Chapter 19: A Heart to Heart conversation. 

Chapter 19: An Introduction to the Current World for Nima

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Nima held Kent's hand tightly as they walked into their home. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked up at him.

"Big Brother, when are we going to buy a new TV?"

Kent froze mid-step, gripping the door handle. A long sigh escaped his lips before he turned to her.

"Do you know why I haven't sent you to school yet?"

Nima tilted her head, thinking for a second before answering. "Because we're orphans? And we ran away from the orphanage?"

"That's one reason," Kent admitted. "But the other is... we're poor. I'm saving money for your education. Right now, we can't afford a new TV."

Nima's eyes widened in horror as her soul visibly left her body. She turned into a lifeless stone, standing frozen in place. Somewhere in the background, a passing bird turned to stone as well, cursed by Nima's sheer frustration.

+999 SP copied from Nima (Frustration).

Nima snapped out of her stone-like state, her face twisting in anguish.

"Kent! How am I supposed to watch my favourite shows?! My anime, my dramas, my reality TV shows—EVERYTHING will be ruined!"

She grabbed his arm and shook him violently. "I don't need to go to school! I already know all the math for fifth graders! Don't force me to run away!"

Kent chuckled, prying her hands off his sleeve. "Nima, I know you're a genius," he said, ruffling her hair. "You could probably skip grades and go straight to high school if you had a tutor. But school isn't just about studies. You need to learn new skills, make friends, and experience life outside. That's why you have to go."

She pouted, crossing her arms. "So? What does that have to do with my TV?"

Kent sighed. "We'll buy a new TV after I get you admitted next month. You just have to wait until then."

+99 SP copied from Nima (Sadness).

Nima kicked the floor lightly, her voice softer now. "I know you work hard, Kent… I can just get a scholarship as a cultivator. That way, you don't have to—"

Kent cut her off immediately, his expression turning serious. "Nima, you're only 11 years old." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "

"Do you know what happens when an orphan—who's just 11—suddenly awakens as a cultivator?"

She blinked. "...What?"

"Trouble." Kent sighed. "Do you know the usual age when people awaken their powers?"

She shook her head. NOO!!

"Fifteen," Kent said. "That's the average."

He crossed his arms. "According to the government, the earlier someone awakens, the higher their chances of reaching Level A. That's why if anyone finds out about you, bad people will come after you. They'll try to take you away—forcefully."

Nima froze, realizing the weight of his words.

Kent gently squeezed her shoulders. "That's why we have to keep this a secret until I'm strong enough to protect you—or until you're strong enough to protect yourself."

Nima clenched her fists. "I understand."

Kent grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Who knows? Maybe you'll get so strong that you'll be the one protecting me in the future."

Nima's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Then I'll be the big sister!"

Kent chuckled. "We'll see about that."

+30 SP copied from Nima (Joy).

Kent stood up, brushing the dust off his worn-out pants. "Alright, you already ate at Aunt Zhou's house, right? So I'll just make something for myself."

Nima's grin immediately disappeared, replaced by an exaggerated scowl. "I'M HUNGRY! I'LL EAT WHATEVER YOU EAT!"

Ding! +19 SP copied from Nima (Anger).

Kent sighed. "Fine, fine. Come on, let's eat together."

After breakfast, Kent left for school, his excitement barely contained. Today was the second day of special class. He had no idea what they would learn, but he hoped for something that could make him stronger—or richer.

As soon as he entered the classroom, he noticed something. Everyone was busy talking to each other. Kent had just stepped through the doorway when—

WHAM!

Someone shoved him from behind. Kent stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance.

A familiar voice sneered. "Move out of the way, F-rank."

Kent turned around to see Ryan smirking arrogantly. But before Kent could say anything—'

"Cut it out. Don't act recklessly," a voice called out from inside the classroom. "It was Ethan."

He walked toward them, his sharp gaze fixed on Ryan. "Are you okay, Kent?"

Kent shrugged it off. "It was nothing. Ryan isn't that strong. Everyone in this class is the same rank, so it's not like he can actually hurt me."

+99 SP copied from Ryan (Anger).

Ryan's face turned red. "You… YOU'RE CALLING ME WEAK?!"

His fists clenched. "THEN LET'S FIGHT!"

The entire class went silent for a moment—

Then— "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"

Excited shouts erupted, filling the room with energy. Students began gathering around, their faces lighting up with anticipation.

Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, this escalated fast."

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 

Outside the classroom, loud shouting and cheering echoed through the hallways.

Miss Elena, standing outside, furrowed her brows. "What the hell is going on in there?"

Ding!

+6, +77, +86, +98, +67 SP copied (Excitement).

Meanwhile, inside the classroom— Kent sat back, arms crossed, grinning like a villain. He didn't care about the fight breaking out. He wasn't interested.

Why?---Because he had already won.

The entire class was still F-rank, but he was already Level E. No matter how much they fought, he could beat anyone here with a single punch.

So instead of fighting, he farmed SP like a businessman collecting rent.

Just then—THUD!

The door swung open, and Miss Elena stormed into the classroom. Instantly, the room fell silent. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke.

Some students were too scared to breathe, while others sat with their backs straight like model students.

"For different reasons, every student either feared or respected Miss Elena—some sought to impress her, while others were simply terrified."

"Everyone, take your seats," Elena commanded.

Within seconds, the entire class scrambled to sit down. Kent, sitting in the middle, glanced at Ethan and Mia, who had taken the seats beside him. Ethan sat on his right, while Mia sat on his left.

Elena cleared her throat. "Before we begin, let's start with something basic that most of you should already know. But for those who don't, pay close attention."

Elena paced to the front of the class, her eyes scanning the students. "Spiritual energy is not the same everywhere. Some places have more, some have less, and some have none at all."

She tapped the board behind her. "Areas rich in spiritual energy are called Spiritual Lands. In these places, cultivation is faster and more effective. Many of you come from families who own such lands."

Several students nodded in understanding.

"However," she continued, "some areas have spiritual energy so dense that they are currently uninhabitable. Nexus and Watchers categorize these places into three levels: Low, Medium, and High."

Elena turned to face the class, her expression serious. "Then, there is another danger—the sudden emergence of Ruins and Pocket Dimensions."

A few students muttered among themselves, but Elena raised a hand. "For those unfamiliar, ruins are ancient battlefields or graveyards where countless warriors perished. These places were lost for thousands of years… until now."

Her eyes flickered with a strange light.

"Pocket Dimensions, on the other hand, were once controlled by powerful ancient sects and clans. They created separate realms and use it as there sect, but due to the disappearance of spiritual energy, these places became inaccessible for centuries."

The classroom was dead silent.

"But now… spiritual energy is returning. And as a result, these places are awakening."

She looked around, gauging the students' reactions.

"Some ruins and pocket dimensions are harmless, but others… are deadly. If you're pulled inside, the only way out is to find the Main Treasure or the Formation Core to clear the dimension."

A few students paled at her words.

"Inside, there are hidden dangers—ancient beasts, zombie-like monsters, mythical cities, and entities beyond human comprehension."

The tension in the air grew thick.Finally, Elena clapped her hands. "That concludes today's lesson."

A few students let out sighs of relief.

"Now, I will distribute your cultivation resources."

A few Tier-1 Watcher entered the room, each carrying trays filled with small, diamond-shaped stones.

Each student was handed three white, shimmering spiritual stones.

Elena folded her arms. "These are Spiritual Stones. They will help you cultivate faster. Unlike absorbing spiritual energy from the atmosphere—which contains many impurities—these stones provide pure, condensed energy."

She continued, "Each stone lasts about ten days for someone with a B-rank physique. However, since many of you have basic cultivation, these three stones should be enough to push most of you to Level-E Peak."

A ripple of excitement spread through the class.

"But remember," Elena warned. "After this, you will only receive resources based on your cultivation progress. Do not waste this opportunity." 'Fullfil your dreams. Become the best Cultivator of this era.'

Kent, for once, remained silent. Because for him, this information was new. His whole life had been about survival—about making money, finding food, and ensuring that Nima had a better future.He never had time to think about the bigger world outside.

Elena's words opened his eyes. Kent's Dream (For SP Farming Purposes) After a moment of deep thought, Kent raised his hand.

Elena arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Kent?"

He took a deep breath… and then— "My dream is….EQUAL JUSTICE! FREEDOM!"

A heavy silence filled the room.

Elena blinked. Once. Twice. She had no idea how to respond to that.

Ding!

+999 SP copied from Elena (Frustration).

She slowly closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled.

Ding!

+778 SP copied from Elena (Frustration).

Without saying a word, she simply decided to ignore him. She cleared her throat. "Class dismissed. Remember, do NOT share this information with outsiders."

As the students packed their things, Ethan approached Kent, smiling. "Hey, let's walk home together."

Kent raised an eyebrow. "Our homes are in different areas. Don't you have a car? Aren't you supposed to be rich?"

Ding!

+99 SP copied from Ethan (Shocked).

Ethan's face twitched. "Dude, I just thought we could hang out." But you don't seem interested in that. Give me a call if you change your mind.

Kent chuckled. "Alright, I'll call you sometime."

Ethan handed him his number and then left.

For the first time, Kent felt something strange.

Maybe… making friends wasn't such a bad idea after all.

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