The monthly arcane test at Rusty Iron Workshop was always held on the first dawn of the month. Lin Che woke up especially early that day, having pored over Su Qing's manual repeatedly—especially the pages with arcane flow diagrams. He'd tried practicing according to them the night before, and though his arcane energy was still weak, it had flowed more smoothly than usual.
"Please let me improve this time," Lin Che said to his reflection in the mirror. The boy in the mirror was thin, with a pale complexion, but his eyes held a stubborn glint.
The test was held in the front courtyard. Boss Wang stood behind a table with a translucent crystal ball—the Arcane Test Crystal. It glowed different colors based on the user's arcane strength: pale blue for Mortal Rank, light blue for Spirit Rank, green for Earth Rank, yellow for Heaven Rank. No one in Rusty Iron Workshop had ever seen the higher ranks spoken of in legends.
The apprentices lined up, each stepping forward to hold the crystal ball. Zhang Lei went first; the moment he touched the crystal, it lit up with a light blue glow. Boss Wang nodded. "Spirit Rank Initial Stage. Good. Keep practicing."
Zhang Lei shot a glance at Lin Che and stood proudly to the side. Next, Li Mo tested at Mortal Rank Advanced Stage, and Boss Wang's expression softened a little.
Soon it was Lin Che's turn. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and wrapped his hand around the crystal ball. A cold sensation spread from his fingertips. Following the method in the manual, he slowly channeled the arcane energy in his body, guiding it into the crystal.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
The crystal ball remained dark.
Boss Wang frowned. "Lin Che! Didn't you eat this morning? Put more strength into it!"
Lin Che gritted his teeth, forcing more arcane energy into the crystal. After a few more seconds, it finally flickered with a faint blue glow—so faint it was almost invisible, even weaker than the lowest Mortal Rank.
"Hmph, still Mortal Rank Initial Stage—if you can even call it that," Boss Wang snapped, shoving his hand away from the crystal. "I told you before, you're born with a useless vein. No matter how hard you practice, it's useless. Your monthly pay will be cut in half for failing the test!"
Suppressed snickers broke out around him. Zhang Lei deliberately raised his voice: "I told you he's a good-for-nothing. Wasting the crystal's energy."
Lin Che's face burned. He clenched his hands so tight his nails dug into his palms, but he couldn't think of a single thing to say—the truth was right there in front of him: his arcane talent was truly terrible.
"Boss Wang, could the test crystal be broken?" Su Qing suddenly spoke up. She'd just finished her test, having reached Spirit Rank Middle Stage—a solid result. "I saw Lin Che practicing yesterday. His arcane flow was much smoother than before. How could he still be Mortal Rank Initial Stage?"
Boss Wang glared at her. "What do you know? This crystal was bought from the city. It can't be broken! He just has no talent. Stop making excuses for him!"
Su Qing was about to argue, but Lin Che tugged at her sleeve and shook his head. He knew Su Qing was trying to help, but Boss Wang had already made up his mind—arguing more would only make things worse.
After the test, the apprentices scattered. Lin Che wandered to the backyard wall and squatted down, staring at the ants crawling on the ground. Boss Wang's words, Zhang Lei's mockery—they weighed on his chest like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.
"Don't be sad."
Su Qing's voice came again. She held a paper packet and squatted down beside him, handing it over. "These are 'Concentrating Herbs.' They can slightly speed up arcane flow. Soak one in water and drink it every day—maybe it'll help."
Lin Che opened the packet. Inside were several pale green herbs, emitting a faint fragrance. He knew how much Concentrating Herbs cost—five copper coins a stalk. His monthly pay had just been cut in half, leaving him with only ten copper coins.
"It's too expensive. I can't take this," he said, pushing the packet back.
"Take it," Su Qing insisted, shoving it into his hands. "I saved up last month. I can afford it. The test doesn't mean everything. I've heard of great mechanics who had poor arcane talent when they were young—they still became masters through hard work."
Lin Che looked into her sincere eyes, warmth spreading through his chest. He nodded, tucking the packet carefully into his coat. "Thank you, Sister Su Qing."
"Oh, and—" Su Qing suddenly remembered something, her expression turning grave. "I heard Boss Wang talking to one of the Zhao family's men at the door just now. The Zhao family is looking for that 'person with a special mark' even more urgently now. They said they'll take them back to the Zhao residence no matter what. You… really need to be careful. Don't let anyone see your birthmark."
Lin Che's heart tightened. He then covered his wrist. Why was the Zhao family so desperate to find someone with a special mark? And what would happen if they found his birthmark?
"I know. I'll be careful," he whispered.
Su Qing gave him a few more warnings, then left. Lin Che held the Concentrating Herbs in his hand, his mind in a whirl. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he couldn't give up—not after Su Qing had gone out of her way to help him, and not until he figured out the secret of his birthmark.
That evening, back in his hut, Lin Che took out one Concentrating Herb and put it in a rough porcelain cup, pouring warm water over it. The herb unfurled slowly, turning the water pale green, like melted jade. He took a sip—a cool sensation slid down his throat, and to his surprise, it actually stirred the arcane energy in his body! It was still weak, but the flow was smoother than ever before.
"This really works!" Lin Che exclaimed. He quickly sat on the bed and began practicing according to the manual. As the arcane energy flowed through his body, it reached his left wrist, and the birthmark grew slightly warm. This time, he clearly felt the birthmark absorbing a tiny bit of arcane energy—so little it was almost negligible.
Just as he was immersed in practice, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside the door, followed by Boss Wang's roar: "Lin Che! Get out here! Steward Zhao is here, and he wants to check every apprentice's body!"
Lin Che's heart skipped a beat. Steward Zhao? Was it Zhao Kun? And a body check—was it to find that "special mark"? He quickly stopped practicing, hid the remaining Concentrating Herbs under his bed, and pulled his sleeve down tightly over his wrist before opening the door.
Boss Wang stood at the door, flanked by two men in black uniforms. Leading them was Zhao Kun—the same man who'd visited the workshop a few days earlier. He held an account book in his hand, a faint sneer playing on his lips.
"Lin Che, is it?" Zhao Kun looked him up and down, his gaze lingering on Lin Che's tightly clenched sleeve. "Heard your arcane talent is terrible? But it doesn't matter. Our Zhao family is always lenient with 'special talents.'"
Lin Che's heart raced. He could feel Zhao Kun's eyes piercing through his sleeve, as if trying to see the birthmark underneath. He had no idea what this sudden "check" would bring.