Volume One: The Dragon Soul Awakens Chapter 10: Discharged from the Hospital

"Use me?" Mo Xing asked in confusion.

"I was just guessing," Cai Hong replied with a laugh. "Don't take it to heart."

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Mo Xing and Cai Hong turned to look as Shiyan, Mianhua, and a doctor entered the room.

"This is Doctor Bai," Shiyan introduced. "He's been in charge of your treatment during your stay."

"Oh, I see." Mo Xing greeted him politely, extending a hand. "Hello, Doctor Bai."

"Hello there, young comrade, ha ha ha," Doctor Bai responded warmly, shaking Mo Xing's hand. Suddenly, a faint turquoise glow appeared in his palm, startling Mo Xing.

"What... what is that?" Mo Xing asked.

"It's a kind of healing technique, a skill used to assess a patient's condition," Shiyan explained.

Doctor Bai released his hand. "His condition has stabilized. He can proceed with the discharge formalities now."

"Thank you very much," Shiyan said.

"But remember—" Doctor Bai's expression grew stern.

"Remember what?" Mo Xing asked.

"Drink more hot water," Doctor Bai said with a smile.

"Uh..." Mo Xing was momentarily speechless.

"That's Doctor Bai's catchphrase," Mianhua burst out laughing. "That's why people often call him 'Boiled Water Bai'!"

"You rascal!" Doctor Bai patted Mianhua's shoulder with a grin. "Want me to give you a checkup?"

"No, thanks," Mianhua laughed. "Better save your miraculous hands for those who really need them."

Mo Xing watched them, thinking that the exuberant Mianhua was like a walking ball of sunshine, while the more composed Cai Hong was a living encyclopedia. As for Shiyan, that unspoken feeling—he decided to keep it to himself.

"Finally discharged! Glorious sunshine, here I come!" Mianhua shouted excitedly.

"Didn't you already bask in the sun half an hour ago when you went out for breakfast?" Cai Hong retorted coolly. "And besides, it's Mo Xing who's being discharged, not you. What's got you so excited?"

"You know nothing! That's called empathy!" Mianhua laughed. "Ask Mo Xing if he's excited to be discharged!"

"Not particularly," Mo Xing replied calmly, prompting a burst of laughter from Cai Hong.

"Really? Can't you be a little less blunt?" Mianhua was exasperated. He turned to Mo Xing. "Could you at least play along with my performance?"

"Sorry, I'm not much of an actor," Mo Xing replied.

"You—!" Mianhua was at a loss for words.

Even Shiyan couldn't help but smile.

"By the way, Mo Xing," Shiyan said, "today is the last practical class before the assessment..."

"What?" Mo Xing was surprised. "Why is the course progressing so quickly?"

Shiyan hesitated for a moment. "Actually, from the time you were brought here unconscious to when you woke up, four whole days have passed!"

"What?!" Mo Xing, Shiyan, Mianhua, and Cai Hong stood at the hospital entrance, unaware that upstairs, Doctor Bai was watching them from the window, a smile on his face.

In the corner of the room, a man sat fiddling with pieces on a chessboard. Apart from his hands, his whole being was shrouded in shadow.

"What move comes next?" Doctor Bai asked.

The man set down a chess piece.

"Wait and see."

Two o'clock in the afternoon, Hades Training Grounds.

"Who are those people sitting over there?"

"I think they're the seniors!"

"They don't have class this afternoon, so they came to watch us."

"Then we need to practice even harder!"

While the freshmen nearby chattered excitedly, Mo Xing, who wore a mask, stood quietly to the side, lost in thought about what had happened at lunch.

At lunch, he, Shiyan, Mianhua, and Cai Hong had just sat down to eat in the Poli dining hall when someone ran over with a camera, asking for a photo. Before he could respond, a crowd gathered, clamoring for pictures. Some even asked Mo Xing for tips on how to turn the tables.

Unable to refuse, he agreed to the photos. In the end, it was Shiyan who intervened, warning them that if they blocked the dining hall and disrupted the environment, the student council would record their names and deduct points. Only then did the "fanatical" admirers reluctantly disperse.

Because of this, Mo Xing had to wear a mask to the practical class, lest he be recognized again.

Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

"Who is it?"

He turned quickly and found Teacher Apocalypse standing there, smiling with a staff in hand.

"Teacher Apocalypse..." Mo Xing said.

"Class is starting, everyone!"

Teacher Apocalypse clapped, and the students all turned their heads.

"Teacher Apocalypse! You're here!"

"Hey, isn't that..."

"That's Mo Xing! It's him!"

"Whoa! My little idol!"

As his classmates started discussing animatedly, Mo Xing was completely stunned. Teacher Apocalypse had set him up!

"Everyone already recognizes you. What's the point of the mask?" Teacher Apocalypse smiled.

Resigned, Mo Xing removed his mask.

A few students walked over, and Mo Xing found their faces familiar.

"Mo Xing, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have insulted you before, and I definitely shouldn't have kicked you," one student, still visibly injured, bowed deeply. "I was wrong. Please forgive me!"

"Sorry! We shouldn't have mocked you either," the others echoed, bowing in unison. "We were wrong too. Please forgive us!"

Mo Xing was utterly bewildered.

"Please forgive us!" they all said together.

Teacher Apocalypse glanced at Mo Xing. He scratched his head, thought for a moment, and bowed as well.

"I wasn't entirely blameless either. We're all classmates—let's be more understanding from now on!"

"Thank you, Mo Xing!" they chorused.

A round of enthusiastic applause broke out among the students. Mo Xing slowly raised his head. In truth, he couldn't remember who these classmates were—perhaps he had accidentally hurt them while unconscious—so an apology was necessary.

"Alright," Teacher Apocalypse announced. "This is your last practical class before the assessment. You've all pretty much mastered your weapons by now, right?"

"Yes!" everyone responded eagerly.

"Teacher Apocalypse," Mo Xing whispered, "I still haven't quite figured out how to use a weapon..."

"As Mo Xing missed the last two classes due to personal matters," Teacher Apocalypse paused, "today's lesson will be sparring with him."

"What? Sparring?"

"Are you serious, Teacher Apocalypse?"

"He's so strong—who could beat him?!"

"Yes. This way, Mo Xing can catch up quickly, and you can all identify your own weaknesses," Teacher Apocalypse explained. "It doesn't matter if you can't win; you can fight him in turns and wear him out."

"Come on..." Mo Xing muttered helplessly.

"Good idea, Teacher Apocalypse!" the students agreed enthusiastically.

"Wait, what weapon am I supposed to use?" Mo Xing asked.

Without a word, Teacher Apocalypse handed him the staff he was holding.

"A staff?" Mo Xing was puzzled. "So which path am I supposed to take in the future?"

"Your explosive power is outstanding, but you have deficiencies in other areas. Still, you have a unique ability to control objects," Teacher Apocalypse replied.

"So I recommend you pursue—" Teacher Apocalypse paused for effect.

"Elemental Mage!"