Nuoding Academy's training grounds echoed with shouts, footsteps, and clashing wooden weapons.
The MC stood at the edge of the field, hands behind his back, eyes half-lidded. To anyone watching, he looked bored. Lazy, even.
In truth, he was calculating.
Tang San moved with clean, precise motions—controlled, efficient, every strike meaningful. Hidden weapons were illegal on campus, but Tang San's fundamentals alone were impressive.
He really is talented, the MC admitted inwardly. If I weren't here, this world would've bent itself around him.
The system's voice slid into his mind, faintly irritated.
System:"Host, do you plan to keep watching?"System:"Canon Protagonist's growth rate is annoying."
The MC nearly laughed.
"You sound jealous."
System:"…Incorrect."System:"I simply dislike inefficiency."
Sure you do.
At that moment, a sharp crack rang out. One of the senior students overextended during a spar, leaving his guard wide open. Tang San stopped just short of striking him.
The instructors nodded approvingly.
Around them, students whispered.
"Did you see that control?""He's amazing…""That other guy never even spars. Is he scared?"
The MC felt Xiao Wu shift beside him, clearly offended on his behalf.
"They're idiots," she muttered.
He glanced at her. "Why?"
"Because you're obviously stronger."
That simple certainty made something warm settle in his chest.
Before he could respond, the system chimed again—this time with weight.
[Critical Plot Fork Detected]Context: First public sparring match invitation
Choice A: Decline and remain hiddenReward: Stability + concealment
Choice B: Display moderate talentReward: Reputation boost
Choice C: Overwhelm opponent without revealing true strengthReward: Authority seed + Xiao Wu favorability + Tang San suspicion
The MC's eyes sharpened.
"Harem route and plot pressure?"
System:"Naturally."
"Choice C."
The match ended in less than three breaths.
The MC stepped forward, accepted the challenge, and moved—
No flashy soul skills. No overwhelming aura.
Just a single step inside his opponent's guard and a light tap to the chest.
The senior student collapsed like his strings had been cut.
Silence swallowed the field.
Tang San's pupils contracted.
What was that?
No excess movement. No wasted force. Not even killing intent.
Yet the result was absolute.
The MC met Tang San's gaze across the field.
For the first time, Tang San felt something unsettling coil in his stomach.
I can't measure him.
The instructors exchanged looks.
Xiao Wu beamed.
System:"Excellent. Canon protagonist's self-confidence destabilized."
The MC sighed. "You really don't like him."
System:"…He had the audacity to be the 'chosen one' first."
That night, Tang San sat alone, staring at his hands.
This world… feels different.
And somewhere deep inside him, a quiet thought surfaced—one he had never needed before.
I might not be the center anymore.