Nobles and Peasants: Right or Wrong

The class was abuzz with controversy and excitement as the students discussed the tournament. It was annually going to be an event for showcasing the skills of the first-year students, but this time it was different. For the first time, the academy had declared that it would allow the second-year students to participate too, which had enraged the first-years. Some grumbled it wasn't fair, that they were a race that traditionally was reserved for newcomers only. Some actually believed that the choice had been made deliberately to disadvantage them.

In spite of the indignation, Isshin, Rune, and Karin were unfazed. Whining would do no good, and they did not want to spend time grumbling.

Later that day, Khalid came to them, his face more solemn than usual. "I'm sorry," he said, folding his arms. "The reason you two must fight the second-years is because of me. I have. some problems with the principal. But I never thought he would do something like this that would involve other students as well."

The three of them looked at each other before looking back at Khalid. "It's not an issue," Isshin stated matter-of-factly.

"We were going to play tough teams anyway," Rune said.

"Sure, if anything, it makes it more interesting," Karin shrugged.

Khalid regarded them for a moment, then chuckled slightly. "Good. I'm glad you three are not the sort to weep over situations. That's the right spirit."

That settled, the registration for the tournament began. It was to take place in six months' time to give the students time to train and prepare. The first prize was none other than the Pill of Great Life, a legendary pill that contained a hundred years' worth of accumulated Qi. To an average cultivator, this was an amount that would naturally take a hundred years to accumulate.

For a prodigy such as himself, a minimum of thirty years would be necessary to develop as much Qi in the usual course. When properly utilized, the pill could instantly transport a cultivator to three realms higher. Together with the pill, the tournament winner would gain VIP access to the restricted resources of the academy as well.

The stakes were high, and all the students knew it.

Classes returned to normal the following day. During a lecture, the teacher began asking students questions to verify their understanding of the various cultivation principles. If a student failed to answer, another would be allowed to respond. Isshin nailed the session, answering question after question with confidence. Courtesy of Raijin and the System, he barely hesitated. However, there was one student who grew increasingly annoyed at his nonstop correct answers—a blonde girl who had already failed to answer three different questions.

Then the teacher asked a more provocative question.

"Does access to high-grade pills and sophisticated technique manuals unfairly advantage cultivators who lack the same privileges?"

The blonde woman scoffed prior to answering. "Survival of the fittest. If one doesn't have the resources, they shouldn't be breeding to begin with."

The instant she was done talking, Isshin involuntarily objected. "I don't think so."

The girl snapped her head in his direction, irritation bubbling up. "Oh? And why's that?"

Isshin reclined in his chair.

"If I placed two cultivators in two isolated rooms with no external help—no pills, no manuals, nothing—who would make further advancements? The one who understands cultivation more deeply, not the one who has more resources." His eyes never wavered as he went on, "Cultivation is a matter of understanding the universe's laws. Pills and manuals are useful, but they don't make a cultivator. To say someone doesn't deserve the right to cultivate simply because they don't have resources is nothing less than shameful."

The classroom fell into silence.

The instructor nodded his head. "I concur with you, Isshin."

Rune elbowed Isshin with a grin after school. "Had to go and say it? I know you're right and all, but now that girl is definitely going to be angry at you."

"Why should I care?" Isshin shrugged. "That was annoying, so I told the truth. If she doesn't like it, we can fight a duel or whatever."

Rune shook his head. "It's not about duels, man. That girl is from a prestigious noble family. She might cause you trouble."

Before Isshin could respond, they heard approaching footsteps.

"Speak of the devil," Rune grumbled.

The blonde girl strode right up to Isshin, scowling at him. "What's wrong with you?" she imperiously demanded.

Isshin did not shrink from meeting her eye. "Is it because you lack any cultivation potential and have to use your daddy's money to buy pills?" His tone was sharp, taunting.

Her face reddened in rage. "You'd best mind your tongue."

Suddenly, she turned on her flame power and sent an attack towards Isshin. However, he was quicker. Taking a swift sidestep, he avoided the attack and retaliated immediately—hitting her face with a tiny burst of Thunder Qi.

There was a sudden crack as she was pushed backward and landed on the ground. Her cheek puffed up immediately with a mark.

There were gasps in the room as everyone's attention shifted to Isshin and the girl.

The girl grimaced in pain as two other girls stepped forward to help her to her feet. She clenched her fists, quivering with rage. "HOW COULD YOU HIT ME?! I WILL MAKE SURE TO DESTROY YOUR FAMILY!" she yelled.

Abruptly, Raijin's voice resounded in Isshin's head. Joke's on her. They're already dead.

Isshin's face remained the same, but inwardly, he was entertained by Raijin's comment. Just then, Karin entered the class and saw the blonde girl's face. She blinked and then asked indifferently, "Hey, what's wrong with her? Did she get stung by a bee?" Isshin almost laughed, but the girl shot them a furious scowl. "My name is Nora Zeldyr. Remember that name!" she snarled before being led out of the classroom by her friends. Karin's eyebrow went up. "So… what did happen?" Rune drew a deep breath. "Well, Isshin's in a kind of trouble." He rushed to explain what occurred. Karin grinned wickedly. "Oh, I see. Well, Isshin, you might have to watch out. Nora has an older brother, and he's a second year. He won't take it lying down." Isshin groaned. "Great. Guess I'd better pay even more attention to my cultivation now."