now out of shame."