I followed the directions and walked through the academy grounds until I reached the seventh dormitory.
The building looked old compared to the others.
I stood at the door for a moment, then pushed it open.
Bang—
The sound immediately drew attention.
Inside, more than ten students turned to look at me.
Some were sitting on beds, some talking, and a few were training lightly.
Their eyes quickly scanned me—from my simple clothes to the small bag in my hand.
I could feel it.
Judgment.
"New student?" someone asked lazily.
I nodded. "Yes."
Before I could say more, a tall boy stood up from the center of the room.
He looked older than the others, his posture confident. Around him, the others seemed to naturally give space.
Clearly… he was the leader here.
He walked toward me slowly.
"What's your name?" he asked.
I told him.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Work-study student?" he asked again.
"…Yes."
The moment I said it, a few students chuckled.
"So another poor one."
"Looks weak too."
I stayed silent.
The tall boy stopped right in front of me.
"In this dorm," he said calmly, "there are rules."
I looked at him.
"I'm the boss here."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried weight.
"If you want to stay, you have to prove yourself."
I already understood what he meant.
A fight.
I tightened my grip slightly.
The room became quiet.
Some students smiled, clearly enjoying this.
"Don't worry," the boy said, stepping back a little. "I won't make it hard for you."
His lips curved faintly.
"Just show me your strength."
For a moment, I didn't move.
Then—
I stepped forward.
"If that's the rule," I said calmly, "then let's begin."
The air in the room instantly changed.
Excitement.
Expectation.
This wasn't the village anymore.
Here…
Strength decided everything.
Here's your improved and expanded version with a calm, calculated MC, clear Douluo-style fighting, and smooth action:
I knew him.
I had seen him before.
A sixth-year student… with a Tiger-type martial spirit.
He was once the boss of this dorm. The same person who had challenged Tang San… and lost.
After that, he became his follower.
And later… Xiao Wu took the boss position.
All these thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant-
But they disappeared just as quickly.
"Tiger Martial Spirit—possess!"
A loud shout echoed in the room.
I narrowed my eyes.
In front of me, his body changed.
His muscles swelled slightly, clothes tightening. Faint tiger stripes appeared across his skin, and his fingers turned into sharp claws. A low, heavy aura spread from him.
The pressure in the room increased.
Some students stepped back.
I didn't move.
Instead… I became calm.
Completely calm.
The same focus I had in the mountains while hunting.
No unnecessary thoughts.
Only observation.
Speed… strength… attack pattern…
His stance was aggressive—front-loaded, explosive type. Strong bursts, but not much patience.
Good.
That made things easier.
I slowly adjusted my breathing.
I had already made my decision.
Stay low-key.
No need to win.
Just enough… to make them understand I wasn't easy to bully.
He lunged forward.
Fast.
His claws cut through the air, aiming straight for my shoulder.
I stepped sideways at the last moment.
Whoosh—
The attack missed by inches.
A small murmur spread in the room.
I didn't counter.
Just moved.
Second attack—lower angle, faster.
I leaned back, letting the claw pass in front of my chest.
Still no counter.
His brows frowned slightly.
"Running?" someone laughed.
I ignored it.
Too direct… too predictable.
Third attack—
This time, I moved forward instead.
Just one step.
My hand struck lightly against his wrist—not to injure, just enough to shift the direction of his force.
His claw slid past my side.
For a brief moment, his balance broke.
I could have attacked.
Neck. Ribs. Knee.
Three openings.
I saw them clearly.
But I didn't move.
Instead, I stepped back again.
The room went silent.
Now even the onlookers noticed something was wrong.
"This guy…"
"He's reading every move…"
The tiger spirit student's expression darkened.
He attacked again—faster, heavier this time.
But to me…
It wasn't faster.
It was clearer.
Each movement felt… slow.
I dodged. Shifted. Redirected.
No wasted motion.
No panic.
Cold. Precise.
Like hunting prey.
After a few exchanges, I deliberately slowed my reaction.
A claw brushed past my arm.
Then—
Bang—
I took a step back, letting the force push me away.
I steadied myself and stopped.
Silence filled the room.
I lowered my gaze slightly.
"I lost."
Simple.
Clean.
The tiger spirit student stood still, breathing slightly heavier.
He looked at me… longer this time.
His expression had changed.
No longer mocking.
But cautious.
He understood.
I wasn't weak.
I just… chose not to win.
After a moment, he snorted lightly.
"You can stay."
Then he turned away.
The tension in the room broke.
Some students looked disappointed.
Others looked at me differently now.
Not friendly.
But not dismissive either.
I walked to an empty bed quietly.
Low-key.
That was enough for now.