Chapter 4: A Fragile Flame
The Academy's training grounds buzzed with activity as students prepared for their next lesson. Liyue found herself standing at the edge of the crowd, her small frame dwarfed by the towering presence of her peers. Their whispers carried through the air, unkind and sharp.
"Why is she even here?" one student muttered.
"She probably bribed her way in," another sneered. "No way someone that pathetic passed the trials."
Liyue gritted her teeth and looked away, pretending not to hear. Kai Feng, standing beside her, leaned in. "Ignore them. They're just jealous that you didn't trip over your own feet like the rest of them."
"Thanks, Kai," she replied dryly, her voice lacking conviction. Her hand instinctively brushed over the faint mark on her waist, hidden beneath her uniform. She hadn't told anyone about it—not even Kai.
---
The day's lesson was in energy manipulation, a foundational skill every student needed to master. Mentor Baijun stood at the front of the group, his booming voice demanding attention.
"Today, we will learn to harness your internal energy," he announced. "This skill separates the strong from the weak. Fail, and you'll remain in the dirt where you belong." His eyes lingered on Liyue for a moment, and she felt the weight of his disapproval.
"Great. No pressure," Kai muttered, earning a small smile from Liyue.
Baijun waved his hand, and glowing orbs of energy appeared before each student. "Your task is simple: absorb the energy and channel it into a focused blast. Let's see what you're made of."
---
Liyue stared at the orb hovering in front of her. Other students were already making progress, their orbs shrinking as they absorbed the energy. Her own orb remained untouched.
She reached out tentatively, feeling a faint spark as her fingers brushed the surface. The orb resisted, its energy slipping away from her grasp like water through her fingers.
"What's the matter?" a voice jeered. It belonged to Jianyu, a cocky student who had already mastered his orb. "Too weak to even start?"
Liyue ignored him, her focus on the orb. She closed her eyes, trying to tap into the power she knew was there, somewhere deep inside. The mark on her waist tingled faintly, but nothing happened.
"Time's running out," Baijun said, his tone laced with disdain. "Perhaps this lesson is beyond you."
Liyue's face burned with embarrassment. She clenched her fists, willing herself to focus. The tingling grew stronger, almost painful, but still, the orb refused to yield.
Kai Feng glanced over, concern in his eyes. "Come on, Liyue. You've got this."
But she didn't. The orb shattered, its energy dissipating into the air. Gasps and snickers erupted from the other students.
"She's hopeless," Jianyu sneered. "No wonder everyone says she doesn't belong here."
"Enough!" Baijun barked, silencing the crowd. He looked at Liyue, his expression unreadable. "Failure is a part of learning. But some failures are more telling than others."
Liyue's heart sank. She had hoped to prove herself, but instead, she had only reinforced their doubts.
---
Later that night, Liyue sat alone in the dormitory courtyard. The cool breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, a small comfort in the wake of her humiliation.
Kai Feng appeared, holding two steaming cups of tea. "Figured you could use this," he said, handing her one.
"Thanks," she murmured, wrapping her hands around the warm cup. They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the day settling around them.
"You know," Kai Feng began, "everyone thinks you're weak. Even Baijun. But I've seen you in action. You've got something they don't. You just need to figure out how to use it."
Liyue shook her head. "I can't even handle a basic energy orb. How am I supposed to survive here?"
Kai Feng grinned. "By being the smartest person in the room. And by proving all those jerks wrong."
Liyue managed a small smile. "Easier said than done."
---
Unbeknownst to Liyue, shadows moved in the darkness, watching her every move. The mark on her waist glowed faintly, a sign of power stirring within her. She didn't notice, but someone else did.
In the distance, Mentor Baijun stood with another mentor, observing the courtyard. "She's weaker than I thought," Baijun said. "I don't see any potential in her."
The other mentor, a woman with piercing eyes, shook her head. "You're wrong. There's something about her. Something… dangerous."
Baijun frowned but said nothing. The night grew q
uiet, but the mysteries surrounding Liyue were only beginning to unfold.