[Opening · Discipline Department Announcement]
"Hao Zhansi Lie participated in unauthorized combat without notifying the department beforehand. He damaged off-campus building facilities. Hence, you are given a red disciplinary warning."
"Should you engage in similar behavior again, your eligibility as a regular member of the Fighting Department will be revoked, and you will be sent to the Disciplinary Review Committee."
The Discipline Director's voice was cold. Under everyone's gaze, Hao Zhansi Lie stood in the Dongyun Academy conference room with a cold smile on his face. "I was just responding to a challenge," he said.
The Discipline Director did not respond, leaving only this statement: "Dongyun Academy is a place of education, not a street-fighting arena."
After the Discipline Department left, the room fell silent. Many Fighting Department members had complex expressions. Some admired his strength, while others began to doubt, saying, "He's dragging down the reputation of the Fighting Department," and "Why hasn't the Minister said anything yet?" "No matter how strong he is, he can't disregard the rules..."
[The Rebuke from Guto Rin] That night, Guto Rin, the head of the Fighting Department, confronted Lie outside the training hall in the rain. In a deep voice, he asked, "Do you still want to be in this academy?" Lie, who was wiping his boxing gloves, replied casually: "I'm not here to hang around. I'm here to fight." Guto raised his voice: "This isn't your old underground fighting ring! If you want to reach the top, you must learn to win hearts, follow the rules, and earn status beyond just using your fists!" He slowly approached Lie, staring into his eyes. "You have the qualifications to compete for the position of head. But with your current attitude of 'only recognizing fists,' even if you defeat all your opponents, you will still be eliminated by the entire system." Lie clenched his fists, wanting to refute, but held back. He knew Guto was right. [First Doubt · Self-Questioning] On a rainy night, Lie sat alone under the eaves, his wounds unhealed and his thoughts swirling. He remembered his past life: As a child, he earned meals by fighting in rings. In middle school, he was persuaded to withdraw three times due to brawling. He came to Dongyun thinking he could dominate everything with his fists. But this time, he didn't win. Instead, he was warned by the system. "Are fists really enough?" That night, for the first time, he doubted himself.
[Another Voice: Bai Lan Appears]
In the silent night, a faint yet sharp voice spoke, "You are doubting yourself, Lie Zhan Si."
Lie looked up and saw the mysterious member of the Magic Club, Bai Lan. He was dressed in black with a calm expression.
Bai Lan looked at him and said softly, "You punched through the wall, but you neglected the regime behind it. Do you think winning the floor means winning the stage?"
Lie squinted his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Bai Lan smiled lightly.
"If you want to reach the position of head, you must learn to make the strong fear you and let the rules bow to you. It's not just about beating your opponent."
After he finished speaking, he turned to leave.
"Keep fighting, but don't forget to think. Who exactly do you want to defeat? What do you want to protect?"
[Ending: Determination]
The next morning, Lie stood in the center of the Fighting Department Training Hall, rewrapping his wounds.Without saying much, he silently put on the wrist guards he had never used before. Someone asked in surprise, "You're wearing protective gear?"
Lie smiled and replied in the same nonchalant tone, "Who said I've changed? It's just... I've decided to start using my fists a bit more wisely."