The entire academy erupted in laughter when Theo Vale failed to produce even a spark of martial energy.“Another failure! Someone should tell him that the assessment ended three years ago, and he has been wasting everyone’s time ever since.”“Three years? He has been here for three years, and he still cannot circulate a single strand of energy. Even a farmhand would make a better martial artist!”Theo stood on the assessment platform with his fists clenched while hundreds of students watched him from the surrounding stands. Their mocking voices followed him from every direction, and although he had grown accustomed to their cruelty, each word still found a way to hurt.Before him, the assessment examiner examined the crystal embedded in the stone pedestal, then shook his head with obvious disgust.“Martial energy circulation failed. Your veins remain incapable of sustaining even the most basic technique.”He marked something on his tablet before looking up at Theo.“Next student.”The

“Hold still, Vale. Unless you have suddenly grown martial veins overnight, I doubt you can make this any more embarrassing than it already is.”Laughter erupted across the training courtyard as Theo Vale stood before three senior students, his fists raised in a defensive position that everyone knew would do him little good.The morning sun beat down on the stone grounds of Celestial Martial Academy, where hundreds of students practiced their techniques under the supervision of instructors. Some trained with wooden swords, others circulated martial energy through their bodies, and a few advanced students demonstrated techniques powerful enough to crack the stone practice pillars.Theo, unfortunately, had been assigned to a different kind of training.“Again!” Senior Student Gareth ordered.Theo barely had time to brace himself before Gareth drove a fist into his stomach. The impact forced the air from Theo’s lungs, and he staggered backward until another student caught him with a strik

“Two silver crowns, Madam. That is the highest price I can offer you.”Theo stopped outside the half-open door of the small merchant’s shop when he heard his mother’s voice.“I understand that it is old, but the workmanship is excellent, and it belonged to my husband,” Mara replied. “Surely you can offer a little more.”“The metal is ordinary, the design is outdated, and I have no guarantee that anyone will want to buy it. Two silver crowns are already generous.”Theo leaned against the wall, frowning as he listened.He had returned from the academy earlier than expected because his injured hand had begun throbbing again, and he had intended to stop at the market to buy a little food before going home. He had never imagined finding his mother bargaining over something that belonged to his missing father.“I cannot accept two crowns,” Mara said after a brief silence. “The academy requires payment by the end of the week, and I still need money for food and medicine.”“The academy’s prob