fatigue

Alex stood up from where he had been sitting, stretching slightly. The weight of the day pressed against his shoulders, but he ignored it. "I should head to my dorm."

"As you wish," the man said, his voice steady. "Should I take this as a yes?"

"Yes, you can think that," Alex replied, his tone laced with fatigue. "But don't expect too much involvement from me. And tell me your name."

"Farkal, sir traveller," the man answered with a slight bow.

Alex gave a brief nod and stepped toward the exit. His robe rustled against the stone floor as he walked. The moment he stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against his skin, carrying with it the scent of burning oil lamps and roasted meat. Farkal followed closely behind, his presence an unwelcome shadow.

As Alex sidestepped the carriage, its wheels grinding against the cobblestone, he turned to face him. "Why are you following me, Farkal?"

"Would you not prefer the carriage, sir?" 

Alex sighed, his breath visible in the crisp night air. "I don't want to. I'd rather see the streets. Don't you?"

Farkal hesitated before bowing slightly. "If that's what you wish." With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Alone again, Alex muttered under his breath, "Ah… finally." He rubbed his temple. "They were starting to kill my mind. One wants this, another wants that… yet, in the end, it all benefits me."

As he moved closer to the academy, the streets grew more chaotic. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling skewers and damp earth. Lanterns flickered against the wind, casting shifting shadows on the uneven stone pathways.

These people… they're almost like humans. The smell of charred meat, the laughter and cries of children, the clatter of merchants haggling—it's all too familiar.

Despite the crowd, Alex weaved through effortlessly, his movements fluid and deliberate. He felt no need to push or shove; people instinctively moved aside, sensing the presence of something—or someone—they could not comprehend.

By the time he reached the academy gates, the sky had darkened into a deep shade of blue. Stars were barely visible through the faint mist clinging to the rooftops.He stepped inside, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls, "The academy's presence was as imposing as ever." 

Finally reached his dorm and sank onto his bed, the mattress barely shifting beneath his weight. The silence was suffocating, but he welcomed it.

I can't sleep… or rather, I don't even need to anymore. My cultivation is stuck at a bottleneck, but I'll break through before next year.

"Tomorrow, I'll begin searching for the artifact. I don't have a solid plan—just wandering the kingdom until I find a lead. But I have to move fast if I want to meet the chancellor in time." 

 I'll finally get some answers after meeting him. Though he won't tell me everything, still I need to know—why can I use Qi in this world? Why did I feel love for my mother? It's strange. I've always had emotions, but they never mattered until that day.

At least I don't feel anything for Leon and his family. No hatred. No love.Only pity—for all creatures.

Despite that, I have to endure… endure this grief. I have to accept. These emotions are mine, they aren't obstacles unless I let them run free.

However looking back, every emotion I've shown—anger at an insult, interest in someone, even a few kind words—served a purpose. Insults? They are nothing but noise. Praise? Just empty flattery. Only the weak let words sway them, raging at curses and basking in compliments like fools. Those who live by others' approval are pathetic—pawns waiting to be moved.

Success belongs to those who carve their own path, unshaken by the opinions of lesser beings.

He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for cultivation. Let's see what tomorrow holds for me…

…

Morning arrived with the usual chaos of the academy. The distant rustling of children, their hurried footsteps, and the chatter of students filled the air, echoing through the grand halls.

As Alex made his way toward the classroom, a fellow teacher greeted him with a respectful nod. "Good morning, Teacher Alex."

He barely spared a glance, offering a slight nod in response before continuing forward.

Classroom -2 3 1

When he stopped in front of the classroom door, muffled voices reached his ears—the endless noise of students, a constant, unavoidable headache.

Still as noisy as the last time… Now, what should I teach them today?"