A while later.
Ryo hopped out of the carriage and strolled to the familiar hut on the outskirts of the state. The small, weathered home sat quietly beneath towering trees, its faded wooden walls telling stories of simpler days. A thin wisp of smoke curled from the crooked chimney, promising warmth inside.
"Home sweet home."
Ryo pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The scent of fresh herbs mixed with the faint aroma of sewing fabric greeted him. His mother sat near the window, humming a gentle tune as she carefully stitched a robe. Her dark hair was tied back loosely, strands falling softly around her serene face. Her blue eyes, kind and tired, glanced up as he entered.
"Ryo, honey, how was school today? Make any new friends?"
Ryo settled beside her, watching her nimble fingers work the needle through cloth. With a sigh, he answered reluctantly.
"Same as yesterday, Mom. Maybe tomorrow. Who knows."
She chuckled, her lovely face lighting up with warmth.
"Ryo, my boy, you've said 'tomorrow' for about two weeks now. I'm saying it for your own good. Loneliness isn't good for your mind."
Ryo nodded, then started to speak.
"Actually, it can be good, but it can also be bad depending on who your—"
Her finger gently landed on his lips, silencing him.
"No, no. Mothers are always right. Now go greet Sayuri. She's been asking for you all day."
Ryo nodded.
Mothers are always right? Until they're wrong.
He walked to Sayuri's room and knocked twice.
"Come in!" a cheerful voice called.
Tch. She probably already knows it's me.
Ryo opened the door, and his little sister jumped into his arms, her small frame crashing against him with an eager hug.
Ryo chuckled and ruffled her hair.
She smiled brightly. "Why do you always take so long to get home?"
Ryo sighed. "Like I said, academy. You'll be going there soon too, if you have talent for cultivation."
He sat on her bed and patted the space beside him. She eagerly settled down, her brown hair resting on her shoulders, her big blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mmm, I want to be a cultivator like you, Brother. When can I? When can I?"
Ryo sighed inwardly. What is it with people in this family and repeating themselves?
"I told you, if you have talent, you'll know."
"How will I know, though?"
Ryo's eyelid twitched. I spoil her too much.
"It'll feel like your soul core, which is currently dormant, will awaken. It's like something ignites inside you, a sensation flowing through your whole being. In that moment, you'll feel completely at peace with yourself. Then... you'll be a cultivator."
Sayuri's eyes widened as she clapped her hands.
"Will I be stronger? Able to throw you into a wall?"
"...No... not straight away."
Ryo gave her a strange look, but she just smiled innocently.
He smiled back and patted her head.
"You'll be talented, I know it. When you become a cultivator, you'll be stronger, faster, jump higher, and sense things a mortal can't."
Just as Sayuri was about to reply, a voice echoed from the hallway, making them both freeze.
"Ryo, get here. You know where you should be when it's time for training."
Ryo frowned but gave Sayuri a wink and patted her head before leaving the room.
Standing in the hallway was his father. A tall man with broad shoulders and sharp dark eyes that missed nothing. His presence was commanding, yet silent.
Ren Tanaka.
"How are your studies?" his father asked.
Ryo answered quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"Good, as always."
Ren nodded, folding his arms.
"Physical exams?"
"...Good."
Ren smirked, shaking his head. "For lying, today's training will be worse."
Su, Ryo's mother, paused her sewing and looked over.
"Ren, honey. Please be easy on him..." she said, her eyes flicking between Ryo's pale face and Ren's unreadable expression.
"No," Ren said firmly. "He has to learn. For his own good. Books won't save you when someone's trying to take your life." Turning back to Ryo, he commanded, "Come. And no moping around."
Ryo followed his father resignedly. Their one-floor home consisted of a small kitchen, a modest living room, Sayuri's room, Ryo's room, and the parents' room.
Ren led the way out the back door and opened a heavy trapdoor revealing an underground basement. The cold, dimly lit space was lined with rough stone walls. A single lantern flickered as Ren lit it, illuminating the room.
"Give me 200 push-ups," Ren ordered, pointing to the floor.
Five more than last week. He's pushing the numbers up too much, isn't he?
Ryo dropped down, hands and feet on the ground, beginning the relentless exercise.
1... 2... 3... 10... 20... 30... 50... 100... 160... 161... 162...
WACK!
Ren's staff cracked across Ryo's backside.
"Get to 170 or else."
WACK!
"Fuck..." Ryo gritted his teeth.
WACK!
"Control your mind, boy."
163... 164... 165...
Ryo's arms shook violently before he collapsed onto the ground.
"You're not taking this seriously. You're improving too slowly. Get up." Ren shook his head.
Ryo pushed himself up, arms trembling.
If only I could beat him up.
WACK!
"Stop glaring. You're at Qi Gathering Initial. You awakened earlier than most—thirteen. You're wasting your talent on books? Reading's fine, but power comes first," Ren said flatly. "Now come at me."
Ryo lunged, fist raised. Ren dodged easily, tripping him with his foot.
WACK!
Ryo's backside flared with pain.
"What are you doing? Trying to brute-force someone stronger than you? Use your brain. Use your Qi."
Ryo lunged again, this time focusing on his Qi—using the only move he currently knew.
Wind Gale.
A gust surged toward Ren, who spun his staff and dispersed it.
"Better. But too predictable."
Ryo rolled to the side and unleashed another Gale Palm, then timed a second one perfectly.
Ren met the first strike by spinning his staff, then swung it down, infused with Qi. The two forces clashed—the second gale skimmed past Ryo's face and carved three claw-like marks into the stone wall behind him.
Ryo froze, wide-eyed. Before he could react, Ren grabbed his face and slammed multiple punches into his stomach.
"Ugh... fuck you," Ryo spat, earning a heavier punch in return.
Ren threw him into the wall and kicked his face.
"What are you doing, sending two gales at once? You want to waste your Qi on useless attacks?"
Someone save me.
As Ren readied another blow, Ryo suddenly launched a wind gale at his father's face.
Ren jolted back, sliding across the floor before coming to a stop.
"Good boy. You learned. Strike when there's an opening."
Ryo collapsed onto the ground, breathing hard.
Fuck you.