Night had settled over Spirit Hall's orphanage, blanketing the dormitory in stillness. Most of the children slept soundly, worn out from the excitement of Awakening Day.
But not Ruì Zé.
He sat cross-legged by the window, bathed in moonlight, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
He wasn't tired. Not tonight.
He closed his eyes and sank into his spirit space.
In his mind, the world transformed into a calm void of soft starlight. Suspended before him was the core of his first spirit: the Book of Wisdom.
It hovered silently, radiating a golden glow. Its pages turned on their own, revealing characters and diagrams that seemed to shift with every thought.
Ruì Zé stepped closer, reaching out.
The Book opened fully, revealing its first written page—symbols forming into solid text, as if in response to his will.
> Innate Ability 1: Blessing of Wisdom
Grants the target heightened intelligence, clarity of thought, and improved spiritual focus. Clears mental confusion and resists external spiritual influence.
— Type: Support / Mental Purification
— Duration: 30 minutes
— Cooldown: 6 hours
— Range: 5 meters
He studied the glowing script, nodding slowly.
"It's not aggressive. But it's clean. Support-type. Strategic. Protective."
Exactly what he'd hoped.
And yet…
He remembered the expressions on the Spirit Hall priests' faces earlier.
They had praised his full innate soul power—but their tone had quickly cooled once his spirit manifested.
"A book?"
"Maybe it has utility… but no offensive strength."
"He'll need help. That kind of spirit can't stand on its own."
They weren't hostile. Just… dismissive.
Polite optimism, but nothing more.
In their eyes, Ruì Zé thought, I'm not a threat. Not a prodigy. Just a rare curiosity with no real value.
That was fine by him.
He didn't need them to believe in him.
He needed them to ignore him.
Underestimation is a shield I'll gladly wear.
He closed the book gently and took a breath. Then he turned his attention inward.
Toward the part of him no one else knew about.
His second spirit.
It stirred faintly—like warmth in his chest. No form, no image. Just a sensation of energy running through his skin, his muscles, his breath.
Not awakened. Not understood.
My body is my spirit… but how? How do I even begin to train it? What kind of ring would it need? Beast-type? Elemental? Pure reinforcement?
So far, no answers. Just questions.
But Ruì Zé wasn't frustrated.
He was intrigued.
---
Back in the dormitory, he opened his eyes.
The room was quiet. Shadows flickered across the walls. A few children murmured in their sleep.
Ruì Zé lay down, arms behind his head, and stared at the ceiling.
They think I'm a weak support type with no combat potential. Let them.
I have time. Knowledge. And a second spirit they know nothing about.
His lips curled in a faint, satisfied smile.
I'll write my own path—page by page.