Morning classes at Skyveil High were peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Lin Ze sat perfectly still, listening to the lecture on Basic Spirit Control. He didn't circulate energy. He didn't breathe too deeply. He didn't think about the universe.
This was called effort.
"Alright," Professor Wu said, writing on the board, "today we'll test your spiritual sensitivity."
The chalk snapped in half.
Professor Wu stared at it, then calmly replaced it.
"Nothing to worry about."
Lin Ze lowered his gaze.
I didn't do anything, he thought.
One by one, students placed their hands on the crystal orb.
"Chen Hao Level 12! Decent!"
Chen Hao pumped his fist. "I told you I'm built different!"
Mei Yun stepped up next.
The orb glowed bright blue, humming loudly.
"Level 47! Outstanding!"
Applause erupted.
Mei Yun returned to her seat, slightly embarrassed but proud.
Then it was Lin Ze's turn.
He stood.
Professor Wu's smile twitched.
"Lin Ze," the professor said carefully, "just… touch it lightly."
Lin Ze nodded and extended one finger.
The orb went dark.
Not cracked.
Not broken.
Gone.
It vanished from existence as if it had never been invented.
The room fell silent.
Is that bad?" Lin Ze asked.
Professor Wu laughed way too loudly.
"Haha! A malfunction! Obviously a malfunction!"
He slammed a form onto his desk.
"Lin Ze Level Average."
Mei Yun stared at Lin Ze.
So weak she thought.
I really do need to protect him.
Outside the classroom, lightning briefly flashed in a clear sky.
On the walk home, Lin Ze felt it.
A disturbance.
Not dangerous just annoying.
Three upperclassmen blocked the road.
"Hey," the leader sneered. "New kid. Heard you scored average."
Lin Ze sighed internally.
Why does this always happen.
"We're just giving advice," another said. "Skyveil High is dangerous for weaklings."
Mei Yun stepped forward instantly.
"Leave him alone."
The upperclassmen laughed.
"Class president, don't waste your time protecting.
They froze.
Their legs refused to move.
Their voices vanished.
Their cultivation levels quietly reset to zero.
Lin Ze blinked.
"…Huh."
He glanced around, confused.
"Oh. Must be a side effect of the school barrier."
The three bullies collapsed, crying about starting over from scratch.
Mei Yun stared at Lin Ze's back.
He didn't even look at them…
Far above the city, inside a hidden domain, an ancient mirror trembled.
A hooded figure clenched their fists.
"Impossible no fluctuations… no aura.
The mirror showed Lin Ze buying a drink from a vending machine.
Why does my soul fear him.
The figure whispered a name long erased from history.
The One Who Chose Normalcy.