The letter arrived during breakfast.
Wei Chen was eating rice and vegetables in the common hall when a Sanctuary messenger approached his table. The boy — maybe twelve, wearing junior servant robes — held out a sealed envelope.
"Wei Chen? Letter from outside."
Wei Chen took it, recognizing Lian Xiu's handwriting immediately. The characters were careful, practiced — she'd been working on her calligraphy since he'd left.
"Thank you."
The messenger departed. Around Wei Chen, other students glanced with mild curiosity before returning to their meals. Letters from home weren't unusual, just rare for the newest disciples.
Chen Ling sat across from him. "Good news or bad?"
"Don't know yet." Wei Chen broke the seal carefully, unfolding the parchment.
Wei Chen,
Your mother insisted I write this properly. I told her you'd prefer casual conversation, but she gave me the look. You know the one.
Everyone's fine. Your father's pottery business is steady — no growth, no decline. Your mother worries constantly but won't admit it. Standard parent behavior.
Merchant Liu's operations have expanded. He opened a second shop in the eastern district. Says your shadow-treated goods concept gave him ideas. He's making good money from wealthy customers who want "mystical" products. I think he's mostly selling regular merchandise with dramatic marketing, but it works.
Yun Hao returned from the capital last week for brief visit. He asked about you. Specifically, whether you'd joined Shadow Sanctuary yet. I told him probably, since you're terrifyingly competent at everything you attempt. He seemed thoughtful about that. Not hostile — just processing. I think he misses having you as rivalry target.
My [Sharp Mind] skill advanced to Adept level last month. I can read emotional states more accurately now, detect deception with about seventy percent reliability. It's useful for business negotiations. I've been earning contribution helping local merchants evaluate potential partners. Your mother gets worried when I describe the skill — thinks it sounds invasive. I told her reading emotions isn't the same as reading minds, but she remains skeptical.
The town feels smaller without you here. Quiet. I handle it by staying busy, but sometimes I notice your absence in unexpected ways. The training courtyard where we used to practice. The market corner where you'd analyze Liu's customers. Small things.
Write back when you can. Even brief notes. Your parents would appreciate knowing you're surviving.
— Lian Xiu
P.S. Don't die doing something stupid. I'd be very annoyed.
Wei Chen read the letter twice, absorbing details. The casual tone was pure Lian Xiu —refusing sentimentality while still conveying care. The information about Yun Hao was interesting. Not hostile, just curious. Their complicated dynamic continuing even at distance.
The mention of his parents made his chest tighten slightly. They were fine. Stable. Worried but managing. Exactly what he'd expected, yet reading it confirmed something he hadn't fully acknowledged.
He missed them.
Not desperately. Not enough to leave the Sanctuary. But enough to feel the distance.
"Bad news?" Chen Ling asked again, watching Wei Chen's expression.
"No. Everyone's healthy. Business is steady." Wei Chen folded the letter carefully. "Just... distant. The hometown feels far away now."
"It is far away. Three days' travel." Chen Ling's tone was matter-of-fact. "That's the point of leaving. Distance creates perspective."
"One month ago I was there," Wei Chen said quietly, more to himself than Chen Ling. "Waiting for the exam to start. Now it feels like years." Wei Chen tucked the letter into his robe. "I've changed more in one month here than in six months of Feng's training."
"Sanctuary does that. Compressed learning. High intensity." Chen Ling finished his rice. "You'll change more in the next two weeks. And the two after that. Eventually the hometown won't feel like home anymore. Just a place you used to live."
Wei Chen considered that. The pragmatic truth underneath the harsh phrasing. He was building a new life here. New connections, new capabilities, new identity. The old life —pottery shop son, Elder Shen's problem student, Lian Xiu's only friend — that person was becoming past tense.
Not lost. But distant.
"Speaking of distance," Chen Ling said, voice dropping slightly. "Have you heard about the underground market?"
Wei Chen's attention sharpened. "No."
"Black market, technically. Operates in the outer district." Chen Ling glanced around casually, ensuring no one was listening closely. "You can buy almost anything there. Prohibited techniques, rare materials, information, restricted artifacts. Even services — assassinations, kidnappings, forgeries."
"That sounds illegal."
"It is. Completely illegal. City guard raids it periodically, but it just moves locations." Chen Ling's voice was carefully neutral. "The point isn't that we should use it. The point is knowing it exists. Sometimes you need something the Sanctuary won't provide. Or can't provide. Options matter."
Wei Chen processed this. A true black market — not just alternative income, but access to anything if you had the money and were willing to take the risk.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Information sharing. I'm not suggesting we break laws." Chen Ling met his eyes. "Just saying that when you're desperate enough, when the official channels fail, there are always... alternatives. Whether you use them is your choice."
Wei Chen nodded slowly. "Understood. Filed away for potential use."
"Good." Chen Ling stood, collecting his tray. "Morning training starts soon. Physical conditioning with Yan."
They headed to the training grounds together. Wei Chen's mind worked through the new information. A real underground market. Not missions — actual commerce in prohibited goods and services. The kind of thing that could get you expelled or executed if caught.
He wouldn't use it. Not yet. Probably not ever.
But knowing it existed was valuable. Knowledge was always valuable.
That afternoon, Wei Chen finished his personal training session in Courtyard Two. He'd been drilling Shadow Blade maintenance — currently managing four minutes of stable coating, up from three minutes last week. Progress was steady if not spectacular.
He was heading toward the technique library when he spotted Xu Lan walking through the eastern courtyard. Her direction was unusual — away from dormitories, away from training grounds, toward the Sanctuary's outer gates.
Wei Chen watched her leave, curiosity stirring. Xu Lan rarely spoke, maintained careful distance from other students, participated in training with quiet competence. Her background was unknown. She'd mentioned nothing about family, hometown connections, personal history.
Most students shared at least basic information. Xu Lan shared nothing.
Wei Chen made a decision. Followed at distance, using shadow concealment to remain unnoticed.
Not malicious curiosity. Understanding allies meant understanding their motivations. And Xu Lan was part of his informal team with Chen Ling — better to know what drove her.
Xu Lan moved through the capital's districts efficiently. Not nervous, not furtive — just purposeful. She knew where she was going.
Wei Chen maintained distance, tracking her through crowded streets toward the outer district. The area was rougher — buildings older, maintenance sporadic, residents visibly poorer. Not dangerous exactly, but definitely not wealthy.
Xu Lan stopped at a large building near the district's edge. Orphanage, Wei Chen realized, reading the sign. The structure was well-maintained despite obvious age. Children's voices carried from inside — laughter, conversation, normal sounds.
Xu Lan entered through the front door like she belonged there.
Wei Chen hesitated, then followed more cautiously. Slipped inside using shadow concealment, staying to the edges.
The orphanage interior was clean but worn. Simple furniture, minimal decoration, functional rather than comfortable. Maybe forty children total, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Several caretakers supervised activities — reading lessons in one corner, meal preparation in another, general chaos everywhere.
Xu Lan had joined a group of younger children — six or seven years old. She was helping with reading practice, showing them characters, correcting their brush strokes with patient efficiency.
Wei Chen watched from concealment, surprised. This was completely unexpected. Xu Lan —quiet, isolated, seemingly friendless — volunteering at an orphanage. Helping children with the same careful competence she applied to combat training.
One of the children looked up at her. "Big Sister Lan, will you show us magic again?"
"After lessons," Xu Lan replied. Her voice was warmer than Wei Chen had ever heard it. "You need to finish these characters first."
"But magic is more interesting!"
"Magic requires discipline. Discipline comes from basic practice." Xu Lan tapped the character sheet. "Finish this page, then I'll show you shadow constructs."
The children groaned but returned to their work. Xu Lan supervised patiently, offering corrections without harsh criticism.
Wei Chen stayed hidden, observing. This revealed significant information about Xu Lan's character. She wasn't isolated by nature — she was focused. Reserved by necessity, not preference. And she had connections here, relationships that mattered to her.
He was considering how to retreat unnoticed when Xu Lan spoke without looking toward his position.
"You can stop hiding now. I noticed you following me three blocks ago."
Wei Chen released shadow concealment, stepping into view. Several caretakers looked up sharply, hands moving toward weapons before recognizing Sanctuary robes.
"Sorry," Wei Chen said. "I was curious."
"Obviously." Xu Lan stood, gesturing for him to follow her outside. To the children she said, "Continue practicing. I'll return shortly."
They stepped into the orphanage's small courtyard. Xu Lan crossed her arms, expression neutral.
"Why follow me?"
"Strategic interest. You never talk about yourself. I wanted to understand your motivations." Wei Chen kept his tone matter-of-fact. "Allies work better when they understand each other."
"So you stalked me."
"I followed you to gather information. Stalking implies malicious intent. This was curiosity." Wei Chen paused. "I apologize if the method was inappropriate."
Xu Lan studied him silently for a moment. Then she sighed. "I suppose it's fair. You shared your background with Chen Ling and me — hometown merchant's assistant, parents alive, good relationship with friend named Lian Xiu. I shared nothing."
"You don't owe me explanation."
"No. But if we're working together, you should understand." Xu Lan gestured at the orphanage. "I grew up here. No family, no hometown connections. Just this place and forty other children with similar stories."
Wei Chen waited, saying nothing.
"Sanctuary has scholarship program for talented orphans," Xu Lan continued. "Find magic-capable children with no family support, offer full training in exchange for future service obligations. I qualified at age eight. Tested well. Entered Outer Disciple program at age ten."
"Most students start at nine or ten anyway."
"Yes. But most students have families. Safety nets. Places to return if Sanctuary doesn't work out." Xu Lan's voice remained even. "I don't. If I fail here, I return to this orphanage. Except I'd be fifteen, too old for adoption, with no skills except basic magic. Dead weight consuming resources needed for younger children."
Understanding crystallized. "So you fight to stay."
"I fight so they don't have to." Xu Lan looked back at the building. "Every month I succeed here is one month some younger child doesn't need to worry about magical talent determining their survival. The orphanage has limited resources. If I can make it work, maybe they can allocate support to someone else."
Wei Chen absorbed this. Different motivation than his own — he climbed for family pride, future wealth, personal ambition. Xu Lan climbed for survival and to create space for others.
"That's why you volunteer here."
"I help with reading lessons twice weekly. Show the younger ones that Sanctuary students aren't unreachable. That orphan children can succeed if they work hard enough." Xu Lan's expression softened slightly. "It's not entirely selfless. Being here reminds me why I can't afford to fail."
"Motivation through consequences."
"Exactly." Xu Lan met his eyes. "You climb because you want to. I climb because I have to. Different hunger, same direction."
Wei Chen nodded slowly. This reframed his understanding of Xu Lan completely. She wasn't antisocial — she was focused. Didn't form connections easily because connections meant vulnerability. Every relationship was potential weak point if Sanctuary life went wrong.
"Does Chen Ling know?"
"No. You're the first person I've told." Xu Lan's tone turned slightly wry. "Congratulations on your successful stalking."
"Information gathering."
"Right." She smiled faintly — first genuine smile Wei Chen had seen from her. "I suppose having allies who understand motivations is useful. Just... don't follow me again without asking first. I might hurt you reflexively."
"Fair condition." Wei Chen paused. "For what it's worth, I respect what you're doing here. Making space for others while fighting for yourself. That's harder than pure ambition."
"Maybe. But your path works for you. Mine works for me." Xu Lan turned toward the orphanage entrance. "I need to return to reading lessons. You're welcome to stay and observe if you promise not to lurk in shadows."
Wei Chen considered, then shook his head. "I should return to Sanctuary. Mission board updates tomorrow — want to select early."
"Practical choice." Xu Lan nodded once. "I'll see you at morning training."
She went inside. Wei Chen started walking back toward Sanctuary, mind processing the afternoon's revelations.
Xu Lan's background explained so much. Her reserved nature, her relentless training focus, her refusal to waste time on social positioning. She couldn't afford to be anything less than exceptional. Failure meant returning to the orphanage, becoming burden instead of success story.
Different hunger than Wei Chen's. But equally valid. Equally powerful as motivation.
He thought about his own situation. Parents who supported him. Friend who cared. Merchant connections. Safety net if Sanctuary didn't work out. Not comfortable, but survivable.
Xu Lan had none of that. Just her capability and determination. Nothing else.
By the time Wei Chen reached Sanctuary grounds, the sun was setting. He headed to dinner, mind still working through implications.
His team — informal as it was — consisted of three people with fundamentally different motivations:
Chen Ling: Pragmatic advancement. Build capability, earn resources, climb efficiently.
Xu Lan: Survival imperative. Succeed or lose everything.
Wei Chen: Ambitious pragmatism. Wealth, power, freedom through competence.
Different drivers. But compatible approaches. All three understood that capability mattered more than politics. That results determined value. That the system rewarded competence.
They could work together effectively despite different reasons for climbing.
At dinner, Wei Chen sat with Chen Ling as usual. Xu Lan joined them — less unusual now, but still notable. Other students glanced at their table, calculating social dynamics.
Three bottom-tier Outer Disciples sitting together consistently. Not yet alliance, but pattern establishing.
"Mission board updates tomorrow," Chen Ling said between bites. "Any preferences?"
"Something efficient. Three points minimum, one or two days maximum." Wei Chen kept his voice low. "Need to complete four missions this month. Two down, two remaining."
"Same calculation." Chen Ling nodded. "Xu Lan?"
"I'll take whatever's available when my turn comes." Xu Lan's voice was neutral. "Ranking determines selection order. We choose from what's left."
Practical truth. They were bottom ten. Best missions went to higher-ranked students first.
"Eventually that changes," Wei Chen said. "Prove capability, rankings improve, better missions become accessible."
"Eventually," Xu Lan agreed. "Until then, we work with what we have."
They finished dinner in comfortable silence. Wei Chen felt the team dynamic solidifying — not friendship exactly, but working relationship built on mutual understanding and compatible goals.
That night, Wei Chen sat in his room reviewing the day.
Lian Xiu's letter remained on his desk. Reminder of hometown, family, the life he'd left behind. Already feeling distant after just two weeks. Chen Ling was right — the hometown was becoming past tense. A place he used to live rather than home.
The black market mission board information was filed away. Option for desperate circumstances. Not needed yet, but good to know it existed.
And Xu Lan's revelation changed his understanding of his team. Different motivations, but complementary approaches. Chen Ling's pragmatic efficiency, Xu Lan's survival imperative, his own ambitious competence.
They could work well together. Build something functional from their combined capabilities.
Wei Chen pulled out parchment, began writing response to Lian Xiu.
Lian Xiu,
Everyone here is fine. Training is brutal but manageable. I'm rank fifty-four out of sixty-one, which sounds terrible but is actually reasonable for someone two weeks in.
Tell my parents I'm eating properly, sleeping enough, not taking unnecessary risks. All technically true.
Yun Hao asking about me is interesting. We'll probably see each other eventually — capital isn't that large for people at our level. It'll be complicated when it happens.
Your [Sharp Mind] advancement is impressive. Adept-level skill at your age puts you ahead of most adults. Don't let mother's concerns stop you from developing it further. Reading emotions isn't invasive — it's just efficient communication.
I've made some progress here. Formed working relationships with two other students. Combat training is advancing. I lasted two and a half minutes against an Inner Disciple last week, which was humiliating but educational.
The hometown does feel distant now. You're right about that. I'm changing faster here than I expected. Not losing myself — just becoming different version. Hopefully better version.
I'll write again in a few weeks. Don't let Liu exploit you too badly with the merchant evaluations. Charge proper rates.
— Wei Chen
P.S. I'm trying not to die doing stupid things. No guarantees.
He sealed the letter, set it aside for tomorrow's outgoing post.
Then he pulled out the Shadow Blade manual, continued studying advanced techniques. Four minutes of stable coating currently. Goal was five minutes by next week. Ten minutes by month's end.
Steady progress. Measurable improvement. One step at a time.
Outside, the curfew bells rang. Midnight. Wei Chen extinguished his candle, lay in darkness.
Tomorrow would bring mission selection. Training with Feng. Continued drilling with Lin Sha. The endless cycle of improvement and evaluation.
But tonight, Wei Chen felt something he hadn't experienced since arriving at Sanctuary.
Not quite belonging. But... potential for it.
A team forming. Allies developing. Connections building despite different motivations.
Wei Chen smiled slightly in the darkness.
Hidden depths revealed today. His own, and others'.
The pecking order was still clear. He was still bottom ten.
But bottom ten with allies was better than bottom ten alone.
And that was progress too.