Chapter 29 - Training With a Broom
Mr. Zhou returned three days before the tournament registration deadline.
He looked exactly the same.
Which annoyed everyone.
Maya had imagined him recovering from a legendary battle.
He had apparently spent two days fishing.
“Victor?” Eli asked.
“Escaped.”
“Did you win?”
Mr. Zhou shrugged. “He left first.”
That was apparently old-man language for yes.
Eli showed him the Black Lotus manual.
For the first time, Mr. Zhou looked genuinely surprised.
“Where did you get this?”
“Campus basement.”
Mr. Zhou stared at the floor.
“I have cleaned this school for eleven years.”
“You missed a spot.”
Training began immediately.
Mr. Zhou gave Eli a broom.
“Again?”
“Your weapon skill is improvisation. A fixed weapon would make you predictable.”
For six hours, Eli practiced with broom handles, umbrellas, backpacks, rolled magazines, and one traffic cone.
The cone was surprisingly effective.
His system recorded everything.
[IMPROVISED WEAPONRY I → II]
[STREET STEP II → III]
Mr. Zhou taught him one real technique.
Borrowed Force.
Instead of blocking power directly, Eli redirected it through movement and timing.
Perfect for someone weaker than most opponents.
“Do not fight like a strong man,” Mr. Zhou said.
“That’s convenient.”
“Fight like a poor man.”
Eli’s eyes widened.
Mr. Zhou sighed. “I regret saying that.”
The registration list went live that night.
Eli searched the names.
Maya Chen.
Jace Moreno.
Brent the sword prodigy.
Then one name near the bottom.
LUCAS VANE.
Maya whispered, “He’s competing?”
Eli’s system displayed:
[WARNING: LUCAS VANE — CULTIVATION UNKNOWN.]
May you like
That was new.
