In a low-tier academy of the Nightshade clan, fourteen-year-old Ryo sat at the back of the classroom his nose twitched at the scent of parchment, fingers tracing the words on the page: ten minor clans, eight noble clans, and four pillars of power.
Ryo had short black hair, brown eyes, pale skin, and an average face and build—nothing about him that demanded attention. His hand tugged at his silk robe subtly wishing his presence was as inconspicuous as the fabric was itself.
"Books out!" The instructor barked, chalk screeching against the blackboard. "Today, we learn about Qi and cultivation."
Ryo flinched but read on. Cultivation—his heart raced at learning theory yet his mind repulsed at the thought of combat.
He was curious about the theory, but fighting? He hated it. His father's disappointment lingered in his mind—how he lacked grit in combat, he remembered his father's scarred brow furrowed at him barely
evading a strike. His finger slid across the phrase minor clans—a dream not his own, but a goal to make his parents proud.
His father's words echoed: "Ryo, you are the most talented cultivator the Tanaka family has seen. You will be the one to elevate us, the minor clan."
Ryo came from a peasant family in Tazakt State, under Nightshade's minor clan rule. Life wasn't fair. People always wanted more—more power, more status—and those dreams often crushed those beneath them, just like his ancestors were trampled on before him for generations of bad luck and the struggle to gain status.
He sighed, the sleeve of his grey robe brushing the desk as he turned the page.
As he read, he heard his mother's voice from years past, humming softly as she cleaned their humble hut.
"In this world, my dear, as much as I wish life could be different for you, power is all that matters. Without strength, you are nothing but dirt to be stepped on. You may hate fighting, but my dear, for me—keep fighting."
He'd pressed his palm to his chest as her words sank in. Every beat reminded him of his weakness.
His mind focused back, finger traced the lines on of the new page: Demon venerable clan, worshippers of the original sin of desire... He wondered if such a being actually existed.
"Ryo! What have I said about not paying attention?" The instructor yelled, throwing a piece of chalk at Ryo's head, jolting him backward.
Ryo yelped and rubbed his head as the class laughed. He avoided their disdainful stares, feeling their weight like a physical burden on his shoulders.
"Now, tell me: what is the essence of Qi?" Instructor Jiang Lu folded his arms, waiting.
"'If you get this wrong…" Jiang Lu's voice dropped to a hiss. Ryo's classmates watched him with thinly veiled glee. "…YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS ACADEMY!'"
The shout made many classmates jump, rubbing their ears, before they waited with anticipation and resigned disappointment for Ryo's answer.
Ryo closed his book, a sigh escaping his lips before he spoke, voice soft but steady. "The essence of Qi is spiritual energy and nature energy. Spiritual energy strengthens the soul, and nature energy fortifies the body. If you reach a higher realm of cultivation, you can teach your body to not separate these energies but combine them, this realm is called Qi refining..."
ENOUGH!' The red-faced instructor's muscles bulged with barely contained rage. The class exchanged exasperated looks: Ryo could ace theory exams, but physicals were another matter.
A girl at the front of the class shook her head with a mocking smirk. She had striking purple hair that caught the light and sharp green eyes that glinted with mischief. "Do we really have to witness this back-and-forth between you two every day? If you want him expelled, you'll have to do it in a physical exam."
The instructor was about to scold her, but bit his tongue. Offending the young lady from of the Rafkat clan would not be smart.
Some snickered in agreement. No one liked the peasant, but they grudgingly respected his smarts.
Ryo said nothing and waited for the instructor to continue.
The instructor glared at Ryo a moment longer before waving his hand. "Class dismissed. Get out, all of you."
Ryo stood, gripping his book as he walked out, his steps calmer than inside, avoiding the instructor's burning gaze.
He quelled the tremor in his chest and exhaled once as he passed by.
Walking through the academy corridors, marble floors subtly cracked with age and banners of minor clans fluttered overhead.
Ryo thought about how he got here. Peasants normally don't get the privilege of education unless sponsored, selected, or scoring full marks in theory.
Ryo had gotten full marks, which was why he'd been granted a place—yet as one of the few peasants among minor clan heirs, he still wasn't welcome.
He stepped into the sunlight, shielding his eyes until adjusted.
His grey silk robe fluttered in a soft breeze, ears twitching at distant laughter and chatter, feeling something prickle his back.
He looked around. A gaze? Ryo shrugged and walked it off.