Two weeks passed in a monotonous, yet transformative, blur.
By day, Kenji endured Foreman Grum's tyranny and the endless, back-breaking chores assigned to an errand boy. He swept floors until his arms ached, polished boots until his fingers wore out, and scrubbed surfaces until they gleamed, all while keeping his head down and avoiding attention. Lunch remained a depressing affair of watery gruel and hard bread, a constant reminder of his lowly status despite the fortune hidden away.
But by night, everything changed. As soon as he could escape to the privacy of his small room, he'd activate the System.
Ding!
[Guided Energy Sensing Enhancement activated. Cost: 10,000 Gold Coins. Duration: 120 minutes.]
Then, for two precious hours, he wasn't just an errand boy. He was a cultivator, painstakingly drawing the cool, grey threads of shadow energy into his body according to the Shadow Connection technique in the Codex.
The System's boost was essential; without it, the energy remained frustratingly elusive. With it, he could feel the subtle power accumulating, drop by drop, settling deep within his bones and muscles, making them feel denser, stronger. The chronic aches from the boy's previous injuries and the daily labor began to fade more permanently.
His control improved slowly. After a week, he could gather enough shadow energy in his palm to create a small, flickering ball of darkness, about the size of a marble. It radiated a faint chill but dissipated after a few seconds.
It wouldn't scare a mouse, let alone hurt anyone. 'Pathetic,' he thought, comparing it to the Arcane Bolts Lady Annelise had casually thrown.
'But it's a start. It proves the Codex works, and the System works.'
One lunchtime, amidst the usual clatter and low chatter of the mess hall, Kenji overheard a conversation at the next table between two older errand boys.
"Heard they posted the notice for the Outer Sect Entrance Exam," one said, leaning closer to his companion.
"Yeah? Already?" the other replied, swallowing a mouthful of gruel. "Thought it was next month."
"Nope, end of this week. Same as last year. Anyone can take it, long as they pay the copper registration fee. Chance to become a real disciple, get proper training, maybe even learn some decent magic."
"Hah! Like any of us could pass. It's meant for outsiders with some talent or backing, not us floor-scrubbers."
"Well, what do you know? I have heard that there is someone among us errand boys, who has awakened sensitivity towards magic. I think his name was Broky..."
"Ah, that bully! Good thing, maybe he would be finally gone from here if he succeeds."
"Don't celebrate too soon. Do you think that he will be able to bully other outer sect disciples? In the end, he might once again come back here to bully us in the name of protection."
"What? Noooo, why do we have to be the ones to suffer.."
Kenji's ears perked up. An exam? A chance to become an official Outer Sect disciple? To escape this drudgery? The boy's memories held vague information about it – a yearly event allowing those outside the standard recruitment paths, including servants, a slim opportunity to join the ranks. It was notoriously difficult, designed to weed out the truly untalented.
'A chance,' Kenji thought, his heart beating faster. Now that he had some understanding of the shadow magic, he could try and participate in the exam. Who knew, maybe he would be able to become an outer sect disciple. That would allow him to take out some of his vast wealth and actually spend it.
He finished his meal quickly, his mind made up. He had to try.
Later that day, during a short break between tasks, Kenji slipped away towards the Outer Sect Administration Hall, a larger, slightly more imposing building than the surrounding dorms and mess halls.
He found the registration office, a small room with a long counter and a queue of hopefuls – mostly rough-looking youths from nearby villages or towns, along with a few older servants easily identified by their drab uniforms.
As Kenji, clad in his own ragged servant attire, joined the end of the line, snickers erupted from a group of youths ahead of him.
"Look what crawled out from under a rock," one sneered loudly, nudging his friend. "An errand boy thinks he can become a disciple?" "Maybe he wants to sweep the exam floor?" another chimed in, drawing laughter from the group. "Go back to the latrines, boy, that's where you belong!"
Kenji ignored them, keeping his face impassive, though his fists clenched at his sides. 'Laugh now,' he thought grimly. 'Just wait.'
The line moved slowly. Finally, it was his turn. He stepped up to the counter, facing a sour-faced, middle-aged instructor with thinning hair and spectacles perched on his nose. The man, Master Vic according to the nameplate, looked Kenji up and down with open distaste.
"Name?" Master Vic asked curtly, not bothering to hide his disdain. "Kenji," he replied, keeping his voice steady.
"Kenji... just Kenji? No family name?" The instructor raised an eyebrow.
"No, sir."
"Affiliation?"
"Outer Sect... service staff," Kenji admitted.
Master Vic sighed dramatically, making a show of pinching the bridge of his nose. "Another one. Don't you people understand this exam is for potential mages, not floor sweepers? You're wasting the Academy resources and my time."
"The notice said anyone could register," Kenji stated calmly, meeting the instructor's gaze. "I have the ten copper registration fee." With a clang, he placed the coins on the counter.
Master Elms glared at the coins, then back at Kenji, his eyes narrowing. "Fine. Rules are rules, unfortunately. Just remember - no refunds. If you lose at the first test, you can only blame yourself" He grudgingly took the coins and scribbled Kenji's name onto a list with barely concealed contempt.
"Exam is in three days, main training ground, dawn sharp. Don't be late. And try not to embarrass the Academy too much." He thrust a small wooden token – proof of registration – at Kenji without another word, already looking past him to the next person in line.
Kenji took the token, ignoring the instructor's hostility and the snickers from the line behind him.
'Try not to embarrass the academy, eh?' Kenji thought, clutching the token tightly as he walked away. 'We'll see about that.'
He had three days. Three days to prepare.
Though he was not sure how the testing will happen this year, he could already sense magic, and had some magic stored in his muscles and bones.
"That should be more than enough to become an outer sect disciple"