Douluo Calendar Year: 2648
The morning sun peeked through the thick canopy of ancient trees surrounding the remote village of Shrek, casting long golden rays across the rugged dirt road leading to the academy. Despite the early hour, a crowd had already gathered outside the iron gates of Shrek Academy. Teenagers, mostly under thirteen, lined up nervously. Some came with confident eyes and tailored robes; others were barefoot, holding worn sacks and wide dreams.
Among them stood a boy with short black hair that curled slightly toward his neck, his eyes the color of polished sapphires. He wore a sleek indigo coat, reminiscent of far-off lands, with faint golden lines running down the seams. The clothing was reminiscene of caeslu from honkai star rail, yet he stood quietly, hands in his pockets, smile soft but distant.
Li Wei.
He had just turned twelve this spring.
The other children whispered among themselves as the line crept forward.
"He doesn't look strong at all," one boy murmured.
"Look at his clothes, though. Bet he's from a rich clan," a girl whispered.
"He's been standing there smiling for twenty minutes… creepy."
Li Wei heard all of it, of course, but didn't respond. Not because he was arrogant—but because his thoughts were elsewhere.
So this is where it begins, he mused silently. Shrek Academy. The starting point of Tang San and the others. It really does feel different, seeing it for real.
He had reincarnated into this world over a decade ago, born as the grandson of one of Spirit Hall's strongest elders—Crocodile Douluo. His grandfather raised him deep within the safety of Spirit Hall territory, away from the public eye. Very few knew of his existence, just like Qian Renxue.
He had full innate soul power from the start, but more importantly, a peculiar system had blessed him during his awakening. The system was long gone now, having vanished completely once his martial soul solidified… but it left him with secrets no one else in this world shared.
The Ohma Zi-O Driver.
That name meant nothing to anyone else. Not even his grandfather recognized it. When Li Wei first showed it during awakening, the golden clockwork-like belt shimmered only for a moment before vanishing—transforming into a different form, sleeker and digital.
The Diend Driver.
The moment it manifested, knowledge poured into his mind. He understood its limitations. Until he became a Soul Emperor, the true Ohma Zi-O form would not return. Until then, he would fight with Diend.
And that was fine. He wasn't in a rush.
He glanced up at the crumbling brick walls and the patchy paint of the Shrek Academy gate. It looked just as the novel described—run-down, poorly funded, and yet beneath the shabby surface, something waited.
They will come here next year, he reminded himself. The story's heroine. That's why I'm here. Not for the academy. Not for fame. Just to cross paths.
He want to see for himself people that become reality.
His grandfather understood his reasoning that he want to experience the world, not understanding why he want to go to Shrek when many more good academy exist as never heard about this academy but he'd let him go nonetheless, on one condition: "You may go experience the world, Wei'er. But after the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament… you must return."
His grandfather let him go as he progress faster than the other. Even if he miss a little training, this experience will carry his grandson a long way in the future.
Li Wei agreed.
Ahead, an older man with a gray moustache and wearing unadorned appearance waved the line forward. This was Li Yusong—one of the academy's senior instructors and their examiner.
"Next!"
A small boy ran up with trembling hands, showing his martial spirit—a thin sword—and demonstrating a soul power level of 11.
Li Yusong nodded gently. "Barely passes. You may proceed to the next round."
Another boy followed, summoning a bent staff.
"Soul power: 8. You do not meet the requirement. Please leave."
Some applicants began to cry. A few argued. But the standard was clear.
Minimum: Spirit Master rank. At least Level 21.
Li Wei watched all of this silently.
It's harsh, he thought, but necessary. They don't have the resources to waste.
Finally, his turn came.
"Name?" Li Yusong asked without looking up.
"Li Wei."
"Age?"
"Twelve."
"Martial soul?"
Instead of answering, Li Wei simply let his soul power stir.
He hold out his right palm and a neon circuitry then manifest above the palm. A blue like gun that bigger than usual form then manifest into reality before it rest on his palm.
"The Diend Driver," he said calmly.
Several people in the line behind him gasped.
"What is that spirit?"
"Is it… some kind of weapon?"
"I never seen that type of martial spirit before!"
Li Yusong's eyes narrowed. "what a strange martial spirit? What it's name?"
"It call a Diend Driver" Li Wei replied. "It can be said that it is an equipment-type martial spirit. "
"Unusual…" Li Yusong murmured. "Let me check your level."
He pressed his hand forward, a small ripple of soul power pulsing outward.
"Level 38?!"
This time, even the waiting crowd went silent.
Li Yusong blinked hard. "You're a Soul Elder? At twelve?"
Li Wei scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I… cultivated fast."
Li Yusong stared at him for a few more seconds before nodding slowly. "Exceptional talent… Even Spirit Hall rarely produces one like you. Wait here."
He turned and beckoned toward the academy gates. "Mubai, take this one to the final exam."
A tall, golden-haired teen with a princely demeanor emerged from the shadows beyond the gate. Li Wei recognized him instantly.
Dai Mubai. But not the first prince, not yet.
The boy scanned him briefly, nodding with mild curiosity.
"Follow me," Dai Mubai said simply.
As Li Wei walked, he passed by the crowd. Some stared with awe. Others in envy. A few looked away, discouraged.
But he simply smiled.
Not arrogantly.
Just… warmly.
Because in his heart, he was just a guy who once lived in a quiet town, watching anime, working odd jobs, and humming songs in the late summer light.
And now?
Now he was walking into a legend.