The morning sun had just pierced the eastern horizon when Lin Wei arrived at the Riverstone Regional Academy courtyard. The air buzzed with anticipation, a mix of nervous excitement and raw competitive energy. Today marked the beginning of the First Combat Duel, a challenge meant to test not only martial skill but strategy, composure, and quick thinking. Lin Wei walked calmly, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his golden hair catching the faint light of dawn. To anyone watching, he appeared confident yet unassuming—a boy who seemed ordinary at first glance.
The academy instructors began calling out pairs for the duel. Lin Wei's name rang through the hall, paired against one of the academy's top-ranked students from a well-known family: Chen Xun, a boy slightly older, broad-shouldered, with an arrogant smirk that spoke of privilege and disdain.
"You must be the new kid everyone's been talking about," Chen Xun sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "Don't tell me the Lin boy thinks he can compete with me."
Lin Wei's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. He didn't respond verbally—there was no need. His body said more than words ever could.
The duel began in a spacious training arena surrounded by stone walls etched with protective runes. Students and teachers lined the edges, ready to observe the confrontation. Chen Xun moved first, charging aggressively with a series of forceful strikes aimed at overwhelming his opponent. Lin Wei stepped lightly, his movements precise and fluid. Every dodge, every counter, was executed with perfect timing. It was not skill alone—his purified body moved with uncanny balance, speed, and reflexes—yet to the spectators, it appeared as an extraordinary but explainable talent.
Chen Xun's attacks grew more intense, energy crackling along his fists and legs as he tried to break Lin Wei's defenses. But Lin Wei remained calm, guiding his movements, redirecting Chen Xun's momentum without exposing any hint of the system that had enhanced his strength. One by one, Chen Xun's strikes were deflected, his openings exploited, until a final feint sent him stumbling, off-balance, and defeated.
The crowd erupted in whispers. "Did you see that?!" "How did he do that?!" "He didn't even touch him directly!" Teachers nodded, impressed by the control and subtlety displayed. But Lin Wei simply bowed slightly, his expression polite yet unreadable, giving no hint of satisfaction or triumph. He understood the importance of maintaining the illusion: remarkable skill, yes, but nothing supernatural could be hinted at—not yet.
From the sidelines, Su Yueran watched intently. Her expression was calm, yet a flicker of curiosity crossed her face. She had noticed Lin Wei's movements: the precision, the balance, the quiet dominance over a physically stronger opponent. Yet she did not know the truth behind his strength. Her thoughts were careful, analytical. Interesting, she noted. There is more to him than meets the eye. But what exactly…?
Nearby, Mu Xueyi observed from a distance, kneeling beside a small table of herbs she had brought for a personal experiment. She tilted her head, noticing the boy's calm demeanor and the subtle ripple of energy around him. Though she could not see the system at work, something about him felt… different. Her fingers brushed a crimson herb, almost instinctively. She would learn more in time—but for now, her curiosity was a quiet, simmering flame.
The next round of duels paired Lin Wei with two students, both larger and more aggressive than Chen Xun. They rushed at him simultaneously, trying to overwhelm him with brute force. Lin Wei smiled faintly. Coordination and timing, he thought, stepping lightly to the side. He used his opponent's momentum against them, redirecting their energy, avoiding direct contact as much as possible. Each movement was precise, each step calculated. To the untrained eye, it seemed like extraordinary agility and martial genius. But only Lin Wei knew how much he relied on the silent, hidden strength of his purified body.
The duel ended with Lin Wei standing unscathed while his opponents struggled to recover. The instructors murmured in approval, impressed by his composure under pressure. The crowd watched in awe, whispers of admiration and envy mixing in the warm morning air.
Later, during a short break, Lin Wei stepped aside to meditate quietly. He purified his body subtly, aligning his energy, refining his muscles and joints, all without anyone noticing. Every flicker of fatigue was erased in moments, every minor imperfection corrected. He had learned the critical rule: power is dangerous if exposed. The system was his secret, and it would remain so until the world demanded its revelation.
It was then that a familiar voice broke the silence. "You are faster than most of them," said Su Yueran, stepping out of the shadows of the training hall. Her presence was calm, yet her eyes were sharp and discerning. Lin Wei opened his eyes, tilting his head slightly in acknowledgment.
"You've observed me," he said, his voice quiet but measured.
"I observed enough," she replied, her tone neutral. "But I still don't understand why you move so precisely. Most students at this academy—especially new ones—are clumsy and impatient. You… are different."
Lin Wei's lips curved slightly. "I have been training quietly," he admitted. "I observe, learn, and adapt. That is all."
Su Yueran's gaze lingered for a moment, thoughtful. "Perhaps. But even the most careful training cannot explain such control. There is something… unusual about you. I will watch."
He nodded again, saying nothing more. She turned and walked away, her figure fading into the courtyard crowd, leaving Lin Wei alone with his thoughts. Observation without exposure… perfect, he reflected.
From the far edge of the courtyard, Mu Xueyi also noticed him. Her amber eyes followed his movements carefully, noting the subtle changes in stance, the quiet precision. Though she could not approach yet—her duties with her alchemy table kept her tethered—she felt an unexplainable pull of curiosity. There was something about this boy, something extraordinary hidden beneath an ordinary exterior. She would find a way to learn more, in time.
The day ended with Lin Wei's performance ranking at the very top of the trials, though no one could explain precisely why. The instructors praised his skill, his poise, and his strategic thinking, while classmates whispered about his unusual talent and silent demeanor. Some regarded him with awe, others with jealousy.
But Lin Wei felt nothing but focus. He knew the path ahead would not be easy. Rivals would seek to challenge him, enemies would try to expose him, and the system—his greatest secret—had to remain hidden.
As night fell over Riverstone Academy, Lin Wei found a quiet corner under an old oak tree. The system hummed silently in his mind, unseen and untouchable. His body purified, his spirit refined, he meditated in silence, feeling the calm surge of hidden power.
Tomorrow, the duels would become more dangerous. Rivals would fight with strategy, cunning, and brute force. But Lin Wei was ready. And the world would continue to underestimate him, not knowing that he held a secret capable of transforming everything around him.
Let them come. Let them challenge me. None will see the truth behind my strength—not yet.