CHAPTER 5 - DISCIPLE CULTIVATION SYSTEM CH5 FIRST STUDENT PT2(UPDATED).

Soon, his destination was in sight. Art stepped off the bus, with a confused Trish trailing behind him.

"Mister."

Unconsciously clutching his coat, she called out to him, her voice wavering.

[Trish Emotional Meter: Interest Lvl 5]

Observing the prompt, he smirked and glanced over his shoulder at the girl, who looked up at him with newfound respect.

"Can you tell me your name?"

Trish didn't know what came over her, but before she realized it, she was asking the mysterious man for his name.

Was it his playful demeanor, charming to the eyes of many? His mysterious presence, drawing her in? Or something deeper at play? She couldn't tell—nor did she care. All she wanted was to know his name so she could find him again.

"My name, huh..."

With a teasing look, his smile widened.

"...And do you find yourself worthy to know it?"

His words were crushing, yet they ignited a fierce determination in her, prompting her to nod.

Why wouldn't she be worthy? She was Trish Snowfield—granddaughter of the Sword Saint, daughter of the Twin Blades, and the genius heir of the Snowfield lineage. A master swordswoman on the brink of the three-star stage in aura arts, she was a prodigy in numerous sword styles at just seventeen. As one of the elite "Seven Blades", she knew her worth.

"I do."

"I find your confidence admirable!"

But the man wasn't pleased. On the contrary, his expression darkened, as if disappointed by her answer.

Unable to comprehend why, her gaze wavered, her breath hitched, and her shoulders stiffened. Confusion gave way to doubt—was she truly worthy?

The level of mastery he had displayed with his aura far surpassed her own. It was something she had only ever seen her grandmother perform, meaning his strength was anything but ordinary. His criteria for worthiness were undoubtedly as strict as her grandmother's.

"...I'm not."

She rephrased her answer, releasing his coat and stepping back in resignation. If even her grandmother found her lacking, what hope did she have with this stranger?

"The first step for those seeking the peak is learning to renounce their worth."

Turning to face her fully, his piercing gaze softened—something unfamiliar to Trish. She saw expectation in his eyes, but not the grandiose, impossible standards her parents or the masses imposed. What she saw was human—gentle, patient, and sincere.

For the first time, subjected to such kindness, her heart pounded uncontrollably. She clutched her chest, trying to understand what it meant.

"Mister..."

"It's Art. But you can call me teacher... if you wish to learn the way of the strong."

"Teacher!"

Without thinking, she responded, a radiant smile blooming across her face.

[Trish Emotional Meter: Trust Lvl 3]

[Congratulations! You have gained a disciple.]

[2x Skill Tickets have been allocated to the user.]

[A skill can be copied from the disciple using the available ticket.]

Struggling to hide his own smile, Art cracked his neck slightly and turned to leave.

"Your teacher will be an instructor at your academy. Come find me if you need guidance."

With a wave and an oddly grateful expression—one Trish found strange—he soon disappeared into the distance. Yet even as he left, she never lost sight of him.

His image, his voice, his very presence had been imprinted in her mind—never to be forgotten.

---

[Trish Emotional Meter: Trust Lvl 5]

"Fuck!"

Once he was far enough away, Art broke into a sprint, racing through the streets like a madman. His original destination hadn't changed—he just hadn't wanted to arrive with Trish in tow. That girl was terrifying, and even now, with her as his first disciple, he couldn't help but curse.

He didn't remember the full story, but he knew the characters—and Trish was among the worst. She was the type to fall for the simplest tricks if they offered her warmth—something she had been starved of as a child.

Once she latched onto that warmth, she'd cling to it desperately, as if her life depended on it. By anime tropes, she was a yandere—and now, that kind of girl was his student.

Of course, he'd known this when he decided to interact with her. In fact, it was why he had approached her. Trish was easy to manipulate—all he had to do was be the first to show her genuine interest, make it seem personal, and guide her just enough to hook her curiosity.

Be mysterious. Offer wisdom. Make her want more.

He'd planned it all out. It should have been simple—but it shouldn't have been this easy to earn her trust.

The Emotional Meter was a ticking time bomb for him. It gauged a person's feelings toward him, and he didn't know how deep it went—but for Trish, it could not reach L-rank. If it did, another trauma would surface, and he'd already had enough of those.

For now, he needed to catch his breath, review his gains, and prepare for the instructor interview ahead.

Stopping at a park bench with the distant academy in view, he sat down and summoned his system screen.

[Name: Art Lighter]

[Status: Mentor]

[Class: Warrior]

[Rank: 3-Stars]

[Disciples: • Trish Snowfield]

[None]

[?????? (Unawakened)]

[2x Skill Tickets]

His status hadn't changed much from a week ago, aside from the newly acquired Skill Tickets. Curious, he selected one, and a golden ticket materialized in his palm.

[Disciple's Skill Selection Available]