Chapter 11: Gifts of Fate

No matter how it was phrased, with the unwavering guidance of his master and the devoted care of Senior Sister, he had successfully navigated his way through a challenging childhood. He could now embrace a life that resembled that of a normal person.

Additionally, luck had smiled upon him, granting him the gift of the "Absolute Speed" ability. Despite having the lowest F-Rank Magic Power, he held the potential to become a formidable Blazer. It seemed that his existence was a delicate balance between fortune and misfortune, two extremes that had played a significant role in shaping the first half of his life.

At times, Jiangli found himself pondering the curious intricacies of his fate. According to the character template he had created, he should have possessed a mere 1 point of luck, theoretically destined for a lifetime plagued by misfortune. Yet, against all odds, he seemed to be favored by Lady Luck herself. His life had been graced by miracles, from his miraculous survival during childhood to the awakening of his Blazer abilities. His fortune was staggering, defying the average person's experience. It was a stark contrast to the norm, where most individuals who awakened Blazer abilities led fragile lives.

This interplay of extreme misfortune and incredible luck sometimes left Jiangli bewildered. There were moments when he felt he couldn't fully grasp the implications of the character template he had replaced himself with. Or perhaps, he should say, truly became.

A testament to this was the section labeled "innate skill" within the character template. These skills were akin to inherent talents, almost resembling the profession planning of an online game. Each skill could be assigned a minimum of 1 attribute point, unlike the vital attributes that determined survival. Innate skills, on the other hand, were open to customization.

Though hampered by the rudimentary design choices of Designer Sima's animations, Jiangli had managed to decipher about 10% of the content after scouring the system for several minutes. He had allocated all his points to the first icon, representing the category of swords—a field he had a vague understanding of. This allowed him to distribute up to 254 points, the sum total of his potential points. It was as if this number was taunting him, a number he couldn't fathom as his own.

Attributes such as "Clear Mirror and Still Water," "Body Control," "Insight and Intuition," "Learning Ability," and "Deducing Ability" had all been chosen from the sword icon. In his reborn state, these qualities were essential for becoming a peak swordsman. They became the necessary foundation for honing his Lightning Flint technique, allowing him to wield it with precise control. His remarkable body control enabled him to manipulate his cardiopulmonary function, reducing energy consumption and extending his stamina.

Was he strong? Unquestionably so. Yet, this strength came at the cost of sacrificing other innate skills. Jiangli speculated that the reason he could allocate up to 254 points was to quantify all his innate skills and allow for further customization. This pointed to an inescapable truth: the crude page on the computer could not have been the catalyst for his rebirth.

And then there was his peculiar innate skill selection, closely resembling the profession planning of an online game. This arrangement restricted him to the role of a swordsman, limiting his exploration of other fields. But at the same time, it had no bearing on his daily life. He couldn't suddenly lose the ability to walk or speak.

This limitation, however, had an unexpected advantage. Jiangli's innate skills—once average—now shone brightly in the areas he had selected. This bespoke the delicate balance of his unique situation.

But why had the innate skill chosen the sword icon? Could he control the very concept of a "sword"? This thought hung in the air, yet another intriguing coincidence.

Another puzzle lay in his name. He had been called Jiangli all his life, and even after his rebirth, his master continued to refer to him by that name. It was a perplexing enigma, one he couldn't unravel, and so he chose to let it remain.

With these thoughts drifting through his mind, Jiangli took solace in the present moment. The hardships of his first half of life had shaped him, but the prospects of the future were his to explore.

The following morning arrived, marked by a gentle summons. "Junior Brother, come."

Room 505 in the seventh student dormitory—Senior Sister Toudou Touka stood at the entrance, suitcase in hand, welcoming Jiangli. After breakfast in the cafeteria, she had escorted him to the dormitory area.

Stepping into the dormitory subtly, a delicate fragrance greeted Jiangli's senses. Hagun Academy's spacious campus spanned roughly 50 hectares, accommodating fewer than a thousand students and instructors across three grades. This ensured ample living space for each student.

The dormitory itself was no exception, designed to maximize space. Beyond the entrance hall lay a compact kitchen, leading to a spacious living room. At its center sat a sofa and television set, while a pair of bunk beds occupied a corner. Farther in were the washroom and bathroom, rounding out the functional layout of the room.

The total area exceeded 70 square meters, an efficient use of space that reflected the consideration for student comfort.

However, what stood out more than anything was the assortment of fragrances that wafted through the air—distinct scents that emanated from the presence of different young women who inhabited the dormitory.

"This is my dormitory, shared with another roommate. After discussing your situation with Director, she readily agreed," Senior Sister explained as she began unpacking Jiangli's belongings and tidying his clothes, neatly placing them in the closet.

Unbeknownst to Jiangli, Senior Sister had felt anxious about his physical condition, concerned that he might inadvertently push himself too hard. In response, she had approached Director Shinguuji Kurono and, to her surprise, met with a compassionate understanding. This had led to Jiangli's current arrangement—residing in her dormitory.

"And

what about your previous roommate?" Jiangli inquired.

"Kanata was quite understanding. After I explained the situation to her, she readily agreed to switch to another dormitory," Senior Sister replied.

Kanata—Jiangli's mind stirred briefly. The name was familiar, a character mentioned in passing within the Hagun Academy's Student Council. Beyond that, the details eluded his memory.

"Junior Brother, why is your luggage so light?" Senior Sister suddenly noticed the absence of substantial belongings, her forehead creasing in confusion.

"I, uh, was caught up with my master and didn't have much time to pack. He left me without a cent," Jiangli explained, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Senior Sister responded with a soft laugh, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes. "Ahaha, Masters are never good with such details. Just consider it borrowed."

With a dismissive wave, she chuckled lightly, effectively changing the subject.

Jiangli had long since come to terms with his dire financial situation. Ever since his rebirth, he had struggled to make ends meet, even attempting to return to his former occupation as a novelist from his hospital bed. Yet, his efforts had yielded little success, squandering his meager savings and leaving him with a dearth of funds.

However, Senior Sister was blissfully unaware of these circumstances. A self-sufficient individual, she casually retrieved a pink purse from the closet, producing a stack of bills from within. She handed the stack to Jiangli, a gesture that left him momentarily stunned.

"Wow..."

Jiangli's voice trailed off as he accepted the bills. Upon counting, he estimated there to be well over 100,000 yuan.

"Is this for real?" he inquired.

A look of skepticism crossed Senior Sister's features as she regarded Jiangli. "Is it really...? Or did you manage to charm someone into supporting you?"

Jiangli chuckled, his gaze falling to the currency in his hand. "It's genuine... Although, now that you mention it, Senior Sister, do you have money on you?"

His tone was sly, his question delivered with a mischievous glint.

Senior Sister turned to face him, her expression thoughtful. "Well, yes. I do have a little saved up. And the school provides regular aid. Aside from that, I contribute to an orphanage. So, I've managed to amass a fair sum."

She turned away briefly, reaching for the purse once more. From within, she procured a handful of bills, extending them toward Jiangli.

Jiangli blinked in surprise, his voice tinged with awe. "This person is like a mom... She's incredibly wealthy!"

Unbeknownst to Senior Sister, Jiangli had an incredibly low "making money" innate skill. Earning money had always been a challenge, leaving him in a precarious financial state. But now, here was Senior Sister, generously offering her support.

Unaware of the profound impact her gesture had on Jiangli, Toudou Touka continued to share her resources with an open heart. She had no idea that her simple act of kindness was a godsend to someone in desperate need.

As Jiangli grappled with his emotions, Senior Sister turned toward him with a warm smile. And so, in that tender moment, Senior Sister unknowingly continued to weave her influence into Jiangli's reborn life.