Chapter 94: Ning Rongrong’s Contrasts

"You may use your martial souls to assist yourselves. Now, move out! Oscar, lead the way!"

At this point, Su Ming couldn't help but step in again. Seriously, what was the point of Ning Rongrong and Oscar running just once if they weren't going to keep it up as a regular exercise? It wouldn't do them much good in the long run.

"Wait!"

Flender's heart skipped a beat. What was this troublemaker up to now?

"Dean, I'm also a support-type spirit master, so I should be running with Rongrong and Xiao Ao too."

Everyone couldn't help twitching at the corners of their mouths. Was this guy even a normal support-type spirit master?

Flender had originally thought of letting Oscar and Ning Rongrong spend some time together, giving Oscar a chance to bond with her. His keen, crafty eyes had already noticed Oscar's interest in Ning Rongrong, so naturally, he didn't want Su Ming intruding. Thus, he said, "Su Ming, your physical condition is already excellent. Besides, are you even sure you're a support-type spirit master? Apart from your fourth spirit ability, which is for healing support, all your other abilities are for defense or attack. You're quite a unique case!"

Su Ming could only offer an embarrassed smile; he really was a support-type spirit master, but he couldn't exactly explain that.

Putting on a mischievous look, Su Ming said, "Well, it doesn't matter what you say, Dean; I see myself as a support-type spirit master. Besides, running twenty laps around the village isn't easy for any battle spirit master, let alone support spirit masters like Rongrong and Xiao Ao."

Flender responded, "Oscar's sausage can speed up the recovery of spirit power and restore stamina, so at most, they'll be exhausted, but they can definitely finish the laps."

Su Ming wasn't bothered by Flender's reasoning and continued, "My fourth spirit ability can also restore stamina. Plus, given my better physical condition, I'm obviously the best candidate to support the two of them."

At this, Ning Rongrong also stepped forward, "Dean, since Su Ming is a support-type spirit master, it's only fair he trains with us. Besides, I'm not exactly thrilled about Oscar's sausage right now."

Flender wanted to give Oscar a chance, but he couldn't make it too obvious, so he just waved his hand and conceded, "Fine, do as you wish. But let me warn you, tonight's lesson involves some danger, so don't regret using up your spirit power now, Su Ming."

With that, Flender left. From what he knew, Ning Rongrong was the daughter of Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and as a mere Spirit Saint himself, he wouldn't dare cross Ning Rongrong. Otherwise, he'd end up as nothing more than ashes in the eyes of those three.

Since this Ning Rongrong was more mature compared to the one in the original story, she still had a mischievous streak but without the haughty princess attitude. So Ning Fengzhi hadn't sent a letter asking Flender to temper her personality. With her current disposition and talent, the three of them were immensely satisfied; they wouldn't dream of letting anyone bully their little princess—they were still reluctant to, after all.

Seeing Su Ming stepping up, Oscar understood the signal—it was time for Su Ming to make his move, leaving him without a chance. A bitter feeling arose in his heart.

For Su Ming, Flender's lack of interference was ideal. As for the evening lesson, it was likely to be at the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City, which posed no threat to him.

Su Ming smiled at Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, shall we go together?"

Ning Rongrong wouldn't refuse Su Ming's offer. With his help, the run would be much easier, so she smiled back, "Sure, thanks, Su Ming."

When she smiled, her face lit up with charming dimples.

At this point, Xiao Wu also stepped up to Su Ming and said, "Big Brother, I'm not a support spirit master, but I'd like to run with you too."

Then, Zhu Zhuqing silently stood beside Xiao Wu, her cold stance making her intention clear.

Su Ming was a bit surprised. It wasn't unexpected for Xiao Wu to want to run with him, but Zhu Zhuqing as well?

Still, it was a good thing—it showed the three of them were getting along quite well.

Standing to the side, Tang San added, "Since Su Ming and Xiao Wu are running, I'll join too."

In truth, if it were just Su Ming running, Tang San wouldn't join, but he couldn't resist when Xiao Wu was involved.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing also planning to run, Dai Mubai turned to her, "Zhuqing, let me run with you."

But Zhu Zhuqing ignored him completely, leaving Dai Mubai's face dark with anger.

Then, Su Ming used his fourth spirit ability on everyone, boosting their life energy and putting them in a more energized state, making the run a bit easier.

After a while, Ning Rongrong and the others hadn't even completed their first lap. They quickly realized this task was beyond what a support spirit master could handle. At this pace, they might not even make it back in time for dinner!

Finally, Ning Rongrong understood why her original counterpart would have lost her temper. She'd never endured such torture back at the clan; it was perfectly reasonable to feel outraged since the training was downright unfair!

At this point, Xiao Wu said, "If we keep running like this, when are we ever going to finish the twenty laps? Will we really make it before lunch?"

Oscar chuckled bitterly, "You battle spirit masters should be able to finish as long as you go all out and don't run out of spirit power, but as for us support spirit masters, we'll be lucky to finish before dinner."

Then, trying to be chivalrous, Oscar turned to Ning Rongrong and said, "We might not make it back in time for a proper meal, but I have sausages here. Would you like one?"

Oscar quietly chanted, "I have a big sausage!"

In an instant, a fragrant sausage appeared in his hand, which he offered to Ning Rongrong.

But Ning Rongrong blurted out with unexpected boldness, "Eat that yourself! I've got two thick slices of bread, thank you very much!"

"Uh…"

Everyone was stunned by what Ning Rongrong had just said; it was completely out of character for a young woman with such elegance and poise.

Su Ming, however, found it amusing. This was much more in line with Ning Rongrong's playful, impish side. As long as she wasn't being mean, an occasional show of such contrast was actually quite cute.

Ning Rongrong herself didn't know why she'd blurted it out. She'd already been holding back, but remembering her first impression of Oscar's sausage-making and watching him now—she still couldn't quite get past it. So, she'd just let the comment slip.

After all, first impressions are important.

Realizing what she'd said, Ning Rongrong blushed, glancing down at herself, then sneaking a peek at Zhu Zhuqing, who was beside her with her two large "white rabbits." She couldn't believe she'd just said that. If hers were "thick slices of bread," then what were Zhu Zhuqing's? The thought was too embarrassing.

To avoid any misunderstanding, Ning Rongrong shyly explained, "Ahem… I lost control for a moment. Maybe I'm just spoiled at home, so I sometimes say things that don't really match my usual demeanor."

"Hahahaha…"

Hearing laughter, Ning Rongrong turned to see Su Ming laughing. She glared at him. "What's so funny?"

Su Ming wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and said with a grin, "It's just interesting to hear a young lady from a wealthy family say something so different from her usual self. And honestly, I think this version of you is the real you, more down-to-earth. This kind of contrast is actually pretty cute."

"After all, Xiao Wu and I are commoners. If you always acted like a proper lady, it would be harder for us to get along."

Xiao Wu, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. This version of Rongrong did seem more approachable.

Ning Rongrong had never heard such a perspective before. Back at her clan, if she'd said something like that, her father would probably have given her an earful. But he was indulgent enough with her to let her off. Now, hearing Su Ming's words, she felt a small surge of warmth toward him. He was, she thought, a pretty interesting person.

And of course, she readily accepted his compliment about being cute; after all, she saw herself as naturally charming and beautiful—except in one area where she couldn't quite compare to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Since we're moving so slowly that we won't finish the task on time, let's pick up the pace!" Ning Rongrong said.

With that, she cast her first and second spirit abilities on Su Ming, Tang San, and Oscar to increase their speed.

As for the others, being beast spirit masters with strong physical abilities, they didn't need a boost to keep up with her.

Finally, just before noon, they completed all twenty laps. The most exhausted were Ning Rongrong and Oscar; the training was especially grueling for them. If not for Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda boosts and Su Ming's support, they'd likely have had to run into the afternoon to finish.

A few seconds later, Flender appeared.

He was genuinely surprised that they'd managed to finish twenty laps before noon. The training had two purposes: to bring Oscar and Ning Rongrong closer together and to temper the attitude of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan princess.

But it seemed neither goal had been achieved. Instead of getting closer to Oscar, Ning Rongrong seemed more friendly with Su Ming, while her feelings toward Oscar, from Flender's observations, could only be described as indifferent—she even seemed slightly put off by his sausage-making spell and the gestures he used.

This troubled Flender. After all, he regarded Oscar as his adopted son, having watched over him for years. If Oscar could connect with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, it would be an ideal outcome. But now, things weren't going as planned.

As for his second goal, Su Ming's presence had once again foiled it.

With Flender observing closely, he realized that without Su Ming's support, Ning Rongrong might not have completed the entire course. He could have used that to toughen her up a bit. It was just running, after all, and he figured Ning Fengzhi wouldn't object too much, even if he found out—this was an academy, after all.

Without receiving any word from Ning Fengzhi, he'd intended to be somewhat gentler with his scolding, as he had no desire to anger the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. In fact, he was hoping to build a connection with them to benefit the academy.

However, while his objectives were unmet, he noticed one unexpected outcome: through a series of chain reactions, the seven of them had begun to form a team. It was still in its early stages, but it was promising, a good foundation for future group competitions.

Meanwhile, he felt embarrassed for his disciple, Ma Hongjun, who had slipped away at the first chance and was off who-knows-where! Missing out on a chance to bond with the group—he'd be sure to teach him a lesson later!

Unaware that Su Ming was the main reason this budding group cohesion even existed, Flender gave them a token word of praise and then said to Tang San, "Tang San, after lunch, come find me."

Tang San nodded, guessing that Flender likely wanted to ask about his teacher's recent situation.

The group headed to the Shrek cafeteria, where lunch was already prepared.

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu wondered what kind of food the cafeteria served. Was it something hearty?

They were in for a surprise. It wasn't anything particularly rich or nutritious—just some plain rice, steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and a small portion of meat. Not nearly enough to fill them up!

Though Su Ming had anticipated this, he still couldn't resist grumbling to himself about Flender's stinginess. This amount of food was hardly enough for a spirit master's nutritional needs!

Unable to hold back, Xiao Wu asked, "Oscar, is this what you usually eat? It's fine as breakfast, but after training, how are we supposed to replenish ourselves with so little?"

Oscar chuckled bitterly. "This is all we've got; the academy's budget is tight. Maybe you could try some of my sausages. At least they're a bit meaty."

Su Ming interjected, "Let's make do for now. We can go to town for a proper meal this afternoon."

"Xiao Wu, here are some carrots—should be enough for you," he added.

Xiao Wu happily accepted the carrots, satisfied as long as she had her favorite food. She wasn't a big meat eater.

If it were just Xiao Wu, Su Ming would have considered using a spatial charm to teleport into town for lunch, but with so many people around, he didn't want to reveal his secret.

Meanwhile, in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong stormed into the main hall, furious. "Fengzhi, how could you let Rongrong go out there alone? What if she runs into danger?"

Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, please don't worry. I've arranged for people to protect her, so she's not in any danger."

Just as Chen Xin was about to continue, a messenger disciple entered the hall.

Kneeling respectfully, the young disciple reported, "Clan Leader, the young lady has arrived at Shrek Academy and passed the entrance examination."

[T/N:

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