The first private session with Lin Sha began exactly at dusk.
Wei Chen arrived at Courtyard Five to find the Inner Disciple already waiting, arms crossed, expression assessing. The courtyard was empty except for them — deliberately chosen for privacy, Wei Chen realized.
"You're on time," Lin Sha said. "Good. Punctuality indicates discipline. Discipline indicates potential."
"Thank you, Instructor Lin."
"Don't call me instructor. I'm not Sanctuary faculty. I'm a contractor selling services." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "You pay me, I teach you. Business relationship, not master-student dynamic. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Show me your Shadow Blade technique."
Wei Chen drew the knife from Lian Xiu, coated it with shadow. The technique manifested — unstable, flickering, but present. He held it for thirty seconds before releasing.
Lin Sha watched critically. "Your shadow coating is uneven. Thicker at the blade's base, thinner at the tip. That creates structural weakness. If you strike something hard, the coating shatters at the tip first."
She stepped closer, examining the knife. "Also, you're channeling too much mana. Shadow Blade doesn't require overwhelming power. It requires precise distribution. You're wasting energy."
Wei Chen absorbed the criticism. "How do I fix it?"
"By understanding what you're actually doing." Lin Sha pulled out her own dagger — quality steel, similar to Kai's. She coated it with shadow in one smooth motion. The coating was perfectly even, seamless, like the blade had been forged from darkness itself.
"Shadow Blade isn't about wrapping shadows around metal. It's about extending the blade's edge through shadow medium. The physical blade is foundation. The shadow is amplification." She demonstrated by cutting through a training dummy's thick padding. The blade sliced through effortlessly, leaving a shadow-stained cut.
"Your technique treats shadow as separate layer. Wrong approach. Shadow should become part of the blade's structure. Integrated, not layered."
She released the coating. "Try again. This time, visualize the shadow growing from the blade's edge outward, not wrapping around from outside inward."
Wei Chen attempted it. Focused on the blade's edge, imagined shadow extending naturally like the blade itself was darkening. The coating manifested differently — still imperfect, still unstable, but more uniform.
"Better," Lin Sha said. "Again."
They drilled for an hour. Shadow Blade formation, stability maintenance, mana efficiency. Lin Sha corrected every mistake ruthlessly, pointing out flaws Wei Chen hadn't even noticed.
"Your breath control is wrong. You're holding your breath during technique formation. That restricts mana flow."
"Your stance is defensive. Shadow Blade is offensive technique. Stand like you're attacking."
"You're treating each coating as separate action. It should be continuous state. Form once, maintain indefinitely until combat ends."
By the end of the hour, Wei Chen could maintain stable Shadow Blade for two minutes instead of thirty seconds. Not mastery, but significant improvement.
Lin Sha examined the result critically. "Adequate progress for first session. At this rate, you'll achieve stable five-minute coating within two months. That's minimum acceptable standard for Grade D missions."
"What's your standard?"
"I can maintain Shadow Blade for forty minutes before mana depletion. But I'm Inner Disciple with two years' training and specialized focus." She sheathed her dagger. "You're comparing beginner to specialist. Pointless comparison. Focus on your own progression."
Wei Chen nodded. "What should I practice before next session?"
"Breath control during technique use. And stance work. Your positioning telegraphs intent too obviously. Enemies will read you easily." Lin Sha pulled out a scroll. "Read this. Theory on shadow integration with physical objects. Understand the principles, not just the execution."
She handed it over. "Session ends. Next week, same time. Come prepared with questions about the reading."
Wei Chen took the scroll. "Thank you."
"You worked harder than most students. That's worth noting."
She left. Wei Chen stood alone in the courtyard, exhausted but satisfied. Three contribution points well spent.
The next morning brought the second mission selection.
Wei Chen arrived at the mission board early, hoping for better options than last week. The board had updated overnight — new postings, some Grade E missions removed, a few Grade D missions added.
But ranking still mattered. Top twenty students selected first.
Wei Chen watched as higher-ranked disciples claimed the best missions. Grade D escort duty — eight contribution points. Grade D investigation work — seven points. Grade D debt collection — six points.
By the time Wei Chen's turn came, only Grade E remained again.
Frustrating. But expected.
He selected patrol duty — three nights monitoring a merchant district, three contribution points. Similar to last week's warehouse guard, but covering multiple buildings instead of one.
Chen Ling selected delivery work — transporting valuable package across the city, two points but only required one day.
Xu Lan chose escort duty — accompanying merchant to nearby town, four points but required three days' absence.
"Different approaches," Chen Ling observed as they left the board. "You're prioritizing point maximum. I'm prioritizing time efficiency. Xu Lan is taking calculated risk for better reward."
"All valid strategies," Wei Chen agreed. "Question is which produces better results long-term."
"We'll know in a month."
The patrol mission began that evening.
Wei Chen reported to the district guard captain — a weathered man named Gao who clearly didn't trust Sanctuary mages.
"You're the Darkness mage," Gao said, expression carefully neutral. "Heard you handled the warehouse situation last week without incident. That's why you're here instead of regular guard."
"Understood, Captain."
"Patrol covers six blocks. Merchant district, residential edges, two warehouses." Gao pointed at a map. "Thieves have been hitting this area for weeks. We've increased patrols, but they're smart. Hit when guards are elsewhere, disappear before response arrives."
"You think they're tracking guard patterns."
"I know they are. Which is why you're here. You're variable they can't predict." Gao's tone was pragmatic. "Use whatever methods you want. Just keep the district secure. Three nights, no incidents, you get paid. Simple."
Wei Chen took the map, memorizing patrol routes. "What's the theft pattern? Specific targets or random?"
"Small valuables. Jewelry, silk, portable goods. They're professionals, not desperate amateurs. In and out fast, minimal evidence."
"Any magical signatures detected?"
"None. Either they're non-mages or they're good at hiding it." Gao gestured at the door. "First patrol starts now. Report anything suspicious immediately."
Wei Chen left, beginning his patrol.
The district was quiet at dusk. Merchants closing shops, residents heading home, normal evening activity. Wei Chen moved through the streets using shadow concealment — not full invisibility, but enough to be easily overlooked.
He memorized everything. Building layouts. Alley positions. Sight lines from guard posts. Potential entry points. Shadow coverage after dark.
The thieves were professionals. That meant they'd scouted this area thoroughly. Knew the patterns. Planned their timing carefully.
Which meant Wei Chen needed to disrupt patterns. Be unpredictable. Create uncertainty.
Nothing happened the first night. Wei Chen patrolled until dawn, observed normal activity, reported no incidents.
The second night brought the first test.
Wei Chen was checking a warehouse loading dock when he sensed magical presence. Faint, carefully hidden, but present. Someone using concealment magic nearby.
Not his group's concealment. Different signature. Earth-based, maybe — blending with stone and shadow rather than pure darkness.
Wei Chen adjusted his own concealment, becoming even less visible. Tracked the presence carefully.
Two people. Moving along the warehouse's eastern wall. One mage with Earth magic, one non-mage. Both carrying tools.
They worked on a window — not the main entrance, but a storage room access point. Smart. Less obvious than doors, often weaker security.
Wei Chen considered options. He could alert the guard captain, but by the time guards arrived, thieves might be gone. Could confront directly, but two against one was risky.
Or he could be creative again.
Wei Chen created shadow constructs near the guard post three blocks away. Made them move erratically, suggesting suspicious activity in that direction.
The guard on duty spotted the shadows, blew his whistle. Other guards responded, moving toward the false activity.
The thieves heard the whistle. Froze.
"Guards are active," one whispered. "Three blocks west."
"Do we abort?"
"No. They're distracted. We have a window." The Earth mage resumed working on the window lock.
Wei Chen created more shadows. This time closer — along the warehouse's western wall. Movement patterns that suggested guards circling around, trying to flank the distracted position.
The thieves saw them. Reassessed quickly.
"Multiple patrols. They're coordinating." The Earth mage's voice was tense. "This area is too hot tonight. We abort."
They retreated quickly, disappearing into alleys. Wei Chen followed at distance until they left the district entirely.
Once they were gone, he dispelled his shadow constructs. The guards at the false activity location found nothing, returned to posts confused but alert.
Wei Chen continued his patrol as if nothing had happened.
Morning came. Captain Gao found Wei Chen at the patrol endpoint.
"Quiet night," Gao said, reviewing reports. "My guards reported suspicious activity around third block, but nothing materialized. You notice anything?"
"Possible scout activity near the eastern warehouse. Two people, one Earth mage. They assessed the area but didn't commit to entry." Wei Chen kept his tone neutral. "I created confusion about guard positions. They decided the risk was too high and left."
Gao studied him carefully. "You manipulated my guards without telling them."
"I prevented a theft without risking your men in confrontation. Seemed efficient."
"Efficient." Gao's expression was unreadable. "You Darkness mages have interesting definitions of cooperation."
"Would you prefer I let the theft proceed so your guards could catch them in the act?"
"No." Gao sighed. "No, your method was effective. Just... unconventional. My men don't like being manipulated, even for good reasons."
"Then don't tell them. As far as they know, they responded to real suspicious activity and their presence deterred crime. Everyone's job performance looks good." Wei Chen's voice was matter-of-fact. "Politics managed, outcome achieved."
Gao stared at him for a long moment. Then he laughed — short, sharp bark of amusement. "You're nine years old and already thinking like a corrupt administrator. Shadow Sanctuary trains you well."
"Is that a compliment?"
"It's an observation." Gao's tone turned serious. "One more night. Keep the district secure. I don't care how."
The third night was more challenging.
Wei Chen spotted the same Earth mage returning — but this time with five total instead of two. They'd reinforced after the previous night's failure.
Five against one. Different calculation.
Wei Chen couldn't bluff them away this time. They'd expect guard manipulation, wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
He needed different approach.
Wei Chen let them enter the warehouse. Followed silently, watching their operation.
They moved quickly to a storage room holding jewelry inventory. The Earth mage worked the lock while others prepared to carry goods.
Wei Chen created shadows inside the storage room — not fake guards this time, but environmental hazards. Shadows that looked like structural damage. Ceiling beams sagging wrong. Floor sections appearing unstable.
The Earth mage noticed immediately. "Wait. Something's wrong."
"What?"
"The storage room. Structural damage. Recent." He examined the shadows carefully. "Ceiling could collapse. Floor might be compromised."
The group hesitated. One thief stepped forward to investigate — and Wei Chen made the shadow-damaged floor section appear to shift under the weight.
"Unstable!" The Earth mage grabbed his teammate, pulling him back. "This whole section could come down. The jewelry's not worth getting buried."
They debated quickly. Risk versus reward. A collapsing warehouse could kill them. Jewelry could be stolen another time.
They left empty-handed.
Wei Chen dispelled the shadows once they were gone, verified no actual damage existed, and resumed patrol.
Morning came. Captain Gao arrived for the final report.
"Third quiet night," Gao said, checking notes. "The Earth mage and his crew were spotted by eastern patrol, but they retreated before attempting entry. You do something again?"
"Made them think the target was structurally unsafe. Risk assessment favored retreat." Wei Chen handed over the patrol map with his route marked. "No thefts, no confrontations, no injuries. Mission complete."
Gao examined the map, then Wei Chen. "You're effective. Unconventional, manipulative, arguably dishonest — but effective. I'll request you specifically for future district security."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Don't thank me. This recommendation will make you valuable, which will make you a target." Gao's tone was serious. "Other guards will resent that a nine-year-old Sanctuary student is better at their job than they are. Politics will follow."
"I can handle politics."
"I believe you can." Gao produced two tokens. "Three contribution points. Earned honestly, even if your methods weren't."
Wei Chen took the tokens. Six points total now. Half-way to first payment to Lin Sha.
That evening, Wei Chen attended his second session with Lin Sha.
He'd practiced the breath control exercises, studied the theory scroll she'd provided. His Shadow Blade formation was noticeably smoother — still not perfect, but improving.
Lin Sha noticed immediately. "You practiced. Good. Show me maintenance duration."
Wei Chen formed Shadow Blade, held it steady. Three minutes before the coating began flickering. Released before failure.
"Fifty percent improvement over last week." Lin Sha's tone held approval. "You're learning faster than average. At this rate, you'll reach five-minute standard in six weeks instead of two months."
"Is that fast enough?"
"For what? Grade D missions? Yes. For fighting someone like Kai? Not even close." Lin Sha's voice was matter-of-fact. "But you're not trying to fight Kai. You're trying to survive, earn points, and advance. Those are achievable goals."
She pulled out another scroll. "Next week's focus: Shadow Blade during movement. You've mastered stationary coating. Now learn to maintain it while fighting. Much harder."
The session ended. Wei Chen walked back toward the dormitories, mentally reviewing progress.
Six points earned. Six more needed before month's end. Two more missions required.
Tight but achievable.
He was crossing the main courtyard when he noticed unusual activity. Students gathering near the announcement board. More than normal. Excited voices, animated discussions.
Wei Chen approached, working through the crowd.
A large notice had been posted. Official Sanctuary seal. Wei Chen read it carefully.
ANNUAL INTER-SANCTUARY COMPETITION
In two weeks, Shadow Sanctuary will host the regional competition. Ten nearest Shadow Sanctuary branches will send their top thirty Outer Disciples for three days of contests.
Events include: individual combat, team missions, technique demonstrations, and survival challenges. Points accumulated determine branch rankings.
This year's competition will be held at our facilities. All current students are encouraged to observe and learn from visiting practitioners.
The notice continued with scheduling details, rules, protocols. But Wei Chen focused on the key information.
Thirty best students from ten different Sanctuaries. Three hundred competitors total. All better than Wei Chen — they were top thirty at their branches, while he was rank fifty-four at his.
The gap was quantifiable. Humbling. Motivating.
Chen Ling appeared at Wei Chen's shoulder. "You reading this?"
"Yes."
"Three hundred competitors. We won't even be allowed to participate." Chen Ling's tone was matter-of-fact. "We're too low-ranked."
"But we can watch," Wei Chen said. "See techniques. Study approaches. Learn from people better than us."
Xu Lan joined them, having read the notice as well. "The announcement mentions this is annual event. Every year, ten branches rotate hosting. Next year, we travel to different Sanctuary."
"And every ten years, there's larger competition," an older Outer Disciple added, overhearing. "The Grand Tournament. Not just current students — graduates and instructors can compete too. Last one was nine years ago. Next one is in a year."
Wei Chen absorbed this. Annual competitions for learning. Grand Tournaments every decade for legends.
"We're rank fifty-four, fifty-three, and fifty-five," Chen Ling said quietly, gesturing at their group. "We're nowhere near competition level. But in a year? If we work hard enough?"
"We'll still be nowhere near it," Xu Lan said. "But closer than now."
Wei Chen looked at the notice again. Two weeks until the competition. Thirty top students from each Sanctuary. Techniques he'd never seen. Approaches he hadn't considered. Experience he couldn't buy.
"We watch everything," Wei Chen said. "Take notes. Study their techniques. Learn what top students actually look like."
"Agreed," Chen Ling said.
Xu Lan nodded once.
They stood there, three bottom-ranked Outer Disciples, staring at an announcement about competitors far beyond their current level.
But watching was learning. Learning was progress. Progress was climbing.
Wei Chen smiled slightly. Two weeks until the competition. Two weeks to prepare himself to absorb as much knowledge as possible from watching people who'd already achieved what he was working toward.
The pecking order was clear. Three hundred visiting students would be better than him. Probably better than him for years.
But they'd show him what was possible. What he could become if he kept climbing.
And that was valuable.
Maybe more valuable than contribution points.