**Chapter 4
Playdate with a Prodigy**
Alex Reed limped into the Azure Mist Sect's Training Hall, still feeling every push-up from yesterday's "creative expression." Sunlight slanted through paper windows, illuminating a circular mat at the center where the sect instructor stood beside a towering wooden door carved with snarling tiger motifs.
"Good," she intoned. "You're all here for the Spirit Beast Gauntlet briefing." She swept her gaze over the novices. When it landed on Alex's battered form, she added, "Especially you—Invisible Guy."
Alex offered a weak wave. "Hello."
Before she could continue, a blur of silver-blue leapt through the open doorway. Ling Xiao'er landed in a perfect crouch, twig-staff held at ready. She grinned. "Morning, Mr. Invisible."
"Hi," Alex croaked, massaging his shoulder. "Am I actually invisible now?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes— except when you trip, make noise, or exist." She offered him a folded scroll. "Here's the gauntlet map. We start in ten minutes. Wanna practice?"
Alex peered at the rune-sprinkled parchment. "Practice… what exactly?"
Her grin widened. "Dodging spirit beasts." She tapped a claw-hand icon. "Tiny ones—wolf pups, spirit boars. Then medium—tiger cubs, owlbears. And the finale: Ironback Tortoise."
Alex's stomach flipped. "Tortoise?"
"It's slow," she teased, "but eats through magic reserves like noodles in boiling water." She yanked him to his feet. "Come on! We'll train in the courtyard."
He tried to protest, but she was already dragging him past rows of polished weapons and through a side door. Outside, a dozen willow-leaf spirits fluttered about—glowing lanterns with tiny mouths babbling like store clerks.
"Start with these," she instructed, flitting among them with effortless grace. One spirit flitted right through her legs; she stomped, dispersing it. Alex inched forward, clenching his fists.
"Stealth?" he asked.
She chuckled. "Nope—speed and timing. Watch." She darted behind a tree trunk, then popped out to tag a spirit. "Now you."
Alex nodded and sprinted straight at the nearest lantern-spirit. Before he could dodge, it zipped around his ankle, wrapped him in glowing ribbons, and lifted him off the ground. Giggling, it spun him like a top before releasing him with a pop.
He hit the ground in a heap. From the courtyard's edge, Jin Mu stifled a laugh. "Nice catch, spirit spirit."
Alex untangled himself, dazed. "Invisible…" he muttered.
"You'll get it," Ling Xiao'er said, handing him a handful of spirit-dampening dust. "Just toss this before you run. Think of it as… baby powder."
He blinked. "Baby powder?"
"Spirit babies," she shrugged. "Go!"
Alex flung the dust and took off, arms pumping like pistons. Lantern-spirits whirred around him but trailed behind in a swirl of soft light. He ducked under a low branch—twisting his ankle in the process—and tumbled forward, skidding into a low pile of straw.
Breathing hard, he sat up to see Ling Xiao'er standing over him, staff resting on her shoulder. "Not bad for a lumbering giant," she praised. "Next: medium beasts in one hour."
Alex rubbed his heel. "Invisible," he wheezed. "And… ready."
She offered him a looping bow. "Good. You'll survive the gauntlet yet—if you don't get flattened first."
Alex gave a shaky thumbs-up. As they walked back inside, he glanced at the carved tortoise door with equal parts dread and determination. Invisible or not, he wasn't about to let a bunch of mythical creatures—and a five-year-old prodigy—outshine him.
Tomorrow at dawn, the real race would begin. And this time, he'd try not to get caught by anything—even if he was "invisible."