To spare the children, and with Flandre still in high spirits after his big windfall, the group continued at a leisurely pace over the following days. Little by little, the Shrek Seven Devils shook off the lingering fear that had gripped them after taking lives. After all, anyone who could get into Shrek Academy was already a monster. Once they came to terms with that, it didn't weigh on them so heavily.
"Great Master, according to the map we should be approaching Tian Dou City. Where exactly is the Tian Dou Imperial Academy within the city?" Flandre asked while studying the map. There was no marker for the academy anywhere on it.
The Great Master glanced at Flandre. "Even you don't know—how would I? And to think you nominally qualify as an academy head."
Flandre shot back, "What do you mean 'nominally'? I am one, thank you very much. So you don't know either. Wuji, Shao Xin—do either of you know?"
Zhao Wuji smiled wryly. "You know as well as I do—none of us came from proper academies, let alone something as aristocratic as a royal academy. I've only been to Tian Dou City once or twice, and I have no memory of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy's location at all. The others are probably the same."
The other three instructors nodded in unison, signaling that they were equally helpless.
"Headmaster Flandre, I know where the Tian Dou Imperial Academy is." At that moment, Ning Rongrong stepped in to solve Flandre's pressing problem.
"My family's castle isn't far from Tian Dou City. I used to go into the city with our clansmen for fun, and I've visited the Tian Dou Imperial Academy too. Direct-line clan members all train and study within the clan, but some of the branch families do attend the royal academy. Actually, the Tian Dou Imperial Academy isn't inside Tian Dou City—it's outside the city, just like our Shrek Academy is outside Sotuo City."
Flandre grinned with a touch of smugness. "It seems the first headmaster of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy shared my philosophy. Goes to show I really do have a good eye for things."
The Great Master dampened his enthusiasm from the side. "I doubt that's the reason. You put your academy outside the city because you were broke. As for the Tian Dou Imperial Academy placing itself outside the capital—first, they want to spare their students from the decadent influence of the capital. More importantly, I suspect Tian Dou City simply doesn't have a large enough plot of land to house the academy. From what I know, even though the Tian Dou Imperial Academy doesn't have a huge student body, the full range of facilities it requires demands an enormous area."
Zhao Wuji chuckled. "Great Master, why do you always have to tell the truth? Just let the guy enjoy his little fantasy."
"Fantasy, my foot! Zhao Wuji, you've been getting awfully bold lately. Come on—let's spar a bit and show the kids what a Soul Emperor-level fight looks like." As he spoke, Flandre made a gesture as if he was about to strike.
Zhao Wuji didn't even look at him. He spread both arms and pulled Lu Qibin and Li Yusong close on either side. "Flandre, you want to bully me? Keep dreaming. I'm not fighting you. If you want revenge, go ahead and attack—I promise I won't fight back. Let the children see exactly how you, as a role model for young people, prey on the weak."
"You—" Flandre glared furiously at Zhao Wuji. "I've noticed that ever since the Great Master arrived, you've gotten a lot sneakier."
"Cut it out—don't drag me into your squabbles. What does this have to do with me?" The Great Master stretched his limbs. "Enough nonsense. Let's move. Since Rongrong knows the way, we should be able to reach the royal academy today. Once we're settled, the kids can start training sooner."
Flandre sighed in resignation. "You really are a training maniac. With you around, I become the embodiment of patience by comparison."
After a quick meal of dry rations, the group set off again. As night fell, with Ning Rongrong leading the way, they finally arrived at their destination—the Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
"Rongrong, are you sure this is the place?" Flandre's voice carried a strange note.
Ning Rongrong nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. It's not like the Tian Dou Imperial Academy would just move, is it? I'm positive this is it."
"But this is a mountain!"
"This entire mountain belongs to the Tian Dou Imperial Academy. Oh, and the forest behind it and the lake at the base of the hill on the left—all of it falls under the academy's jurisdiction. We're about to enter the academy grounds now."