Chapter 6: Surprising the Skeptics (Slightly)

Chapter 6: Surprising the Skeptics (Slightly)

Ran left his room feeling… springy. That was the only word for it. Usually, moving felt like wading through invisible treacle, especially after a cultivation session (failed or otherwise). Now, with his upgraded Grade 3 Root quietly humming away, there was an ease to his movements, a lightness that was entirely new. Maybe I should take up interpretive dance? Nah, probably too much effort.

He stepped out into a wider corridor connecting the family living quarters. Unfortunately, his newfound springiness didn't grant him invisibility. Lounging against a carved pillar, looking supremely bored and superior, was his cousin, Duncan. Son of the perpetually disgruntled Elder Marius, Duncan possessed a Grade 4 Root and made sure everyone knew it. He had the same sneering expression his father often wore.

"Well, well," Duncan drawled, pushing himself off the pillar as Ran approached. "Look who finally crawled out of his meditation hole. Did you manage to absorb a whole dust mote today, Cousin?"

Ran mentally rolled his eyes so hard he almost gave himself a headache. Ah, Duncan. Always a ray of sunshine. A particularly annoying, condescending ray. Outwardly, he just gave a noncommittal grunt. "Just finished practicing, Duncan."

"Practicing?" Duncan smirked, falling into step beside Ran as they walked towards the main training grounds. "Is that what you call it? Father says it's more like 'wishful thinking'. Still, points for persistence, I suppose. Like a woodpecker trying to drill through solid steel."

Charming. Does your father teach classes in motivational speaking? Ran ignored the jibe, focusing on the upcoming ordeal: the monthly Junior Qi Assessment. Usually, it was his personal stage for demonstrating peak inadequacy. Today, however… today might be different. Marginally.

They arrived at the central training ground, a large open space paved with smooth stones. Several other junior clan members were already gathered, along with a few observing elders, including Duncan's father, Elder Marius, and the generally more placid Elder Elara. His own father, Reynald, stood near the center, observing with his usual stoic expression.

The assessment was simple: place your hands on the large, crystalline Assessment Orb and channel Qi into it for one minute. The Orb measured the flow rate and purity. Ran's previous record was a pitiful 3 Units per minute, barely enough to make the Orb flicker feebly. Most kids his age were hitting double digits easily. Duncan usually strutted around showing off his 15+ Units.

Names were called. Juniors stepped up, placed their hands on the Orb, and grimaced with effort. The Orb glowed with varying intensity – faint yellow for the weaker ones, bright gold for the stronger ones like Duncan, who made sure to puff out his chest when his respectable score was announced.

Then, "Ran Sayfrid."

A familiar hush fell over the small crowd. Ran could feel the pitying looks, Duncan's smirk widening. He took a breath and stepped forward. Okay, System-enhanced body, don't fail me now. Let's show them… something slightly less pathetic than usual.

He placed his hands on the cool, smooth surface of the Orb. He closed his eyes, not needing intense concentration this time. He simply guided the Qi that now flowed so much more readily within him. It felt… easy. He channeled it steadily into the Orb.

Instead of the usual pathetic flicker, the Orb lit up with a clear, steady, soft yellow light. Not blinding gold, not by a long shot, but significantly brighter than anyone expected from him. It held steady for the entire minute.

The elder supervising the Orb frowned, checked his reading crystal, and announced, his voice tinged with surprise, "Ran Sayfrid. Flow rate: Seven Units per minute."

Seven! More than double his previous best. It was still firmly in the 'below average' category compared to the clan's hopes for an heir, but the jump was undeniable.

A murmur went through the observers. Elder Elara raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. Duncan's smirk faltered, replaced by a confused frown. Seven? Where did that come from?

Elder Marius scoffed quietly, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "A fluke," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Must have had a good breakfast."

Ran saw his father, Reynald, clench his fist subtly at his side. A flicker of something – surprise? Hope? Pride? – crossed the Patriarch's face before settling back into careful neutrality. He gave Ran a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Ran stepped away from the Orb, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction. He hadn't revealed anything truly shocking, nothing that screamed 'alien space magic intervention'. Just… improvement. Enough to raise eyebrows, confuse the mockers, and maybe plant a tiny seed of hope in his father's heart.

He met Duncan's suspicious gaze with deliberate blankness. Seven units, Cousin. Still bottom tier by your standards, maybe. But you have no idea where that came from, do you?

Internally, Ran scoffed at their shortsightedness. Seven units? Pathetic compared to the power the System promised. Their surprise, their dismissal, their petty jealousy – it was all just background noise. Annoying static interfering with his real goal.

The only assessment that mattered was the one the System gave him. And according to that, his progress was right on track. Let them think it was a fluke or a good breakfast. He knew the truth. The game was on, and he was finally starting to level up.