"Has Master told you what the Caterpir ss represents?" Soran asked.
"No, but I can guess what it''s for," Shang answered. "It''s probably a ss designed for warriors to
reach the True Path Stage in the future, right?"
"Oh?" Soran uttered in surprise. "How did you find out?"
"The name and also the dean''s advice," Shang said. "I presume the students of the Caterpir ss
are weak in the beginning just so they can build upon their foundations until they explode forward in
power. Just like a caterpir bing a butterfly. Additionally, the dean told me that I should hone my
Battle-Strength as much as I can before reaching the General Stage."
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"Correct," Soran said with a nod. "By the way, when is your procedure scheduled?"
"Not for another 18 months or so."
Soran lifted an eyebrow. "That''s quite a long time. It seems like Master puts a lot of emphasis on your
growth. In my eyes, your Battle-Strength is already enough for you to reach the General Stage."
Then, Soran shrugged. "However, that''s why I''m a Commander Stage warrior and why Master is a True
Path Stage Warrior. He knows better than me."
"Anyway," Soran said as he took out a book from his Space Ring. "This is a copy of the rules and your
schedule."
Shang took the book into his hands.
SHING!
Soran summoned another book, this one far bigger than the other one. "And these are all the
techniques you will learn."
Shang looked at the new book with furrowed brows. "All of them? Just like that? I thought I would need
Contribution Points or something like that."
"Usually, you would need Contribution Points for the valuable techniques. However, as a student of the
Caterpir ss, you don''t need your Contribution Points for those techniques."
"Because you are not allowed to learn them."
Shang frowned when he heard that. "Not allowed to learn them? Then why am I even here?" he asked.
Soran chuckled a bit. "It''s for your future, trust me," Soran exined. "Have you thought about why the
True Path Stage is called the True Path Stage?"
"I didn''t even know of the True Path Stage until I came here, and I hadn''t had the time to think about
the name," Shangmented.
"The True Path Stage is called as such since reaching the True Path Stage requires you to create your
own path. Ironically, the True Path doesn''t refer to the one true path, but to the True Path in your eyes."
"Master uses a spear, and he fights in a very domineering manner. He has found his path. However, his
path isn''t your path. The reason why no one was able to reach the True Path Realm in the past was
that everyone learned from the strongest warriors, which essentially was just copying their paths."
"Learning advanced techniques and abilities will influence you and make it harder for you to create
your own path. You already have your own personalized way of fighting. Of course, as it is now, your
fighting style still has a lot of weaknesses, but instead of switching to a different style, you have to
further refine and evolve your style."
Shang wasn''t certain what he should think of that. "Then what am I even learning here? This is an
academy, is it not? Am I not supposed to learn things?"
"Not for students of your ss," Soran said. "You are your own teachers. We actual teachers are only
there to guide you in the right direction and provide different kinds of services. Our dynamic is more
along the lines of experienced seniors and juniors."
"We are not going to show you what you should do. We are going to show you what your opponents
will do. It is up to you to find a way to deal with said opponents."
Shang scratched his chin. ''So, this academy is more like a fitness gym than a fighting dojo. There are
trainers walking around in the gym, but they only give advice when asked. They don''t specifically hold
lessons on how to craft the perfect body,'' Shang thought.
''On earth, this wouldn''t make much sense. After all, there is only so much a human body can do. But
here? I can imagine this being more effective in the long run.''
Shang took the book of techniques.
SHING!
Soran summoned a small emblem. On the Emblem was the picture of a muscr arm in ck armor,
ready to strike down with a spear.
"This is a Magic Emblem," Soran said. "It''s your identification, key, and payment method for
Contribution Points. You have an assigned room in this building near the front of the second floor. Just
hold the Emblem to the door, and it will open. No one but the teachers and you can open your door."
"If you want to move to the Farm Line, you can do so, but go to your room first. Your uniforms are
there, and you should get them first. If you decide to live in the Farm Line, tell us. There''s no reason to
keep a room reserved for someone that doesn''t want to live there."
Shang took the Emblem and nodded. "Thanks," he said absentmindedly.
"You can find all the relevant information in the first book," Soran said, gesturing to the first book. "If
you have any additional questions, simply ask a teacher. I''m sorry, but I''ve already spent a big part of
my day dealing with your impromptu exam, and I actually need to get started on my day-to-day duties.
Just look around and get familiar with the academy first."
"Sorry for keeping you," Shang said absentmindedly.
"It''s fine. Come, you can''t be on this floor without a teacher beside you," Soran said as he gestured to
the end of the hallway.
Shang took the hint and walked towards the stairs, Soran following. When Shang reached the fourth
floor, Soran quickly said his goodbyes and went back to the fifth floor.
Now, Shang was alone for the first time in what felt like a very long time.
Shang looked out of one of the windows and saw that it was noon.
''This day feels like it has gone on forever, but it''s just noon.''
Then, Shang looked down at his Emblem. ''Anyway, I am now part of the Warrior''s Academy, and that''s
why I''m here.''
''In just one morning, I joined the academy and learned so much about the world, myself, and my
future.''
''I should go to my room and read through that book of rules and my schedule.''