Steps Into Oblivion

Adam woke up before dawn, his body brimming with anticipation. The faint rays of the rising sun seeped through the window, casting long golden lines across the wooden floor. Today was the start of something new.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he wouldn't just be drifting along—he'd be growing stronger, taking a step forward in discovering who he truly was.

After quickly washing up, he stepped into the main room to find Old Bai already seated at the table, sipping his morning tea as usual. Steam curled up from his cup, filling the air with the earthy scent of dried herbs.

"You're up early," Old Bai said without looking up from his mug.

Adam gave a sheepish grin. "I couldn't sleep much. Too excited, I guess."

Old Bai chuckled. "That's good. Eagerness is a sign your heart's in it. Just don't let your excitement carry you too far, martial arts require patience as much as passion."

They shared a light breakfast—flatbread, boiled eggs, and a side of pickled vegetables. Adam ate quickly, then followed Old Bai out the door into the cool morning air.

The village was just beginning to stir. Smoke began rising from chimneys as families prepared their morning meals. The dew still clung to the grass beneath their feet, and the sounds of chirping birds echoed gently from the trees.

Before heading to the clearing, Adam dragged old Bay with him as he made his way to the fields one last time. The sun had barely climbed over the trees, but the familiar sounds of work were already in full swing. Zhou Wei was in his usual spot, barking instructions with a hoe in one hand and a grin on his face.

Adam walked up and gave a short bow. "Supervisor Zhou, everyone… I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. I'll be starting martial training today, so I won't be able to work with you anymore." While he was excited to start his training he was still grateful to everyone who welcomed him with open arms in the fields.

Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow. "Tch, what's with that tone? You sound like you're going off to war, not just skipping farm duty."

An old man nearby chuckled. "He's acting like we won't see him again. Boy, we live in the same village!"

Another laughed as he leaned on his rake. "Don't tell me you're crying already, Adam. Want us to throw you a farewell feast too?"

Adam scratched the back of his head, sheepish. "I'm just… grateful, that's all."

Zhou Wei let out a snort. "Bah! No need to get all sentimental. You pulled your weight and didn't complain. That's more than I can say for half the boys your age."

"Young men like you should be swinging swords, not hoes," another chimed in. "This place is for creaky joints and missing teeth."

"But," Zhou Wei added with a smirk, "if you get strong enough to take on a mountain beast, you better not forget us. Come back and help when we get short-handed."

"Especially during harvest," someone called from behind a row of plants. "We'll hold you to that!"

Adam laughed, feeling warmth rise to his face. "Alright, alright. I'll come running if you ever need help."

Zhou Wei waved him off. "Go on then, boy. Don't be late on your first day. And Adam?"

"Yes?"

"Don't just get strong. Get smart too. Muscles help, but it's the calm head that survives in this world."

Adam nodded firmly. "I'll remember that."

As he turned to leave, he could still hear them teasing behind him.

"Look at him, already walking like a martial artist!"

"Don't trip over your pride, kid!"

Adam smiled to himself. This… felt good. Not an ending, just a new beginning.

Adam went back to find old Bai waiting for him at the entrance of the fields.

Their first stop was the village academy, a modest two-story building nestled beside the training grounds. The air was filled with distant shouting and the sound of fists striking wooden dummies. It stirred something deep within Adam's chest—something that made him walk a little faster.

Inside the academy, they were met by a stern-looking woman with narrow eyes and a braided bun. She appeared to be in her late forties and exuded the kind of quiet authority that made even the rowdiest child fall silent.

"This is Madam Yue," Old Bai introduced. "She teaches the basics—reading, writing, and numbers."

Madam Yue offered a slight nod. Her voice was clipped but not unkind. "So you're the new one. You'll be joining the younger group for now until you've caught up. Don't slack off just because you're older."

Adam bowed slightly. "Understood. I'll do my best."

"You'll need to," she replied curtly, already walking ahead.

Old Bai patted Adam on the shoulder. "I'll return around noon to take you to the training grounds. Focus for now."

Adam followed Madam Yue into a spacious classroom where about fifteen children between the ages of twelve and fourteen were seated in neat rows. They all turned and gawked when he entered—wide-eyed, curious, and some visibly amused.

Adam gave them a shy smile before sitting in the empty spot at the back of the room.

"Try not to feel too out of place," Madam Yue said as she handed him a wooden slate with chalk. "Learning starts wherever you are, not where others expect you to be."

The lesson began with the basics—tracing characters, repeating sounds, and copying words from the board. Adam quickly realized how foreign the writing system was. The characters were elegant but complex, each stroke deliberate and meaningful.

Still, he focused with all his might, mimicking each stroke with care. Some of the children whispered and snickered, but one boy sitting nearby, a chubby-cheeked youth with bright eyes, whispered encouragement under his breath.

"You're not bad, big brother," he said with a grin. "Better than I was on my first day."

Adam nodded with a helpless smile at the twelve years old trying to cheer him. "Thanks."

The class passed in a blur of chalk dust and whispered repetition. By the time the lesson ended, his hand ached, but he had memorized over ten new characters and their sounds.

True to his word, Old Bai arrived shortly after, waiting outside the classroom with two wooden staffs strapped to his back.

"How was it?" he asked as they walked toward the training grounds.

"Tiring. But good," Adam replied honestly. "It feels good to learn."

"That's the spirit."

When they arrived at the clearing, it was already buzzing with activity. Youths ranging from fifteen to their early twenties were lined up in rows, performing drills under the supervision of multiple instructors. Wooden weapons clashed, dust kicked up from stomping feet, and voices rang out with rhythmic discipline.

One of the instructors, a lean man with hawk-like eyes and a clean-shaven head, approached. "This him?" he asked.

Old Bai nodded. "This is Adam. I'll leave him to you, Instructor Lin."

Lin gave a curt nod to both of them, then motioned for Adam to follow. "We'll be starting from the basics. No exceptions."

He led Adam to a quieter section of the field where a few others were already practicing simple stances. "Before you learn to strike, you must learn to stand. Balance is the foundation of strength."

Adam obeyed without complaint. Instructor Lin corrected his posture repeatedly, pushing his knees down, adjusting the angle of his feet, and scolding him when he wobbled. It was difficult, far more than it looked, but Adam relished the challenge.

"You may be older than the others," Lin said at one point, "but your body is well-tempered. You've faced hardship. That will help."

They trained under the midday sun until Adam's legs trembled and sweat soaked through his shirt. Then, finally, Lin called for a break.

As Adam slumped beneath a nearby tree, breathing heavily, one of the other trainees approached—a tall boy with sharp brows and a cocky smile.

"You're the new guy?" he asked.

Adam nodded.

"Name's Zhao Yun," the boy said, offering a hand. "I'm the top of the group, so you'd better work hard to catch up."

Adam took his hand with a grin. "I'll try not to make it too easy for you."

Zhao Yun laughed. "Good answer."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of drills, footwork, and lecture. By the time the sun dipped low, painting the sky in shades of amber and crimson, Adam could barely lift his arms. Still, he felt fulfilled.

Back at Old Bai's house, the scent of herbs and grilled meat welcomed him like a warm blanket. The old man raised an eyebrow as Adam dragged himself inside.

"How was it?"

Adam collapsed into the nearest chair with a groan. "Painful."

Old Bai chuckled. "Good. Pain is the sound of weakness leaving the body."

They ate dinner in quiet companionship, the silence broken only by the crackle of the fire and the occasional hoot of an owl outside. Adam, despite his exhaustion, helped clean up before retiring to his room.

As he lay on the bed, muscles aching, hands still dusty with chalk and sweat, he couldn't help but smile.

Today wasn't just a new chapter, it was the beginning of a transformation.

He had a name, a place, a teacher, and now a path.

And for the first time in a long while…

He looked forward to tomorrow.