The sun of a new day rose. The air was cold, and the chirping of birds still echoed around. Eugene opened his eyes after a long night of crying.
He stood up from his bed, his bare feet touching the slightly cold floor. He looked out through the clinic window.
"What time is it now?" He glanced at the clock on the clinic wall.
6:32. "Looks like most students are still asleep."
He walked toward the clinic door, stepped outside, and looked around. "No one's here…"
He headed north and slowly descended the wooden stairs, covered with a soft carpet. He continued walking until he stepped outside the clinic.
A sudden breeze rustled his hair. Cold grass under his feet, warm-ish sunlight above him. Eugene wandered through the academy grounds.
He admired the cherry blossoms and lotus trees, the tall palm trees, and the pink waterfalls whispering shhhhhh as they fell. Massive halls and buildings towered around him.
"What a beautiful day… these views are so calming," Eugene murmured with a mixed expression—half joy, half sorrow.
He went toward a grassy terrace and sat down. He wasn't thinking about anything; just staring at the scenery.
"Looks like you woke up early."
Musa's voice came from behind him—still energetic and light despite his age and the battles he had been through.
Eugene didn't reply. Musa walked over and sat beside him.
"Why are you sad?"
"Why am I sad? After everything that happened, you're asking me that?"
Eugene's tone was sharp—anger blended with grief.
Musa sighed.
"Look on the bright side. You're alive. And your talent is still grade C, meaning you're better than 35% of cultivators."
He was trying to cheer him up.
"Yeah… right. Losing my talent and getting my skin burned. What a bright side."
Eugene threw small stones as he spoke.
"Kid, you're making things harder on yourself."
"Listen… I may not have gone through what you did—" Musa also picked up stones and tossed them.
Eugene sighed internally: "Then why are you talking if you haven't lived what I lived?"
"But…" Musa continued,
"I went through worse than what happened to you."
Eugene looked at him with sarcasm.
"Worse than this?"
"Yes."
"Don't make me laugh."
"Even with my grade A talent, and living for over a hundred years, I still haven't reached grade 5."
He continued,
"Strength is a formula—built from will, perseverance, and luck."
Eugene raised a brow.
"Isn't grade 5 the highest?"
Musa burst into laughter.
"The highest? Eugene, you haven't seen anything of this world yet."
Eugene didn't understand what Musa meant.
Musa stood up and stretched.
"How about we grab some tea and cake?"
"I don't want to."
"Hmm… I guess I'll eat a molten chocolate cake then… or maybe a cold carrot cake with blue cow milk tea…"
Musa tried tempting him.
Eugene imagined himself drowning in a mountain of cakes. Each time Musa mentioned a new flavor, his resistance weakened.
"Fine… I'll come." He lifted his face toward the sky, avoiding Musa's eyes.
Musa chuckled softly.
They walked together until they reached the bakery. A green dwarf worked inside, with a long beard, red clothing, and a magical mechanical device that helped him lift heavy objects.
They greeted him, and Musa ordered chocolate cake and blue cow milk tea.
They sat down. The waiter brought the cake and tea.
"Oh my god…"
Eugene stared at the molten chocolate cake—shiny, fragrant, perfect.
He grabbed a piece, slowly bringing it to his mouth. The moment he bit into it, the chocolate flavor exploded across his tongue.
A peaceful silence filled the atmosphere. Students began waking up and heading to the café, soft whispers spreading around.
Musa expected Eugene to get sad from the whispers, but instead… he was too busy devouring the cake. Musa felt relieved.
Suddenly, Eugene broke the silence:
"Question?"
Musa looked at him.
"What's the point of talent?"
Silence.
"Wait—are you telling me you've been depressed about your talent… and you don't even know what talent does?"
Eugene nodded.
Five minutes of silence passed.
"You're a strange one, Eugene… I even had Fred explain this to you."
"Yeah… I wasn't paying attention." Eugene scratched the back of his head.
Musa took a deep breath.
"Alright. Focus. Imagine a huge water tank. You want it, but you can't buy the whole thing. I can only give you a portion of it. Four portion sizes."
"Huh? And what does this have to do with talent?"
"Just wait, kid. I'm not done."
"Sorry. Go on."
"The four portions: 55%, 40%, 30%, and 10%."
"Now tell me—what did teacher Alex say in your first academy lesson?"
Eugene replied,
"He talked about something called 'Rish,' and that cultivators are called farmers because they 'cultivate' it."
"Exactly! Cultivators absorb this energy so they can ascend and understand their dosage later. The big water tank? The water inside is the Rish. The four portion sizes? Those are the talents: A, B, C, and D. Your talent determines how much Rish you can store… and how strong your Tree is."
Eugene's face was still full of confusion.
Musa sighed deeply.
"Oh, for heaven's sake…"
Eugene waved his hands.
"Wait… I think I kind of get it."
"Do you?" Musa raised a brow.
"Yeah. Talents show how much Rish you can hold, and Rish affects a cultivator's ascent and dosage."
Ding… ding… ding…
The school bell rang.
"I need to go. And thanks for the cake."
Eugene stood up and jogged away.
"Hold on—" Musa blinked in confusion.
"You're going to class?"
Eugene turned and smiled,
"Didn't you say strength is a mix of will, luck, and perseverance?"
Musa smiled back.
Just before Eugene disappeared, he called out:
A shoe flew his way. Eugene barely caught it.
"You're going barefoot to class? Wear mine and return them later."
Eugene looked down, put the shoes on.
"Heh… your feet are tiny."
"Are you mocking your teacher now? Go before you're late!"
"Alright, see you."
He sprinted toward the classroom.
When he arrived, he pushed open the old wooden door and walked in confidently.
"Look! Eugene! What's he doing here?"
"He came even after losing his talent?"
Whispers spread.
The teacher raised his voice, worried:
"Eugene? Aren't you injured? Why are you here?"
"I just lost some talent and got burned. It's not like I'm dying."
The teacher smiled proudly.
"Strong will. Take your seat."
Eugene walked toward Rin and Reem. Their faces mixed surprise with happiness.
Reem said,
"Looks like you overcame yesterday quickly."
Rin added,
"Of course he did. If he didn't show up—"
He glanced at Eugene.
"I knew you'd come."
Reem crushed him instantly:
"Liar! You were so scared yesterday."
Eugene chuckled lightly.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The teacher hit the board.
"Enough talking. Let's begin."
While the teacher explained today's lesson, everyone paid attention—except Eugene. He was staring around the classroom: a huge room, beautiful decorations, big windows lighting up green and red walls.
"Who chose these colors…?" he wondered.
Ding ding ding…
The lesson ended.
Students walked out.
"What an old man… martial arts are important!" one rich student mocked.
"What's the use of martial arts if we'll have superpowers?" Rin asked.
As they passed by a group of students mocking the teacher, one whispered:
"Isn't that the commoner girl who cheated to get her talent?"
The words stabbed Reem.
Before anyone replied, Fred's voice came from behind:
"Nothing proves she cheated. Meaning the commoner got a better talent than you."
Their faces twisted in anger.
"Hey, why are you standing there? Let's go."
"Yeah, come on." Reem said happily—this was the second time Fred defended her.
"Hey Eugene!"
Eugene turned to find Fred hugging him.
"Good thing you pushed through. Where are you all going?"
"We're… going to the market to buy stuff."
Fred didn't reply immediately. Rin wondered,
"Is he ignoring me? Is he mad?"
His voice was barely audible.
Reem answered instead,
"We're going to the market. Want to come?"
"Sure. I've got nothing else to do."
Fred asked,
"What are you buying?"
While Reem and Fred talked, Eugene felt a strange chill…
Someone was watching him.
"Hey! Eugene! Hey!"
Reem shouted.
They had already walked ahead.
"Coming!"
Eugene turned for one last look—toward the lotus tree—then followed them.
Behind the tree… strands of hair swayed.
Not tree branches.
Hair.
A tall man in a formal suit stood hidden behind it. His face was mostly concealed by his long hair and the branches, but his eyes were clear:
Three-pointed red star-shaped pupils.
The same man who watched Eugene yesterday.
What did this mysterious man want?
Friend… or enemy?
End of Chapter Seven