Chapter 135: Training

“There is no need for introductions. We already introduced ourselves in the classroom. What I want to ask is, why have you been staring at me this whole time?” Ye Chen asked, sitting face-to-face with her.

At once, the girl before him turned her head away. Watching her do so, the corner of Ye Chen’s mouth twitched.

“Don’t think you can just brush it off.”

Realizing she could not evade the question, Julie stopped pretending and fixed her gaze on him.

“I’m very interested in you. I’m truly very interested in you, Ye Chen.”

As she spoke, she tried to examine him more closely. She crawled toward him from where she sat, inching nearer and nearer to his face. Ye Chen raised a hand and held back her small head. The smooth touch of her hair flowed into his palm.

“Looking is fine, but don’t come so close. It’s a little uncomfortable.”

Finding herself unable to move any nearer, Julie stopped helplessly.

“During the Qualification Ceremony, your technique suppressed me so completely that I couldn’t move. I could still control my body, but my heart lost the courage to move. Mental oppression is even more difficult to withstand than physical oppression. The technique you used gave me the feeling that it was far from simple.”

“Is that so?” Ye Chen had no clear understanding of how strength was classified in different worlds. According to the system’s assessment, however, the highest level among those he had encountered so far was only forty-two. That was Itsuka Kotori, one of the younger sisters he had adopted. Even Tsukumo Sakuya was slightly weaker than her.

Still, if the two of them were to fight, Tsukumo Sakuya would certainly be the final victor. Many factors were involved—not merely combat experience. Most of Sakuya’s abilities had been improved by her own efforts, allowing her to control them freely. Kotori, on the other hand, had been forcibly transformed into a Spirit. For someone at level forty-two, being able to display even half of her strength was already impressive.

As for Julie, who was only level twenty-three, it was only natural that Ye Chen’s sword pressure would have an exceptionally powerful effect on her.

“If you want to learn it, get up early tomorrow and train with me. But if you really want to master it, it may take quite a long time.”

There was no way to calculate how long it would take to truly master sword pressure. Even after all these years, Saeko Busujima had only begun to show signs of learning it.

“That’s wonderful. Thank you so much.”

Delighted by Ye Chen’s agreement, Julie bowed to him. This time, however, she did not merely incline herself slightly as she had before. She bent forward so far that she toppled over, her head landing directly on Ye Chen’s legs.

“What is it with you this time?”

Ye Chen helped Julie’s dazed body sit upright, several dark lines appearing above his head.

“Sorry. Because of the time difference, I’m so sleepy... I’ll go to sleep now, then. Good night.”

The moment she finished speaking, Julie’s head drooped and she began breathing evenly. Her speed in falling asleep left Ye Chen momentarily stunned. He lifted her up and carried her back to her bed.

“She’s so soft and comfortable to hold. Hmm, though she’s still not quite as soft as Little Bai.”

He muttered this as he pulled the blanket over her.

Seeing that it was already late, he yawned and lay down on his own bed, sinking his consciousness into the spatial realm in place of sleep.

The next morning, he emerged from the space within his sword, refreshed and full of energy. A familiar face was hovering extremely close to his own, its beautiful eyes filled with anger. One glance was enough to make a person lose themselves in them.

“Ye Chen, is this the reason you insisted on coming here last night?”

The girl’s melodious voice never became tiresome, no matter how long one listened to it. Ye Chen froze, unable to understand what Bai Ji meant.

But he soon realized. Beside him, a petite figure was curled up, one hand lightly clutching his pajamas as she slept soundly.

Wasn’t that Julie?

Ye Chen clearly remembered placing her in her own bed. How had she suddenly appeared here?

More importantly, he had not noticed her at all. Had these peaceful years truly been so comfortable that even his most basic vigilance had deteriorated?

He quickly climbed out of bed and spread his hands.

“Little Bai, you know me. I didn’t do anything.”

“Of course I know you didn’t do anything. But even if you didn’t do anything, I’m still unhappy! Very unhappy!”

Bai Ji deliberately emphasized the final words, making certain he understood just how angry she was.

“Ugh... ohayou, Ye Chen. Ohayou, Bai Ji.”

Their voices woke Julie, who had been sleeping nearby. Rubbing her eyes, she greeted Ye Chen and Bai Ji in an unhurried manner.

“Ohayou!”

Bai Ji replied without the slightest hint of courtesy, though her voice sounded as if she were grinding her teeth.

“Don’t worry about it. If we don’t hurry, there won’t be much time left for training or breakfast.”

By the time Julie had changed clothes, Ye Chen had already washed and dressed, ready to leave at any moment. Holding Bai Ji in his arms, he gently stroked her hair while urging Julie to hurry.

“Okay.”

Julie answered and sped up her preparations.

“She’s coming to train with us too?” Bai Ji asked reluctantly, still sulking.

“Yes. We agreed on it yesterday.”

...

After washing up, they left the dormitory. The sky was still dark, and dawn had yet to appear in the east. The academy’s training field was quiet. Most people were still dreaming at that hour, and no one would disturb them.

When they arrived, two people were already waiting there.

Saeko Busujima repeatedly drew and swung her sword. After hundreds and thousands of repetitions, she showed no intention of stopping, and her attacks grew faster and faster.

Tachibana Kanade stood with both hands clasped in prayer. Faint points of light could be seen appearing across her body, only to be absorbed into her at once.

“Ohayou, Ye Chen.”

A blue-haired figure suddenly appeared beside the three of them and greeted him.

Ye Chen immediately returned the greeting. Considering Shiina’s normally aloof personality, it was remarkably rare for her to say good morning to him.

Although they called it training together, in reality Saeko was the one instructing Julie. Julie’s petite body leapt as lightly as though it had no weight, dancing through the air with extraordinary grace. Yet every time, she was unable to withstand Saeko’s attack. For Saeko, striking Julie was simplicity itself.

As long as she predicted where Julie would land after a jump, Julie had no way to evade her. Her combat skills were also a level below Saeko’s, leaving her completely overwhelmed from beginning to end.

Taking advantage of her dual-wielding style, Julie blocked one of Saeko’s ordinary strikes with both swords. With her other blade, she thrust toward Saeko’s chest.

Saeko barely reacted. She withdrew the flame fang in her hand—a weapon resembling a wooden sword—and immediately unleashed two crossing slashes. The impact left Julie’s arms numb.

With a shift of her feet, Saeko moved behind Julie and placed the back of the wooden blade against her neck.

Only then did Julie give up and admit defeat. It was only today that she discovered someone could be this powerful. Against Saeko, she had not the slightest chance of victory.

Yet this left her immensely excited, because only by facing such a powerful opponent could she improve more rapidly.

Seeing that the battle had ended, Kanade Tachibana reminded them, “Ye Chen, if we don’t go eat soon, we’ll be late.”