The sunlight filtered gently through the canopy of trees surrounding Shrek Academy. A quiet breeze rustled the leaves as students slowly gathered for their morning training. The air smelled different now—less of worn-out sweat and desperation, and more like the slow return of pride.
It's changing, Li Wei thought as he stepped onto the cobbled walkway near the central courtyard. Bit by bit, this academy is breathing again.
At the heart of that breath were five pillars—the original staff who kept Shrek afloat when no one else believed in it.
The Teachers of Shrek Academy, Year 2648
Flender, the academy's founder and dean, had the sharp glint of a hawk and the smooth tongue of a merchant. Known for making opportunistic decisions, he was also someone who never let go of his dream: building an academy that defied the elite system. He stood now by the administration building, arms crossed as he scanned the training ground.
"Hmm… not bad. Not bad at all," he muttered, clearly trying to act composed.
But Li Wei noticed the way his mouth twitched upward as he passed by the freshly painted gatepost—a rare smile trying to break through his usual miser-mask.
He may be shameless, but he poured his soul into this place. He just needed someone to give him breathing room.
Next to him was the towering figure of Zhao Wuji, Vice Dean of the academy. People called him the Immovable King, and for good reason. With his arms crossed and eyes narrowed, he kept a strict eye on the younger generation. But this morning, his usual scowl was softened.
"Flender," he grunted. "The new weighted rods for resistance training arrived this morning. I'll start running the students with them by noon."
He paused, then added in a low voice, "Also… thanks. For clearing the payroll. I didn't want to see Lu Qibin patching his robes with thread from his own spirit pouch again."
Li Yusong, the white-haired elder, was the teacher responsible for general spirit theory and entrance evaluations. A Spirit Elder with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor, he had long since given up on chasing glory. But now, standing in front of a chalkboard with fresh writing materials in hand, he actually looked rejuvenated.
"I can finally order new mana-crystal chalk," he mused aloud to no one in particular. "The last batch was so faded I could barely teach."
He turned toward Li Wei and gave a rare nod of approval. "You're young, but you understand value. That's a rare gift."
Near the field, Lu Qibin, the academy's physical techniques instructor, was leading the only few students that this academy have through basic movement drills. His short beard twitched as he barked orders, but the moment his students were occupied, he stepped to the side and looked over his new shoes with a small grin.
"They haven't pinched once all morning. Real leather. Haven't worn that in years."
He caught Li Wei looking and coughed awkwardly. "Don't get it wrong. I'm still gonna run you lot into the ground. Especially you."
Li Wei smiled and nodded. "Looking forward to it, Teacher Lu."
Last was Shao Xin, the only food system instructor of Shrek academy. Unlike the others, he was a little big and quiet, usually blending into the background unless called. But today, he stood near the mess hall with his hands tucked behind his back, watching the early students line up for breakfast.
"Fresh vegetables. Even meat," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else. "They won't understand now… but when their bodies stop aching and their minds start working clearly, they'll learn faster."
He glanced at Li Wei, his eyes unreadable. "You're not just throwing money around. You've bought time. That's more precious than any artifact."
Li Wei's gaze lowered slightly.
Time… huh. That's true. Even I don't know how much of it I have before the tides of fate start shifting. But for now… I'll buy what peace I can.
Morning practice began to disperse as the sun climbed steadily toward the sky's center. Shrek Academy, once quiet and a little dreary, now carried a subtle buzz—like a village that had just awoken from a long slumber.
Li Wei stood at the edge of the courtyard, sipping a warm cup of tea from the newly repaired mess hall. He had brewed it himself—it was a habit from his previous life that he carried with him like a charm. His fingers curled around the cup, eyes half-lidded as he watched the quiet bustle.
A slow life like this… it isn't so bad.
"Oi, brat. You're up early."
The familiar, scratchy voice pulled him from his thoughts. Flender approached from the side, carrying a clipboard filled with purchase requests and renovation plans. His glasses were slightly askew as always, but his robe was clean today—no stray feathers, no ink stains.
"Morning, Dean," Li Wei said with a faint smile, sipping his tea again. "You sound more relaxed than usual."
Flender gave a scoffing chuckle. "With your investment, this place can finally run like a real academy. Even Zhao Wuji's been smiling more—he's trying to hide it, of course, but I know that grumpy old bear better than anyone."
Li Wei nodded, then slowly lowered his cup. "Speaking of investments… I was hoping to ask you about something."
"Hm? What is it?"
Li Wei took a breath, then said casually, "I heard you had a strange stone tucked away somewhere. Round, metallic. Not a spirit tool, but not ordinary either."
Flender narrowed his eyes. "You've been asking around?"
"Not really. Just caught whispers." Li Wei shrugged. "I don't know why, but I've been… curious about it. Call it instinct."
Or maybe a future echo, he thought silently. He remembered the stone—how Tang San would later buy it, how it turned out to be something extraordinary. He didn't want to rob Tang San of it, he want it. That boy had his own destiny.
Flender raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "It's just some weird decorative junk. I picked it up years ago when I was still flying merchant routes."
"But you kept it."
The dean chuckled. "Alright, alright. You got me. It's not like I'm hiding a national treasure. It's just… odd. Doesn't respond to spiritual energy, but it feels ancient. I keep it in my study. You want to take a look?"
Li Wei nodded. "If that's alright."
Flender waved him along. "Come on, then."
---
Inside the dean's office—freshly cleaned with new lacquer on the wooden walls—Flender opened a locked cabinet. Inside was a single box, padded and sealed. He opened it and stepped aside.
"There. Knock yourself out."
Li Wei stepped forward and looked inside.
There it was. The strange stone.
He leaned in slowly, letting his gaze trace over the surface. It was smooth, black and gray, like something forged in a furnace of stars. No spirit fluctuations. No soul energy resonance. And yet this thing can be said to be really dangerous as it can even penetrate Zhao Wuji defense.
Did he need to broke the stone? Maybe not at this times.
But it's here. Just like in the original story show. A sealed treasure that even time forgot.
He didn't reach for it. He simply studied it for a long moment, trying to understand what this presence meant in his world. Would Tang San still come across it? Or had his presence already shifted the future?
"…You know," Flender said, breaking the silence, "Zhao Wuji bet it was some kind of spirit beast fossil. I think he just wanted an excuse to hit things with it."
Li Wei chuckled. "It does look like it could survive being thrown at someone."
The mood lightened. Flender tilted his head. "You want it?"
Li Wei paused. "You can say that I really want it. Just hold up to it until I need it."
Flender looked at him for a long moment, then nodded approvingly. "You've got an old soul, Li Wei. You remind me of myself back when I had hair and fewer debts."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
As they closed the box and left the office, a comfortable silence settled between them. They walked down the stone path toward the courtyard again, the academy stretching wide beneath the morning sky.
"You've done a lot for this place," Flender finally said, his tone quieter now. "I won't forget it. And neither will the others."
Li Wei looked up at the main building, now shining faintly under the sun's rays.
"I just wanted it to be a real school. One where talent can grow."
"Then we're already halfway there."