Cayan finished sorting out the rewards and slowly opened his shop for business. To his surprise, a small figure raced towards the store before his usual 8 AM opening. Aeridan, a world nearly identical to Earth but five times larger, boasted first-century technology. Their most advanced creation was the giant clock tower at the city's heart, visible from Cayan's shop even though it was 700 meters away.
Moments later, a small figure stood outside the shop - Leyla, one of his patrons. He ushered her in and asked why she was so early.
"I came to thank you, Uncle! Now I can do cool moves like the 'Azure Steps of the Mystic Cloud' toy! My friends will be jealous, hehe. Aren't you proud of me, Uncle?" Leyla chirped excitedly.
Cayan grinned. "Of course I'm proud of our little Leyla! Who wouldn't be? Such a bright and cute girl. Come here, let me pinch those adorable cheeks!"
Leyla playfully dodged his reach, executing the Azure Steps to reappear nearby a shelf. With a haughty air, she declared, "No can do, Uncle! I'm not a kid, you know!" She then made a swiping gesture across her nose, mimicking wiping it.
"What a lively kid," Cayan thought, resolving to use the training room to practice the techniques his toys embodied.
Leyla bid her goodbyes and skipped off to school. It's Wednesday, and Aeridan's education system differed from Earth's. Here, instructors encouraged students to develop their martial arts skills independently at home, fostering creativity and personal growth. Unlike Earth's instructional methods, Aeridan's instructors acted as guides, offering support when students encountered challenges and monitoring their progress. Different institutes offered unique cultivation techniques and materials, catering to diverse learning styles. After six years of foundational study, students continued honing their skills in schools where specialized knowledge was shared openly, promoting experimentation and discouraging prejudice. Instead of the typical five or six-day school week, Aeridan follows a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, allowing students more dedicated time for independent learning.
Cayan continued his day, following his usual routine of cleaning the shop. Meanwhile, at school, Leyla was causing quite a stir. She actively demonstrated her skills, the Azure Steps flitting across the room and mesmerizing her classmates. Leyla's friends crowded around her, eager to know the secret.
With a haughty air, Leyla replied, "If you really want to know, maybe you can recognize greatness, yeah? I just copied this from a toy!"
Disbelief crackled through the room. "A toy?" someone blurted, disbelief lacing their voice. "What?! That must be an artifact! Can we see it? How on earth can you learn martial arts from a toy?"
Leyla giggled, a smug glint in her eye. "Well, well, well, looks like some frogs haven't seen the whole pond yet! There's more to learning than just dusty old books, you know. After class, why don't you all head to Uncle Cayan's shop? It's just a few streets away."
Pausing for effect, she continued, "He sells some truly incredible toys. Right now, he only has two products in stock - the one you just saw, the 'Azure Steps of the Mystic Cloud,' and another called 'Unrivaled Dantian Convergence.' You're welcome, everyone, for Leyla's generosity!"
A buzz of excitement filled the classroom as students eagerly planned their after-school visit to Cayan's shop. The teacher's voice cut through the chatter, reminding them of the approaching lesson. With a final longing glance towards the door, they fled back into their seats.
The martial arts demonstration began. Some students practiced their techniques, seeking guidance from the instructors. Others, including Leyla, received praise for their skills. Leyla, in particular, caught the instructors' attention with her impressive display of the "Azure Steps of the Mystic Cloud." Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and surprise - the technique was far more advanced than anything typically taught at the academy.
Leyla then demonstrated her cultivation level, revealing herself to be a Quasi 2nd Class Warrior, well ahead of most of her peers who remained at 1st Class. The instructors were further perplexed when she revealed her cultivation technique: "Unrivaled Dantian Convergence." It was a name unheard of in the martial world. Briefly, they considered the possibility of a secret technique, but dismissed it as unlikely. After all, what secrets could a seven-year-old possibly possess?
The final school bell echoed through the halls, its shrill ring a signal for release. A flurry of students erupted from the academy doors, but instead of dispersing, they congregated in a line that snaked down the steps. Leading the charge, none other than Leyla, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Word of the "magical toy store" had spread like wildfire during recess, fueled by Leyla's flamboyant demonstration. Curiosity gnawed at some students, while others, initially skeptical, were drawn in by the sheer buzz of excitement. Soon, the line swelled, a mix of eager faces and those harboring doubts. As the group, fueled by the promise of wonder, set off towards Cayan's shop, little did he know the lively welcome that awaited him.