Chapter 11 – The Princess, the Masked Girl, and the Brat
The next morning, Ryuga walked toward his new classroom beside the Grade Five teacher.
When they stepped inside, the students immediately quieted, curious eyes turning toward the podium.
The teacher cleared his throat and addressed them with a steady voice.
"Class, we have a new student joining us today."
He gestured for Ryuga to step forward.
"Student Ryuga, please introduce yourself."
Ryuga stepped up with a polite smile.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Ryuga Ash. I'm seven years old, my martial soul is Shadow Armour, and my soul power is at level twenty."
The classroom erupted instantly.
Chairs scraped, whispers exploded, and disbelief rippled like a wave across the room.
A seven-year-old with level twenty soul power was unheard of — a monster even among nobles.
Some whispered in suspicion.
Some glared in jealousy.
Some stared at him as if he were lying through his teeth.
Ryuga met all their stares with complete indifference, as though looking at a room full of decorative plants.
Their opinions mattered less than dust beneath his boots.
He waited silently, letting their noise burn itself out.
"All right, everyone quiet down!" the teacher finally snapped.
"What Ryuga said is true. There is no need for discussion."
His voice carried a warning edge.
Privately, he had been instructed by all three Vice Deans to keep an eye on Ryuga and prevent any jealous conflict.
Not for Ryuga's safety — but to prevent other students from being hospitalized.
So he spoke firmly on Ryuga's behalf.
"Ryuga, find an empty seat."
Ryuga nodded and began walking between the desks, already having chosen his target.
He stopped before two girls.
Both were around eleven or twelve — definitely not lolitas, but young beauties already blooming.
The first girl stood protectively in front of the other.
She wore a tomboyish scowl, her violet hair tied neatly, her green eyes bright and fierce.
Her body was developing early, curves forming with undeniable confidence.
Ryuga met her glare only briefly.
Then he shifted his gaze to the girl behind her — and everything softened.
The masked girl stood silently like a still, icy lake.
Long blue hair cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall.
Her blue eyes, half-hidden behind the thin black veil, held neither warmth nor hostility — only a calm neutrality that drew attention naturally.
Ryuga smiled.
"I'm Ryuga. I want to sit beside you. Is that okay?"
He reached out his hand.
Slap.
The tomboy's hand struck his away instantly.
But Ryuga didn't even glance at her.
His eyes remained on the masked girl as though the purple-haired one didn't exist.
"You bastard, stop ignoring me!" the tomboy snapped.
Ryuga didn't reply.
Instead, he simply hopped over the desk and sat down beside the masked girl, his movements smooth and effortless.
The tomboy girl's face darkened, anger rising like a storm about to burst.
She opened her mouth to shout, but the teacher quickly stopped her.
"All right, take your seats. Class is beginning."
His voice trembled slightly — even he feared the consequences of upsetting certain families.
Yan yan, granddaughter of a Title Douluo, could cause trouble with a single complaint.
The teacher wisely pretended nothing happened.
But Yan yan sat down with a glare sharp enough to kill.
She stared at Ryuga as if preparing to devour him alive.
Ryuga ignored her entirely.
Instead, he gently took a strand of Lingling's blue hair between his fingers, admiring it with an innocent smile.
"You have really pretty hair," he whispered.
"Like a waterfall. Big sister, you haven't told me your name yet."
Lingling froze, her hand pausing mid-note.
Yan yan nearly leapt from her chair in fury.
But Ryuga continued calmly.
"Sister Lingling, why do you wear a mask? Your face is very pretty."
His gaze remained on her, gentle and curious.
"Sister Lingling, you seem like a gentle person. So… why are you with someone violent like Yan yan?"
His tone was pure mischief.
Yan yan almost exploded right on the spot.
"She is NOT violent, you—!"
Lingling suddenly reached out and grabbed her friend's wrist, stopping her.
Yan yan stared at her, startled.
Lingling then looked at Ryuga, her blue eyes trembling faintly behind the veil.
"Her name is Dugu Yan," she said softly.
"And mine is Ye Lingling."
Yan yan's mouth hung open.
Her friend — who rarely spoke to anyone except her — had just answered Ryuga.
Willingly.
Ryuga's smile brightened.
"Oh? Sister Lingling. Your name is as pretty as a flower."
Lingling lowered her gaze.
But Ryuga wasn't done.
"Sister Lingling, you finally looked at me."
His voice was soft, almost delighted.
"And if you say Yan yan is a good person… then I'll believe you."
He smiled again.
Yan yan nearly fainted from rage.
This brat ignored her, insulted her, and now acted like Lingling's approval was the law of heaven.
Class continued for the rest of the day, but the atmosphere was tense.
Yan yan glared at Ryuga nonstop, ready to erupt at any moment.
Lingling maintained her calm expression, but her eyes flickered once or twice whenever Ryuga smiled at her.
The moment class ended, Ryuga immediately spoke.
"Sister Lingling, do you want to visit my house today? My mother will make delicious food. Tomorrow is a holiday — we can explore Heaven Dou City together."
Yan yan stepped in before Lingling could speak.
"No! We won't play with you. Move aside, brat."
She grabbed Lingling's hand and dragged her away.
Ryuga followed behind them with casual steps.
Yan yan turned, ready to unleash hell.
But Lingling gently squeezed her hand.
"No…" Lingling said softly.
"Ryuga. I will be going with Yan yan."
Ryuga stopped in surprise.
Then he grinned.
"Sister Lingling… you finally said my name."
He placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"I'm happy."
Lingling's calm eyes flickered again, a ripple disturbing the still surface of a lake.
But she said nothing more and followed Yanyan out.
Ryuga watched them go, still smiling.
Written by: Ashborn_
Edited by: Chat GPT