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Dawn's bell had barely tolled when Min-jae, Eun Hae, and Hye-Ra parted ways at the academy gates. Each headed to a different tower, their own schedules now diverging.
Min-jae stood before Classroom 1A—Ethics in Dual Cultivation—heart rattling like a dropped teacup. He slipped inside alone, finding an empty pew near the back. Above him, the balcony gallery sat vacant save for two empty seats marked Reserved: Senior Observer.
Instructor Mira entered precisely at seven. "Good morning, Mr. Kang. Take your seat." Her tone brooked no excuses.
[SYSTEM TASK]
Attend Ethics lecture (solo): 0 % → In progress
Embarrassment risk: 37 %
Min-jae sank into the bench. Mira unfolded a crisp scroll. "Today: Consent and Power Imbalance. Case 1—'Wine-Temptation Incident.'" She tapped a diagram of two figures and a shadowed third. Heads shifted. Min-jae's pulse spiked.
"Mr. Kang," she said, eyes narrowing, "describe your role."
He cleared his throat. "Ensuring clear, enthusiastic agreement at every step… and suspending cultivation the moment a partner hesitates."
Mira inclined her head. "Correct. Power imbalances—whether through status, strength, or… system statuses—can corrupt consent. Mr. Kang, you experienced that firsthand."
[SYSTEM NOTE]
Self-Respect: +1
Protocol Palm skill unlocked previously will aid you here.
Over the next hour, Min-jae answered questions, demonstrating proper verbal check-ins and cooldown intervals. When the bell rang, Mira dismissed him with a nod—no seniors in sight, but he sensed proud approval.
At Eun Hae's Advanced Theory:
One tower over, Eun Hae slipped into Classroom 3C—Advanced Energy Binding. Here, fifth-years and beyond explored the nuances of Qi resonance. She took her usual front-row seat beside a marble window, notebook open.
Professor Sun lectured on "Rope Resistance and Postural Integrity." A training dummy stood at the front, draped in crimson cords. Eun Hae's expression softened with focus. Her recent sessions in the suppression chamber would make today's exercises trivial—but she took notes diligently, jotting percentages and pressure points.
Afterward, classmates approached her for pointers—whispered thanks, brief bows—until a bell signaled the end of the period. Eun Hae closed her book, smoothing her collar. She glanced at Min-jae's Ethics building across the lawn, lips twitching. "Survived without being humiliated," she murmured, "not bad for a first-year."
At Hye-Ra's Etiquette and Elixirs:
Meanwhile, in the courtyard pavilion, Hye-Ra joined her Social Cultivation & Connoisseurship seminar. A dozen students clustered around low tables laden with tea leaves and wine samples. Their instructor, Madame Lian, presided over a delicate tasting ritual.
Hye-Ra, always first to volunteer, guided novices through wine-pairing exercises: how Qi warmth interacts with tannins, the etiquette of palate cleansing, the art of the appreciative sip. She laughed softly as a junior spilled a cup—helping him mask it as "intentional aroma release."
When the session ended, Hye-Ra raised her glass in a mock-tea salute. "Next time, wine instead of lessons," she quipped, slipping out as peers plotted midday gatherings.
At noon, the three reconvened in the Mess Hall. Min-jae arrived first, tray in hand. Bun count: five. Coffee count: zero. His cheeks still glowed from the morning's Q&A.
Eun Hae and Hye-Ra appeared moments later—each carrying their own tray: medicinal tea and fresh fruit for Eun Hae, a single glass of plum wine for Hye-Ra.
They sat at a quiet corner table.
"Solo lecture?" Eun Hae asked, tearing into a rice ball.
Min-jae nodded. "No senior gallery today. Felt… oddly normal."
Hye-Ra swirled plum wine. "Missed me already?"
He rolled his eyes. "I missed buns only."
Eun Hae glanced at him. "Your core's at 23 %—you need calories, not sarcasm."
He bit into a pork bun. "Calories it is."
Hye-Ra tucked the invitation card from Lin Shu-Rong under her glass. "About tonight—will you go alone?"
Eun Hae's chopsticks paused. "Absolutely not. We attend together."
Min-jae sighed. "One catastrophe at a time, remember?"
They shared a quiet smile—three cultivators bound by chaos and care, ready to face whatever the Red-Thread Sovereign had in store.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]Tasks remaining:
Survive afternoon classes
Prepare for evening consultation
Maintain core stability above 30 %
Avoid public embarrassments