Chapter 12: The Overpowered Prodigy
A Close Call
Yu Li barely dodged the sword strike, relying purely on instinct.
“Want to keep going?”
Ai Xinglan held her stance, sword in hand, asking for Yu Li’s decision.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Yu Li’s neck as she glanced at the rapier that had nearly grazed her.
Having seen Ai Xinglan fight before and already thinking highly of her, Yu Li now realized she was even stronger than imagined—and this was just her swordsmanship.
But Yu Li wasn’t ready to admit defeat.
“So gentle, Xiao Ai. But don’t underestimate me, okay?”
Yu Li touched her neck, stepping back swiftly.
Her eyes shifted to vertical slits, signaling she was getting serious.
“Is that so? Then I won’t hold back.”
Ai Xinglan sheathed her sword and vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Yu Li.
In a flash, she unleashed three strikes—two to restrict Yu Li’s movements, the third aimed at a vital point, as if to end the spar.
Yu Li twisted her body, dodging the first two strikes.
The deadly third strike came rushing in, but she didn’t move, standing her ground.
Just as the sword was about to hit, a burst of black flames blocked its path, wrapping around the blade and creeping upward.
Seeing the flames approach, Ai Xinglan instinctively retreated, shaking her sword, but the strange black fire clung stubbornly, unlike any ordinary flame.
She glanced at Yu Li in surprise, only to see her smiling confidently, as if victory was assured.
“You’ve surprised me, but underestimating your opponent isn’t a good habit.”
Ai Xinglan pressed her sword against the ground, her cherry-red eyes glowing faintly.
With a tremor, the flames on her blade were forced downward, as if pushed by an unseen force.
“Hm~ Xiao Ai’s not so easy to deal with, as expected.”
Seeing Ai Xinglan dispel the flames, Yu Li formed a gripping gesture with both hands.
Two clusters of black flames materialized, shaping into twin short blades.
Holding them, she pointed at Ai Xinglan.
“Round two, then.”
A Fierce Exchange
Both charged forward, rapier clashing against short blades in a shower of sparks.
Ai Xinglan’s swordsmanship clearly outclassed Yu Li’s, her movements fluid and precise.
Even with her flame-forged blades, Yu Li could only barely parry the relentless attacks.
Noticing Yu Li holding her own, Ai Xinglan’s lips curved into a smile.
Her strikes quickened, the sword light growing sharper, forcing Yu Li into a steady retreat.
As Ai Xinglan’s attacks grew faster, the flame blades reached their limit, cracks spreading across them.
Seizing the moment, Ai Xinglan gripped her rapier with a reverse hold and thrust with immense force.
Yu Li crossed her blades to block, barely withstanding the heavy blow.
The impact shattered the flame blades into a burst of embers.
But Ai Xinglan didn’t let her guard down, preparing an even sharper strike through the flames toward Yu Li.
Yet the attack pierced only fire—Yu Li’s figure was gone.
“Xiao Ai, I win.”
Suddenly, Ai Xinglan found herself surrounded by countless black flame orbs.
Yu Li stood to the side, a relaxed smile on her face, with a panting little fox—her summoned beast, Liuli—perched on her shoulder.
Liuli, absent throughout the spar, had been biding its time, setting up an ambush.
“Using close combat to hide your real goal, huh?”
Ai Xinglan showed no frustration, instead smiling at Yu Li.
“Not bad.”
“Hmph, underestimate me, and even you’ll lose, Xiao Ai.”
“Is that so?”
Ai Xinglan sheathed her sword, standing tall, her cherry-red eyes glowing again.
In an instant, Yu Li felt it—an overwhelming weight, pinning her in place, making movement impossible.
Struggling to look up, she saw her floating flames dropping uncontrollably to the ground.
“Ugh…”
As the weight intensified, Yu Li’s head bowed, her body refusing to obey.
Even her fingers wouldn’t move, and Liuli, unable to endure, fled back to its space.
“Give up?”
Ai Xinglan asked.
“Mm…”
Yu Li gritted her teeth, squeezing out a reluctant hum.
Cough, cough…
The moment she yielded, the crushing weight lifted.
Yu Li collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
Ai Xinglan hurried over, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe Yu Li’s sweat, her eyes filled with concern and guilt.
“Sorry, are you okay?”
“…Hmph.”
“Yu, Yu Li?”
“You cheating stat monster!”
Yu Li’s eyes burned with frustration.
In that spar, she’d dug into the Yu family’s inherited techniques just to hold Ai Xinglan back in close combat.
Even then, it made no difference.
“W-Well…”
Ai Xinglan, unused to Yu Li’s rare pouty outburst, fumbled for words.
Teacher’s Praise
Clap, clap, clap—
“Not bad, both of you.”
Sudden applause broke Ai Xinglan’s fluster.
Teacher Wu approached, clapping as he looked at the two who’d finished their spar.
“The new student’s close-combat skills and tactics are impressive, though she lacks knowledge about Ai’s abilities.”
He first critiqued Yu Li, then turned to Ai Xinglan.
“As for you, Ai Xinglan, your swordsmanship has improved again, and your ability control is flawless. If I’m not mistaken, you’re already halfway to high-tier, aren’t you?”
Ai Xinglan nodded lightly at his words.
“Hahaha, excellent!”
Teacher Wu laughed heartily, pleased with her confirmation.
Yu Li stared at Ai Xinglan in shock.
She’d been siphoning Ai Xinglan’s emotions to boost her strength, yet from awakening until now, she’d only gone from beginner to mid-tier beginner.
Meanwhile, Ai Xinglan, her peer, was nearing high-tier—a full rank above her.
Even in the school’s upper division, high-tier students were rare.
No wonder no one dares to spar with Xiao Ai…
Teacher Wu rubbed his bald head, flashing a terrifying grin at the students who’d stopped to watch.
“Those two put on a good show. Now it’s your turn. Anyone who doesn’t satisfy me stays after class for one-on-one training!”
“What?!”
The spectating students erupted in panic.
“Get to it!”
No one wanted to face the devilish Teacher Wu alone.
The students scrambled to resume their sparring.
“As for you two, you can rest.”
Teacher Wu glanced at them and waved them off.
“Yes, Teacher.”
Ai Xinglan responded, then turned to Yu Li.
“Um… Yu Li, want to rest over there?”
She asked tentatively, worried Yu Li might be upset.
“Pfft, Xiao Ai, why the weird face?”
Yu Li burst out laughing, catching Ai Xinglan off guard.
“You’re not mad? I… I got carried away, and everyone at school…”
Ai Xinglan’s expression dimmed, her gaze cautious.
Before she could finish, Yu Li pressed a finger to her lips.
“If you really couldn’t hold back, I’d have gone from Yu Li to Yu Li sauce by now. And I’m not just ‘everyone at school.’”
Yu Li hooked her arm around Ai Xinglan’s, leaning close to whisper in her ear.
“Me, Yu Li—aren’t I supposed to be Xiao Ai’s pampered… little pet? Stop saying boring stuff and be your old self again…”
“Ugh! W-What are you saying, you idiot?!”
Ai Xinglan’s face flushed red, her shyness amplified by being at school.
“Hm, that’s more like Xiao Ai~”
Seeing her blush, Yu Li grinned with satisfaction.
“What the—you dummy! I’m… I’m going to rest over there!”
Ai Xinglan bolted, flustered.
“Hey, wait for me!”
As Yu Li chased after her, Teacher Wu’s words echoed in her mind.
Do I… not know Xiao Ai well enough?