As Kai entered his assigned dorm room, he was immediately struck by its simplicity. The room was modest in size, with three single beds arranged against the walls, each accompanied by a small desk and chair. A single window allowed natural light to filter in, casting a warm glow across the wooden floor.

Without hesitation, Kai chose the bed closest to the window. He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. The young boy had learned early on that cultivation required discipline and focus, and he was determined to make the most of every moment.

Time passed, and Kai remained motionless, his breathing steady and controlled. He was so deeply immersed in his meditation that he barely registered the sound of the door opening and closing, followed by the shuffling of feet and the soft thud of bags being placed on the floor.

"Look at that," a voice whispered, breaking the silence. "Is he asleep sitting up?"

Another voice replied, equally hushed, "I don't think so. He seems to be meditating."

Kai could hear them, but he chose to remain in his meditative state, focusing on circulating his qi and strengthening his spiritual core.

The two newcomers, seemingly unbothered by Kai's lack of acknowledgment, began to settle into the room. They unpacked their belongings, occasionally exchanging words in low tones.

"So," one of them said, his voice a little louder now, "what brings you to the Blackthorn Martial Arts School?"

The other boy chuckled. "Same as you, I suppose. To become stronger, to cultivate, and to make my family proud. I'm Meon, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Meon. I'm Yung," the first boy responded. "Tell me, what's your story? Where are you from?"

Meon hesitated for a moment before answering, "I'm from White River Village. My father is the village leader there."

"Oh?" Yung's voice held a note of surprise and respect. "That's impressive. I've heard White River Village is known for its skilled craftsmen and robust trade."

Meon nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yes, that's right. We're particularly famous for our white jade carvings. What about you, Yung? Where do you hail from?"

Yung straightened his posture slightly as he replied, "I'm from Greyscale Village. My father is one of the village elders."

"Greyscale Village?" Meon's eyes widened. "I've heard tales of your village's warriors. They say your combat techniques are unparalleled in the region."

Yung smiled, clearly pleased by the recognition. "We do take great pride in our martial prowess. It's why I'm here, actually. I want to honor my village's legacy and become an even stronger warrior."

As the two boys continued their conversation, Kai remained silent, his eyes closed. However, his ears were picking up every word, and his mind was processing the information.

"You know," Yung said thoughtfully, "it's interesting that we've been placed together. I've heard I'm considered a prodigy in my village, and it sounds like you might be in a similar position."

Meon nodded. "Yes, people do call me a young prodigy back home. Do you think it's a coincidence that we're roommates?"

Yung shook his head. "I doubt it. Master Yuvi must have deliberately placed us together. Perhaps he thought we could push each other to greater heights."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"That makes sense," Meon agreed. "But what about him?" He gestured towards Kai, who was still sitting motionless on his bed.

Yung shrugged. "I'm not sure. He hasn't said a word since we arrived. Hey," he called out to Kai, "what's your story? Where are you from?"

For a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, Kai opened his eyes and turned to face his new roommates. His gaze was calm and steady as he spoke, "I'm from this village. Blackthorn Village."

Yung and Meon exchanged glances, surprise evident on their faces. They hadn't expected the young boy to be a local.

"Blackthorn Village?" Meon repeated. "So you must know a lot about this school already."

Kai shook his head slightly. "Not really. This is my first time here too."

Yung leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "How old are you? You seem much younger than us."

"I'm six," Kai replied simply.

Both Yung and Meon's jaws dropped in astonishment. They looked at each other, then back at Kai, disbelief written all over their faces.

"Six?" Yung exclaimed. "But... how? How are you in the same class as us?"

Kai's expression remained neutral as he explained, "I passed the admission test, just like you."

Meon, still looking shocked, asked, "What's your cultivation rank?"

"Mortal Qi Realm II," Kai answered without hesitation.

The room fell silent for a moment as Yung and Meon processed this information. They were both twelve years old and had worked hard to reach the Mortal Qi Realm II. The idea that a six-year-old could be at the same level was almost inconceivable to them.

Yung was the first to break the silence. "That's... incredible. You must be a true prodigy."

Kai shrugged, not particularly interested in labels or praise. However, he was beginning to understand the significance of his roommates' backgrounds. If they were considered prodigies in their respective villages, and their families held positions of power, it might be beneficial to establish a good relationship with them.

"What about you two?" Kai asked, his voice carrying a hint of genuine curiosity for the first time. "What are your ranks?"

"We're both at Mortal Qi Realm II as well," Meon answered, still looking a bit uncertain. "But we're twice your age."

Kai nodded, acknowledging the information without comment. He could sense the mixture of awe and unease emanating from his roommates. It was clear they were struggling to reconcile his young age with his advanced cultivation level.

"Listen," Kai said, deciding to address the elephant in the room, "I know my age might seem strange to you. But we're all here for the same reason – to learn and grow stronger. Perhaps we can help each other along the way."

Yung and Meon exchanged glances again, this time with a hint of agreement in their eyes. Despite their initial shock, they couldn't deny the potential benefits of having such a talented cultivator as their roommate.

"You're right," Yung said, offering a smile. "We shouldn't let age differences get in the way. We're all fellow disciples now."

Meon nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. It's an honor to be roommates with both of you. I look forward to training together and pushing each other to improve."

As the tension in the room dissipated, the three boys began to chat more freely. They discussed their expectations for the school, their cultivation experiences so far, and their hopes for the future. Kai, while still reserved, found himself opening up slightly, intrigued by the different perspectives his roommates brought from their respective villages.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the sound of a bell echoed through the dormitory.

"That must be the signal for our first class," Yung said, standing up and straightening his robes.

Meon followed suit, a mixture of excitement and nervousness on his face. "I wonder what our first lesson will be."

Kai rose from his bed, his movements fluid and graceful despite his young age. "We'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of anticipation.

As they prepared to leave the room, Yung turned to his roommates. "Let's make a pact," he suggested. "No matter what happens, we'll support each other and strive to be the best in our class. Agreed?"

Meon nodded enthusiastically. "Agreed. We'll show everyone what the three prodigies can do."

They both looked at Kai, waiting for his response. After a moment of consideration, Kai gave a small nod. "Agreed," he said simply.

With their impromptu pact made, the three boys left their dorm room and headed towards their classroom. The hallways were bustling with activity as other students made their way to their respective classes. Some cast curious glances at the trio, particularly at Kai, whose small stature stood out among the older students.

As they walked, Kai couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events. He had come to the school focused solely on his own cultivation, not expecting or particularly wanting connections with others. Yet here he was, with two roommates who, despite their initial shock at his age and abilities, seemed genuine in their desire to form a friendship and alliance.