Chapter 9: The Mistake of a Fool
Narration:-– Walid's New Dilemma
Walid awoke the next morning with his head spinning. His small, cramped quarters inside the Jade Blossom Sect felt suffocating. The weight of his situation pressed heavily on his chest. He had become an unwilling pawn in a grand game that he didn't even understand. Every whisper in the air felt like a silent judgment, and the glances from the sect's elders were piercing.
A Dangerous Beginning
The night had brought no relief. Instead, it had been filled with dreams of snakes, of transformation, of strange powers coursing through his body, but none of it made sense. Walid groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. The System's voice was louder than ever.
🔊 [SYSTEM: WAKE UP, YOU FOOL. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE TRIED TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ABILITIES? 😡]
"Can you stop yelling in my head for one second?" Walid muttered, though he knew it wouldn't help. He was stuck with this cursed system.
🔊 [SYSTEM: YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE. YOU'RE JUST A KID WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING! 😤]
Walid sighed, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He had a terrible feeling that today was going to be another disaster.
The Unfortunate Meeting with Elder Yanyu
After a quick breakfast—mostly consisting of some bland bread and fruit—Walid was summoned by Elder Yanyu. He reluctantly made his way to her chambers, his heart sinking.
The moment he stepped inside, Yanyu's sharp gaze met his, and she gestured for him to sit. Her calm demeanor seemed like a veil hiding something much darker beneath.
"Sit, Walid. Today, we will begin your training," she said, her voice as cold as ever.
Walid tried to sit as confidently as he could, though he was hardly feeling confident. He had been thrown into this world with no idea of his purpose, and now he had to deal with an elder who had already figured out most of his secrets. He was no match for her, and that thought made him even more anxious.
"Training, huh? What kind of training? I'm not exactly a skilled warrior or anything..." Walid mumbled.
Elder Yanyu raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk forming on her lips.
"You'll see. I don't expect miracles from someone like you. But we need to unlock your potential, or else you'll just remain a useless child in our sect."The System's Humiliating Observation
As Walid sat through the entire lecture from Elder Yanyu, the System continued its mocking commentary in his mind.
🔊 [SYSTEM: WOW, YOU'RE REALLY OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE NOW, WALID. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I'M EMBARRASSED RIGHT NOW? 😳]
"Shut up already!" Walid hissed under his breath, but Elder Yanyu was watching him.
She tilted her head, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"You're talking to yourself, child. Is there something you want to share?"
Walid quickly shook his head.
"No! I'm not talking to anyone!"The Test of Power
Elder Yanyu didn't press the matter, but instead waved a hand in front of him. With a flick of her fingers, a surge of energy radiated from her palm, striking the floor with an earth-shaking force. Walid's body tensed. He couldn't sense the energy before it hit him, and when it did, it sent him flying backward.
He barely caught himself before slamming into the stone wall behind him.
"What the hell was that?!" Walid gasped, his chest heaving.
Elder Yanyu watched him, her eyes cold, almost unfeeling.
"A test. The first of many. If you want to prove you have the ability to stay in this sect, you'll have to survive my training."
Walid stumbled back to his feet, rubbing his sore chest.
"That's how you train people?! Just throw them around like ragdolls?"
She didn't even blink.
"You'll get used to it. Now, show me your shapeshifting ability."The Attempt at Transformation
Walid hesitated, nervous and confused. He wasn't sure if he even had control over his own powers. Every time he shifted into a snake, it felt like an accident.
"Uh... I'll try, okay? Just... don't kill me..."
He closed his eyes and concentrated, hoping that he could somehow trigger the transformation.
🔊 [SYSTEM: IT'S A SIMPLE PROCESS! JUST CONCENTRATE AND—]
Before Walid could finish, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his spine. With a hiss, his body morphed into the snake form once again.
But this time, it wasn't controlled. It felt like his body was twisting and distorting against his will. Walid crashed to the floor in snake form, unable to move properly. His limbs were no longer human, and he felt utterly helpless.
"What the hell is happening to me?!"
Elder Yanyu didn't even flinch.
"So, it's still not under your control. I see. Typical."The System's Sarcastic Reprimand
As Walid's snake form squirmed on the floor, the System started its usual rant.
🔊 [SYSTEM: THIS IS WHY YOU'RE A DISASTER. YOU CAN'T EVEN SHIFT PROPERLY. DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME? 😡]
Walid tried to shout, but all that came out was a slithering hiss.
"I know! I know! Just... stop mocking me!"
🔊 [SYSTEM: I REALLY CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE END OF ME, WALID. 💀]
The Truth Comes Out
After what felt like ages, Walid finally transformed back into his human form. He could barely move, exhausted from the struggle. But Elder Yanyu's eyes were colder than ever.
"It seems you're more of a liability than an asset, Walid. You cannot even control your own body. How do you expect to survive in this sect?"
Walid, feeling defeated, could only stare at the floor.
"I don't know! This is all so confusing!"
Elder Yanyu stepped forward, her voice more chilling than before.
"You've been playing dumb for too long. There's something more to you than meets the eye. I will find out what it is. Whether you like it or not."Epilogue: The Fool's Fate
As Walid was escorted back to his quarters, the weight of his situation felt heavier than ever. The Jade Blossom Sect was full of powerful, cold individuals who seemed to know far more than he did. Walid was nothing but a pawn, and yet, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.
"Maybe... just maybe... I can figure this out. Somehow."
But as he lay down to sleep, the System's voice echoed in his mind once again.
🔊 [SYSTEM: YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN DO THIS? WELL, GOOD LUCK, FOOL. YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT. 😈]
Walid closed his eyes, knowing full well that his journey was only just beginning. The road ahead was treacherous, filled with dangers beyond his comprehension. But he had no choice. He would have to survive.
[TO BE CONTINUED…]