The class continued as other subject teachers entered one after the other to introduce themselves. The last teacher to enter was their class's form teacher. It was a woman named Nanjuro Imari. A representative of the Japanese Avatars Association. She actually came to Beijing Universal Academy to work as the school doctor for avatar students but was then given a teaching load as a form teacher due to the lack of teaching staff.

Since most avatars are usually at the front lines, there was lack of avatars staying behind to become instructors in avatar schools. But not all avatars are suited to teach students. Teaching an avatar and being an avatar are two different things.

Meanwhile, Nanjuro Imari on the other hand, had the qualifications to teach since she had prior experience as an associate professor in a medical school, as well as experience in the front lines. Although she was only 25 years old, but she had the proper credentials to work as a teacher in Beijing Universal Academy.

The headmaster was also happy to have her in the institution. Having someone as a school doctor and a teacher at the same time was very cost-efficient for the school.

"... and I welcome you all to Beijing Universal Academy. If you have any concerns about your class, schedules, activities and health, please consult me since I'm your form teacher. My office is at the school infirmary. But be sure to come there with proper reasons and not to make trouble. Else I will hang you on one of those flag poles in front of the school while wearing only your underwear... girls or boys... no exceptions. Class dismissed." Nanjuro Imari ended the morning theoretical class.

The students had a one-hour break for their lunch before the afternoon practical classes start.

"Hey...you... wait..."

As Louie went outside the classroom, he heard someone calling him from behind. When he turned around to look, it was Long Xiaolan.

Louie looked around him and it seemed that she was not calling anyone else but him.

"My name is Louie Monteazul, miss Long." Louie introduced himself.

"H-how did you know my name?" Long Xiaolan asked, suspicious of Louie.

"Long Xiaolan, heir to the famous Long Corporation. You're famous. Everyone here knows your name."

"Uhm..." Long Xiaolan became flustered when he introduced his name first. It wasn't what she had planned.

Louie looked at her stunned face with amusement.

"Or... you make call me Xiaoqi. If it's much more comfortable for you to use." he continued.

"Ahhh... I... I mean... It's ok Mr. Louie... but I guess Xiaoqi is easier to memorize." Long Xiaolan smiled stiffly.

But then she suddenly bowed apologetically.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Xiaoqi, It was my fault that you got scolded by Instructor Derreck Lawson this morning."

"Uhm... no need to address me as Mr... I'm you classmate so just Xiaoqi is fine..." Louie said.

But then she bowed again.

"I'm so sorry Xiaoqi, it was my fault that you got scolded by Instructor Derreck Lawson this morning." Long Xiaolan repeated her words again. This time without the Mr. title.

Louie was amused as well as bemused. He didn't quite get what this woman was talking about.

Earlier this morning, it was indeed his fault because he was late for class. But it was also that bulky Baldy's fault for trying to find weakness in his fault and embarrass him in front of the class... Now his trying to wordplay himself.

But in the end, all went well.

"Uh... I don't get what you're talking about... so there's no need for any apology." Louie clarified.

"No... it was my fault. When you came inside the..."

"Wait wait... please don't use that phrase..." Louie interjected.

"Huh? What phrase?" Long Xiaolan was baffled by Louie's interruption.

"The second phrase."

"You mean... When you came inside..."

"STOP... please choose your words wisely Miss Long..."

"What do you mean?"

"Just... rephrase your second phrase... or change the wordings..."

"Oh... Uhmm... when you arrived?"

"Good good. That's better." Louie sighed in relief. "I guess those Japanese Adult comics and mature themed novels are starting to get into my innocent mind..." he silently thought.

"Uhm.. okey... so... The thing that happened this morning was my fault. When you arrived, I momentarily looked at you and the instructor might have seen me do so... and found out that you entered the classroom late and was sneaking around." Long Xiaolan explained.

"Oh that... never mind that. It was the headmaster's fault. So don't blame yourself. Don't mind don't mind..." Louie waved his hand as he went towards the school cafeteria.

Long Xiaolan was left there feeling confused. What headmaster's fault? When did the headmaster came into picture? So she blamed herself for nothing? And what did he mean by not using that second phrase 'When you came inside...'

Remembering what she said... realizing what she said... and after analyzing what she said... her face turned red.

"Hmph That pervert." Long Xiaolan stomped her feet on the ground after realizing what he meant.

School Cafeteria

"Hey Xiaoqi. Over here." Zhang Yuili waved his hand to Louie, beckoning him to sit with them during lunch.

Louie strode to their area with his tray and sat with them.

Everyone was happily sharing their experience during the first morning classes. Shen Guqi was the one who talked the most as he was describing the beauties and the beasts inside their class. He was well animated when he talked about their class's biology teacher, who was as well, the school doctor Nanjuro Imari, who he described as someone with an atomic body.

The group was happily eating and laughing with their stories.

Even Louie found himself laughing while listening to Shen Guqi's stories. This reminded him of his friend Freyr, who was such a lusty brat. Though his adoptive father had seven wives, his friend Freyr on the other hand had hundreds of girlfriends... till he met Gerd, who he became love-struck with and finally became his wife.

Louie thought that maybe lusty brats will become serious husbands when they marry. He wondered if his new friend Shen Guqi would be like Freyr.

He smiled at the thought.

Then his face became cold. He remembered how Freyr died.

His plan with Odin was about to be successful. He will deceive the frost giants and lead them to an ambush. But then a third party came, and everything was in chaos.

Who was it? Who was the mastermind behind the calamity? Who planned Ragnarok? Was it the one beyond the higher planes and above the nine heavens? Or was it plotted by those of the middle and lower planes?

Louie grimaced as he massaged the center of his eyebrows.

"Huh? What's the matter bro Xiaoqi?" Zhang Yuili noticed Louie and his expression, so he asked what happened.

"Oh nothing. I'm just having a little migraine from too much information overload." Louie waved.

"Yea. Right? I knew it wasn't just a normal introduction of teachers today. They talked too much and said a lot of things we didnt understand. One teacher even gave us a quiz..." Shen Guqi began to chatter again, even sharing his conspiracy theories. Surely, someone whose family belonging to the entertainment industry is entertaining.

Louie's group was sitting near the entrance of the cafeteria, so when Long Xiaolan entered, they saw her and at the same time, she saw them. More specifically, she saw Louie.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The talkative Shen Guqi was so immersed with his stories that when Long Xiaolan entered, he was caught in surprise. His brain stopped functioning and suddenly stood up. Then he greeted Long Xiaolan in a robotic way.

"HELLO MISS LONG GOOD DAY TO YOU MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL LUNCH YOU MAY PASS GOODBYE."

Then Shen Guqi sat back and hid his face like his life depended on it. He didn't want his group to have any interactions with Long Xiaolan so he greeted her like a passerby then hid his face, so he won't be remembered. But the results were actually the opposite of what he wanted.

Long Xiaolan stopped for a bit then looked at them. She looked at each and every one of them so she can remember their faces. Then finally looked at Louie, who had an innocent smiling face.

She suddenly remembered their discussion earlier at the classroom and her face turned red again.

She looked away in anger and embarrassment.

"Hmph. Pervert."

Then Long Xiaolan went her way.

"Eh?" "Eh?" "Eh?" "Eh?" "Eh?"

Five 'Ehs' could be heard at the same time.

"Guqi... she must have found out you were ogling at her..." Li Moubin spat out while shocked.

"What do you mean ogling?? Bro... I still want to live. I would rather have my eyes taken out than ogle at her. All I have is supreme respect for her abilities and beauty, the queen of thorns. Please bro... don't say those words again. Don't rub misfortune to ten generations of my family."

Shen Guqi cried out and held Li Moubin by the collar as he continued to ask him to retract his words.

Xiao Tanglou was trying to make Shen Guqi calm down while Li Moubin kept laughing until his stomach hurt and tears appeared from his eyes.

"Well... that was surprising..." Zhang Yuili commented. He was surprised to what had happened. Especially when Long Xiaolan stopped and took a look at their faces as if to engrave them in her memories.

Zheng Yuili remembered something and panickily checked his body. He didn't see what he was looking for, causing him to breathe a sigh of relief. Thinking about getting the disciple mark of the zodiac dragon gave him the chills.

Louie continued to watch the four while he was confused on what they were on about.

The five soon went on their separate ways for the afternoon classes.

Afternoon activities for the battle class was practicum.

For the close combat class that Louie was in, they introduced the different martial arts disciplines and the different types of close combat weapons.

It was said that using only one martial art discipline would be highly ineffective in combat. The best form of combat was to utilize the important theories and philosophies of those different martial arts and use them together to find out which move you can do, to take down your opponent the fastest and easiest way.

The instructors gave a quick summary of the pros and cons of those martial arts and weapons. They didn't elaborate that much since that was the job of the theoretical classes in the morning.

But they emphasized that the weapon and martial arts the students chose, must be in line with the avatars they have or will have in the future.

For example. If an avatar held the power of Perseus who was famous for his swordsmanship, shield arts and swift movements, then the avatar should not be using heavy weapons and armor, as it will hinder the skills that is passed towards the avatar.

Another example an instructor gave was about Long Xiaolan. The Long family had mastered the art of spear wielding. And when they use spears, it would look like they were wielding a dragon.

So when Long Xiaolan became the avatar of the Zodiac Dragon, it coincided well with what her family had been practicing for years. So, the art of spear wielding was passed to her. Making her set of skills match with the Zodiac Dragon.

Louie agreed to the instructor's explanation. He remembered his adoptive brother Thor, who wields his so-called 'Mighty' hammer Mjolnir and staff Grioarvoir... Thor was so bad at using swords or spears so he wouldn't be caught using them in battle and make fun of himself... unless it was from the Marboy Comics he read before... where Thor uses several swords... or that Revengers movie where he got an axe as a new weapon.

It would be funny though... if he saw Thor wielding that large axe and using it like a hammer.

What boggled him the most though, was, why were people so bent in naming their weapons like naming their children?

He only had one weapon. A spear with a detachable head that can act as a throwing knife in some situations, while the shaft was an enlarged magic wand that looked like a staff once the spear head was removed.

Well... now that he was thinking about it... it was two hidden weapons that were very handy in dealing with unbeknownst enemies. He was content of thinking that it was just a special spear. Then here comes Thor, naming his special spear Laevateinn making it famous. With its fame, his enemies also knew of its functions. In the end, it became useless.

There was a saying "Never let your enemies know what you are holding on your hand behind your back. Let them think it is a rock even if it is actually just a small seed. Let the seed grow into a tree of doubt in their hearts. That they may fear what is to come."

He remembered that quote very well in his heart. But the others? They were just openly advertising their weapons and their prowess's. Then their enemies made something to counter them, turning those weapons useless. Maybe that's why they all died?

The afternoon classes ended late due to the instructors' enthusiastic explanations.

It was already dark when they left the practice grounds.

Louie was relieved when he saw that the cafeteria was still open. He also found out that the cafeteria was actually open 24/7 just like a convenience store. He learned from the auntie giving the meals that the 3rd and 4th year students tend to have special missions that require them to prepare even at midnight. So, the school made it open 24 hours making it convenient for them.

The dormitory Louie lived in was a bit far from the school buildings. He had to go through a few solitary gardens and dark alleys to reach his dwelling place.

On his way, he saw someone standing under a portico of the walkway he was using. It was dark but Louie could still see clearly like this eyes had screen brightness adjustment.

He saw a guy, probably a senior student. It looked like he was waiting for someone.

Louie didn't mind him because it was not his business.

But then when he was about to pass near the guy, the person's leg was lifted up, trying to block his way.

"I guess it's my business then." Louie mumbled.

"Hey, you!" the guy grunted.

"Hello there senior. My name is Louie Monteazul, but you can call me Xiaoqi if you like. I'm not someone called You. Maybe you got the wrong person?" Louie smiled while responding to the guy.

"Why You..." the guy retorted.

"I told you senior. You can call me Xiaoqi. I'm not You. You understand?"

"Wha... huh.. Some smartass you are, playing words with me huh? Little twirp?"

"Now now senior... you misunderstand me. I was just explaining..." just as Louie was starting to warm up with his usual word play, he instinctively moved his upper body backwards a little bit and a swishing wound went pass by his face almost hitting his chin.

It was certainly an uppercut. A strong and fast one at that. He could determine its strength just by the sound of it.

Then he quickly put his arms into a boxing guard position to block the next attack.

And he was right to do so. Because a strong cross punch came after.

Although Louie fully blocked the punch, because of the huge weight difference and size between him and his opponent, his body was lifted from the ground and slid around 3 feet before stopping.

He could feel the weight and power of that straight, like it had the power of a bull.

A bull?

Was it the Zodiac Bull? No... it felt like it got its strength from the stars... not the spirit animal itself.

This was the main difference between the powers of the Western Zodiac and the Eastern Zodiac.

Since the Western Zodiac receives its powers from the stars, it utilizes quick but powerful bursts of strength, downing enemies in one push. While the Eastern Zodiac takes energy from the spirit animals, which came from earth itself. Therefore, its power maybe a little bit weaker, but will be continuous and spontaneous just like the saying "slowly but surely".

Then he saw on the neck of the guy, a disciple's mark.

[Robert Young]

[Disciple of the Avatar Zodiac Taurus]

[Angry at the word play. No actual hard feelings. Was just ordered to do someone's bidding]

"I see..." Louie mumbled as he shook the numbing feeling on his arms.

"Hah! Good... so you are also a boxer? Nice block twirp. But that was just the greeting punches. The real punches will soon follow. Also, I didn't ask for your name, nor do I need to know." said Robert Young as his face showed a crazy grin.

"Ah... I'm not really well versed at boxing. I've only watched a few boxing animes. I'm more like a poet you see? I fight with words. I always promote love and peace." Louie said as he raised his hands at the level of his head, looking like he was surrendering.

"Doesn't matter. But what you need to know is... stay away from Long Xiaolan. Someone is angry that you are snaking your way towards her." Robert Young ordered.

"Miss Long? Oh?" Louie blinked a few times. Showing that he was confused about the situation.

"Doesn't matter. Aside from that, my employer also asked me to beat you up because he didn't like your face." Robert Young said as he went into boxing stance, ready to engage again.

"I see. I guess this Micheal Chong really likes Miss Long a lot huh... Mr. Young?" Louie asked.

"What the... how did you...?!"

"Doesn't matter." Louie interrupted.

Robert young was about to ask Louie how he knew his and his employer's names when suddenly he saw the evil smile on his opponent's face.

Then everything went dark.

Robert young could not see anything.

He could not hear anything, even his own voice. He could not feel anything, even this own breath. Wait.. breath???

He can't breathe!!! His mind said that he was suffocating but he couldn't feel anything... He tried to kneel to touch the ground, but he could not feel it his hands... heck... he couldn't even SEE his hands. He felt like he was dying... dying?

Yes...

Death...

Maybe this was death?

Maybe he was dead?

Then his senses suddenly came back.

He was already kneeling on the floor and panting heavily. He was sweating buckets of cold water. His eyes were already red from lack of oxygen and his skin was starting to become palish blue.

The he felt someone nearing him. This someone whispered to his ear.

"I actually don't care about your name or anyone's name for that matter. Nor I have anything to do with Miss Long aside from us being classmates. But what I don't like, is someone threatening me. So tell your master that, if he threatens me again, he will feel what you felt today... forever.

Then the person walked pass by him.

"Y..y..You...W..Who... A.are... Y...you?!"

Robert Young asked without looking at Louie. He was now too afraid to see him.

"I told you I'm not this 'You' person. Didn't I already tell you who I am?" Louie asked.

But he didn't hear any reply from Robert Young.

"Oh well... I guess I have to tell you my name again..." Louie smiled.

"I am Loki."