Douluo Dalu: 1st Cycle: Dancing Panda

The look on the teacher's face became one of amusement. "Even if the two of you were specially permitted, I can't teach you everything, since the two of you don't have the required knowledge."

Karni and Siduo were a bit confused. "What will we be allowed to learn exactly?" It was Karni asking.

"Most of the subjects, except for Mecha Engineering. You two are not mature enough yet, nor are you knowledgeable enough to start learning." The teacher gave a straightforward answer.

Siduo raised her voice. "That's not fair! Except for Mecha Engineering, all the other classes are useless, some start learning even before they're even six!"

The teacher changed her face yet again, you could tell she was about to speak in a harsh tone. "I've said what I've said. I don't want entitled brats who cause ruckus on the first day to be learning Mecha Engineering. You can always hire a teacher like the families who make their children learn at a young age."

"So you're saying you won't let us learn? In that case those who've made fun of us shouldn't learn either since we simply defended ourselves and they caused the ruckus first." There was calmness in the hostility of Karni's voice.

The teacher put a finger on her lips, as if in thought. "You're right. They did start it."

The other students now dreaded what her next words would be.

"However, they have it in their curriculum. They can't not learn this. Though I guess you do deserve some sort of a chance." She still appeared to be in thought, more talking to herself than to the students.

"Sure, you call it chance, I'd call it bullying." Siduo gave a childish huff. Though Karni could tell she was acting.

Siduo, while always getting what she wanted, was usually also quite hot headed. Quick with antagonising other people. However she used that hot headedness of hers with some skill. She wanted a reaction out of the teacher.

"Sure I'm a bully. I'm a teacher after all. Students should listen to their teachers, no? Otherwise, they won't learn anything." She returned a smile to Siduo.

Siduo quieted down for a second. She was about to use a more extreme tactic, something more personal, but two things interrupted her. First was Karni. He could see the devilish look in her eyes, so he held her back.

Second was a distant voice. "Now, now Teacher Ye. No need to be such a person, you won't change the academy's decision." A middle aged man walked towards the group. He seemed kind of familiar to Karni, though he wasn't sure when he had seen him before.

There was a look of shock on Teacher Ye's face. "Vice-Headmaster! I'm sorry, but the two of them are just unruly, I don't want to teach them. Their talent doesn't mean they deserve such privileges when they're so childish."

The Vice-Headmaster just sighed. "Teacher Ye, you're severely underestimating them. I've observed them before and while it's true that they have some childish tendencies, they are much more mature compared to their peers. I'd be willing to bet their maturity is on the level of your current class."

Teacher Ye simply had an indignant look on her face, it was clear she didn't want to teach these two children.

The Vice-Headmaster only continued sighing. "Alright then, since you aren't convinced, how about we make a simple bet?"

The teacher had a confused look on her face. "What kind of bet?"

"The two of them have to defeat two students from this class of your choosing."

Teacher Ye went into thought again. "Even if they can beat them, their preexisting knowledge is subpar at best, I can't-"

She was cut off by Karni. "Then we can just study harder, to fulfil that part."

The Vice-Headmaster started chuckling to the side in secret. Since they spoke up again, his job was done. Time to watch the show.

Teacher Ye didn't look impressed. "Yeah, those are just big words so that you could stay and study, aren't they?"

She wasn't going to just believe the words of a 7 year old. Most of them were unruly, don't even begin on a 7 year old catching up to the peers in higher classes by studying harder.

Siduo answered the teacher's dilemma. "Then give us half a year. If we write any of the tests below 95 percent we won't bother you anymore."

Both the Vice-Headmaster and Teacher Ye were shocked by the statement. No wait, Karni was shocked too. "95 percent? Sisi, are you going mental?" He could take a 90 percent one but 95 was much harder.

Let's say there were only 10 questions. You can only hope that the teacher would count half points, if not, they would have to get 100 percent correct answers. And based on this teacher's current attitude, you can bet that she doesn't give half points. She would most likely give tests that have in total less than 20 points as well. All of the tests would have to be hundred percent at that point.

The teacher started to laugh, she even had to hold onto her belly. "In that case I agree, if you manage to get at least 95 percent on all of the tests I will even personally teach you combat."

The students around them were extremely shocked by that statement. Personal combat teaching from Teacher Ye? It was both terrifying and a dream come true. Karni and Siduo didn't really think much of it though.

"Well then you two. First you have to beat two of my chosen students, yes?" A small smirk appeared on her face. She was enjoying this small event.

The Vice-Master felt like he needed some popcorn. It was a shame he'd miss the show if he went and got it.

"Both of you will fight a 1v1 against two of my chosen students. If either one of you fails to win, neither of you can learn Mecha Engineering."

Karni and Siduo gave a serious nod.

"Good." She turned around and looked towards the 9 year old students. She pointed out two of them. "You two will fight them."

Some of the students immediately showed doubt. Based on the conversation, they were among the stronger students. On the edge of becoming Soul Grandmasters.

At least she didn't choose those at the top of the class, those were already two ringed Soul Grandmasters.

Of course Karni and Siduo could hear that. Siduo had no fear on her face, while Karni got a bit nervous. But a sneaky bit of excitement was shown as well, he really wanted to test himself. To be at the above average level of 9 year olds at this age would be quite an accomplishment. This was above average of an elite school as well.

The two students stepped out. One girl and one boy, just like Karni and Siduo. The girl was pitted against Siduo and the boy against Karni.

The first to fight were Siduo and the girl. As the saying would go. Ladies first. Well, that, and the fact that Siduo didn't give Karni a chance to step up, she was excited.

"Alright, report your names." Said Teacher Ye.

"Wu Siduo."

"Zhen Yinling."

"The rules are simple. When one of you can't continue, or I judge otherwise, it's over. Start." The teacher raised her hands.

Siduo and Yinling then released their martial souls. Siduo grew a pair of black cat ears as she released her Hell Cat martial soul.

Yinling on the other hand turned slightly purple with small lighting travelling around her body. She became more slender and small purple fur grew on her body.

"Lightning Jaguar." Thought Karni out loud. He'd been learning diligently.

Similarly to the Hell Cat, it focused on speed and attack. Perhaps it wasn't as strong as the Hell Cat, but it was certainly faster. If she were at 20th rank already, she would most certainly contend for the number one spot based on pure speed.

Or at least, that was the general knowledge. As both Siduo and Yinling dashed out, there was a clear speed difference. Siduo was faster.

Most students were filled with shock, the teacher wes too. There were only two people who weren't. One was the Vice-Headmaster and the second one was obviously Karni. He knew how terrifying Siduo's speed could be when she got serious.

Right now, Siduo was definitely serious. No matter her pride, she wasn't going to be holding back. Battle was the one thing she never did half-heartedly.

When Yinling saw it, she flinched, and Siduo immediately took the chance to use that.

Siduo managed to knock into Yinling from the side and thus throwing her completely off balance. Yinling was forced to already activate her first soul skill.

Her first soul ring, which was also yellow, shone brightly. The speed visibly increased and there was constant lightning shooting off of her.

Siduo was immediately put on the defending side.

Yinling brushed past Siduo, who groaned a little. The lightning grazed her and she could feel bits of paralysis on her arm.

Yinling didn't leave her room to breathe. The other arm was targeted in a beautiful arc.

However Siduo wouldn't allow the other hand to be hit as well. It was now her turn to activate her first soul ring. Hell Rush.

She suddenly disappeared from Yinling's sight. Before Yinling could tell what happened, she got kicked from the side.

Siduo's soul ring was a pure speed increase. Yinling's ability increased her speed through lighting instead. One could say that hers was an increase in explosiveness instead.

Yinling was already slower before the use of soul ring abilities and now her increase in speed was lesser as well. This gave Siduo a massive advantage. So what if Siduo didn't increase her damage, if Yinling couldn't hit her, would the lightning matter?

Yinling simply couldn't keep up much after this. While she got a few grazes into Siduo here and there, Siduo seemed to have brushed them off. Even used that as a chance to counterattack. All matters of suspense were gone.

Yinling couldn't fight anymore. Siduo has won, and decisively at that. It felt more like bullying. Like a fly that you couldn't get rid off constantly buzzing around you, but the fly was giant and treated you like target practice. Karni sympathised with Yinling a bit, he knew the feeling.

"Wu Siduo wins. Students, you can learn from Siduo on how to effectively use speed as a weapon itself." Teacher Ye glanced at the older students who still didn't quite realise what just happened.

Siduo walked to Karni. "Did you have to get hit by the early attacks?"

"Well I had to check the power of the attacks, then I'd know how weak they are."

Karni knew that, while the answer was playful and arrogant in wording, she was also serious. Once one knows the extent of the opponents abilities, everything changes. Should the lightning have been stronger, Siduo would have to completely switch her tactics. The statement itself is simply a matter of confidence if one actually wins.

"Alright boys, come in the circle." Teacher Ye reminded Karni and the other boy.

The two quickly got to their places.

"Report your names."

"Val Karni."

"Yang Mo."

The boy looked quite big for his age. It was clear that his body was very muscular and well built. Karni didn't want to judge a book by its cover, but his guess was this guy was a strength or assault type soul master.

"Start."

Just like before, the two released their martial souls. Karni released his Staff of Predictions and a yellow ring appeared.

Similarly, Yang Mo released his martial soul. It looked bronze in colour, and seemed to have strong yet small wings and scales on its body. It was a Bronze Dragon.

Bronze Dragons had the elements of Metal and Earth and they specialised in strength. As one got stronger they would even be capable of flight. Much like the Lightning Jaguar, if this child were to reach rank 20, he would contend for the top of the class. It was because their soul power was insufficient as opposed to their Martial Souls, that they weren't at the top.

Karni got a bit nervous, but he soon calmed down. Yang Mo already dashed towards him.

The young boy simply stood still and waited for Yang Mo to arrive. None of them have activated their soul rings. This also meant that Karni didn't have the better version of predictions, nor was his awareness enhanced.

Just as Yang Mo arrived at him and punched out towards Karni. Karni suddenly leaned back by almost ninety degrees. It looked extremely unnatural and anyone who would do that would lose their balance.

However, that's exactly why Karni did it. The shift in his centre of balance gave him the chance to move around Yang Mo and arrive next to his side. It was a small manipulation of strength, but the change was extreme.

Everything seemed extremely surreal. To others it looked like Karni was pulled to Yang Mo's side like a magnet.

Karni immediately rebalanced himself when he shifted. In fact, the shift itself was the balancing move. No bo staff needed. The bo staff had a different purpose, to jab the Bronze Dragon in the ribs.

Since his damage potential was small, he had to hit the most uncomfortable of places.

Yang Mo lost his balance a bit, he thought his eyes were deceiving him. Despite being hit though, it didn't hurt at all.

Karni was a control system soul master, not an assault one. But the hit did give him what Karni would consider a single Stack. The bo staff felt a tiny bit stronger.

Despite the success though, the punch that Yang Mo released in that single exchange made Karni nervous again. That punch was really going to hurt if it landed on him. And that was Karni thinking positively.

Luckily, Karni specialised in not getting hit, and with a speed system soul master like Siduo to train with, his skill in dodging was superb.

This was proved again in their next exchange. As Yang Mo cought his balance and struck again. Karni dodged again, to the very same side.

This time Yang Mo was prepared. He struck out with his other arm. Karni's answer to this was simple. Another 'unbalanced' dodge. And another strike to Yang Mo's ribs. The very same ribs.

Another Stack added the bo staff was a tiny bit stronger again.

Yang Mo, even though he got hit, had a smile on his face. He figured out Karni's fighting style immediately.

This is how a small dance began between the two of them. It was eventually the 6th exchange of blows already. Karni still hasn't gotten hit, however Yang Mo started to get used to Karni's movements by now.

Another exchange, another set of dodges and another hit to the ribs. Yang Mo's sides started to hurt a bit by now, a feeling familiar to when one sits for too long. But he was smiling. He almost hit the slippery guy just then.

The flow seemed to be turning in Yang Mo's direction. Everyone had the feeling that Yang Mo was planning to finish this soon.

Yang Mo struck at the air yet again as Karni dodged, and the second strike was dodged as well, however in the next moment, Yang Mo's body seemed to have sped up. And a bright yellow glow of the soul ring could be seen.

A split second before, Karni saw a similar bright glow, however it was golden. What did Karni do? He activated his soul ring as well. It was activated at the same time as his opponents.

Two yellow soul ring's glowed at exactly the same time. A terrifying Bronze Claw came towards Karni's direction. Yet interestingly to the audience, Karni dodged it with ease, it was like the match was reset to the beginning.

Before that he started struggling with dodging. Now it felt like he knew exactly what was going to happen. In the next moment another hit connected with Yang Mo's ribs, just under the Bronze Claw.

Karni could also sense the movements better, he could 'see' him better. When Yang Mo turned around, another hit connected from behind with ease, still aimed at the same spot in the ribs.

And then another one. Yang Mo couldn't even see where Karni was. He knew Karni was behind him, but every time he turned, Karni was gone.

How was this possible? Karni wasn't a speed system soul master. Such thoughts were going through Yang Mo's head… who just received another direct hit. Karni was now targeting the ribs with much greater intensity. His Stacks were at three, which was the max, but the bo staff definitely felt stronger.

He knew he could go higher, he should be able to handle it with ease. This wasn't hard to use at all after all. But he didn't know how, just brute force wasn't it, because brute force wasn't the thing that made the Stacks anyway.

The view from the sidelines was even more interesting. All the students could see what was happening. Every time Yang Mo would turn, Karni would follow at exactly the same time.

It wasn't that he moved immediately after Yang Mo started turning, no he moved at the same time, and sometimes even before Yang Mo started turning.

Yang Mo was getting frustrated. His ribs were now aching, he couldn't see the person hitting his ribs, and it was alway the very same spot it was hit. It's not like it caused him major damage, but it hurt goddamn it!

"How about you stop dancing around like a coward and fight me!" Yang Mo roared as his soul ring lit up again and he did another slash with his Bronze Claw. Yet again, he hit air, and in the next moment, the ribs before the very claw were hit again.

"Is it my fault you're so fun to dance around?" Answered Karni. While hitting him yet again, this time a light hit on the head as a change. It was like he was telling Yang Mo he was stupid.

The provocation worked and Yang Mo roared, his soul ring lit up like many times until now and another Bronze Claw was going towards Karni.

It was more on point this time, however Karni still dodged and hit Yang Mo under the claw that was aimed at him.

Thus yet another dance began as Yang Mo started using his Bronze Claw more and more.

At some point the scene began to turn weird. Yang Mo was clearly getting closer to Karni, but he was also getting tired.

Karni didn't seem as tired. However, his movement was still slowing down as time went on. Did this make any sense?

Yang Mo was getting closer and closer to hitting him, but he was clearly more tired than Karni. This was the price he had to pay for this kind of ferocity.

Siduo saw this and a small smile appeared on her face. "And you're judging me for weird tactics."

Another strike, and another miss. Yang Mo was breathing heavily. Constant use of his ability exhausted his soul power greatly. He maybe had about 5 hits left in him. He wouldn't have lost with Karni hitting him, his skin was too tough for that. He was about to lose by running out of energy.

However Yang Mo was seeing hope. He was incredibly close to hitting Karni. "Just one hit," he thought, "just one and I win."

And he was right. Once Karni was hit, there was no way he could win, since the Bronze Claw would truly hurt him. He didn't have any defence whatsoever and he wasn't about to reveal his second martial soul, it probably wouldn't help much anyway.

In his exhaustion, Yang Mo didn't notice a small smile on Karni's face, nor did he notice that Karni wasn't tired. All he saw was that he was getting slower and slower.

Another swing of the Bronze Claw, and another miss. The revenge hit didn't come this time around. But this time, Karni was on his side rather than his back.

"This is it!" Screamed Yang Mo internally.

He made a massive turn and struck directly towards Karni who was to his side.

At this time Karni suddenly sped up and dodged the claw with extreme ease. A simple sidestep and a push of his bo staff towards Yang Mo.

But the direction he pushed it this time wasn't the ribs, it was the back of the hand which had the Bronze Claw activated.

With this push and the power of the Claw that Yang Mo was carrying, the Claw turned directions. It was towards Yang Mo himself, towards his left shoulder.

Worst of all, Yang Mo couldn't control his own attack due to how tired he was. He even had trouble reacting to it.

The claw hit the shoulder of Yang Mo, and he immediately fell to the ground. Tired and out of energy.

"Val Karni wins." Announced the Teacher Ye. This was quite a long fight.

Even though Yang Mo had no less soul power than Karni, there was a difference in skill. Karni was very adept at dodging and using the predictions to his advantage.

When Yang Mo started using his Bronze Claw, Karni was quite worried. But as he continued to dodge, he noticed that the Bronze Claw was using quite a large amount of Yang Mo's soul power and was visibly telegraphed even without the predictions.

With this he concocted the plan to just keep exhausting Yang Mo's soul power. Originally, this was all he wanted to do, but he wanted to show the teacher he's more than just dodging. Hence, he pretended to slow down.

Just as Siduo said, it was a weird tactic, as well unnecessary. The last move he used could have also been used much earlier, the predictiveness of Yang Mo's attack has been high for quite some time. In this case it was more Karni's caution that played into the timing.

"What did you say before you went to fight? I didn't quite hear right." Siduo said when Karni approached.

"What can I say, I learned from the best." He winked.

Siduo gave him a playful kick, while wearing a big smile. He did become more playful because of her, the provocation was an excellent example of that.

"Alright the show is over. You two succeeded in the first part of the bet. Now let's start with the introduction of Mecha Engineering." Teacher Ye didn't idle around.

The teacher had some trouble focusing as well, she didn't expect that these small children were so talented, even when she set high expectations for herself.

Karni also got a nickname among the students. The Dancing Boy. Little did he know that a similar title would be attached to him in the future.