It was Monday, the end of the school day at Haizhou Academy.
Lu Chen walked with Ei and Venti, the three of them chatting and laughing as Venti shared amusing stories from school.
"These students are seriously talented. Sometimes, I feel like they might even surpass me as their teacher."
Lu Chen chuckled, taking it as a joke.
After all, this was none other than the rising superstar of the music world. Since the release of "Ode to the Sea," Venti had received overwhelming praise from the classical music scene. If every student at Haizhou's music department were like him, that would be wild.
"Maybe it's because you're still getting the hang of some modern instruments? So there's not much for you to teach them in that area?" Lu Chen offered.
"Hmm... maybe." Venti gave it a thought. It was true—percussion wasn't his strong suit. In that area, he was still a student himself.
If it hadn't been for Lu Chen's challenge quest, Venti wouldn't have been thrust into the role of substitute teacher.
Speaking of which, the original percussion teacher had almost fully recovered and was now in the final stages of rehab. In a little while, Haizhou High probably wouldn't see the beloved Mr. Venti anymore.
"I'll miss those kids," Venti said with a laugh, shaking his head. "They're such a quirky bunch. Apart from constantly coming up with new ways to confess to me... they're pretty great."
Lu Chen laughed too. After that one male student's failed confession, a bunch of girls had set their sights on the handsome Mr. Venti.
Charming, funny, and easygoing, he never dragged classes on, and on top of that, he looked young and pleasing to the eye—where would you find a teacher like that?
The original percussion teacher was pushing fifty, stern-faced all the time, and so old he could barely even hit the drums...
When news spread he was returning, the students collectively groaned in protest.
Some were even hoping he'd stay in the hospital a bit longer.
Kind of reminded Lu Chen of what he'd once thought himself...
(Percussion Teacher: Danger!)
The three continued their walk home, the mood relaxed, but Lu Chen kept subtly watching their surroundings. He was waiting for something.
Maybe because they were out in broad daylight on a busy street, the walk had been uneventful. Lu Chen thought for a moment, then gave Venti a look to suggest taking a different route.
Venti got the message and turned down a narrow alleyway.
The alley ran behind a commercial district—tight and dimly lit, especially with dusk setting in.
The moment Lu Chen stepped into it, he knew—it was a perfect spot for an ambush. Though close to the city center, no sane person would walk this road at night.
Except, of course, someone with an agenda.
They hadn't gone far when Lu Chen caught the sound of footsteps behind them. They were being followed.
He motioned for Ei not to act yet—didn't want to spook the stalkers—and slowed his pace.
Soon, footsteps echoed from up ahead as well. The three stopped. They were surrounded.
A cold chuckle came from the darkness. The first figure to appear in Lu Chen's view was a man with a long scar across his face—tall, burly, with a grim and menacing air. He stepped forward and blocked their path.
Behind him, three more cold-faced young men emerged, each wielding a weapon. Lu Chen glanced over his shoulder—four more behind them.
Only eight? Was Gu Cheng underestimating him?
But on second thought, it made sense. They were only targeting V.T. originally. They had no idea who Venti really was. These eight were probably already considered top-tier for the job.
Lu Chen glanced at their "stats." Scarface was Level 7. The others were Levels 5 or 6. Not bad for real-world standards.
Far stronger than the thugs Zen Zhang once hired, and just a step below the bespectacled Wang Qi.
"So, they've finally come..." Scarface didn't bother with any tough-guy monologues. With that line, he launched his attack.
The others moved in simultaneously—well-coordinated and clearly trained.
Hmm... They're legit. Probably an actual organized gang?
Per Lu Chen's instructions, Raiden Ei stayed completely still, unmoved even as the attackers charged. Venti didn't move either—he trusted Lu Chen to handle a fight like this on his own.
Facing the rush of attackers, Lu Chen smirked and activated his Cryo Vision. Shinri Style: Ice Blossom burst forth in a flash around him.
A flurry of icy crystals surged through the narrow alley, bone-chillingly cold. The thugs screamed as an invisible force hurled them into the air.
They weren't Hydro Slimes, so they didn't freeze, but the sheer power of the Cryo blast flung them skyward, while razor-sharp shards shredded them midair. In moments, the tide had turned.
Scarface was slightly more resistant, but even he looked like a wreck. Collapsing to the ground, he clutched at a gushing wound, his entire body battered and clothes torn to rags. He looked like a homeless man.
"H-He's a psychic..." one thug gasped.
"How... how can this be?"
"We're screwed... we're done for..."
Scarface stared in disbelief. The boy before him looked so young—how could he wield this kind of power?
Still unwilling to give in, he picked up a blade from the ground, clenched his jaw, and charged again.
"Trying to die?" Lu Chen said with a smirk. With 6 points in Agility, he easily sidestepped the attack and countered with a sharp elbow to the man's jaw.
The jaw's a vulnerable spot—a heavy blow can knock a person out cold in an instant. That's why you see so many one-hit KOs in combat sports.
Lu Chen had a knack for hitting jaws. One solid strike and Scarface went limp, collapsing in a heap on the alley floor.
"Bravo, bravo!" Venti clapped enthusiastically.
Raiden Ei scanned the moaning figures on the ground. Lu Chen had struck swiftly and cleanly—no flashy moves, not even a weapon. He'd ended it all in moments.
"You're getting stronger, Chen."
"Still way behind you," Lu Chen said, knowing full well where he stood.
"You'll be back at your peak soon," Ei said with absolute certainty.
At full power, Lu Chen had been even stronger than her. Back then, he had been the rival who pushed her to grow. Ei looked forward to the day they could spar again.
Lu Chen noticed the way she was staring at him—those violet eyes seemed to burn with fire.
He shivered involuntarily.
He really didn't want to be this battle-freak girl's training partner again.
It was just... too much torture.