"Hah… I'm almost there."
That's what Arthur said a week ago, back when he was still full of naive confidence.
Reality hit him hard. The true essence of control wasn't about pushing more spirit energy outward, but learning to use as little as possible without causing any wasteful ripples. Absolute focus was the real foundation.
"Why is this so damn difficult?" Arthur grumbled, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "In the animation, the made it look like child's play."
He had already managed to stick a leaf to his forehead, but it still wasn't good enough. His spirit energy consumption was still way too high for his liking. For the entire past week, he had been obsessively practicing, trying to make the process as clean and efficient as humanly possible.
"Arthur! Kid, get over here!" Uncle Jack's loud voice rang out from across the yard. The old man came jogging over with a wide grin, waving a piece of paper excitedly. "Your part-time student recommendation just got approved!"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. The letter had arrived some time ago, but they couldn't send it to the academy yet because the new admission period hadn't started. Even though it now officially stated "part-time student," he still had to wait another three months before he could step inside Notting Academy.
"When did you send it out, Uncle?" Arthur asked curiously. "I don't remember you leaving the village lately."
"You cheeky brat!" Uncle Jack laughed and gave Arthur a light smack on the back of his head. "Instead of celebrating that you actually got accepted, you're grilling me about the details? I handed it to Old Wang. He delivers crops to Notting City every month. He took care of it for me."
After answering a few more questions, Uncle Jack dragged him inside for lunch and showed him the books that came along with the delivery basic arithmetic, writing practice, and a thin booklet listing the duties of a part-time student at Notting Academy.
"Hahaha! I went and bought a nice fat chicken from the neighbor to celebrate!" Uncle Jack announced proudly.
"Then I want it grilled," Arthur said, his eyes sparkling. "And make it extra tasty this time, okay?"
"You got it! You go gather the firewood and twigs. I'll handle the seasoning."
They split the chores. Soon enough, Arthur returned carrying an armful of dry wood while Uncle Jack finished rubbing the chicken thoroughly with herbs and spices.
"This smells incredible already," Arthur said, practically drooling.
"Of course it does. Who do you think seasoned it?" Uncle Jack boasted with a booming laugh.
They lit the bonfire and set the chicken over the flames. The fire crackled loudly as the rich, mouth-watering aroma spread through the air. Sitting under the drifting clouds with birds singing in the background, the two of them tore into the juicy grilled chicken with their bare hands.
It wasn't just the warm food or the pleasant weather that made the moment special. There was a simple, quiet happiness between them the kind that reminded Arthur what having a real family actually felt like.
After their hearty lunch, Uncle Jack's expression grew more serious. That evening, inside Arthur's small room, he sat on the edge of the bed, his usual cheerful voice now calm but carrying a hint of unease.
"Art… do you know why I named you Arthur?" he asked. "I was planning to tell you this when you were older… but you've grown up so fast. Especially after awakening your Martial Soul."
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "The name wasn't just something you randomly picked?"
Uncle Jack shook his head. "At first, I wanted to name you Xiao Chen. But the night I found you as a baby on my doorstep, there was a piece of paper with the name 'Arthur' written on it. For some reason, I felt strongly that I should use that exact name. Along with the paper… there was also this."
He reached under the bed and pulled out the old baby basket, then handed it over. Inside lay the faded paper and a small necklace-like object that had been wrapped around baby Arthur's wrist.
Arthur took the items carefully. "Thanks for being honest with me all these years, Uncle."
Uncle Jack let out a relieved breath, a gentle smile forming on his weathered face. It seemed his hunch had been right the boy had truly matured.
"It's getting late. Get some rest. No training tonight. Sometimes taking a break is just as important as working hard."
"Understood, Uncle. Good night."
That night, Arthur actually listened and went straight to sleep without touching the items.
But old habits die hard.
At 4 AM, Arthur's eyes snapped open. "Can't sleep…" he muttered, his curiosity getting the better of him.
He quietly reached for the basket and first picked up the paper with his name on it. It didn't feel like normal paper there was a faint, strange pulse coming from it, but he had no idea how to activate or read whatever was inside.
Then he took out the necklace.
"Just a regular accessory…? Or maybe a spirit tool for storage?" he whispered.
"Half correct, Master," a proud, slightly arrogant voice suddenly spoke directly into his mind. "But I'm far more than just a storage device!"
Arthur paused for a moment, then smirked. "So you're an artificial intelligence that can talk?"
"Huh? I expected a much bigger reaction!" the voice sounded genuinely disappointed.
"I'm not that easy to surprise," Arthur replied calmly. "I already have a simulation system running in my subconscious."
"What?! You have a system too? In that case, maybe I can sync my consciousness with yours!" the AI exclaimed, suddenly full of excitement.
Before Arthur could respond
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!!"
The loud crow of the village rooster shattered the early morning silence. Warm golden sunlight began streaming through the cracks in the wooden window, painting the room in soft morning light and announcing the arrival of a new day in Saint Village.
TO BE CONTINUED...