"We're not seeing things!!!"
"What in the world is going on!?"
Principal Jin Xueyang and the others were completely dumbfounded—utterly, hopelessly stunned.
They stood frozen in place for a long time before finally managing to regain their senses.
"Zhao—Zhao—Zhao… Zhao Xuan, what… what exactly happened to you? What on earth went on inside the Demon Space!?"
The normally composed and meticulous principal of Tongcheng No.1 High School was stuttering like a broken recorder.
That alone spoke volumes about how deeply that scene had shaken him.
"Principal, here's what happened."
Zhao Xuan didn't try to hide anything—not even the fact that he hadn't chosen a Logia-type fruit.
After all, paper couldn't cover fire. The truth would come out sooner or later.
So he explained everything that had transpired in the Demon Space, step by step.
"So that's how it was…"
When Zhao Xuan finished, realization dawned on the faces of Jin Xueyang and the others.
But immediately afterward, their expressions grew somber again.
Silence filled the office once more.
After a long pause, Jin Xueyang sighed.
"Zhao Xuan… you were too impulsive this time."
He shook his head slowly, then continued,
"You probably haven't interacted with many Logia-type users before, so you don't truly understand how powerful those abilities are.
Logia fruits possess an almost broken ability—Elementalization—which renders the user immune to all physical attacks…"
He trailed off, exhaling deeply.
"Ah, forget it. It's too late to dwell on it now anyway.
But still, your intuition may not have been entirely wrong. That Animal-type Fish-Fish Fruit you chose seems remarkable.
It pushed your physique past the 100 mark and even awakened your Armament Haki—that's quite a blessing in disguise!"
He managed a faint smile and added,
"Zhao Xuan, take the next few days to rest. Don't overthink it. What's done is done.
Even though you didn't get a Logia ability and thus don't qualify for automatic admission to an elite university,
with your current physical strength and Haki awakening, you can easily pass the physical entrance exam and still enter a top academy."
Then he turned to the homeroom teacher.
"Xiao Zhong, take Zhao Xuan back to class. The college entrance exams are only a few weeks away—we can't afford to waste time."
"Yes, Principal."
And with that, Zhao Xuan followed Zhong Jianguo out of the office.
On their way back to class, Zhao Xuan walked silently beside his teacher.
Zhong Jianguo, worried that Zhao Xuan might be brooding over not choosing a Logia fruit, finally spoke up gently:
"Zhao Xuan, don't overthink it. The principal's right—you may not have become a Logia user,
but awakening Haki ahead of time is a huge advantage.
You could consider focusing on developing your Haki instead."
He smiled faintly, adding,
"Actually, that suits your Animal-type fruit quite well. Almost every Zoan-type enhances physical strength—
and among today's top Haki experts, nearly a third are Zoan fruit users!"
Zhao Xuan felt warmth rise in his chest at his teacher's words.
He smiled and said softly,
"Don't worry, sir. I'm really fine. I don't regret my choice.
Even if I gained an Animal-type ability, I don't believe it's any weaker than a Logia."
Zhong Jianguo nodded, visibly relieved.
"Good. Good! As long as you can think that way, that's all that matters."
—--------------------------------------------------
This period was Iron Body class.
Unlike Meditation, Six Forms, or Swordsmanship theory lessons, these were practical sessions—
held inside the training hall.
The so-called "training hall" wasn't much different from the gymnasiums Zhao Xuan remembered from his previous life.
Wide, open space.
Groups of students from different classes practicing under their instructors' supervision.
However—
It was clear that most of them weren't really focused today.
Especially the students of Class 13, Grade 12—Zhao Xuan's class.
During a short break, they simply couldn't hold back their curiosity any longer.
"I wonder if Zhao Xuan's done choosing his fruit yet?"
"It's already almost one o'clock—he should've finished by now, right?"
"With thirty-seven spiritual power, it's guaranteed he got a Logia fruit.
Looks like our class is about to produce a Logia ability user!"
"Man, Zhao Xuan's grades were always as bad as mine,
and now he suddenly mutates his spiritual power? Talk about luck!"
"Doesn't that mean we'll have a future Seventh-Rank Sovereign from our class?"
"That's crazy! So cool!"
As everyone chatted excitedly about Zhao Xuan, the corner of the room remained quiet.
There sat Li Jiangchang, his face dark and brooding.
His mood couldn't have been worse.
If not for Zhao Xuan, he would've been the center of attention today—
the one everyone admired and envied.
After all, Devil Fruit users were rare.
At Tongcheng No.1 High alone, fewer than five graduates each year awakened fruit abilities—
out of over a thousand students.
Roughly a 1-in-300 chance.
"Damn it… damn it… damn it!"
He clenched his fists under the table, glaring toward his crush—
the girl he'd secretly liked for over a year—
as she stood with her friends, animatedly gossiping about Zhao Xuan.
Jealousy burned in his chest.
But Li Jiangchang wasn't a fool.
He knew better than to let that emotion show.
Someone with Zhao Xuan's power—
someone who almost certainly obtained a Logia fruit—
was not someone he could afford to offend.
So he kept his expression calm,
burying his resentment deep inside.
Just then—
Rustle…!
A sudden stir spread through the hall.
Li Jiangchang looked up—
and there he was.
Zhao Xuan, surrounded by cheering classmates like a star among stars, walking toward them.
Li Jiangchang took a deep breath and forced a smile, stepping forward.
"Zhao Xuan! You're finally back!"
"Come on, tell us—what kind of Logia did you get?"
"Yeah, Zhao Xuan, show us your ability!"
"Don't forget us when you're famous!"
Everyone crowded around, chattering excitedly.
Every question revolved around a single assumption—
that Zhao Xuan had chosen a Logia Fruit.
"Disperse, disperse! What's with all this noise? Class is about to start!"
A sharp, confident female voice rang out from behind.
Zhao Xuan looked up.
Striding toward them was a woman dressed in a crisp white martial uniform.
She was their instructor for Iron Body, Shave, and Finger Gun—
Teacher Fang Qin.