First Lessons

In the calm embrace of early morning, nature stirs to life with tranquil splendor. The sky, adorned with hues of pink and gold, announces the imminent arrival of the sun, casting a soft, gentle glow upon the surrounding scenery.

I, on the other hand…

"Rose, hurry, we gonna be late."

"I'm almost done."

I answered and hurriedly fixed my morning hair.

"UGH, having long hair is such a pain."

I murmured to myself, leaving the bathroom.

'For sure, going to cut them down later.'

I thought.

While we made our way to the lecture hall, it seemed we weren't the only ones almost late, seeing the other new disciples hurriedly running to morning lessons.

The girl with brown hair, whose name I didn't even know, was long gone before any of us woke up. So, we didn't wait for her and just went together.

Honestly, I was utterly exhausted, and I wasn't the only one. The two young women beside me also struggled; as young misses of their esteemed families, they were unaccustomed to waking up in the morning.

Following the path markers to navigate the winding track. Finally, from the vegetation emerged a lecture hall.

The building itself wasn't enormous or majestic, just enough to house the teaching of a couple of hundred disciples.

Yet, it appears to showcase a traditional and dignified architectural style of the current era.

"Did the elder from yesterday mention where exactly our group starts lessons?"

I asked, seeing the large number of disciples pouring in and out of the building.

"Don't think so. She just said that someone would be waiting for us at the entrance and lead the way."

Answered Emily.

"Hey, look! Do you see the person holding a hand billboard with the letter 'A'?"

Abruptly said, Nicole.

"Let's go. It's our group number."

I said, and we went in the direction of the young lady holding a hand billboard.

>>>>>>>>>> 

"The mandatory lessons start at dawn and end at the noon hours."

"There exists an attendance list, so I would advise you to adhere to the lecture hours. Otherwise, you would be punished. The worst case expelled."

"The rest will be explained by the elder leading your education."

The lady who led us to our classroom voiced before walking away.

Looking around, symmetrical rows of white cushions were lined up on the grass. There is a particularly large black one at the front, most likely for an elder.

Open-air lessons? It's the same as in the game, so I wasn't surprised that much compared to other disciples.

Choosing a seat neither too far nor too close to the front, we sat near each other. Awaiting the elder that showed itself soon enough.

"Welcome. I assume most of you are already familiar with me. I was the one responsible for your admission to the sect."

"You can address me as Elder Eleanor, in charge of your theory classes."

"Not losing time. The lecture will start now. How much you can learn depends on your own effort."

Summarized the elder, officially starting the theory classes.

Act 1, Chapter 1: Face-Slapping Accident.

This is the time in a story I am currently in. Yesterday was just a tutorial with the intention of learning how to move your character.

The problem that I am facing right now is….

Typically, after completing the tutorial, your character should have leveled up, making you much stronger than an average human. Thanks to that, you can effortlessly stand up to the bullies who are trying to cause trouble for you today.

The thing is, despite having a system in place. It appears that I can only use it effectively once I become the official cultivator.

That is omitting the fact that this system is much different from the original one, with no ability to make me level up.

So, in my modest conclusion, am I going to be beaten up today?!

'No, I will not let that happen. I must think of a way!'

I thought seriously, which made the two girls next to me misunderstand. As a result, they paid more attention to the classes, seeing my utmost concentration.

>>>>>>>>>> 

"So, does anyone know why the body reconstruction realm is so important to us cultivators?"

The elder asked, and soon after, a couple of disciples raised their hands.

Choosing one of them, the girl answered.

"It is to prepare our bodies for the absorption of the 'Qi'."

"Very textbook-like answer, but correct. However, is that everything?"

Voiced the teacher.

Some other disciples were given the voice. Still, the answers weren't satisfactory.

Seeing that nobody knew the answer to her question, she glanced at the girl in the middle row with pink hair.

The girl spent half of the lessons daydreaming, yet suddenly became active and started answering the hardest questions in a very practical manner. This is completely opposite to other students' very book-like explanations.

Although she does so only when no one knows the answer.

Not even raising her hands, she just started speaking. Seeing her teacher's inquiring eyes.

"What was said before is correct. It is just more about absorbing and getting our bodies used to it. In an attempt to create a space inside of our bodies accustomed to receiving 'Qi' that we later convert into our own spiritual energy. Resulting in the creation of the dantian."

"Very good explanation. Now I will move to…"

Said the Elder.

>>>>>>>>>> 

"Hey hey, you were amazing back there. Can I know your name?"

"Are you going to choose your cultivation methods today? If so, do you want to go together?"

"You know so much. Are you from the cultivation clan?"

My head was beginning to hurt from all the chattering.

If I had known the consequences of my actions and that I would be surrounded by a crowd of curious girls after the lecture, I would have thought of another plan.

And all this because….

In the original story, the protagonist was oblivious to the lessons, ignoring them.

The conclusion of the matter was that when the teacher was asking questions to the disciples, who were clearly not listening.

The bully, who was being examined, provided an incorrect answer, but when the protagonist was asked the same question they responded easily, seemingly suggesting that only someone stupid wouldn't know the answer to such a straightforward question.

Obviously, that was just the bully's impression. Still, she became so enraged that she decided to bully the person who humiliated her so greatly today with her friends later.

Being so active today, I fortunately managed to evade this scenario.

However, my plan of staying low-key until I become much stronger with the help of the system is no longer feasible, at least not with the attention I am getting right now.

That's what I thought, but outside I was all smiles, chatting happily with girls who wanted to make friends with me.

>>>>>>>>>> 

The lessons passed. They were theory lessons, writing and language lessons, and history of the sect.

Overall, pretty basic things, almost like I'm starting university all over again.

I smiled bitterly.

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder, snapping me out of my daze.

"Hey, are you okay? You have been spacing out for quite a while now."

The pleasant woman's voice asked me.

I almost forgot that one of the heroines of this world is just sitting opposite me…

Although I'm not sure if I should call her that.

After all, every important character in the Heavenly Lotus Sect can't be romanced.

This may come as a surprise because when you start a game, you can choose your starting sect: Heavenly Sword Sect, Heavenly Lotus Sect, Immortal Radiant Sect, and Sacred Flame Sect. All of which are from a righteous path.

All of them, but omitting the Heavenly Lotus Sect, have some romance content.

Nonetheless, considering that you can only date the opposite gender in this game. It's not a wonder that the sect I am currently in doesn't have a romance option.

Even despite that in my numerous play-throughs. I always somehow end up being a disciple of the Heavenly Lotus Sect.

Still, that is not really important right now.

"I am okay, just a bit dizzy."

I answered.

"If you feel unwell. Do you want us to take you to the doctor?"

Emily asked from my right, sounding worried.

We were currently in the cafeteria of the lecture hall, enjoying our dinner with great enthusiasm; after all, we were almost late for classes and didn't eat breakfast before the lectures.

"I am fine. It's just the first day, you know."

I said, shaking my head.

"We were to watch some arena matches later. Apparently, there is some competition going on today."

Heroine offered, hearing my earlier words.

"Do you want to go with us? It seems quite fun."

The girl sitting next to her added.

The heroine's name is actually Stella.

Today, our meeting was thoroughly coincidental. Because there were no longer any free tables, we just asked if we could sit next to them.

Even though we had the lectures in the same building, we were not in the same group.

It's amazing how quickly girls can bond in just fifteen minutes. We were able to learn about their entire backstory in that short amount of time.

I was a bit surprised that certain details were not even mentioned in the original storyline.

Stella and her two companions come from a small village up north.

They always dreamed of a bigger world, not wanting to stay in their desolate village and grow old there.

That's why they ventured forth from their homes, arriving here after two years of long journey.

How they had managed to do that, I didn't ask.

Despite how unbelieving it is for a couple of underage girls to travel such a vast distance in one piece.

Especially if they are pretty like that, though, in comparison to Emily and Nicole, who possess flawless and fair skin, they might appear slightly more rugged.

Regardless, they are apparently daughters of farmers, so it is not weird. As long as three of them cultivate diligently, they can return to their perfect state.

"Sure, it's just we were about to choose our cultivation manuals…"

Nico said, looking at us as if asking.

"I don't mind. We can do that later. There is a full day for it."

Emily agreed, and I also didn't have any reservations, nodding in agreement.

>>>>>>>>>> 

At noon, the mountain landscape is bathed in brilliant sunlight, illuminating every detail of the scenery. The sky is a clear, vibrant blue with only a few fluffy white clouds drifting lazily overhead. The sun casts a bright, almost dazzling light over the peaks far away in the distance.

'Who knows how high this mountain is in the reality?'

I thought in wonder. After all, the outer sect is located in just the lower part of it.

It was quite warm today. Despite that, the sect clothes didn't feel sweaty or uncomfortable.

At first, I was a bit hesitant about wearing these robes.

Yet now, after seeing myself in the mirror this morning. I can't deny how pretty they are on me.

That is the real reason why it took me so long in the bathroom today.

I was being narcissistic. I recognize that. Although, I am not gonna admit it to anyone.

"Hey"

I spoke.

"Y-yes?"

Stella answered. Probably feeling startled when I suddenly appeared next to her.

I was the last talkative of the bunch, so that's no wonder.

"Why did you do that?"

I inquired.

"I did what?"

She couldn't help but touch her head full of glossy gray hair troubled; her hair was kept short.

"If you want to keep your background hidden. There is no need to lie."

I came closer and whispered so only she could hear it.

My words seemed to shock her, so I hurriedly added.

"Don't worry, I don't care. I just dislike it when someone lies to me."

Yes, indeed, her story before was fabricated as someone who keeps skipping dialogues. It took me quite a bit to realize.

Her mouth was still opening and closing like a fish. Forcing me to take her arm and lead ahead so the rest of the girls would not notice an abnormality.

"At the very least with me…If you don't want to say anything, just don't say it."

I voiced, looking forward; missing the gentle expression that appeared on her face.

"Um, I will remember."

She spoke more cheerfully.