"Ah, it's happening again," Riven Darius muttered.
This afternoon, I have a duel with someone who never misses a chance to mock me. He calls me weak—too weak. They even gave me a title: Weak Runner.
I'm seventeen now, and most of the time I haven't actually lost a duel, even if my cultivation is low. The system confirms it: my talent is weak, but not defeated.
For years, I've watched the system's countdown, waiting for the day it finishes. And now… it's getting close.
Fifteen days.
In fifteen days, all the mocking ends.
Because I was weak, I had to find another way to survive—to become strong. Not with fists. Direct fighting? Always a loss.
So I trained my legs. My body.
In every duel, I run. Always.
Even when attacks rain down, I refuse to fall. Even if I can't strike back, I survive. That's how it's been since I was ten, when the system first notified me.
I'm still in the academy, still striving toward God-tier cultivation. Years may pass, but my system is different. Most in my family receive theirs by fifteen—but mine hasn't unlocked yet. I even lie when they ask.
Classmates, siblings… they all look down on me. I'm the fourth son in a family of cultivators. I feel like I'm tarnishing our name.
But I told myself this: I may not win yet, but I will never lose. Being mocked is bearable—but I won't be looked down on forever.
Riven stared out the window—until a sudden bump jolted him.
"Hey, you bastard, lost in thought again?" Kai barked.
Laughter erupted across the class.
Riven turned slowly. "What do you want?"
"Nothing. Just wondering… today's duel. Planning to run as usual?" Kai sneered. "In the end, you'll still lose. You didn't strike once—you only run… run and run."
Riven smiled, hands in his pockets. "Maybe. But I haven't been defeated. Not by anyone. Not even you."
Kai's face darkened. "So what's with the big talk?"
He cracked his knuckles. "Don't forget our deal. In fifteen days, we duel again. And I'll make sure you break. No matter how injured you are, you'll be healed… even if I cut off your arm."
Riven tilted his head, faintly smiling. "Oh really? Then I'll advise you too. On the fifteenth… it's going to be a nightmare—for you. And I don't like hearing weaker people talk so loudly."
A smug smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Classmates muttered angrily:
"Talking big again, you bastard!"
"All you do is run!"
Kai's anger flared. His arms glowed red. "I will destroy you!"
Before he could strike, a girl grabbed his arm.
"Kai, calm down! Fighting in class gets you suspended!" Lisa said firmly.
Kai clenched his teeth. Lisa's eyes flicked to Riven. "Just wait fifteen days… then you can cut both his legs. After all, running is all he's good at."
Kai's anger cooled into a cruel smile. "Fifteen days, huh? I'll be waiting."
He turned and walked away. Lisa returned to her seat, and the classroom slowly quieted once more.