Chapter Sixty-Three: Why Does the Bread in My Hand No Longer Taste Sweet?

Afterwards, following Coach Li Yaowen’s instructions, the group split up to rotate partners. Tang Yi’s new practice opponent became Zhang Chen’s Doudou Pigeon. After a short break of about ten minutes, the training resumed.

To prevent injuries, the sparring was mostly a matter of stopping at contact, so neither side was overly exhausted. As an experienced coach, Li Yaowen’s professionalism made Tang Yi take the training even more seriously.

Zhang Chen’s Doudou Pigeon girl looked a little older than Ralulu, full of youthful energy and vitality. As bird-type spirit girls, they were born with beautiful, double-striped feathers, and unlike other spirits, they had to undergo flight training from a very young age.

Yet, as a matter of avian instinct—even in anthropomorphic form—the urge to fly was still etched deep in the genes of flying-type girls. Learning to fly was rarely a challenge for them.

This was also Ralulu’s first time facing a flying-type opponent, and a formidable one at that. Zhang Chen’s Doudou Pigeon relied mainly on Gust and Quick Attack for offense. The girl’s flight skills were extremely adept; she circled continually in the sky above the field, waiting for the right moment to exploit a flaw in Ralulu’s defenses.

Having watched Tang Yi and Yang Fu’s earlier practice, Zhang Chen had dropped all underestimation and did not let Doudou Pigeon attack rashly.

After several laps circling, Ralulu, who had been tracking her opponent’s every move, began to feel dizzy. Seizing the opportunity, Doudou Pigeon swiftly closed in with Quick Attack.

This time, Ralulu was too dazed to unleash her psychic power in time. As Doudou Pigeon darted within a meter of Ralulu, Coach Li Yaowen once again called a halt.

This time, Li Yaowen praised Zhang Chen first, “Not bad. Maintaining maximum caution against any opponent is your strength. It seems you reflected seriously on Tang Yi and Yang Fu’s earlier match.”

Then he turned to Tang Yi and Ralulu, “You have psychic attributes, so you possess greater mental strength than other spirits. Use it. Facing a high-speed flying opponent, don’t try to track them with your eyes—that’s foolish. Learn to sense faster foes with your mind.”

“Understood,” Tang Yi replied, quietly making a mental note as he and Ralulu analyzed the previous bout.

“My head feels so dizzy,” the girl said, her eyes pleading miserably.

Ralulu was resting by the side. She hadn’t expended much energy, but Doudou Pigeon had clearly left her dizzy from all the circling.

“Let’s follow the coach’s advice and try using your psychic power to sense Doudou Pigeon’s flight path,” Tang Yi suggested. He wasn’t upset by the earlier loss; gaining more battle experience for Ralulu was what truly mattered.

Ralulu pursed her lips uncertainly. “I’ll give it a try, but I’m not sure if I can do it.”

“No rush, take your time. Is your head still spinning? Rest a little longer. Are you hungry? Here, want something to eat?” Tang Yi was well prepared. He pulled out a box of biscuits from his backpack.

Ralulu snatched the biscuits from him, tore open the package, and began munching away with gusto. Hmph, doing it herself was better than risking someone else feeding her in broad daylight again.

That would be far too embarrassing! She’d pretty much figured out his tricks by now.

Feeling triumphant for having foiled his scheme, the girl suddenly noticed Tang Yi eyeing the biscuits longingly.

“I’m a little hungry too,” he said.

“What do you mean by that?” she replied warily.

“Come on, give me a piece.” Tang Yi opened his mouth expectantly.

“You—you—you!” The girl was dumbfounded.

He was still so sly! Ralulu almost wanted to go home.

In your dreams! I’m not feeding you!

But Tang Yi made no move to take the biscuit himself, simply sitting there, mouth slightly open, gazing at the biscuit in her hand.

After a full minute, Ralulu finally gave in, mostly because the other trainers and their spirits were all sneaking curious glances their way, making her feel even more self-conscious.

Fine, just this once.

She shoved a piece of biscuit into Tang Yi’s mouth.

Tang Yi, satisfied, chewed happily and grinned at Ralulu. “These biscuits taste pretty good, don’t they? I bought this specially fortified version just for you. Mm, definitely tastier.”

Ralulu turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.

Hmph! Ignoring you!

Zhang Chen and Doudou Pigeon were also making the most of their break. Zhang Chen had brought bread and bottled water—any trainer aiming for the college entrance selection tournament knew the importance of basic logistics.

He glanced at the bread in his hand, then at Doudou Pigeon beside him drinking water. Too embarrassed to ask outright, he gave his Doudou Pigeon girl a meaningful, hopeful look.

His implication was clear: how about you feed me too?

The Doudou Pigeon girl paused, then quickly tilted the water bottle higher, gulping down water in big swallows, skillfully avoiding Zhang Chen’s gaze.

Zhang Chen, disappointed, looked away and glanced enviously at Tang Yi, who was beaming with joy as he munched contentedly.

He knew the Kari-brand nutrition biscuits—suitable for both humans and spirit girls. Though nutritious, they didn’t taste great; their main advantage was being cheap, which explained their popularity.

What’s so tasty about those lousy biscuits?

His bread cost several times more than an entire box of those biscuits!

He tried to console himself as he tore into his bread. Yet, even though it was his favorite, and the flavor was the same as always, he suddenly found it lacked appeal.

After this brief interlude, practice resumed.

Perhaps venting his earlier frustration, Zhang Chen launched a fierce assault. But his impatience affected Doudou Pigeon, who attacked with Quick Attack before Ralulu even showed signs of fatigue. This time, Ralulu caught the opening—when Doudou Pigeon swooped down with her gray-brown wings, Ralulu managed for the first time to restrain her opponent with psychic power.

“You let your emotions get the better of you. Let’s try again.”

The midday session was originally scheduled for just an hour, but everyone became so absorbed that nearly two hours had passed before Li Yaowen finally called a halt as afternoon classes approached.

“You all did well today. Head back to class for now,” he said, not wanting to delay their academic lessons. He added to Tang Yi, “There’s another session this evening—don’t forget. But don’t worry, it’ll mainly be review and analysis, so your spirits won’t get too tired.”