Volume One: First Steps into the Way Chapter Twelve: Baize

After the man who called himself Baize took the stage, the applause from the audience faded, replaced by a low hum of murmurs. Ye Junze gazed at the headmaster named Baize standing before them. He appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties, his eyes bright and spirited, exuding an air of vigor. Upon closer look, his gaze seemed to brim with wisdom; one glance was enough to leave an impression of profound intelligence.

Hearing the name, Ye Junze felt a flicker of recognition, thinking to himself, “Baize—why does that sound so familiar?” Suddenly, it dawned on him. “That’s right. Didn’t I come across this name in a book I read before?” He searched his memory for the details.

The book had recorded, “The Yellow Emperor, on his travels to the East Sea, encountered him. This beast could speak the human tongue and understood the nature of all things. When asked of the spirits and demons of the world—those born of essence and energy, or wandering souls transformed—Baize spoke of each of the eleven thousand five hundred and twenty types, and the Emperor ordered them to be drawn and recorded to enlighten the world.” Ye Junze recalled the passage and mused, “The headmaster is also named Baize. Could he be the mythical creature from the book?” But the thought seemed too far-fetched. He shook his head and muttered, “No, that’s impossible. There’s no way it’s just a coincidence like that.”

Wang Dongdong, who stood beside him, overheard his muttering and asked, “Ye, what are you talking about? What’s impossible?”

Ye Junze replied, “It’s nothing. Don’t you think our headmaster’s name sounds rather familiar?”

“Now that you mention it, Ye, it really does. Let me think… Oh! There was a divine beast called Baize in a game I played before.” As he said this, Wang Dongdong’s eyes widened as if recalling something, and he lowered his voice anxiously, “Ye, you’re not suggesting our headmaster is that divine beast, are you?”

“I never said that. And weren’t you the one who said our headmaster isn’t human? It’s probably just a coincidence. That’s enough, don’t overthink it,” Ye Junze replied.

However, Wang Dongdong seemed even more unnerved after hearing this, shivering as he whispered, “This school is too creepy. Mom, I want to go home.”

Ye Junze ignored his rambling, waiting quietly to hear what the headmaster would say next.

As if reading his thoughts, the man who claimed to be Baize cleared his throat. The audience, sensing that the main point was coming, instantly quieted. Baize nodded in satisfaction and began: “First of all, I warmly welcome you all to Anze. From now on, you are my students. There’s a saying: ‘A teacher for a day, a father for life.’ We need not stand on ceremony, but since you have come here, you are now family. I hope that in the days to come, you will live in harmony and make progress together.”

The audience, upon hearing such a conventional opening, immediately looked disinterested, as if they might doze off at any moment. Anticipating this reaction, Baize smiled and continued, “Alright, now that the pleasantries are out of the way, let me get to the heart of the matter. I know every one of you is full of questions about this school and about the projection you saw earlier. I ask that you be patient—a moment more, and you will know everything you wish to know.”

At these words, everyone perked up, their attention sharpening, lest they miss a single detail.

With the entire audience listening intently, Baize began to explain everything. He spoke in measured tones: “The scenes you witnessed just now are all real. The reason this school was founded is precisely to prepare for battle against those people, monsters, and even beings that have surpassed the bounds of humanity, just as you saw. In human history, such wars have been waged for many years without end. Of course, these histories were unknown to you before today. What you’re about to learn may overturn your understanding of this world, but in exchange, you will also gain the power necessary to face the true world. And how to become stronger—that is what this school exists to teach you.

“For many years, in places unknown to most, these entities have been trying to invade the human world, seeking to rule over us and turn our home into their own conquest. For all these years, the strongest among humanity have fought them, up until a century ago. Then, for reasons unknown, these entities abruptly ceased their invasions. Yet people believed they would not give up so easily and would surely return. Thus, with support from the nation and the gathering of the strongest, this school was founded. Its founding principle was ‘To bring peace and stability, so we may live in safety’—the purpose being that should these beings return, we would have the strength to repel them. And so the school has endured to this very day.”

Someone below couldn’t help but mutter, “But it’s been over a hundred years since they last appeared. Maybe they’re all dead. Is there really any need for such concern?”

As if he had heard the question, Baize continued, “I know some of you may doubt what I’ve said, but that’s alright. In time, you will come to believe me. As for those entities, I’ll say this: in the past two years, the world has entered an era of spiritual resurgence. In many places, there have been signs of their return, and our school’s enforcement division has already clashed with them several times. In this age of awakening spiritual energy, their resurgence is only a matter of time. Perhaps it will be today, tomorrow, or in the not-so-distant future. We can never know when they will appear, so all we can do is prepare. In times like these, our only choice is to grow stronger—unceasingly stronger.”

He paused, then went on, “Now, I have told you the origins of this school and revealed a part of the world’s true nature. Our school is unlike any other, so during this entrance ceremony, I hope you will not feel restrained. Treat me as an ordinary person, a friend, a classmate—even, in the future, as a comrade-in-arms.”

The audience was clearly still reeling from the revelations, yet after hearing his words, they could not help but burst into applause. The ovation went on and on, as if in tribute to the heroes who had sacrificed so much in past battles, and as an expression of anticipation for all that awaited them.

Baize watched them quietly, making no move to interrupt this spontaneous response. Only after a long while did the applause begin to ebb away like receding waves.

“Now then, if there’s anything you wish to ask—anything you want to know—speak freely. I will do my best to answer all your questions,” Baize said calmly.