The next morning, Shunya stared at a desk full of scrolls, books, and one very old looking ink brush.
He looked at Vikoria. Then at the proctor. Then back at the scroll.
"So… uh… when you say 'written test'—"
"You will be tested on your basic understanding of cultivation theory," the proctor said without emotion. "The use of spiritual energy, dantian development, spirit roots, alchemy handling, and sect protocol."
Shunya blinked.
"I have no clue what any of that means."
The proctor didn't blink.
"That is not my problem."
He pointed toward the scroll and moved on to the next test taker.
Shunya leaned over to Vikoria, who was seated two desks away.
"Hey," he whispered. "What's a dantian? Is that a type of bread?"
She held in a laugh and whispered back, "It's your spiritual core."
"Oh."
"…You are really new, huh?"
"You do not say."
DING!
[System Tip: Written Exam Detected!]
[System Assistance Activated: Passive Answer Correction (Lv.1)]
Warning: Auto-correct success rate is only 43%. Please do your best.]
He groaned.
"Not even 50 percent…"
The scroll unrolled on its own. The questions were written in some ancient looking script, but luckily, they translated automatically on the scroll's surface.
Question 1: Explain the process of forming a spiritual core.
Shunya stared.
After thirty seconds, he picked up the brush and wrote:
> "Uhm. So. The spiritual core is like a… battery, I think? You fill it with… spirit juice?"
Question 2: What is the most important element in pill refinement?
> "Not burning the place down."
Question 3: If you are challenged to a life or death duel by a sect elder, what is the proper protocol?
> "Run."
Question 4: Define Qi.
> "Isn't that a street food?"
The ink dried instantly. The scroll rolled itself up and floated to the front desk.
Shunya sat back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.
He had written nonsense. Pure, top tier nonsense.
But at least it was honest nonsense.
Vikoria walked up beside him as the others filed out. "You done?"
"Oh yeah," he said. "Fully failed."
She gave him a look. "Maybe not."
"What makes you say that?"
She tilted her head. "System users get weird luck sometimes."
DING!
*[Exam Result: PASSED]
[Grade: 61% – Barely Acceptable]
[Award: Cultivation Theory Beginner Scroll + System Integration Bonus +1%]
"…You have gotta be kidding me."
Vikoria laughed. "Told you."
✦✦✦
Later that day, Shunya found himself in a courtyard designed like a traditional arena. A few dozen people stood around watching, some with clipboards and others wearing full robes with NCGO (NCGO stands for National Cultivation Government Organization, which manages cultivation and it's related works.) symbols stitched in gold.
Jean Keyar, the branch head, stood in the center. He was tall, sharp jawed, and dressed in a long black coat with a blade on his back. Despite looking tired, his eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk.
"So," Jean said. "You passed the written test. That's good. But writing down answers doesn't mean you can fight."
Shunya gulped.
"I would like to personally welcome you to your Combat Test," Jean continued. "Each of you will enter the field one by one and demonstrate your current abilities. If you have no skills, your system will generate a default starter kit."
Shunya's hand shot up. "Hi, yes, hello. I would like the starter kit, please."
Jean stared at him.
"…Noted."
Shunya watched as the first few cultivators went up and showed off flashy techniques—flaming swords, energy punches, flying leaps. One guy even summoned a wolf made of lightning.
Then it was his turn.
He stepped forward into the middle of the training circle. Everyone turned to look. Jean crossed his arms.
"Name?"
"Shunya."
"System status?"
"…Bugged."
A few people chuckled.
Jean raised an eyebrow. "Starter kit activated."
DING!
[System Skill Uploading… Please wait.]
[Skill Received: Beginner Guard Stance Lv.1]
[Skill Received: Sloppy Palm Strike Lv.1]
[Passive Bonus: 10% Luck Boost – Duration: 1 hour]
A practice dummy rolled out into the circle. It had glowing red eyes and a smug look painted on its wooden face.
"Begin," Jean said.
The dummy rushed him.
Shunya yelped and immediately used Beginner Guard Stance—which was really just him covering his face and crouching.
The dummy's attack bounced off.
"Oh. Hey. That worked."
He tried a Sloppy Palm Strike, swinging his hand forward with more panic than form.
The dummy staggered.
He blinked. "No way that hit."
He tried again. Another palm.
It fell backward.
"Hey!"
He grinned. "I'm winning!"
Then the dummy's eyes turned blue.
[Dummy upgraded: Counter Mode Activated]
"Oh no."
It lunged.
Shunya screamed and ran in circles for a good ten seconds before accidentally tripping and elbowing the dummy in the side.
It fell.
Silence.
Jean stood there. Then slowly clapped —once.
"…Pass," he said.
DING!
[Combat Test Passed: +2% System Stability]
[You have unlocked the skill: 'Panic Dodge Lv.1']
Vikoria gave him a thumbs-up from the side.
Shunya dusted himself off and bowed.
"Thank you, combat dummy," he said solemnly. "You were a worthy foe."
---
✦✦✦
That night, Shunya sat on a rooftop overlooking the city. The stars were strange here—some bright, some flickering like lanterns. He could hear the wind, the distant crackle of training halls, and the low hum of a strange world that didn't fully make sense.
Vikoria joined him, carrying two mugs of warm soup.
"Thanks," he said, taking one.
"No problem."
They sat in silence for a while, sipping and breathing in the night air.
"You know," Shunya said quietly, "I think I miss home a little."
Vikoria looked at him but didn't say anything.
"I mean… my parents, my friends… even that old bookstore guy who never smiled."
"You'll get to see them again," she said softly.
"Maybe."
A pause.
"But for now," he added, smiling a little, "I'll try not to die in the forest tomorrow."
She nodded. "Good goal."
They clinked mugs.
"Let's survive," she said.
"Let's survive," he echoed.
[Next: The Forest Hunt Begins – Normal Beast Encounter Incoming]