Chapter 2

Lin took the card, his heart thumping in his chest. He had heard of Xinghua Academy, of course; everyone had. It was a place where dreams came true, where artists became legends. But it was a world away from his village, a place he had never dared to imagine himself.

Days turned into weeks, and Lin couldn't shake the encounter from his mind. The professor's words had planted a seed of hope that grew stronger with each passing day. He found himself painting with newfound vigor, each stroke a declaration of his desire to escape the confines of his village and explore the art world beyond.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the square, Lin gathered his courage and approached his mother. "Ma," he began, his voice trembling with excitement. "A professor from Xinghua Academy saw my painting. He said I have talent and that I could study there."

His mother looked up from her sewing, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the candlelight. She had always known her son was special, had seen the way he could bring their village to life with a few strokes of his brush. But the academy? That was a

dream too grand for their humble home.

"You're joking," she said, trying to hide the hope that had sparked in her heart.

"No, I'm not," Lin replied, holding up the business card. "He said I could come to the city and he'd show me around."

His mother studied the card, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar letters. "Xinghua Academy," she murmured. "That's a long way from here."

"I know," Lin said, his voice filled with hope. "But if I could just get there, I could learn so much, maybe even make a name for myself."

His mother took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on the card. "You know how much it would cost," she said, her voice tinged with concern. "We don't have the money for city living or the academy's fees."

But Lin was undeterred. "I'll find a way," he insisted. "I'll work, I'll save, I'll do whatever it takes." His eyes were alight with determination, and his mother could see the burning passion that had been ignited by the professor's words.

With a sigh, she nodded. "If this is truly what you want, I'll support you," she said, her voice filled with a mix of pride and apprehension. "But promise me you won't forget your roots, no matter how far you go."

Lin hugged her tightly. "I won't, Ma," he assured her. "This is just the beginning of my journey. I'll always come back to you."

The following weeks were a whirlwind of preparation. His mother had been saving a small fortune, hidden in a wooden box beneath her bed, for Lin's future. With her blessing, he now had the means to chase his dreams. They packed his few belongings into a small bag, mostly filled with his art supplies. Each brush and tube of paint was a treasure to him, a gateway to the world he longed to join.

The day of departure was bittersweet. His mother's eyes were filled with both pride and fear as she watched her son walk away from the only home he had ever known. The village had gathered to bid him farewell, their whispers of good luck and admiration for his courage following him down the dusty path.

The journey to the city was long and tiring, but each step brought Lin Wei closer to the opportunity that had been presented to him. The hustle and bustle of the city was overwhelming, the cacophony of sounds and the smell of smog stark contrasts to the quiet serenity of the village. His heart raced with excitement and nerves as he navigated the crowded streets, holding the professor's business card tightly in his hand.

Finally, after asking several passersby, Lin found the grand gates of Xinghua Academy. The buildings towered over him, a testament to the knowledge and prestige contained within their walls. He took a deep breath and stepped through the gates, his canvas shoes squeaking against the polished marble floors.

The reception area was a flurry of activity, students and faculty alike moving with purpose through the grand hallways. Lin felt out of place in his worn village clothes, but the excitement of finally being here outweighed his nerves. He approached the reception desk, the scent of ink and aged paper filling the air.

"Excuse me," he said, his voice barely audible over the din. The receptionist, a stern-looking woman with perfectly coiffed hair, looked up from her paperwork. "I'm looking for Professor Shi."

"And you are?" she asked, her pen poised to scribble on a notepad.

"I'm Lin Wei," he said, his voice stronger now. "He said he'd show me around."

The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at him with newfound interest. "Ah, yes, Professor Shi mentioned you might come." She picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Professor Shi," she said into the receiver. "Your young prodigy from the village is here."

Moments later, the sound of footsteps grew louder, and a man with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye appeared. "Lin Wei!" Professor Shi called out, waving his hand in the air. The bustle of the reception area seemed to fade away as the professor approached, his enthusiasm infectious. "Welcome to Xinghua Academy!"

Lin felt his nerves dissipate under the professor's welcoming gaze. "Thank you," he managed to say, his voice a tad shakier than he would have liked.

Professor Shi looked him over, taking in his simple attire and the bag slung over his shoulder. "Ah, yes, I see you've come prepared. But before we get into that, I think it's time for you to meet someone very important." He placed a hand on Lin's shoulder and guided him through the bustling halls, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the high ceilings.

They arrived at a grand door, ornately carved with figures that seemed to dance in the flickering candlelight. Professor Shi knocked gently, and a deep, resonant voice called for them to enter. Inside, the office was a treasure trove of art and ancient artifacts. The walls were lined with paintings so vivid they looked as though they could step out of their frames at any moment, and the air was thick with the scent of wisdom and history.

The headmaster of Xinghua Academy sat behind an imposing desk, his eyes twinkling with a knowing smile. He was an elderly man with a flowing beard and a mane of silver hair that framed his wise, kind face. His office was a reflection of his soul, a place where art and knowledge intertwined in a symphony of beauty and power. The headmaster rose to his feet, his

movement fluid and graceful  despite his age.

Master Zhao," Professor Shi announced, stepping aside to reveal Lin. "This is the young artist I was telling you about."

The headmaster's smile grew as he took in the young man before him. "Ah, Lin Wei," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival." He walked around his desk and offered a hand. "Welcome to Xinghua Academy."

Master Zhao's grip was firm but warm, and Lin felt a strange sense of belonging as they shook hands. "Thank you," he murmured, his eyes scanning the incredible artwork that surrounded them.

"You must be tired from your journey," the headmaster said, gesturing for Lin to take a seat. "But I'm afraid we have an important event this evening that I'd like you to attend. It's our annual orientation, where we welcome new students and introduce them to the academy's traditions and values."

Lin nodded, his curiosity piqued. "What kind of event is it?"

Master Zhao leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the painting of a majestic dragon that breathed fire on the wall behind him. "Ah, the Art Manifestation," he said, his eyes lighting up. "It's a tradition unique to Xinghua Academy. Our students are not just taught to create art; they learn to breathe life into their creations. To bring their imagination into reality."

Lin's heart skipped a beat. "You mean... my paintings could come alive?"

Master Zhao chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Not quite, but close. The Art Manifestation is a culmination of your creativity and the energy you imbue into your work. It's a way of bridging the gap between the mundane and the ethereal, the seen and the unseen." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Our students learn to manipulate chi, the life force within all things, to animate their art. It's a magical evening, one that will show you the true potential of your talents."

Lin's mind raced with the possibilities, his heart swelling with excitement. He had never heard of such a thing, but it resonated with the deepest part of his soul. He felt like he had stumbled upon a secret that had been waiting for him all along. With a nod, he agreed to attend the event.

Professor Shi led him to his new dormitory, a stark contrast to the simple room he had shared with his mother. It was small but well-appointed, with a single bed, a desk, and a bookshelf that looked as though it held the secrets of the universe. The walls were a pristine white, begging to be adorned with the colors of his imagination.

As he unpacked his meager belongings, Lin felt a thrill of excitement run through him. The thought of the Art Manifestation filled him with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Could he truly manipulate chi to bring his paintings to life? He had always felt a deep connection to his art, but this was something else entirely.

The evening arrived quickly, and Lin found himself in the grand hall of Xinghua Academy, surrounded by the glow of candles The air was thick with anticipation, and the whispers of the few students who had gathered grew louder as the headmaster took the stage. The room contained no more than ten students, each one a testament to their own unique talents. Lin felt both humbled and honored to be among them.

Master Zhao's words from earlier echoed in his mind as he took his seat. His heart thumped in his chest, his hand resting protectively over the small sketchbook in his pocket. It contained the drawing he had worked on during his journey, a representation of the hope and fear that had been his constant companions.

As the headmaster began to speak, the whispers of the students died down, leaving only the crackling of the candles to break the silence. Lin took in the scene around him, the grandeur of the hall a stark contrast to the simplicity of his village. The ten students seated before him were a motley crew, each with a spark in their eyes that mirrored his own. He knew then that he was not alone in his ambition.

The orientation began with a demonstration by Professor Shi, who painted a delicate cherry blossom branch with a few swift strokes. As he finished, the air around the painting shimmered, and the petals began to fall gently, fluttering to the floor like a soft spring rain. The room gasped in unison, and Lin felt a thrill of anticipation. If this was what they could do here, then the possibilities were endless.

After the demonstration, the students were paired up for a warm-up exercise. Lin found himself sitting beside a girl named Jian, whose eyes sparkled with excitement. Her hair was the color of freshly forged copper, and she had a contagious laugh that filled the room. "Don't worry," she whispered, noticing his nerves. "I've heard of the Art Manifestation, but I've never seen it before either."

Mei, a quiet boy with a gentle smile, took the seat opposite them. His hands were calloused, hinting at a life of manual labor before finding his place at Xinghua. Despite their differences, they all shared a bond, a fiery passion for art that had brought them together. The three of them began to sketch, their pencils moving in harmony as they shared stories of their lives before the academy.

Jian's laughter filled the room again as she pulled out a small inkwell and dipped her brush into the deep black liquid. Her strokes were swift and precise, conjuring images that seemed to dance on the page. As she painted, she spoke of her village, where she had discovered her love for illusions. Her father, a traveling magician, had taught her the art of deceiving the eye, using ink to create worlds that didn't exist. She had always felt like an outsider, her talents too extraordinary for her small community to understand.

Mei, on the other hand, was a master of watercolors. His hands moved with a fluid grace that seemed almost otherworldly, the colors blending together as if by magic. His art spoke of serenity and depth, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of Lin's paintings. He spoke softly of his village beside a tranquil lake, where the water's surface reflected the ever-changing moods of the sky. It was there he had learned to capture the essence of nature in his art, to let the water and pigment speak for themselves.

As the evening wound down and the students began to filter out of the grand hall, Lin, Jian, and Mei exchanged nervous glances. The Art Manifestation was tomorrow, and the weight of their newfound knowledge lay heavily upon their shoulders. They made their way back to their dorms, the corridors dimly lit by flickering sconces that cast long shadows on the walls.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***