Tony clapped his hands, his voice carrying easily over the training hall's chatter."Alright, enough sentiment. Dave's seen the baby—now we need to show him Liu Yue's new sparring style. She might be six, but trust me—if you underestimate her, she'll absolutely floor you."
Dave raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Lead the way."
Erlong chuckled, bouncing Liu Feng gently in her arms. "You're going to regret that," she teased, eyes gleaming knowingly.
Dave followed Tony through a narrow corridor, their footsteps echoing faintly until the space suddenly opened into one of Shrek Academy's smaller training arenas.The afternoon sun streamed through high skylights, turning the drifting dust motes into slow-moving flecks of gold. The muffled thuds of sparring and the sharp clack of wooden swords rang through the air.
On the arena floor, a group of children—no older than six or seven—were engaged in duels under the sharp gaze of an instructor. Among them, one stood out instantly. A little girl with jet-black hair tied in a high ponytail moved like she was born with a blade in her hand.
Her wooden sword cut precise arcs through the air. Every step, every pivot, every strike carried intent and discipline far beyond her age.
Dave tilted his head slightly. "...Oh?" He watched closely as she dipped under her opponent's swing, twisted at the waist, and struck the flat of her blade against the boy's ribs before spinning fluidly back into a guard stance. "She's blending techniques… those aren't just basic forms. Has she learned the arts of others?"
Tony smirked, folding his arms. "Not just learned—she's mastered them. Half those moves are from sword styles we only got access to because of the power you passed down. Recognize any? I'm pretty sure I saw a couple straight out of Genshin's combat forms."
Dave's gaze sharpened, catching the moment she shifted stances mid-strike, her movement nearly identical to a Kamisato Ayato iaijutsu opener.
"She's like a sponge," Tony continued proudly. "Everything we feed her, she soaks up. She hasn't even awakened her martial spirit yet, but her foundation is rock solid. And that little 'gift' you gave her? It turned her into a genius."
Dave gave the smallest nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the girl's wooden blade met her opponent's again—this time driving him back with a flurry of perfectly timed strikes.
Her opponent, a taller boy, tried to force her into the corner. She grinned, a mischievous spark in her eyes. "I win," she declared in a slightly smug, childish tone.
In a blur, she sidestepped his attack, her feet light as air, and tapped the boy's wrist. His sword clattered to the floor before he even realized it was gone.
Straightening proudly, she scanned the crowd—and then her gaze froze on someone at the edge of the arena.
Her eyes widened. She dropped her sword instantly and sprinted across the ring, weaving between the other children without hesitation. She launched herself at Dave, wrapping her small arms around him in a tight hug.
"Big brother Dave!" she laughed, clinging to him like he might vanish again. "You're finally back!"
The noise of the arena—the sparring, the murmurs—faded to the background for Dave. He rested one hand gently on her head."Yeah… I'm back."
His voice seemed to snap the other children out of their stupor. Whispers spread like wildfire across the arena.
"That's… Senior Dave.""The undefeated one?""The undefeated number one," a boy said firmly. "Never lost a match since he awakened his spirit. They say he's even stronger than some of the inner court Elders."
Another child clenched his fists, eyes burning. "Every day I train, I tell myself—I'll be someone like him."
The excitement rippled outward. Some of the older kids watched Dave with quiet respect—and maybe a little fear—while the younger ones gawked openly. To them, he wasn't just a senior; he was a living legend.
The moment one bold kid shouted his name, the rest could no longer hold back. They abandoned their sparring, swarming toward him in a wave of small bodies and eager faces.
"That's Senior Dave!""The Monster Division's ace!"
A few were practically bouncing on their toes, grinning so wide it looked like their faces might split. The braver ones pushed forward, cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Senior Dave, is it true you've never lost a match since coming here?" one boy asked breathlessly.
Another, a tall girl with hair in twin buns, leaned in. "Is it also true you once fought three people at the same time and didn't even sweat?"
Dave's lips curved faintly. "Rumors have a way of… growing," he replied, amusement in his tone.
But the wave of questions didn't stop.
A boy with an oversized wooden sword jabbed it toward him in mock challenge. "One day, I'm going to be strong enough to fight you!" he declared proudly.
From the side, a smaller child tugged at his sleeve, eyes wide and sparkling. "Senior Dave… can you show us your martial spirit? Just once? Please?"
The plea triggered a chorus."Yeah, show us!""Just a little!""We won't tell the teachers!"
Their faces shone with raw, unfiltered admiration—the kind even the most battle-hardened warrior couldn't ignore.
Dave glanced around. From the shadows, a few older Monster Division members watched, smirking knowingly at the scene. Clearly, they'd seen this happen before.
Dave let out a quiet chuckle, his hand resting casually at his side. "Alright… but don't blink." Google seaʀᴄh novelꞁire.net
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting his soul power flow. The air shifted—rippling as if the entire courtyard had been dropped into a calm, deep ocean. A faint mist swirled at his feet, carrying the scent of salt and the sound of distant waves.
Then—BOOM—a dazzling surge of blue light erupted behind him.
From that light, a majestic form emerged: the Ocean Heart Azure Dragon. Its scales shimmered like polished sapphire, each one reflecting the sunlight with liquid brilliance. Its eyes glowed with an ancient, tranquil power, and its long whiskers drifted as though moved by unseen currents. The dragon's coiling body radiated both grace and unstoppable force, a presence both serene and commanding.
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