Chapter 2: Fighting Spirit

Although I do not know the name of this dagger, over the years of assessment, Ding Ke has certainly experienced its sharpness and hardness. Even the long sword forged from hundred-fold steel can be easily chipped by it, and even when struck directly by a hammer, it remains unyielding.

The old man finally showed a bit of conscience and did not casually sell this ancestral dagger; otherwise, I would have been left without a suitable weapon at all said Ding Ke, waving the dagger in his hand

Warriors of level five, such as Dink, must be eliminated if they cannot reach level six within three consecutive years

This damned ancestral secret manual, could it be that it is intentionally designed to lead the descendants to their doom? Ding Ke's eyes were bloodshot, his mind in chaos, as if a giant hammer was relentlessly pounding on his head, yet it had not shattered.

Ding Ke's father, Ding Mengni, is a disillusioned nobleman of modest ambition, having inherited a small, desolate territory from his ancestors. Throughout his life, he has only known extravagance and pleasure, languishing in a state of drunkenness and dreams, often reminiscing about the family's past greatness and glory

Another year has passed so quickly, but why can I still not feel any trace of fighting spirit within me?" Ding Ke blinked his eyes and murmured to himself.

Ah, damn it, which ancestral blood feud is that old man rambling about? I have waited a full half hour, yet I feel not a trace of blood boiling, nor any surge of blood or energy.

Perhaps I can try that method. I don't know if it's just the old man rambling after drinking too much or if it's true. With this thought in mind, Ding Ke seemed to muster his resolve, gritted his teeth, leaped out of bed, pushed open the door, and quietly ran out.

In addition to the study and training courses required for daily classes, Ding Ke absolutely will not spend an extra minute on self-torturous training. Instead, he prefers to go to the school library to read historical books from ancient to modern times. According to the ancient proverb he learned from books: "Those who labor with their minds govern others, while those who labor with their bodies serve others." He aspires to become a lord in the future, so he must learn management skills. It is not easy to become a qualified lord.

Blood surged wildly, and a heart beat violently. A strange force filled Dingke's body, spreading in ripples, with increasing intensity, making his body feel as if it were about to explode

A withered yellow leaf gently floated down from the tree, brushing against Dink's nose

Santander College covers a vast area. Upon entering through the main gate, one is greeted by a series of teaching buildings for various departments, arranged in a staggered manner. The central part features a uniquely shaped, arc-shaped arena constructed from white jade stone, which is said to be a proud work of Archimedes, one of the continent's renowned architects.

This was the first time the dagger had drawn blood in Dink's hands, so he did not anticipate such a situation. He could only hastily tear off some cloth strips to wrap it up, estimating that it would be fine after a while

The blood-red mist that originally permeated the surroundings was gradually drawn back in by the expanding pores; however, the grass blades that had been tainted by the blood mist turned completely charred, as if they had been scorched by fierce flames

Certainly, do not think that by entering this way, you can simply eat and drink while waiting to graduate and receive the college badge. At the very least, Ding Ke initially entered with this idea, but while the wish is beautiful, the reality is harsh.

As night deepens, countless brilliant stars twinkle in the inky sky, while a full moon, like a jade disc, casts its shimmering light, enveloping the imposing Santander College in a layer of golden radiance

During this period, students are free to learn various vocational skills at this level. However, due to the differences between the magical and combat systems, the levels of vocational advancement vary, and the duration of study also differs.

The manual contains a variety of peculiar movements and various unusual breathing techniques, which only need to be practiced once in the morning and once in the evening each day, and persistence is all that is required

This provides many talented young individuals with a fair opportunity to learn, a policy that is rare among numerous prestigious institutions in the alliance

This unexpected turn of events came swiftly, much like a summer thunderstorm, and departed just as quickly

Ding Ke had never imagined that one day he would achieve great success, basking in glory and reviving the family splendor that his father had often talked about. His greatest wish was actually quite simple: to have little pressure and burden, to possess his own territory, and to enjoy life without worries.

Those originally inconspicuous students, as long as they can wear the badge and leave the academy, can turn their fortunes around at any moment, and with a stroke of luck, become a noble or a high-ranking official; while those students with affluent backgrounds can ascend smoothly, soaring straight to the top.

At this moment, the academy is enveloped in profound silence, with only the occasional night breeze bringing forth faint, elusive sounds of insects. Scattered throughout are uniquely shaped, diverse magical crystal lamps, which adorn this ancient academy, making it particularly enchanting

When the two clusters of light ceased to move and gradually spread out in the abdomen, Ding Ke finally returned to normal, lying on the ground like a dead pig, drenched in sweat all over, with even his clothes completely soaked.

It is now the winter season. Apart from the evergreen coniferous pines, the grass and the broadleaf trees in the forest have begun to turn yellow. Chilly winds occasionally blow through, lifting the particularly striking black long hair of Dink.

So convenient to carry, easy to conceal, and compactly exquisite, this tool perfectly suits the preferences of DINKs, becoming their unequivocal first choice of weapon.

That warm current pierced through the veins and arteries like a burning iron rod, inflicting a pain so excruciating that it felt as if it penetrated to the very marrow. This unprecedented agony made Ding Ke want to roar out loud, but he found that he could not make a sound, only able to roar inwardly: "Damn it, why is this happening, wasn't it just supposed to stimulate my fighting spirit? How did it turn into something that evaporates my blood!"

No wind was blowing, yet layers of dark clouds rolled in from the distance like ocean waves, gathering together to obscure the moonlight. They spiraled and undulated in a helical formation, creating a profound vortex from which purple arcs of electricity occasionally burst forth.

At the end of each year, the academy conducts an annual assessment for students of different professions, levels, and ages. The assessment results are categorized into four grades: A, B, C, and D

Is it supposed to be like this? Dink used his blood to draw a strange symbol on his chest with his finger. As the cold wind blew, the blood congealed on his skin, appearing particularly striking.

Although Ding Ke fell into a coma, the two spheres of light seemed to be able to merge the small warm current within him according to his usual breathing pattern. After countless cycles of rising and falling, their speed gradually slowed down, ultimately coming to a stop in the abdominal area

Starting tomorrow, it will be the annual year-end promotion assessment of the academy. Therefore, this evening, the students from each department are obediently choosing to rest early, conserving their energy to prepare for the rigorous evaluation

The fat person remains the same fat person; what is the same is the surface, and what is different is the essence

To pass the Level 6 assessment, one must master the use of fighting energy. Damn it, this is truly bizarre. I have clearly practiced according to the taught methods, yet I always see no progress. Even some newcomers who have just entered Level 5 can utilize a trace of fighting energy, while I have no sensation whatsoever.

However, Ding Ke never cares about how others perceive him; he walks his own path and lets others talk, considering them all as mere passing clouds

Secondly, after passing the regular assessment, each level of students will have a designated learning period.

Subsequently, the campus is sequentially arranged with the college administration building, faculty dormitories, student dormitories, as well as a large lake and dense forest, which serve as the ideal venue for students to secretly meet on weekends

On such a dark night, on such a cold day, I stripped off my clothes and bled, yet received no return at all, truly a great loss

Could it be that I drew the blood talisman incorrectly? That seems impossible. The old man clearly stated that the blood talisman merely serves to stimulate; the key lies within oneself.

During this process, Ding Ke's body continuously emitted a series of crisp sounds, and his limbs instinctively assumed various strange postures. These were precisely the high-difficulty movements recorded in that secret manual, which the chubby man had never completed. Moreover, even his physique underwent some subtle changes; the fat in his abdomen seemed to have evaporated significantly, revealing faintly undulating abdominal muscles beneath the skin. His black hair transformed into a fiery red, standing out remarkably in the darkness.

To put it simply, if a first-level warrior remains at the same level after two years, they will have to pack up and leave

Two dazzling halos, one white and one red, blossomed on the fallen Dink, then gradually retracted into his body, coalescing into two orbs of light the size of jujube pits. Within him, they spun rapidly, and the boiling blood, as if encountering ice, instantly calmed down, slowly circulating within his body

In this way, the graduates from Santander Academy are all distinguished elites, sought after by various kingdoms within the alliance.

To enroll in the academy, the requirements are quite simple: one must be at least fourteen years old and able to pay a registration fee of five silver coins. For those students who are particularly impoverished, there is also the option to repay the registration fee through work-study programs, thereby earning their living expenses

In the chilling cold wind, Ding Ke sat cross-legged with his legs folded, hands clasped together, and his belly adorned with blood symbols, maintaining this posture for a long time, a very long time

This wish, though simple, is one that countless people yearn for yet cannot attain

Forget it, I should hurry back; I still have to deal with the assessment tomorrow. Fortunately, there is still a year left, so I will think of other ways. " Ding Ke muttered to himself as he put on his clothes. Just as he stood up, his face suddenly turned exceptionally pale.

Ding Ke swiftly ran along the cobblestone path into the dense forest, found an open corner, took a few deep breaths, and sat down heavily.

Due to the high level of difficulty of many actions involved, it poses a challenge for Ding Ke. Although the chubby one is lazy, he has been quite dedicated to this ancestral secret technique, having practiced it continuously since childhood. According to the records in the book, he can be considered to have reached the second stage, with a warm current in his abdomen akin to that of a small mouse.

Meanwhile, the torn space returned to normal, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sky remained with the bright moon hanging high.

If a student receives a grade of D in two or more subjects for two consecutive years, then I’m sorry, please pack your things and leave. Santander College needs talent, not failures.

"What bad luck, why is it still bleeding?" Ding Ke glanced at the wound on his finger, which, although only the size of a grain of rice, was still slowly oozing blood

Following such a father, the DINKs certainly did not learn anything good; indulging in food, drink, and entertainment without exception, they became notorious playboys in the territory

Of course, rules are rigid, while people are dynamic. If this student has achieved A grades in all other subjects, the institution may consider making an exception and slightly relax its policies

I have been practicing the ancestral technique passed down through generations all along, and I can clearly feel a warm current stirring within me. Is that not enough? The reason Ding Ke was able to advance to a Level 5 warrior lies primarily in the fact that he has been cultivating the so-called ancestral secret manual given to him by the old man since childhood

Heat, an indescribable burning sensation | The heat suddenly surged from the abdomen, coursing through Dingke's body, instantly causing the blood to boil, and the bare skin turned a bright red, as if it were a steamed crab.

With no stringent admission requirements, no exorbitant tuition fees, and no discrimination based on wealth, the college attracts countless underprivileged students from the alliance every year during enrollment, earning Santander College an additional nickname: the Paradise for the Common People

Ding Ke lifted his cotton underwear, revealing a robust body covered in excess fat. Indeed, even though his physical condition met the standards of a Level 5 warrior, he lacked the well-defined muscles that others possessed. This often led those who judged by appearances to look down on Ding Ke, believing he was unworthy of the title of warrior

Within the vortex, there seems to be an immensely powerful force that, with each breath, violently pulls the surrounding space inward, creating a fragmented void

Only when their professional level reaches Level 6 within ten years can they truly become graduates of Santander College and receive a silver clover medal

To live a happy life, one must strive with all their might and work diligently. However, the overweight Ding Ke does not particularly enjoy such relentless effort. Compared to other underprivileged youths, his enthusiasm for training can only be described as average

For Ding Mengni, who possesses no sense of responsibility, having a son who equally enjoys extravagance is somewhat of a headache. To address this, he made a wise decision to send Ding Ke to Santander Academy, sternly informing him that if he fails to graduate, he should not expect to inherit his estate. At the same time, he provided him with a one-time living allowance for ten years: one hundred gold coins

Thinking of this, Ding Ke couldn't help but sit up in bed, looking around. His roommates were all sleeping like dead pigs, completely oblivious to him.

A is excellent, B is good, C is passing, and as for D, it is certainly failing

Every pore on the body expanded like blooming flowers, and a faint red mist gradually rose around, filling the air with a subtle scent of blood

This also meant that Ding Ke's score in the Comprehensive History of the Continent during the year-end assessments was consistently an A, which caught the teachers' attention: they did not expect this unassuming chubby student to be quite clever, managing to excel in both academics and physical pursuits, which was indeed rare.

The roommates around him were already fast asleep, while the chubby Ding Ke stared wide-eyed out at the dark night, feeling a bit restless. Lying in bed, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

In the forest, Ding Ke was on the verge of being tormented to the point of despair by an indescribable burning sensation within him. Just as his mind was about to collapse, that mass of crimson suddenly struck him on the head

The dark blade appeared as if it were a thick, unyielding ink, becoming even darker under the illumination of the moonlight, with only a faint, hair-thin red glow subtly emerging along the jagged edge of the blade.

From that frenzied spatial storm, a sudden crimson streak burst forth, falling like a meteor.

If one cannot use their fighting spirit, by next year, they will likely be expelled from the academy. For a Level 5 warrior, it would be quite difficult to survive outside. A hint of bitterness appeared on Ding Ke's face as he was still hoping to graduate smoothly and return to indulge in decadence with the old man

Once the deadline arrives, if the student's professional level remains stagnant and unchanged during the year-end assessment, then you may as well pack your bags and hit the road

Now, Dink has been in the Warrior Department of Santander Academy for a full nine years. Originally not regarded highly, he surprisingly managed to advance continuously and has become a Level 5 Warrior, which has astonished many of his classmates. However, compared to the numerous talented students emerging within the academy, Dink's achievements are hardly noteworthy.

Ding Ke fainted without any doubt

According to what the old man said, as long as I cultivate the ancestral secret technique, I should be able to unleash that blood fighting energy. But I have already bled profusely, yet there is still no sign of any effect. Could it be that I have truly been deceived? Repeatedly stabbing and stimulating the heat flow in my abdomen, yet I still see no results, a hint of indignation inevitably appeared on Ding Ke's face

Ding Ke drew a uniquely shaped dagger from his waist. The hilt, stark white, was evidently made of bone, and the end featured a grotesque monster's head. The connection between the hilt and the blade was seamless, with no visible gaps.

It is known that, as one of the top higher education institutions on the mainland, Santander College has always been renowned for its academic style characterized by lenient admission and strict graduation requirements

Raising the dagger, I gently looked at the small puncture on my finger, and instantly, bright red blood began to roll down from the wound, yet there was not a trace of blood remaining on the tip of the dagger