11. Redlotus Academy

In front of the towering gates bearing the words Redlotus Academy, a horse carriage came to a stop. Three children stepped out — two boys and one girl. They were none other than Tang Wulin, Gu Yehan, and Gu Yuena.

"Tang Wulin!" called a sweet voice.

A girl with long, black hair left untied and sharp, golden eyes rushed forward. Her red robe traced with black lines bore the Redlotus emblem over her right chest. She was taller than Tang Wulin — his elder sister, Celetia. She ran straight into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Tang Wulin, are you alright?"

Tang Wulin nodded. "Sister, I already told you, I'm strong. See? I entered the academy easily."

Celetia, still holding his hand, checked him over — his arms, his face — making sure he was unharmed. Only then did she turn to look at the two standing behind him.

Tang Wulin stepped forward and pointed toward Gu Yehan. "This cold guy is my friend. His name's Gu Yehan."

Gu Yehan replied flatly, "When did I become your friend?"

Tang Wulin waved him off. "He acts cold because he's a duffer. Just ignore him."

Gu Yehan glanced sideways, thinking to himself, This idiot still doesn't get it. I don't like making friends… I just have a cold personality.

Tang Wulin then pointed toward the silver-haired girl. Gu Yuena took a graceful step forward.

"My name is Gu Yuena. I'm Tang Wulin's friend… and Gu Yehan's little sister."

Tang Wulin nodded, explaining, "We met during the ceremony. I was late because my master called me urgently. When I returned, everyone had already been taken to the village. I had to run there… but then I met an old man who helped me. That's how I got here." He let out a tired sigh.

Celetia gently patted his head. "Don't worry. That's all over now." Then, turning to Gu Yehan and Gu Yuena, she added, "Come on. Let me show you around the academy."

The four of them walked together. As they strolled through the wide stone path between buildings, Celetia spoke. "Long ago, humans ruled almost the entire planet — everything except the sea. No demon or beast dared to challenge them. That's because the strongest warrior of that time… was human. He was the founder of Redlotus Academy.

"But then the Demon Lord rose from the demon races. He surpassed even the Lunar Rank… and killed the founder. Demons took over one of the continents and almost attacked this one too. That's when another human appeared — someone just as powerful as the Demon Lord. A woman. She became known as the Guardian of the Planet."

She paused, then added quietly, "But before the final battle began, a beast appeared — someone so strong, he stopped both of them. That's how peace finally came. You've probably heard this story before, but… I still don't understand. Why do they keep fighting? Even now."

As she spoke, Gu Yehan's mind flashed to a single figure — a red-haired, red-eyed man. The Beast King.

Tang Wulin glanced at his sister. "But Big Sister, you never told me… who was the strongest among them? The Demon Lord, the Guardian, or the Beast?"

Celetia gave a wistful smile. "I wish all three were equal. That way, maybe they wouldn't need to fight. But honestly… I don't know."

Eventually, they reached the submission hall. The three handed over their scrolls, verified their identities, and received the academy uniform — the same robe Celetia wore.

"Where are our rooms?" Gu Yehan asked.

"In Redlotus Academy," Celetia replied, "you can choose any room you want."

Ahead of them stood several large houses, each marked with a number. "Each house has five rooms. Two people per room," she added.

She led them to House No. 10. "I stay in Room 5," she said, glancing at Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena nodded. "I'll stay in Room 5 too."

Celetia smiled and pulled her inside with excitement.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yehan stared at each other. With matching scoffs, they turned in opposite directions and said at the same time, "I'm taking Room 4."

Gu Yehan narrowed his eyes. "Why are you taking my room?"

Tang Wulin fired back, "No, you are taking my room!"

Before their argument could escalate, a voice called out from Room 1. "Can you two be quiet? Other people live here too."

A small boy stepped out. His academy uniform looked freshly worn. He had jet-black hair, dark eyes, fair skin, and was slightly shorter than both of them.

The two boys quieted down instantly. Without another word, they both slipped into Room 4 and began setting up. Their decorations made it clear: beds pushed to opposite walls, personal items kept as far apart as possible.

Soon, the door to Room 5 opened. Celetia stepped out.

"Tang San, are you alright? Did they bother you?" she asked.

The small boy was still standing in the hallway. "No. I was just resting. See you later, Sister Celetia." He gave a slight bow, then quietly returned to his room.

Inside, he sat in the lotus position, trying to meditate.

Spiritual energy surged around him, flowing toward his body. But no core awakened.

He clenched his teeth, channeling the energy, trying to form a core from scratch. The pressure built — a burning pain as if his skin were being flayed and stabbed by countless knives. The energy flooded his dantian.

Still, no core. Not even a fragment.

He forced himself to endure, drawing more energy — until it overwhelmed him. His body trembled violently, the pain worse than before, but he didn't make a sound.

Then, all the gathered energy scattered and left his body… empty.

Silence.

Tears slipped from his eyes.

"I failed again," he whispered. "How many times must I fail? Why… was I born without a core?"

His body shook. The pain in his limbs still lingered, but worse than that was the pain in his heart. And deep in his subconscious, something whispered again and again — a memory of failure… a voice trying to make him give up.

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