Five years had passed. Aditya was now seven years old. In the cultivation world, seven was the
age of judgment—the year children were tested for "Spirit Roots" to see if they were destined for
the heavens or the mud.
But Aditya had a different plan.
He had spent the last five years perfecting the art of being the most average child in the history
of the village. He wasn't the fastest runner, he wasn't the best at math, and he certainly didn't
look like a "chosen one." To everyone else, he was just Aditya: the boy who liked napping under
the neem tree and eating spicy mango pickles.
"Aditya! Get up! The Sect Scout is coming today!"
Radhika—now a spirited ten-year-old—kicked Aditya's leg. She was wearing a practice robe
that was slightly too big for her. She had been practicing the "Basic Fist" technique for months,
hoping to get noticed.
Aditya opened one eye. "Didi, why are you shouting? The sun is still waking up. Let it finish its
tea first."
"Tea? The sun doesn't drink tea, you baigan!" Radhika huffed. "The Green Leaf Sect is coming
to test our village. If you don't get selected, you'll be stuck farming potatoes forever!"
Aditya stretched and sat up. Potatoes sound peaceful, he thought. Potatoes don't try to
assassinate you because you have a 'Heavenly Physique.'
[System Status Check] Host: Aditya (Age 7)
Cultivation: Qi Condensation - Level 3 (Hidden)
Public Status: "Noon-Chai" Level (Weak)
Spite Points: 1,200
Thanks to his Basic Qi Breathing and five years of systematically annoying Radhika, Aditya
had secretly reached Level 3 of Qi Condensation. In this small village, even a Level 1 was
considered a genius. But Aditya used the "Humble Shadow Aura" he bought from the System.
To a scout, he would look like a normal, boring kid with zero talent.
The village square was crowded. A middle-aged man in a green robe stood on a wooden
platform. He looked very arrogant, his nose pointed so high he could probably smell the clouds.
"Line up, children!" the Scout barked.
One by one, the kids touched a glowing "Spirit Stone."
● Boy 1: Stone stayed gray. (No talent).
● Boy 2: Stone flickered faint yellow. (Low talent - Laborer).
● Radhika's Turn: The stone glowed a bright, solid green.
The Scout's eyes widened. "Solid Green! A Wood-Element Root! Girl, you are coming with us to
the Inner Sect!"
Radhika's face lit up. She looked back at Aditya and gave him a "thumbs up," though her eyes
were worried. She wanted her brother to come with her. Finally, it was Aditya's turn. He walked
up, looking very nervous. He intentionally made his hands look a bit sweaty.
Okay, System, Aditya thought. Give me the 'Fake Result' package.
[Cost: 100 Spite Points. Result: Stone will show 'Broken Gray'.]
Aditya touched the stone. It didn't glow. It didn't even flicker. It stayed as dull as a piece of
roadside gravel.
The Scout sighed. "Next. This one is useless. He has a 'Dead Root.' He'll be lucky if he can
even grow grass."
The village children started whispering and giggling. "Look at Aditya. Even his sister is a genius,
but he's just a stone."
[System Message] Detected Emotion: Pity and Mockery (Village Kids).
Gain: +200 Spite
Points.
Bonus: "Underestimated" status achieved.
"I'm sorry, Senior. I must have eaten too much pickle this morning," Aditya mumbled, looking
"sad."
As he walked back, Radhika ran to him, her eyes tearing up. "Don't worry, Aditya! I'll become a
great cultivator and protect you! I'll send you money every month!"
Aditya patted her hand. "Don't worry, Didi. You go become a big hero. I'll stay here and take
care of Amma and Abba."
Inside, Aditya was smiling. While Radhika would be busy fighting rivals and dealing with sect
drama, he would stay in the village, secretly cultivating in the forest and using the System to
reach higher levels in peace.
He didn't want to be the "Main Character." He wanted to be the "Hidden Boss."
That night, as the village slept, Aditya sat by the river. "System," he whispered. "Show me the
map."
A map appeared in his mind. Three red dots were moving toward the village from the North.
[Detected: 3 Bandits (Refined Body Stage). Intent: Kidnap the new 'Genius' (Radhika) for
ransom.]
Aditya's eyes went cold. His "Humble" face disappeared.
"I told you, I want a slow, peaceful life," Aditya whispered, standing up. "And you guys are trying
to ruin my sister's big day? Miya, galat baat hai yey. (This is wrong, bro.)"
He didn't pick up a sword. He picked up a handful of small pebbles and a bottle of extra-strong
chili powder he had "borrowed" from the kitchen. It was time for his first Secret Kill.