Grandmaster? Teacher?

When a real Spirit Master showed him respect and apologized, Grandpa Jack's pride shot through the roof.

"No need, no need. We were also in the wrong, I'll have to trouble you with these problem children" He said with a smile while eying Zhi Xing. "Xing'er, Little San fallow Grandmaster inside and be sure to control yourselves"

Unsummoning Shí, Zhi Xing appraised the gaunt man before them. She remembered Su Yuntao saying something about a person with the same name so she immediately made her way to his side after Grandpa Jack's reminder. As she moved, her gaze lingered for a second on the guard and the fanatical urge to attack him sprung up briefly before she pushed it down. She didn't want to come off as a monster in front of her family and friend.

She'd have spent more time saying farewells to Grandpa Jack but the two had talked more than enough in the days leading up to and during their excursion to the academy. After Grandpa Jack reminded Tang San a few times not to harm himself following his father's ridiculous decree he set off in the direction they once came, heading back to Holy Spirit Village. She was sad to see him go but decided to put more of her attention on becoming stronger so he'll be proud the next time he sees her.

The two children walked opposite each other as they trailed behind the one known as Grandmaster. Before completely leaving the entrance he looked back intently at the guardsman currently rubbing his chest tenderly to ease the pain. His hoarse voice again entering the man's ear.

"This is the first and last time something like this will happen on Academy grounds. If it does you'll have to try your luck in the current jobs market with a Spirit Master Academy's ire on your back."

The guard's chest tightened and sweat rolled down his back and brow. Throwing himself to the floor despite the pain with his face in the dirt he bellowed his understanding and a thousand apologies to Grandmaster's back as the man and kids left the area, walking towards the many buildings previously obscured.

Looking down at the two kids, he tried smiling to ease their nervousness yet his lips hadn't arched in that direction for many years making him look rather creepy. Due to this Zhi Xing would've normally declined his outstretched hand but seeing as he helped them earlier she too accepted along with Tang San. His hands were rather dry but his palms were soft, offering a natrual sense of security to the two.

"Thank you, Teacher" muttered Tang San while Xing nodded her head slowly in agreement.

"Teacher? I'm not an educator of this Academy." He said smoothly while looking at the two.

Confused Zhi Xing asked skeptically. "If your not a teacher, how do you have the right to speak for the school?"

Shaking his head at the question his expression became that of a cheeky brat.

"Who said anything about needing to be a Teacher to represent the Academy?" He said sarcastically.

Tang San's eyes went wide at this admittance, along with this person's name he had drawn his own conclusion. "Are you perhaps the Principal? or a leader of the school?"

Chuckling in response the man simply eyed the boy and girl with amusement. "For 6 year olds your both rather inquisitive, but you guessed wrong"

"Then who are you?" It was Zhi Xing who spoke up, simply wanting to know so she can report him to the authorities if anything weird happens.

Creeking his lips into another unfortunate smile the man let go of their hands and explained matter of factly.

"I am but a freeloading tenant, that's it. You both along with everyone else on this campus addresses me as Grandmaster. Even outside of this compound many address me with this title to the point that I've even forgotten my own name. From your Spirit Hall cirtificates you should be Zhi Xing correct? And that would make you Tang San no? You should both learn the differences between a Teacher and a Grandmaster, they have entirely different meanings and you shouldn't address me as such in the future unless..." His words slowed slightly at the end.

While a glimmering look in his eyes betrayed the sober tone of his next words. "Unless you are genuinely interested in becoming my students."

Zhi Xing blanked, not really understanding what he meant but the closest reference she could think of would be the master-disciple relationship in some Shonen manga.

"You wish to teach us Spirit Cultivation?" Tang San queried soon after, salvaging Xing's awkward silence of a response.

At this point Grandmaster stopped walking, the two children behind him also coming to a standstill.

Turning around he nodded. "Natrually, if your both willing"

Tang San's lips thinned at the notion, while Zhi Xing couldn't decide. What was the difference between this guy and any other teacher of the academy? Without any way to compare she held her tongue.

Grandmaster seeing their silence nodded his head. It was good that they actually thought it over before making a decision. But from the boy's expression and gaze firmly locked on himself he could understand what his silence was actually asking: 'Why should we acknowledge you as our teacher?'

Losing his weird toothy smile, Grandmaster's lips settled into a pleasant grin as the image of Grandpa Jack overlapped in Xing's eyes when he tousled Tang San's hair.

"Good,  your both mature enough to consider the benefits and demerits of coming under the wing of a stranger you just met. Being naturally gifted and clever for your age, perhaps I have to be a bit more direct to win you over. You posses the third instance of Twin Spirits in the last three hundred years after all."

"Twin Spirits? What?" Mumbling to herself confused Zhi Xing could only look to the man who offered this terminology. She didn't notice Tang San who had taken a small step backwards, his left wrist raised slightly while a shocked and unpredictable look could be found in his eyes as they shifted between Xing and Grandmaster's jugular.

Seeing Tang San's reaction as if to flee, Grandmaster quickly added: "Don't you wish to know how I deduced your uniqueness so quickly?"

As he spoke he unfurled a piece of parchment, Tang San's Awakening Cirtificate that Old Jack had handed him earlier.

"It's because of this cirtificate, perhaps a normal person wouldn't have noticed the issue but I couldn't be called Grandmaster if it slipped past my eye."

"I have investigate six hundred and forty seven people who've awakened Blue Silver Grass Spirits. Among them were as little as 16 who managed to evoke a response from the Spirit Measuring Orb meaning that the odds are less than three with talent in every hundred. Even so these sixteen who posses Spirit Power never surpassed the Rank 1 bracket and yet your Innate Full Spirit Power is of the 10th Rank. According to my research of the 10 Great Core Spirit Competencies, Innate Spirit Power directly correlates to the quality of a Martial Spirit. Blue Silver Grass obviously cannot possess such grand attributes and so I can conclude firmly that you possess a second Spirit and that it is of extrodinary quality."

Tang San's posture slowly relaxed but his eyes remained fixed on those of Grandmaster.

"There are exceptions to everything, why can't I simply be a special case?" He spoke with little reservation.

Zhi Xing was shocked to learn that it was possible to have two separate Martial Spirits, but what she was really focusing on was his point on the relationship between Innate Spirit Power and a person's Martial Spirit. Assuming he isn't talking out of his ass, Xing's anxiety shot through the roof, he had confirmed her fears when pondering her own intrinsic circumstances.

With his eyes closed Grandmaster nodded seriously before responding:

"Your correct, however, your Spirit is Blue Silver Grass, therefore you are clearly not that exception. In the last hundred years alone although Twin Spirits have only appeared twice, Innate Full Spirit Power appeared nineteen times. I have carefully studied all nineteen Spirits and not a single one wasn't formidable. The youngest of whom has already reached the Spirit Grandmaster level. Other than fourteen who inherited their powerful Spirits from their Clan's blood lineage, there were only five exceptions."

"They did not hail from noble or privileged backgrounds yet possessed Full Innate Spirit Power upon awakening. This type of anomaly is what is referred to as a Mutated Spirit, and based on my many years of research on Mutated Spirits there has never been any kind of strengthened Spirit that was produced from a Blue Silver Grass variation. And judging from your Awakening Cirtificate I can be sure that your Blue Silver Grass is completely ordinary. All of this leading to a conclusion that I judge to be firmly correct."

Zhi Xing's mind was completely still when she heard the term Mutated Spirit. Quickly Su Yuntao's remarks and even the name of her spirit on the Awakening Cirtificate zoomed through her mind. She couldn't help but ask out loud: "What exactly are Mutated Spirits?"

Looking over to her, Grandmaster nodded his head, his grin returning.

"I mentioned earlier the issue of how Spirits are inherited. This is because a person's Spirit has a direct relationship with that of their parents, under normal circumstances the Spirit is inherited from either the Father or the Mother's side of the family. This is called Familial Spirit Inheritance. Unusually there are Spirits that take exception to this and are called Mutated Spirits. In essence they are born the same way from either of the parents lineage but because of a certain variation they change and become classified as entirely different Spirits. Mutated Spirit can have a plethora of variation in their attributes and some can even posses Innate Full Spirit Power. Overwhelmingly however, the majority of Mutated Spirits become smaller and weaker than they'd normally be due to their mutations. A good comparison would be the results of inbreeding between wealthy nobles: the possibility of physical deformities and degenerative psychological disorders is high but there's also the chance of producing an exceptional child, a prodigy."

Speaking of the overall lacking potential of most Mutated Spirits, Grandmaster's expression became slightly gloomy before returning to his placid expression, that of an instructor.

Zhi Xing's mind was troubled, thinking over her own circumstances she found it difficult to retrieve the memories corresponding to her mother's Spirit but her father's sword with it's white and yellow rings was something she never believed she could forget.

'Are my memories... No. Is my soul the unpredictable variation he spoke off? Can he help me?' Stirring from her thoughts Zhi Xing saw Tang San fall to his knees and respectfully kowtow three times towards Grandmaster.

For the first time in their interactions it was his turn to be bewildered.

"What are you doing?"

"Teacher." Tang San said with utmost respect.

"Please accept me as a student."

On the ground a few feet from her the boy was kneeling while gazing up at the grizzled man in robes who had already imparted them so much.

Seeing his determination, Xing's mind shifted into gear. 'If he can help me, I wouldnt mind calling this geezer my Master' thinking to herself. She resolutely kneeled down to the ground to kowtow herself, her head tilted downwards she repeated the question that would change the course of both their lives forever. "Please accept me as a student."

Grandmaster suddenly managed to pull off a satisfied smile that wouldn't garner disgust. Pulling them both to their feet to gaze at their fresh faces. It felt good taking in someone so talented and from what he can tell someone with the same circumstances and curiosity as himself. Though they would appear like quite the odd balls if he didn't put in the required effort.

"You should both learn proper etiquette from regular classes but be aware that you shouldn't kowtow when simply becoming a pupil, it is an action reserved solely for the Emperor and one's parents, you need only bow for these three people."

This world's customs were natrually different from that of Zhi Xing's and Tang San's first lives. But the boy didn't see it as such.

"A teacher for a day is a father for life, you should receive my kowtow"

This was the discipline and educative courtesy branded deep within Tang San's bones after living in Tang Sect and never venturing away from the Sect's grounds during his original youth.

Feeling sheepish for simply copying what she had seen Xing nodded her head rapidly in agreement.

Moved by their actions, Grandmaster gaze on the two settled on a deep sense of recognition.

"A teacher for a day is a father for life. Good, it seems my expectations haven't lead me astray,  I've chosen my disciples well."

From the moment he had gazed upon Xing's Martial Spirit he had firmly intended on interacting with them, but after seeing Tang San's speed at such a low cultivation and comprehending the boy's case of Twin Spirits he had already started evaluating them both as potential disciples.

"I'll take you to report at the Dean's Office."

Grabbing both their hands once again they sped off, his originally large and dry grip was now faintly perspiring due to excitement.

Traveling through the campus the children quickly learned that the place was not as large as they had thought, what little land the Academy did occupy was divided into the main school building, a sports ground and the dormitories to the east of the sports ground.

Although it was only a primary spirit master academy, the place's requirements towards all students were extremely strict; even if you lived relatively close to the school's grounds you still had to live in the dormitories under a unified regime.

When they arrived at the Dean's Office on the first floor of the main school building, they found an old gentleman, a teacher in his late sixties behind a desk. He was in charge of dealing with all new students along with two other teachers in their mid-thirties who assisted him.

Walking up to the oldest of the three Grandmaster removed the two certificates in his possession and placed them on the man's desk and spoke with some familiarity. "Director Su, this is Holy Spirit Village's working students for this year, I'll trouble you to help them register."

The elderly man's face gained a large smile when he saw Grandmaster and immediately tried roping him in for some conversation. "Grandmaster, it's good to see you out and about would you care for a seat?"

Shaking his head in response Grandmaster turned to the two children and said: "You enroll on your own, these teachers can help. I have some things to prepare so I'll find you both later."

Nodding their heads they both bade farewell respectfully.

"Goodbye Teacher"

Grandmaster revealed a small smile before rubbing their heads and exiting the office.

Hearing how they addressed Grandmaster, Director Su felt the need to correct them.

Peering at the two he consoled: "You don't have to call Grandmaster teacher, he isn't apart of the academy's staff."

"But he is our Teacher" Zhi Xing responded blinking her almond shaped eyes.

Director Su's face became blank for a second or two, before it morphed into strange expression of extreme calm the only flaw being a twitching grin.

Tang San noticed this behavior and asked innocently. "Is something wrong teacher?"

*Hmph*

Clearing his throat the man shook his head apologetically, deciding to casually respond.

"No nothings wrong, I just didn't think he would actually take in any students. However you must remember you are first and foremost Academy students and must comply with this establishments regulations to the utmost degree."

They both bobbed their heads in understanding.

However the other teachers in the room had more to say on the matter. One of them quickly grabbing the certificate on top off the desk to give it a quick peek.

Fortunately for Tang San it happened to be his peers certificate.

"Let's see, ah Zhi Xing is it? As an actual teacher of the academy it's my duty to educate you on the ways of Spirit Masters. Acknowledging a Master isn't something trivial, their personal opinions can shatter your prospects and even your chance at graduation. One's Master is also a social contract that is tied directly to your status as a Spirit Master in the eyes and ears of the continent. I only ask that you think about it more deeply, is Grandmaster really a viable choice?" He said sincerely

Moving his gaze from the young girl to the bottom of the cirtificate his friendly expression was immediately warped by pity.

"Unfortunately you only have half-rank Spirit Power, the spirit is also a bug with a disabling mutation"

The others teachers were hopeful looking over Tang San's certificate but likewise their expressions were ones of condolence.

"An Innate Full Spirit Power, a pity it's possessed by a measly Blue Silver Grass."

Seeing their expressions light up one after another merely seeing his Spirit Power but then immediately shaking their heads when seeing his Spirit's name amd description in the ink baffled Tang San.

Noticing their confused expressions Director Su saw fit to finish up their things and have them move along before they say something they shouldn't infront of the man's disciples.

Looking to the two teachers, he spoke with a stern voice.

"Although Grandmaster has a unique disposition with respect to the field of Spirits he is an 'unequaled' existance'." Shifting his gaze between Zhi Xing and Tang San he said cooly.

"Even if your Spirit is Blue Silver Grass or a Mutation, acknowledging Grandmaster as your teacher will find you no demerit. Now, move along children. These are the things provided for free by the Academy, your quarters are the dormitories, Room Seven. The overseeing teacher can arrange the chores you'll be doing during your stay here."

"Thank you Sir/Teacher" Tang San and Xing bowed while receiving their things. After bowing to the other teachers they left the office in search of their living arrangements.

They were given standard Nouding Academy uniforms, colored a dull white and cleaner than their current clothes Xing instantly fell in love with the smooth comfortable texture. When leaving the office the kids vaguely heard the voices of the two younger teachers.

"Grandmaster truly is 'unequaled' yet only in theory. The man has yet to show any practical application for any of his 'Ten Great Core Spirit Competencies'. It's simply ridiculous that he gets so much praise for being so learned and intelligent in a field that he has yet to fully break into."

"That's enough. Grandmaster is the Dean's friend, you shouldn't be saying such preposterous evaluations. Although he has yet to prove his theories correct, likewise, no one has proved them wrong. In the world  Spirit Masters he will remain a dignified and famous existence."

"Your wrong Director Su, dignified and famous clown would be the words used. Everyone treats him like a joke anyways and not much else"

Hearing their conversation, Zhi Xing was about to run back in there and torpedo each and every one of them to the groin with Shí for extra weight and added impotence but her shoulder was grabbed by Tang San before she could make a move.

Shaking his head he looked past her towards the door with a glint of disdain in his eyes. "Their not worth getting expelled."

Turning around he continued walking towards their new living quarters. Looking between Tang San's back and the Dean's Office Xing simply sighed before trailing after him.

"We should atleast say something, they shouldn't talk like that behind a fellow educators back. If they truly wished the best for us they would've made more of an effort to sway our opinion on electing him our Teacher. Obviously they just wanted a chance to talk shit about him"

Raising an eyebrow at her crass language, Tang San nodded his head in agreement but pointed something out that she didn't consider.

"Did you not notice? Between the three of them that looked over our cirtificates not one concluded that I was in possession of Twin Spirit's."

Zhi Xing's eyes widened with revalation, she should've payed more attention. Between all four men it was obvious who had the more discerning eye, yet she was still in a rush to make the issue physical.

"Are you not worried about the things they said about him? What if he really tries expirementing on us?"

There was only one dormitory on campus so the two's journey could be anything but long winded. With their room already in sight Tang San turned around and gazed at Xing seriously for a moment.

"You shouldn't let their opinions get under your skin, but if you do, at least pick apart the important points. They said he's unrivaled in theory, well from my point of view the one thing we both sorely lack is theory, a Master can't impart his physical strength and cultivation to his students. The torch that is passed down instead is knowledge and experience , theory and research will only expedite our growth. If he needs guinea pigs to test out his hypotheses,  of course we're allowed to decline, but if we understand the basis for such things then objectively speaking we're more likely to go along with it, for now only time will tell." He spoke sternly or atleast he tried with his high pitched voice.

They hadn't known the man for very long but from a first impression he was a very patient man, serious about teaching and more knowledgeable than any person he'd ever met. Standing up for their teacher was naturally at the forefront of his mind as well. But the logic he spoke of was for his fellow disciple and his own good, logic has a way of dampening the worst of impulses if used persuasively. Convincing himself wasn't difficult, if there was one thing Tang San didn't lack, it was control. His rambunctious neighbor however with her usual hands on approach needed the consoling.

Frowning slightly at his tone Xing watched as he turned back around and made his way through the door.

She couldn't really refute his words, it sucked that a kid could point out the obvious to her, but mentally she was still using standards of a modern and different culture. Allowing such opinionated teachers free rain over the studies and curriculum of children their age can have disastrous implications if their behavior and speech isn't what it should be. Completely removing bias from academia is impossible, even in her old world, but adjusting the standard for employment, doing annual checkups and training the teachers responses to certain topics are all good treatments for such overlooked issues that can lead to an entire society's degradation.

Yet she hasn't been in this world very long, radically acting upon these modern sensibilities will only get her alienated.

*Sigh*

Shaking her head Zhi Xing made her way inside room seven, shifting her thoughts towards what strange new things they'll be taught and quirky people she'll be able to meet.