Kim Dojo, one of the two major martial arts schools in the outer city. It is in the Double Willow District in East City. Its owner, Andre Kim, is a samurai in the blood-boiling stage. It's said he's a retired lieutenant who came to Farfield City.

  A samurai at the Blood Boiling Stage wouldn't be a big deal in Monterey State. However, he must be a celebrity in tiny Farfield City. With a connection to the military, Kim, like a walk in the park, got a prominent position there.

  At that moment, Stirling stood in front of the Kim Dojo, looking at the newly opened gate. He took a deep breath; then he stepped into the courtyard. The servant who opened the door looked surprised.

  "Oh, I've seen people come early, but I've seen no one come so early!" One servant who opened the door winked at another and whispered, covering his mouth.

  "Probably another one aiming to reach heaven in a single bound." The other servant also let out a hint of sarcasm. They had seen many young men like Stirling.

  Many young men spent all their family money to collect the registration fee for the Kim Dojo. They believed they would ascend to the top class, no longer the reeking refugees of the Outer City. But indeed, this was only the beginning of even greater suffering.

  Only one in ten who entered the Kim Dojo could stick with the tough training and stay. Of those who did, only one in ten achieved successes. It was only a one in a hundred chance of establishing a foothold in the Kim Dojo. Making a name for themselves in the Outer City was a one in a thousand chance. It showed that they had a rare talent.

  Since these two servants joined the Kim Dojo, they have seen no one as accomplished at Stirling's age. Martial arts training requires early dedication. It's best to start at a young age. As one grows older, the more fixed their root bones are, the fewer their achievements.

  When Stirling walked in, the old man in charge of registration was still moving things onto the table.

  "Mister, let me help you." Stirling rushed over, took the heavy roster and writing materials from the old man. Then he walked toward the table.

  "Wow, appreciate your kindness," the old man muttered in surprise, looking at Stirling's back.

  But since someone had come for registration, the old man couldn't be slow any longer. He trailed Stirling to the table and sat down. He then expertly opened the registration book and picked up his quill. "Young man, which district are you from?"

  "Three Rivers District."

  "Yes, it's not far. Name?"

  "Luis Chilavert."

  "Age?"

  "23."

  "23? A little late. But with diligence, it is still possible to achieve skin resurfacing. Don't chase rainbows."

  The old man paused when he heard Stirling's age and reminded in good intention.

  As the accountant for the Kim Dojo, he had seen countless applicants in his life. If Stirling had not been clever today, he wouldn't have mentioned it at all.

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  "Follow your instructions, mister."

  Stirling didn't argue, but replied.

  "Thirty silver coins for the registration fee, and ten silver coins for this month's food. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir."

  Stirling pulled a package of silver coins from his arms at once and handed it over. The old man weighed the purse, then ticked a few boxes on the roster. He held up a sign that read "Luis Chilavert" and gave it to Stirling. "Alright, take the sign and go in," he said.

  Stirling took the sign and looked toward the main hall at the back. After thanking the old man, he hurried in.

  Waving the sign at the large men on either side of the hallway, Stirling entered without a hitch. Then, he heard a clamor coming from the back of the hallway.

  "Hoo!"

  "Hoo!"

  "Ha!"

  "What's that?"

  Attracted by the sound, Stirling walked fast to the screen toward the back door. He found about seven or eight people in the courtyard behind the main hall, practicing.

  Stirling's rustic appearance caught the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

  "Huh? A freshman? What's going on this month? Yesterday, there was a fat kid, and today a farmer is coming. When did it become so easy to get into a dojo?" A muscular man, shirtless, mumbled.

  "Forty silver coins? Tsk, tsk, tsk." The people nearby shook their heads.

  "Alright, stop talking nonsense. Have you mastered your skills?!" A booming voice interrupted the conversation. Stirling looked toward the voice and saw a young man only twenty years old.

  To Stirling's surprise, as soon as this person spoke, the others looked away from him right then. They went back to their training with all attention. This made Stirling look at the young man a few more times.

  "New here?" Just then, a middle-aged man in a gray linen shirt approached Stirling and, after a quick look, asked.

  "Yes, I'm Luis Chilavert. May I know your name, senior brother?"

  Stirling asked, bowing toward the man.

  "Don't call me senior. I joined only a few years before you. I haven't even finished my skin resurfacing yet, so I'm not senior brother. From now on, call me Julio," Julio bowed in reply.

  "So, it's Senior Brother Julio!" Stirling said.

  "Well, follow me. I will take you to see Master Kim." Julio said, turning and heading down the corridor; Stirling chased after him.

  They crossed the backyard, walked through the corridor, and moved along the courtyard. Soon, they reached the back.

  Behind this courtyard, there was a smaller one. It had several rooms on both sides. In the center was a large hall, and Julio led Stirling toward it. Julio entered the hall and walked to the side room. He knocked softly and whispered, "Master, there's someone new."

  Julio had finished speaking when the door creaked open. An old man with graying hair stepped out, his face stern. The old man wore a loose, patched green robe. It was still neat and had a light scent of sandalwood.

  Seeing this, Stirling hurried forward and bowed to the old man.

  "Disciple Lusi chilavert greets Master Kim"

  The old man saw this and lifted Stirling with one hand and said, "Son, you are clever, but joining my dojo doesn't mean you'll be my disciple. This is not our rule."

  Stirling was at a loss with this, but then realized that the old man was quite picky and looked down on him!

  "Head up. If you can complete skin-resurfacing in one year, I will accept you as my seventh disciple. Before that, you'll only be an apprentice at the dojo."

  The old man's hand, which was supporting Stirling, applied a light pinch to his arm, then slid to the back of his neck. He took a step behind Stirling and ran his hand from the back of his neck down to his tailbone. He then smiled and said, "Work hard, and you may achieve something in the future. Julio, I'll leave this kid in your hands. "

  Julio stood motionless beside the old man, bowing in response upon hearing this. The old man finished his words and waved his hand, signaling for the two of them to leave. Julio saw this and quickly pulled Stirling aside. Then, he led him back down the corridor to the backyard.

  "Brother Julio, what happened?" Stirling whispered, seeing that they were far away from the hall.

  "Master Kim was detecting your bones!" Julio said with a slight pity.

  "So, did he find out anything?" Stirling asked again.

  "What could there be? There are billions of mortals in the world, but only a few are born with martial bones. Indeed, those with good bones are rare. If you had good bones, it wouldn't even be my turn to guide you now. You would be Master Kim's seventh disciple!"

  Julio patted Stirling on the shoulder and said.