The hallway outside the meeting room was long and still, its white stone floor reflecting the late afternoon sun that filtered through tall glass windows. The ceiling arches were lined with vine-like carvings of sea serpents, an ode to East Sea Academy's coastal roots. In its silence, every echoing footstep felt thunderous.
But now, Qiang Ming sprinted across that polished floor.
He didn't remember standing.
He didn't remember leaving.
Only the dull roar of blood in his ears, and the feeling of his feet carrying him faster than thought.
Past the staff hallway.
Past the dormitory wing.
Past the eastern garden gate.
His long strides churned the gravel as he left the formal grounds, cutting into one of the Academy's nearby public parks—a quiet, breezy space filled with trimmed hedges and gravel paths that wound around clear pools and wind-blown stone pines.
He stopped without meaning to.
Right by the edge of a reflecting pond, he froze. A pair of white cranes lifted into the air from the water, startled by his sudden presence.
Only now did the weight of his body return to him. His legs shook from exertion. His throat burned.
Why did I run?
His mind, however, was no calmer than before.
A storm of indecision spun through his thoughts, spiraling with emotion and doubt.
Should I go back? Should I swallow this pride of mine and accept the offer? The Principal said it was a one-time proposal, but surely he would consider Qiang Ming's status…
Would he, though? a darker part of him asked. Why would they need to? I already have everything—resources, wealth, bloodline. I don't need the academy's charity.
Then why does it feel like I'm the one left behind?
Even now, standing here alone, he felt his chest tighten. A pressure not from fatigue… but from realization.
He had run.
"Ming!"
The shout cracked the silence.
He turned.
Three figures were dashing down the pathway, leaves scattering in their wake.
Tang Wulin. Xie Xie. Gu Yue.
Wind curled at their backs—Gu Yue's elemental control helping them close the distance. Wulin's steps were heavy but sure. Xie Xie led the charge, face flushed with worry.
They skidded to a halt in front of him. Sweat gleamed on their brows. Their uniforms were rumpled from the sprint, but their eyes held only concern.
Xie Xie spoke first, catching his breath. "Why did you run?"
Qiang Ming took a breath.
"Why did you follow me?"
But it was Gu Yue who replied, eyes narrowed, voice cool as ice.
"Why did you run?"
Qiang Ming faltered.
His gaze dropped.
"I…" His words stuck in his throat, so he tried again. "I can't decide whether to accept. I like you guys. I do. Truly. But…"
His voice tightened. "But… you're holding me back."
All three of his friends stiffened.
There was a flicker of disbelief in Wulin's eyes. Gu Yue's expression remained unreadable—but her mouth twitched downward slightly. Xie Xie, however, took it more personally.
"What do you mean? Aren't you fast enough already? Strong enough?" Xie Xie said, stepping forward. "You're stronger than any of us!"
Qiang Ming flinched.
"That may be true… for now. But I've felt my growth plateau. I meditate longer, I train harder, and still—those guys from Class 1 were faster than me. And if it's not a personal flaw… then it must be the environment."
His voice trembled, uncertain even to himself.
"I don't know what else it could be."
"You are a coward."
The voice was glacial. Final.
All four turned.
Floating just above the ground, his long robes trailing slightly, was Wu Zhangkong.
His expression was unreadable. But his presence carried weight.
Crushing.
"All that talent," he said, each word slow and piercing, "wasted on someone like you."
Qiang Ming took a half-step back.
Wu Zhangkong descended silently to the ground. His eyes locked onto his student like steel drawn from a sheath.
"To think I believed you might be worthy of that place. What a disappointment."
"W… what?" Qiang Ming's voice cracked.
"You've had no true hardship. None." Wu Zhangkong's voice didn't rise—but it struck like thunder. "Compared to your companions—Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yue—your path has been smooth. A living, supportive family. An influential, well-connected clan. Great talent, and a mutated Martial Soul most would kill for."
"And yet… here you are, running away."
Each word felt like a blow. Qiang Ming's mind reeled.
"Your 'calm and stoic' image? A facade. A mask. One that cracked the moment the path wasn't laid before you in gold."
Wu Zhangkong took one step forward.
"Do you know how many would give up everything for what you've been handed?"
The words struck harder than a SoulQuake Blow.
Qiang Ming's shoulders sagged.
Then—he breathed in.
His chest rose.
The trembling stopped.
His eyes slowly lifted—clearing like fog after a storm. The faint glimmer of violet within his pupils ignited once more.
He was right.
All of it.
But that didn't mean Qiang Ming had to grovel.
He straightened.
"You're right, Teacher," he said, voice low but steady. "About everything. And I thank you for saying it. I needed it."
A pause.
"And that's exactly why I still can't accept the Academy's offer."
Wu Zhangkong blinked. Just once.
Qiang Ming raised his head.
"Class Zero is a refuge. A golden cage. If I take it, I gain safety, not challenge. And what I need now is to grow—not to be protected."
For a long moment, Wu Zhangkong said nothing.
Then, his brow relaxed ever so slightly.
"Good," he murmured. "At least you're not a lost cause."
His gaze drifted to the other three students—still stunned—and he nodded.
"Let's go."
He turned slightly, prepared to lift from the ground.
But—
"Teacher!"
Qiang Ming stepped forward.
"One last request."
Wu Zhangkong turned.
Qiang Ming swung his hammer onto his shoulder.
"I want to fight my friends. I want to leave them with a memory. One strong enough they'll never forget me."
The Blackstone Abyss Hammer pulsed, its purple energy flickering softly.
Before Wu Zhangkong could respond, Tang Wulin stepped forward.
"Let us," he said, voice calm but with a golden glint in his eyes. "We wish to leave him a mark as well. Lest he forget us."
Xie Xie stepped up beside him, daggers in hand.
Gu Yue exhaled, her elements shimmering into view.
Wu Zhangkong sighed.
He rose into the air just enough to stand between them.
Then, with a downward swipe of his hand—
"Begin."