Thirty-three, thirty-three.

After delivering that "let me teach you" speech, Xuanyuan Sheng felt exceptionally pleased with himself.

In the interstellar era, there were not as many rigid rules as in the age of ancient martial arts. Bare-handed combat was not restricted by sect traditions; as long as one had a good teacher willing to instruct them, anyone could learn. From his mentor Guang Wuran, Xuanyuan Sheng had learned not only swordsmanship but also a set of Kyokushin Karate.

Such a treasure was something he wouldn't bother teaching others even if they begged him, but a new friend wanting to learn was a different story altogether. He was more than happy to oblige!

"Sure," Yuan Hanshuang agreed readily.

Xuanyuan Sheng was so immersed in his excitement that he completely failed to notice the stunned expressions of Wu Haoxuan and Ke Junda standing nearby. If he had noticed, perhaps his fate for the rest of the day would have been better. Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."

The schedule for the second week was simple: three days of cold weapon training and three days of bare-handed combat. After lining up in formation, Niu Hu demonstrated a set of basic military-style martial arts on the spot.

"This set of military boxing is called 'Seven-Colored Sunshine.' It is divided into three stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. I will be your instructor for the intermediate combat course this year, and the final assessment standard for the semester will be to execute the entire intermediate set flawlessly."

Unlike cold weapons, everyone present, including the support-class students, had some foundation in bare-handed combat. After all, the interstellar populace was martial-spirited; combat courses were offered as early as primary academy, and even an old man on the street could throw a few punches.

After watching the instructor’s demonstration, Wu Haoxuan whispered, "This boxing style is far inferior to what the Boss taught us."

"That goes without saying," Ke Junda rolled his eyes at him. "What the Boss taught us is authentic ancient martial arts. Do you know how expensive a set of ancient martial arts techniques sells for on the market nowadays?"

"I know, I know. That guy named Gudong offered five million this morning," Wu Haoxuan sighed. "I don't know why the Boss refuses to sell. If it were me, never mind five million, I’d be willing to pay to get rid of it for one million."

While they were talking, Instructor Niu had the freshmen pair up for sparring. Xuanyuan Sheng approached Yuan Hanshuang with practiced ease. While loosening his knees, he lowered his voice.

"Just treat the military boxing the instructor showed as a reference. This kind of basic technique is learned all across the galaxy; its actual lethality is quite mediocre. Once you pass the advanced combat course, you can take electives in more detailed forms like ancient martial arts, jujutsu, Muay Thai, or Krav Maga—all of which are better than this."

"Of course," he said, standing in place and assuming a stance, "this Kyokushin Karate of mine is quite excellent."

When it came to boasting, Xuanyuan Sheng was a professional. "I'll demonstrate it for you first."

Yuan Hanshuang said nothing, silently observing his performance. Although ancient martial arts were on the decline in the interstellar era, various modern combat styles were thriving, and some contained breakthroughs in philosophy. She had experienced this firsthand back when she worked in the Black Street.

As it turned out, the young S-rank genius Xuanyuan Sheng truly had some skill. His movements were fluid, well-connected, and if interstellar karate had rank systems, he would easily be a black belt. Having practiced swordsmanship for ten years, he had likely spent just as long on bare-handed combat. For someone of his age and background, being able to settle down and train so diligently was rare.

As Xuanyuan Sheng performed, Yuan Hanshuang memorized the moves and spotted the openings in her mind. She was busy contemplating how to fight so that Xuanyuan Sheng wouldn't lose too miserably.

"Done." Xuanyuan Sheng stopped, panting, and didn't forget to strike a pose he felt was incredibly cool. He brushed back his sweat-dampened golden hair. "Come on, I'll break down the moves and teach you."

Thanks to the excellent aesthetic genes in his royal bloodline, this action only appeared flashy, not greasy.

"Alright," Yuan Hanshuang said, assuming the starting stance.

"Not bad, your starting stance is quite standard." Xuanyuan Sheng strolled over, intending to offer pointers, but was stunned to see she had mimicked his exact Kyokushin Karate starting pose. There was nothing to critique about her posture, so he assumed she had encountered it before.

"The first move is—"

Before he could finish, Yuan Hanshuang executed the first strike. After the initial punch, she immediately followed with a high kick. Her movements were standard, elegant, and extremely fluid—not at all like a beginner who had just encountered karate.

Xuanyuan Sheng was shocked. "I only did it once; did you memorize all of it?"

"Mm," Yuan Hanshuang rubbed her wrist. "It's quite simple. Not very hard."

If it were anyone else, Xuanyuan Sheng might have thought they were mocking him. But the person in front of him was not only his new friend but also appeared calm and spoke with an ease that suggested no arrogance, as if she were simply stating a fact.

Was it really that simple?

Xuanyuan Sheng, who had practiced Kyokushin Karate for years, couldn't help but doubt reality. Because so much time had passed, he had forgotten how long it took him to learn the moves the first time. However, an S-rank mimicry aptitude also boosted memory; memorizing moves wasn't difficult in theory.

Theoretically, it was fine, but a sense of foreboding rose in Xuanyuan Sheng's heart. Recalling the sword sparring from a few days ago and feeling the phantom pain in his face, he asked warily, "Don't tell me, just like with swordsmanship, you've learned karate before?"

"Karate? Never," Yuan Hanshuang answered honestly. "This is my first time."

There were so many schools of bare-handed combat; she specialized in boxing and had truly never touched karate.

"That's good," Xuanyuan Sheng exhaled in relief. He decided to skip the breakdown and stood opposite her. "Let's just spar directly. If bare-handed combat isn't applied in actual fighting, it's just flowery fists and embroidered legs. You only gain experience through real combat. You attack first, I'll defend."

Yuan Hanshuang: "..."

Yuan Hanshuang: "Do you ever feel like this has happened before?"

"Seems like it, a little," Xuanyuan Sheng said, dismissing it. He demonstrated the punch again, briefly explaining the mechanics. "Come on, aim for me. Just use the first strike."

As it turned out, some people never learn their lesson and are doomed to repeat their mistakes. Wu Haoxuan, who was watching from the sidelines, covered his face. Even though Ke Junda had beaten him up during their match earlier, he couldn't help but feel like lighting a candle for Xuanyuan Sheng.

"A punch, right?" Yuan Hanshuang gestured. "Are you sure you want me to aim at you?"

"Hold on a second."

The recurring ominous sixth sense finally broke Xuanyuan Sheng. He fell into a rare silence and, violating his own principle of not revealing his psychic mimicry in public, silently summoned his manifestation.

A massive golden lion emerged from the pale blue ripples of psychic energy. It was imposing, nearly two people tall. The mane around its neck was sleek and glossy, and its fur shimmered with the same brilliant gold as its master’s hair. Its appearance drew gasps of awe.

"Wow, is that Xuanyuan's mimicry? As expected of an S-rank, so imposing."

Seeing the crowd's reaction, the Golden Lion held its head high, puffing out its chest to display its well-developed muscles and thick mane. If not for the setting, this king of the grasslands would likely have roared to assert its dominance. For some reason, Yuan Hanshuang saw the same narcissistic flair in the lion's movements as she did in its owner.

While she was thinking this, the Golden Lion suddenly sniffed the air and lunged toward her.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Xuanyuan Sheng was startled. He hadn't given the command. Thinking of the unique nature of his mimicry, he panicked. Even Niu Hu, who was watching over the students, looked as if he were facing a great enemy; his own massive purple ape mimicry raised its fists, ready to swat the lion away.

But to everyone's surprise, the Golden Lion did nothing. After lunging toward Yuan Hanshuang, it circled her twice and then quietly flopped onto the ground, looking lazy.

"..." Xuanyuan Sheng said with a complex tone, "It likes you."

After saying this, he looked embarrassed. This embarrassment spurred him to quickly recall the Golden Lion and perform a sync-bond.

Wu Haoxuan nudged Ke Junda. "Old Ke, did you pay attention in mimicry class? Didn't the teacher say our mimicries reflect our true thoughts?"

"Were you sleeping in class?" Ke Junda gave him a look of pure disdain. "But you're right; mimicries reflect a person's genuine preferences. I like the Boss too; every time my Macaw comes out, it has to praise the Boss."

Given the Macaw's personality, it was incredible for a compliment to come out of its beak, which served as proof of Ke Junda's respect and affection for the Boss.

After the sync-bond, Xuanyuan Sheng’s stature surged. His short golden hair grew longer, his bones lengthened, his muscles bulged, and his aura changed dramatically. The sync-bond of an S-rank mimicry was far more imposing than others, and many students with lower-ranked mimicries had to look away, unable to withstand the pressure.

If Xuanyuan Sheng had looked like a young man transitioning into adulthood before, he now possessed the bodybuilding physique of an Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Come on!" Xuanyuan Sheng confidently raised his golden lion claws, assuming a defensive stance. The obvious power boost gave him the sense of security he needed.

With that security, Xuanyuan Sheng couldn't help but court disaster again: "Why don't you sync your mimicry too? We're both at the early stage of the fourth rank; if only I sync, it won't be a fair fight. Don't worry about me, use your full strength."

Yuan Hanshuang didn't bother asking if he was sure. She silently summoned her Koi.

"My god, Yuan's mimicry is huge too!"

"It's not any smaller than the Golden Lion! Is she an S-rank talent too?"

"No way, I recall Silver Star only recruited one S-rank this year. Do you think S-ranks are cabbages on the street?"

The appearance of the Koi drew another round of gasps. Having "freeloaded" on nutritional supplements for the past few days, the Koi had grown rounder and looked no smaller than the Golden Lion. Outside the crowd, Feng Bai frowned imperceptibly while looking at this mimicry, which seemed to have nothing in common with a gyrfalcon.

Because of its massive size, no one treated it as an ordinary Koi, and they began whispering about it being a rare type.

The discussions didn't affect the duel. After the sync-bond, Yuan Hanshuang's pupils turned a shimmering crimson, and scales grew along her slender wrists. She stepped forward and suddenly thrust her right hand out.

...

In a villa behind the Silver Star Academy, the butler had already prepared dinner. This was a high-end dormitory built for Silver Star; the rent was paid by the semester and was shockingly expensive. Naturally, commoner students couldn't afford it, but for nobles and scions of powerful families, it was no problem.

Xuanyuan Sheng, despite being technically "abandoned" to this academy, was still a prince; he had rented the most expensive villa immediately. However, it wasn't until the stars were bright that a dejected figure appeared at the villa's entrance.

"Your Highness?" The old butler was shocked and hurried to greet him. Having served the prince for years, he had watched him grow up and had never seen his usually proud and confident master look so soul-lost.

"It's nothing," Xuanyuan Sheng waved him off and drifted toward his bedroom like a ghost.

After closing the door, he fell backward onto his bed. The room was dark, and Xuanyuan Sheng used the shadows to mask his confusion.

"She defeated me in one move."

He covered his eyes with his hand, experiencing a deep sense of frustration for the first time in his life. "Compared to her, what kind of genius am I?"