The bell rang softly across the Spirit Hall Academy grounds, signaling the start of foundational theory class.
Ruì Zé entered with a calm gait, brown training robe neat, expression quiet. Students still whispered about him occasionally—"the one with full innate soul power," "that weird book spirit"—but the noise barely touched him.
He sat near the side of the room, pulling out his notebook and pen. The Book of Wisdom remained dormant in his spirit space, its presence resting like a warm, steady thought behind his own.
The instructor, a gray-robed man with a stern expression, walked to the front and tapped the chalkboard.
> "Lesson one: What is a Spirit Master?"
With that, glowing spirit script lit the room.
> "A Spirit Master is one who binds beast and soul into harmony."
"Strength is not gifted. It is earned—through cultivation, spirit rings, and intelligent choice."
Ruì Zé's eyes stayed on the board, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
I've already reached Rank 10.
The academy knew it. Spirit Hall had confirmed it during his second evaluation. There had even been faint excitement—but it quickly cooled when they remembered what his spirit was.
A book.
A spirit of thought. Passive. Hard to classify.
They respected his cultivation speed… but few believed he had real future potential.
Ruì Zé didn't mind.
Their low expectations gave him room to breathe.
---
The lecture shifted to spirit rings.
"You must hunt and absorb the soul ring of a spirit beast. This will grant your first true ability," the instructor said. "The ring must be suitable to your spirit—or it will fail, or worse, kill you."
Golden light displayed categories on the board:
Power-Type Beasts – enhance strength and impact
Agility-Type Beasts – boost speed and flexibility
Defense-Type Beasts – reinforce the body
Spiritual-Type Beasts – provide mental abilities or illusions
Elemental-Type Beasts – grant elemental control
"Your spirit determines your compatibility," the instructor continued. "If your spirit is a hammer, a snake ring will give you little benefit. If it's a plant, a fire ring may harm you."
Ruì Zé nodded slowly.
That confirms it.
He pulled open his notes.
---
[Spirit Selection Notes]
Spirit 1: Book of Wisdom
Support-type. Needs spiritual or purification-type rings.
Potential synergy: clarity, mind shield, information boost.
First innate skill: Blessing of Wisdom – already strong.
Spirit 2: Body-Type Spirit (unknown)
No formal manifestation.
Passive enhancement observed during training.
Possible reinforcement, kinetic flow, reflex boost.
Requires further testing. Possibly full-body compatibility.
He tapped the edge of the paper.
Choosing the Book is safer.
Choosing the second spirit is riskier… but may offer explosive growth.
---
As the class ended, the instructor glanced his way. "Ruì Zé. You've already reached Rank 10, yes?"
"Yes, instructor."
"Then soon, the Spirit Hall will schedule your first spirit ring expedition."
Several students turned to look.
The instructor continued. "You'd best think carefully. You only get one first ring. Choose wrong, and you may forever limit your spirit's potential."
Ruì Zé gave a polite nod.
But inside, his thoughts were sharper than ever.
No. I will not choose wrong.
I will research, prepare, and align everything. My first ring will not be a guess—it will be a step.
A precise one.