On a simple wooden bed, int a sat cross-legged, eyes closed, hands forming an intricate gesture before him. His chest rose and fell gently, each breath cycling in perfect harmony. As he inhaled and exhaled, faint streams of binary energy flowed through his nose, seeping into his body, nourishing his core and structure.
During his meditation, the plain black ring on his finger flickered with an eerie glow, then dimmed once more...
"Huff..." Exhaling a turbid breath, int a's eyes snapped open. A faint silver gleam flashed in his dark pupils—traces of freshly absorbed internal force, not yet fully refined.
"The internal force I worked so hard to cultivate is disappearing again... Damn it!" Focusing inward, int a's face twisted with fury, his voice sharp with frustration.
His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms. After a moment, he gave a bitter laugh, exhaustedly climbing off the bed. With only ten points of internal force, he couldn't ignore the physical strain of cultivation.
After stretching his stiff ankles and legs, he moved about the room briefly. A hoarse voice called from outside: "Young a, the elder requests your presence in the main hall!"
Young a—int a was the third child in his family. His two older brothers had long left to train in the wider Code Continent, returning only at year's end. They treated their younger brother well, despite his struggles.
"Got it." Responding casually, int a changed into fresh robes and stepped out, smiling at the gray-robed elder waiting outside. "Let's go, Old Byte."
The old man, known as Byte, nodded kindly at int a's youthful face. As he turned, a fleeting look of pity crossed his cloudy eyes. Sigh, with Young a's past talent, he could've been an outstanding pointer knight by now. What a shame...
Following Byte through the courtyard, they arrived at the solemn reception hall. Byte knocked respectfully before pushing the door open.
The hall was spacious, filled with many figures. At the head sat const int* elder and three stern-faced village elders, their authority rivaling the elder's own.
To their left sat influential clan members and promising young variables. On the right were three strangers—likely the important guests the elder mentioned the previous night.
Int a's curious gaze swept over the trio. The central figure was an old man in a moon-white robe, his face beaming with vitality, his small eyes glinting with sharp intelligence. Int a's eyes drifted to the man's chest, where a silver crescent was embroidered, adorned with seven golden bits.
A Seven-Bit Structure Master! This old man's a Seven-Bit Structure Master? He's two bits stronger than Father! Int a's heart jolted. Such power marked the man as a renowned figure, coveted by any faction. Encountering such a master was astonishing.
Beside the old man sat a young man and woman, both in matching moon-white robes. The man, about twenty, was handsome and tall, exuding charm. His chest bore five golden bits—a Five-Bit Pointer Knight!
Reaching Five-Bit Pointer Knight status at twenty spoke of remarkable talent.
His striking looks and strength drew admiring glances from the village's young women, including char b, whose eyes sparkled as she stole glances at him.
Yet the young man's attention was fixed on the girl beside him. She was about int a's age, her beauty surpassing even char b's, rivaling only float c's elegance. No wonder the man ignored the village's admirers.
Delicate jade earrings dangled from her ears, chiming softly with each movement, lending her an air of refined grace. On her chest, three golden bits gleamed.
Three-Bit Pointer Knight... If she achieved that without external boosts, she's a true prodigy! Int a inhaled sharply but quickly averted his gaze. Despite her beauty, his mature soul wasn't swayed by infatuation. He had no interest in fawning over her.
His indifference caught the girl's notice. Though she didn't believe the world revolved around her, she was aware of her own allure. Int a's casual dismissal intrigued her, but only briefly.
"Father, Elders," int a stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the four at the head.
"Heh, little a, you're here. Take a seat," the elder said warmly, pausing his conversation with the guests and gesturing to int a.
Smiling lightly, int a ignored the faint disdain in the three elders' eyes. Scanning the hall, he froze—there was no seat for him.
My status in this village has truly plummeted. They used to hide their contempt, but now they humiliate me in front of guests. Those old bugs... Int a shook his head with a wry smile.
The young variables around him snickered, reveling in his embarrassment.
Noticing int a's predicament, the elder's face flashed with anger. He turned to the elder beside him. "Second Elder, you—"
"Ahem, my apologies! I forgot about Young a. I'll have a seat prepared at once!" The yellow-robed Second Elder chuckled, feigning remorse as he tapped his forehead, though his eyes betrayed undisguised mockery.
"Brother int a, sit here!" A gentle voice rang out in the hall.
The three elders froze, their gazes shifting to the corner where float c sat quietly. Their lips twitched, but they dared not speak.
In the corner, float c closed her thick book with a smile, her calm elegance captivating. She winked playfully at int a.
Hesitating, int a touched his nose and nodded. Amid jealous glares from the other young variables, he walked over and sat beside her.
"Thanks for bailing me out again," he whispered, catching the faint fragrance emanating from her.
Float c smiled softly, her small face dimpling charmingly. Her slender fingers flipped open her book again, exuding a quiet, intellectual grace. After a moment, she murmured, "Brother int a, it's been three years since we last sat together like this, hasn't it?"
"Uh... you're the village's genius now, float c. Making friends shouldn't be hard for you," int a replied with a dry laugh, noting the hint of wistfulness on her delicate face.
"From when I was four to six, someone would sneak into my room every night, clumsily channeling their weak internal force to temper my core and pathways. They'd leave exhausted, drenched in sweat. Brother int a, who do you think that was?" Float c paused, then turned to him with a radiant smile, her youthful charm making the surrounding boys' eyes gleam.
"Cough... How would I know? We were just kids crawling around back then," int a stammered, laughing nervously and shifting his gaze to the hall.
"Heehee..." Float c's lips curved into a soft smile at his reaction. Her eyes returned to her book, and she murmured as if to herself, "I know they meant well, but I'm a girl, after all. Sneaking in to tamper with a girl's core? If I ever find out who it was, hmph..."
Int a's mouth twitched, his heart racing with guilt. Keeping his expression neutral, he stared straight ahead, silent as stone...
(To be continued)