In class.
The youths' breaths quickened.
"...Begin." Miss Noble said.
"!!" Qi exploded from their bodies as patterns solidified. Some shattered causing some people to start over.
" Time is up." Miss Noble tapped the podium.
" Fuuu!"
" HA-hahaha, I finished on time!"
" Tsk, mine broke..."
The youths erupted.
Boom!
"..." Miss Noble's attention shifted.
" Teacher...Can I leave for some fresh air?" Levi asked. As he stood, his arm was lifted from the cracked desk.
" You can." Miss Noble said.
"..." Levi walked down.
" Go to the disciplinary hall later." She continued.
"...I understand." Levi said.
...
A week later. Infinite world.
" Huff! Huff!" A muscular tiger growled at the sword before it.
" Grr..." The beast sidestepped.
" Ha!" The soil was displaced as Levi's stance changed. The Qi sword-shape lowered at an angle.
A deep growl sounded as the tiger bit down on it, scattering the Qi.
A second later, Levi lay on the ground, a bloody hole in his stomach.
" Holy..." A voice rang out.
" That was intense!" Another sounded.
"..." With red vision, Levi looked up. A youth crawled out from a shrub, while another came out from behind a tree.
" My hands are still shaking."
" Mine too, Look!" The youths turned.
" We should tell the others about this!"
" Sure, but..." One looked back.
" Should we help him?" He asked.
" Huh? Why? He can just come back after he dies."
" Oh. You're right."
" Plus, why should we help that guy? He's a nuisance. I'm just sorry his death this time isn't real."
" Ha...Haha. Let's just get back to the group."
"..." Levi kept silent.
He could only wait as his 'life' slipped away.
...
A few weeks later. Library back room.
Levi's foot slid across the floor as he punched out.
Sweat hit the ground as he turned.
Crack!
He hit the ground with a thud.
" Aghhh!"
The wooden table shattered as it hit the wall.
"...W-What's going on?" The librarian peaked through the crack of the door.
"..." Panting, Levi pulled up the top half of his robe.
"..." He stumbled to the side as Levi brushed pass.
...
A month later. In the classroom.
" Student Levi, you have been acting out more recently. If this does not change, you'll be sent to the disciplinary hall's second level, do you understand?" Miss Noble asked.
" Yes." Levi droned.
" Are you feeling unwell? Or is something bothering you?" She asked.
"...It's nothing, teacher." Levi's gaze focused briefly.
" I will keep your warning in mind." He bowed from the hallway.
"...It was more advice than anything else." Miss Moble shook her head.
...
" H-Hey." A girl inched toward Levi's desk.
"...What is it?" He lifted his head from the table.
" A s-senior student wanted you to go to the library a-after class..." The girl stepped back.
"..." Levi put his arms back onto the table as he nodded.
" Ahhh, that was so uncomfortable! Does he have to glare like that?" The girl ran into the arms of another girl.
" Shh! Wa-Are you crying?! Next time, don't do those kinds of favors." The girl said.
" But it was a senior!" The girl sniffled.
" I'm sure they would understand if you explained." The girl stroked her head.
..
After class. Library.
" That brat stood me up." Olivia ground her teeth.
"..." Yuri slapped the floor as he rolled.
...
Physician library.
" Anh? Inscription department? What're you doin' here?" Behind a counter, a man chewed on a piece of meat.
" I want to borrow books," Levi said.
" Pa-hahaha! Ah! My dried meat!" His eyes were drawn to the floor.
" Get out." His head rose slowly.
"..." Levi stood in place.
" Get lost!" He slapped the counter.
"...I'll come back again." Levi turned.
" The hell you will! I dare you!" The man jumped up.
...
A few months later. Levi's room.
" Mhmm. Nnng." His eyelashes trembled in the darkness.
' Yo-You can't d-do it!'
' Fail! fa-failure!'
' C-Can't succeed...!'
Voices sounded.
' Shut up!'
' N-No talent! Worthless! Why do you live? J-Just die!'
' Quiet!'
' Pathetic! Can't e-even do si-simple things!'
' Stop talking!'
' Wh-Why should we listen to you? Y-Your words hold no s-sway over us!'
' I-It is you, who should f-follow our orders!'
" Huff! Huff!" Levi shot up from the wet pillow.
...
Classroom.
" Begin." Miss Noble lowered her pointer.
' C'mon! C'mon! C'mon'
' I'll make it for sure this time! No one will beat me!'
Crack!
" Ah, it cracked!" A girl repaired her inscription.
" Ha, if you repair it like that, the only thing that will do is blow up in your face!" A youth grinned.
" You-"
Crack!
" Ahhh! What?! That's not possible!" The youth pieced his inscription back together.
" Humph!" The girl sealed the cracks in her inscription.
A few minutes later.
" Stop." Miss Noble raised her hand.
" Aww..."
" Sigh!"
" The few who failed this time, you will stay for extra lessons." Miss Noble looked at specific students.
" Yes..." They droned. Levi kept silent.
" Take out your word plates. To text 17." Miss noble went behind the podium.
" Yes." The youths' mental energy spread through the room. Colored letters grew out from the square metal plates.
" From this corner, start." Miss Noble pointed.
" Yes." A youth stood.
...
Levi's room.
"..." With the sheet draped over his shoulders, Levi sat.
It fell onto the bed as he sat cross-legged on the floor.
The room was brightened as Qi enveloped his body.
...
Classroom.
" I will be taking my leave." Miss Noble turned.
" Yes, teacher!" The youth's bowed.
They took turns trying to open the hidden door. Few left the class.
" Hello, senior sister!"
" Oh, Hello." Olivia smiled.
"..." A few boys tripped as they stared.
"..." She tapped her foot as she hummed.
A few seconds later.
" Oh, hello, junior brother." She looked up.
"..." Levi's brows scrunched up as he nodded.
" Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where are you going?" Olivia asked.
" Let go, please. I have to go somewhere." Levi tugged.
"?!" A clunky silver bracelet was placed around his wrist with a click.
" Now, junior brother." Olivia closed her eyes, her finger raised.
" I know that I can't compare to your raw strength." Her brows tightened.
" But if you can't use it, you can never defy me!" Her teeth glistened.
"..." Levi's arm dropped.
" Heavy?" Olivia smiled.
" What did you do..." Levi asked stiffly.
" The inscription on this bracelet tends to make you feel heavy. Really, really heavy." Olivia squinted.
" The best part is that your real weight doesn't change at all!" She weighed Levi's arm.
"..." Sweat poured from his flushed face.
" Let's go!" Olivia dashed down the hall.
" Avoid me, will you? Hohoho!" Her voice resounded.
"..." The youths picked their jaws up from the ground.
" T-The world of cultivation sure is a treacherous place..." A youth rubbed his arms.
" Does she have no shame, stealing men in broad daylight?!" A girl covered her mouth.
" I-I can't deal with people like that..." Another girl shook her head.
...
Physician library.
"..." Levi walked with something in hand.
" Hey, isn't that..."
" Yeah. The kid that got kicked out last time."
" Our fool of a librarian was pissed for days after that! This will be a great show."
" Haha. Don't forget we have exams soon. I'd advise you to study, seeing as your score wasn't too high the last time."
" Don't be a wet blanket!"
Two youths read from large books.
" Zzzzz-Snort-zzz." The man whistled whilst sleeping.
" Hey!"
Pop!
" Hu-Huh?! Nggg. What? What is it?" The librarian rubbed his eyes.
" Look."
" Tsk, just tell me what you-You?!" His chair almost fell.
"..." Levi stood before the counter.
" The inscription department's students sure are brave, huh?" The counter dipped under his weight.
" Let me congratulate you on your bravery." His fingers tensed as he leaned over.
"..." Levi turned over his palm.
Boom!
"..." The librarian fell onto his face.
" W-Wh-Where did you get that?" He asked.
"...Can I come in with this?" Levi faced the token down.
" W-Why, yes. In fact, please go in. I beseech you, read a few pages." The librarian's eyes wandered between a few pieces of dust.
"..." Levi sidestepped him.
...
Night.
"..." Levi looked at the bed from the side.
...
Infinite world.
Birds flew as Bursts of sound echoed.
Deng!
"...Ow." Levi rubbed his head.
' I'm making steady progress.' He turned to see deep, spread footprints.
Rustle!
" Hmm?" A youth pushed aside a branch.
"..." Levi turned.
" Hmhahmm." The youth continued on his way with a nod.
" Again." Levi's muscles tensed.
...
Hallway.
" Teacher, are there communication Inscriptions that can work over long distances?" Levi asked.
" There are, but why do you ask." She turned.
" I want to contact someone from back home," Levi said.
" You should know that connections outside of the sect are forbidden." Miss Noble said.
" But...It's to see if an old farmer who took care of me is well. He doesn't have anyone to care for him..." Levi lowered his head.
"...Fine. But it is a 40-plus pattern inscription. You also have to send one to the person in question." She sighed.
" Really?! But...how can I get it to him?" Levi lowered his head once again.
" The sect can take care of that for you. But first, you will have to be able to create the inscription. I won't help you." Miss Noble's mantle shifted.
" Thank you, teacher!" Levi's upper body faced the floor.
"...Don't complain if you fail." Miss Noble left these words.
' I will figure out a way to leave a hidden message for Aria and the others.' Levi thought.
...
A year later. Library back room.
" Ha." A light voice escaped Levi's throat.
A small wave rolled out as his foot slid across the floor.
Sweat dripped from his shoulder as his leg cut through the air.
Splattering sounded as the sole of his foot slapped the floor.
Crack!
" Ha!" A light gust followed behind his fist.
"..." He straightened himself as his eyes shone.
...
Classroom.
" This exercise is to test the speed at which you can finish a 20-pattern inscription." Miss Noble swept her gaze.
"..." Some of the youths tapped their fingers.
" Begin." She lowered her hand.
"..." Qi streamed through the air not a second later.
Vivivi!
" Huh?!" The youths grabbed their desks for support.
" D-Do you see that..." Someone in the back row trembled.
" Teacher..." They called out.
"...You can go." Miss Noble said.
Some of them stumbled as they ran into the hallway.
" Who's strong enough to send an attack this far?!"
" Aw! I wish I chose the cultivation department!"
" Like you are good enough!"
They watched as a mass of Qi was held in place.
Vivivi!
" They're still going at it!"
" H-Hey, watch where you're stumbling!"
" I could say the same for you!"
In the classroom.
"..." With a coated inscription before him, Levi looked down.
"..." Miss Noble nodded.
It shattered with a squeeze.
...
Senior cafeteria.
" And then-And then-Ahahaha!" Olivia slapped the table as her jaw sped.
" Junior brother- You listening?!" Her head snapped to the side.
"...Yeah." The corners of Levi's lips tugged upward.
" What did you feed her?" He looked at Yuri.
" Don't just assume I did something. She gets excited when it comes to food." Yuri lay his head on his palm.
" She's at it again, aye? Haha, that girl is a riot."
" What I'm curious about is that little guy she's dragging around these days."
" Oh, him? I heard that he's some kind of weirdo. Fit's right in I guess, Haha!"
The seniors conversed with their desk-mates.
" Yo, Olivia! Have you heard the rumors going around about you?" Someone put their hand on the table.
"...Move from behind me." Olivia tilted her head.
" Sheesh, no need to be so prickly!" He waved.
" But back to-" He was cut off.
" Can we eat In peace, please?" Yuri smiled.
" What? Bu-"
" Please." His eyes narrowed.
" Fine, fine! The lot of you need counseling, I swear..." The guy muttered as he left.
" Haha, you thought you could get to her with Yuri around? How willful!"
" Screw you!"
" Hahaha!"
The room erupted in laughter.
...
Night.
"..." With the sheet covering all but his head, Levi lay neatly on the bed.
In his inner world.
' G-Give in!'
' Re-Relinquish your b-body...'
' It's your only c-choice! You are nothing by yourself!'
' Useless without us! Useless!'
' Can you guys shut up?' Levi's eyes glowed as he lifted his head.
' N-No one cares...about you..'
' Do-Don't be fooled by their smiles!'
'...' He unfolded his limbs.
' You, can you come here? Please?' He clasped his hands.
' Hu-Huh? Ok...' A ghostly figure left the crowd.
' So, lay flat like this. Yeah, like that!' Levi snapped his finger.
' Oh, you guys, come along!' He waved.
' Uh, alright...'
' I mean, I got nothin' better to do, but...'
' Ahem. My throat's sore from wailing.'
' Mhm, nice. Great!' Levi clapped.
' Now don't move. I mean it!' He pointed.
' Uh...'
' What are we doing again?'
Poof!
' Hey, hey! You're heavy!'
' Agh, my arm!'
' You! Stop nudging!'
' Don't move. If this bed collapses, I won't ever come here again.' Levi yawned.
' Damn you!'
' Who said you could use us as a bed!?'
' Hurry and-Hey! Don't go to sleep!?'
...
Bedroom.
"..." Tiny square patches formed in the red ring as blood energy rose.
' Sigh.' Levi stood.
A dense red mist swirled throughout the room.
" Gather." He opened his palm.
Before he could blink, a pea-sized gem-like red mass landed in his hand.
"..." His eyes narrowed.
" Wait, what!?" He stumbled as he tossed the tiny object.
" It worked????" He caught the object while the floor caught his face.
"..." With shining eyes, he examined it.
" Extremely dense..." His jaw grew slack.
" Not what I was expecting, but I'll take it." His voice wavered.
" After so long...Haha, it wasn't pointless...not pointless!" He dropped onto the floor.
...
Infinite world.
Explosions of sound reverberated through the forest.
' Loosen...muscles!' Levi thought.
"..." Warm air exited his nostrils as he closed his eyes.
' To release the body, one must first calm the mind.' He thought.
"..." Opening his eyes, it appeared as if the world had slowed.
' Ah...' He thought.
' Ahhhhh! I did it!' He squeezed his eyes shut.
" This isn't a dream! Take a good look Levi, because this is only the beginning!" His robes fluttered as he blurred over a slope.
" I'm flying again!!' He shot through the air.
" Snort!" A familiar snort sounded.
" Sorry, there's only room for me in this sky!" Levi shouted.
" But wait...isn't there a large hill behind this slope?" A bead of sweat slid down his forehead.
His neck turned like a rusted hinge. " Ahhhhh!!"
...
Another year later. In the classroom.
" Begin." Miss Noble shouted.
The youths scrambled as their Qi flowed.
"..." Pattern after pattern formed before Levi. Each coated as they gathered.
A minute later.
" Stop." Miss Noble ordered.
" Fuuu..." The youths supported themselves however they could as sweat covered their faces.
" Present." Miss Noble pointed at the end of the first row.
" Yes. This is a hundred-year-old inscription, the 'Water condensation' inscription. It is an improved, more easily controlled remake. It is a tier 1 inscription." Silas cleared his throat.
" And what is a tier 1 inscription?" Miss Noble asked.
" Any inscription with a total of 100 patterns," Silas answered.
" Mhm...It's solid. Crafted well, but this elongated corner would shorten its life. Therefore..." Miss Noble examined the inscription.
" 89 points." She said.
" Thank you." Silas bowed.
" Next." Miss Noble turned.
" Y-Yes!"
A few minutes later.
" Next." Miss Noble turned to Levi.
" Yes," Levi recited the inscription's information.
"...It is also a 100-layered inscription." He finished.
" Hmm. Well coated. Solid. Nicely shaped. 94 points." Miss Noble allotted.
" WHAT!?!" The class erupted.
" This is blatant favoritism, teacher!"
" The only person close to that score is 'thousand minds' Silas!"
They argued.
" Quiet. If you worked as hard, you would also have gotten a similar or higher score." Miss Noble stood behind her podium.
" But I did work hard...Excessively so..."
" Humph! With two seniors helping him, this result isn't even shocking!"
" Quiet. Class is over for today. Those who placed from 3rd up, collect your prizes later." Miss Noble left.
"..." Levi left shortly after.
" Junior brother! How did you do?" Olivia rushed him.
" I...fainted from the pressure...' Levi lowered his head.
" Wha..." Olivia froze.
" You brat, stop lying." Yuri ruffled Levi's hair.
" Hey, don't mess up my hair!" He grabbed his wrist.
" Ah? I'll ruffle if I want to. Show some respect to your betters!" Yuri lifted his free hand.
" Ahh! senior sister! Is your master around? I can't let him see this!" Levi turned his head.
" Uh-uh." Olivia shook her head.
" Good. He still hasn't gotten off my case about getting a new hair tie since I lost mine." Levi closed his eyes.
" Then why not knot your hair like this?" Yuri twisted his wrist.
" Aghh!" Levi winced.
" Ops..." Yuri raised his arms.
" You bastard...You know I have a sensitive scalp!!" Levi's arm snaked around Yuri's back.
" Ah! Ribs! Ribs!" Yuri whistled soundlessly.
" If you're going to be like that!" He gripped Levi's hair.
They took turns yelping as they waddled down the hallway.
" Haha." Olivia giggled.