MM Racing Chapter 4: School Enrollment Opportunities
Chapter 4: School Enrollment Opportunities
"Grandpa Jack, if Third Brother isn't going, then I can go instead. I will definitely study hard and strive to become a Soul Master. At worst, I can teach Third Brother the knowledge I've learned in the future..." Ning Yuanshan said innocently, but when he talked about "learning knowledge and then teaching Tang San," everyone could see the heavy burden on his face.
"There's only one spot? Then it's perfect for Ning Yuanshan... Alright, alright, why are you talking so loudly?" Tang Hao rubbed his ears in annoyance. "You're making such a racket and disturbing my sleep..." Since the decision had already been made, Tang Hao ignored the village chief and turned to go inside.
Old Jack looked at Tang San and sighed deeply. Tears welled up in his eyes. In the eyes of Village Chief Jack, Ning Yuanshan and Tang San had already stepped into the threshold of becoming Soul Masters, and it would be a pity to give up the opportunity to study at Notting Academy.
With tears blurring his vision but unwavering determination, Old Jack took one child in each hand and said firmly, "Grandpa will definitely find a way to send you all to the Soul Master School..."
Old Jack didn't want to disappoint his two children, but he was truly powerless at this moment. Filled with remorse, Village Chief Jack wiped away his tears, turning his head away, unable to meet Ning and Tang's gaze. His once vigorous and upright figure seemed to suddenly collapse. "There are still three months until the registration for this year's Notting Soul Master Junior Academy. There must be a way to ensure you both can enroll smoothly..."
"Xiao Ning, Xiao San, you two go home first. Grandpa still has some things to take care of..." Old Jack was too ashamed to face the two of them and fled as if he were running away.
Tang Hao had already entered the house and seemed to have really gone back to bed to catch up on sleep. "I'll take you back..." Tang San said, and then walked towards Ning Yuanshan's house.
The two lived not far from each other, and seeing someone off for a short distance would normally be unremarkable. But Ning Yuanshan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "Are you seeing me off on my way?"
Ning Yuanshan and Tang San remained silent, a somber atmosphere hanging over them. "Little Ning, do you want to become a Soul Master?" After a long silence, Tang San suddenly asked, his expression solemn and serious, not at all like a child.
Ning Yuanshan was not very old in his previous life. After arriving in this other world, apart from being somewhat distant from the other children in the village, he did not have the maturity of an adult when interacting with others, especially Tang San. Therefore, Tang San only regarded Ning Yuanshan as a child.
"Of course I want to! If I could become a Soul Master, I would study hard and learn the skills to protect Grandpa Jack and Holy Soul Village!" Ning Yuanshan replied, his back already covered in sweat.
Ning Yuanshan's words were indeed sincere, and Tang San did not realize that Ning Yuanshan had ulterior motives.
"Becoming a Soul Master means killing Soul Beasts. Can you even kill Soul Beasts? Soul Beasts are ferocious and brutal monsters, even more terrifying than the werewolf that the deacon who awakened our Martial Souls just now transformed into," Tang San said, glancing sideways and making a ferocious face. "Your parents were devoured by Soul Beasts, not even a bone was left..."
"Ah!" Ning Yuanshan was shocked and paled. "Damn it! How come this Third Cut's intentions are different from the original? Didn't you decide not to go to the Soul Master Academy...? This scumbag is so despicable! He even threatens a six-year-old child..." Despite saying this, Ning Yuanshan was relieved.
Seeing Ning Yuanshan's sudden change in expression, Tang San realized he had frightened him, so he continued, "Besides, it's a long way to the academy, and you won't be able to come back for several years. You won't be able to see Grandpa Jack then." Tang San put on a sad face, as if he was reluctant to part with his grandfather. "If you want to protect the village, it's actually better to stay in the village..."
"...Then I'll listen to San Ge..." Ning Yuanshan was filled with resentment, but he dared not show it at all. He nodded repeatedly, pretending to be enlightened and persuaded.
"Those netizens' analysis seems to be right. Regardless of whether I go to school or not, I can't stand seeing others take advantage. If I say even half a 'no,' I don't know what will happen to me..." Ning Yuanshan felt bitter. At this moment, anger and helplessness filled his heart. He wished he could immediately find the Spirit Hall and spread the news that Tang Hao and his son were hiding in Holy Soul Village.
For the next few days, Ning Yuanshan stayed in his room, racking his brains but unable to come up with a way to change his fate. Old Jack hadn't come looking for him either. According to the villagers who came and went to Ning Yuanshan's house to gossip, Village Chief Jack left the village after the awakening ceremony. He left in a hurry and didn't tell anyone where he was going. Nobody knew where Old Jack had gone.
Ning Yuanshan considered many ideas, but none could solve the current situation. After all, he was just an orphan with no family or power. If he insisted on taking the work-study spot, Tang San had ways to kill him without anyone noticing.
"Should I just accept my fate like this?" For the past six years since being reborn in the Douluo Continent, Ning Yuanshan has been walking on thin ice. His weak physique, the unclear future, and his humble origins are all mountains weighing on his head. That's why Ning Yuanshan has visited Tang San's home time and time again. In this strange and lonely other world, Tang San is the only familiar character to him.
"If I can't enroll in school, I won't be able to obtain a spirit ring and level up further. Although according to the original setting, even if a spirit master doesn't obtain a spirit ring, they can still accumulate spirit power. Perhaps I still have a chance to become a spirit master in the future... Is this the only way?" Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Old Jack calling from afar.
Old Jack walked quickly, and soon, the sound of hurried footsteps and a familiar voice rang out outside. "Xiao Ning, I've got a plan. You and Xiao San can both go to Notting Academy..." Old Jack was indeed walking very fast; he was still out of breath, and he spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Bang!" The door was practically kicked open. Old Jack looked disheveled, his sideburns were messy, and his trouser legs were covered in dirt, but his face was beaming with joy.
Ning Yuanshan quickly got out of bed, fetched a glass of warm water, and handed it to Old Jack. "Little Ning, I went to ask the neighboring village. They didn't have any children who successfully awakened their martial spirit this year, so they agreed to give us their work-study student spots," Old Jack said before sitting down and then tilting his head back to drink the warm water.
"Yes..." Ning Yuanshan didn't believe in free lunches and was about to ask about the price he had paid, but he swallowed the words back. Ning Yuanshan felt a lump in his throat. This old village chief, who had very little screen time in the original story and was practically a plot device, had given his otherworldly soul a home in the unfamiliar Douluo Continent.
"Really? That's wonderful..." Ning Yuanshan collapsed into Old Jack's arms, feeling the warmth of another person's body for the first time in his life.