As Kai walked alongside his new roommates, Yung and Meon, towards their classroom, his mind whirled with calculations and strategies. To the outside observer, he appeared to be a small, unassuming six-year-old boy, but beneath that innocent exterior lay a mind far beyond his years, shaped by circumstances beyond mortal comprehension.
Kai maintained a carefully crafted facade, one that he had perfected over his short yet eventful life. He engaged in pleasant small talk with Yung and Meon, asking about their villages and their journey to the school. However, his interest was not born out of genuine curiosity or a desire for friendship. No, Kai's motivations were far more pragmatic.
Had Yung and Meon been ordinary children from unremarkable families, Kai might have ignored them entirely. But their status as the sons of village leaders and elders piqued his interest. In the cutthroat world of martial cultivation, connections could often mean the difference between life and death, success and failure. Kai recognized the potential value these two could bring to his future endeavors.
As they walked, Kai's mind drifted to the events that had shaped his unique existence. Unbeknownst to his companions or anyone else in the world, Kai harbored a secret that set him apart from every other living being.
During his time in his mother's womb, when he was nothing more than a developing embryo, something extraordinary had occurred. A demon, powerful and ancient, had somehow infiltrated the sanctity of his mother's womb. This demon, for reasons unknown to Kai, had chosen to make a pact with the unborn child.
The terms of this unholy agreement were both a blessing and a curse. In exchange for opening all of Kai's meridians at birth—a feat that would typically take cultivators decades to achieve—the demon had taken something precious from him. Kai would never be able to experience positive emotions like love, friendship, or genuine happiness.
To most, this would seem like a terrible price to pay. But Kai, even at his young age, saw it differently. In the world of martial cultivation, emotions were often seen as a weakness, a distraction from the path to true power. By being free from these "burdens," Kai believed he had gained a significant advantage over his peers.
Yet, questions lingered in his mind. Why had the demon chosen him? What was its ultimate goal? And where was this demon now? These were mysteries that Kai knew he would have to unravel as he grew stronger and more knowledgeable.
As they approached the classroom, Kai pushed these thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. He knew that his appearance in the A-class would cause a stir, and he needed to be prepared for the reactions of his fellow students and the instructor.
The moment they entered the classroom, a hush fell over the assembled students. All eyes turned to the trio, but it was Kai who drew the most attention. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the room as the older students took in the sight of a six-year-old boy standing confidently among them.
Kai observed their reactions carefully, noting the mix of surprise, confusion, and in some cases, disdain on their faces. He had expected this and was prepared to deal with any challenges that might arise from his unusual presence in the advanced class.
What caught many off guard, however, was not just Kai's age, but the company he kept. Yung and Meon, already known as prodigies from their respective villages, seemed to have taken the young boy under their wing. This association lent Kai a certain legitimacy in the eyes of his classmates, though it also sparked curiosity and speculation.
As they made their way to empty seats near the front of the classroom, Kai could hear snippets of conversation behind him.
"Is that really a child? He can't be more than six or seven!"
"How did he get into the A-class? There must be some mistake."
"Look, he's with Yung and Meon. Maybe he's some sort of genius?"
Kai ignored the chatter, focusing instead on settling into his seat and preparing for the lesson. He arranged his writing materials neatly on the desk before him, his movements precise and controlled, belying his young age.
Yung leaned over to Kai, whispering, "Don't let them bother you. They're just surprised to see someone so young in this class. Once they see what you can do, they'll accept you."
Kai nodded, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thank you, Yung. I'm not worried about their opinions. I'm here to learn and grow stronger, nothing more."
Meon, overhearing this exchange, chimed in, "That's the spirit, Kai. We're all here for the same reason. Age doesn't matter in the pursuit of strength."
As the other students continued to speculate about the young newcomer, the door to the classroom suddenly swung open. A hush fell over the room as a tall, imposing figure strode in. Master Yuvi, the renowned instructor of the A-class, had arrived.
Master Yuvi's gaze swept across the room, taking in each student with a piercing look that seemed to see through to their very souls. When his eyes fell upon Kai, they lingered for a moment longer than on the others. A flicker of interest passed across the master's face, so brief that most would have missed it. But Kai, ever observant, caught the look and filed it away for future consideration.
"Good morning, students," Master Yuvi's voice boomed, commanding instant attention. "I see we have some new faces among us today. Excellent. Fresh blood keeps us all on our toes."
The pact with the demon, the abandonment by his parents, the struggle to survive on his own—all of these experiences had forged him into something far beyond an ordinary child.
As he listened and learned, a part of him wondered about the demon who had set him on this path. Where was it now? What were its true intentions? And how would their paths intersect in the future?
These questions and more swirled in Kai's mind as the lesson continued, the first of many that would shape his journey in the world of martial cultivation. Little did his classmates know that sitting among them was not just a prodigy, but a being touched by forces beyond their comprehension, poised to reshape the very foundations of their world.