The next morning came with a soft golden glow slipping through the paper windows of Dorm 1. Birds were chirping somewhere beyond the mist-covered mountains, and the faint sound of a bell echoed from the main sect courtyard.
Joseph yawned and sat up, his red hair messy as ever. "Finally, a day without the instructor breathing down our necks."
Vishwa, already halfway through his breakfast, chuckled. "You mean a day without him throwing fireballs at you."
"That was one time!" Joseph protested. "And that was practice!"
"Sure," Vishwa said with a smirk. "That poor dummy would disagree if it were still alive."
Taro Renji burst out laughing from the corner. "You two never change. What's the plan today?"
Vishwa leaned back on his mat, rubbing his chin. "We've been training nonstop. I was thinking… let's visit the bazaar at the lower mountain. They've got cultivation potions and weapon supplies. We need to prepare for the next trial."
Joseph nodded. "Finally, something other than training and injuries. I'm in."
Taro raised his hand dramatically. "Count me in! I need new gloves. The last pair didn't survive your 'friendly spar,' Joseph."
Joseph rolled his eyes. "You challenged me first."
Before they could start another round of bickering, another voice chimed in—smooth and composed.
"Mind if I join too?" said Riku Hoshinaga, the noble-born boy with silver hair and a calm smile. "The bazaar has a new weapon stall. Besides, you three will need someone to stop you from spending all your spirit coins on snacks."
Taro gasped theatrically. "Riku, you wound me. Do I look like someone who'd waste money?"
Riku smiled knowingly. "Last week, you bought glowing rice cakes because the seller said they 'increased cultivation speed.'"
Vishwa snorted. "He believed that?"
"They did glow," Taro muttered.
The dorm erupted with laughter. After a quick cleanup, the four of them set out—bags slung over their shoulders, casual robes fluttering in the mountain breeze.
At the Bazaar
The bazaar at the foot of the first mountain was alive with color and chaos. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from glowing herbs to enchanted blades. Incense filled the air, and cultivators of every level bartered and bragged.
Taro's eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy store. "This… this is heaven!"
"Stay focused," Joseph said, gripping his pouch. "We're here for cultivation gear."
Vishwa pointed toward a shop glowing faintly purple. "That one sells qi potions. Let's start there."
Inside, shelves glimmered with bottles—some swirling with light, others dark and misty. The elderly shopkeeper bowed as they entered. "Ah, young sect members! Looking to strengthen your elements?"
"Yes, sir," Vishwa replied politely. "Do you have dark-element potions for energy flow control?"
The old man's eyes twinkled. "Rare choice for your age, lad. Most fear the dark element. But yes, I have one set left." He reached under the counter and pulled out a small case of obsidian vials.
Joseph leaned closer. "You sure that's safe?"
Vishwa smiled slightly. "Darkness isn't danger—it's control."
Next, Joseph picked up a fiery red potion. "This one's for me. Says it enhances flame qi circulation."
Taro grabbed weighted gloves from another shelf. "Perfect. Maybe now I'll stop losing arm-wrestling matches."
Riku chuckled. "That's unlikely." He turned to the merchant. "Add a set of flame stones, wind dust, and void crystals. And put it all on my tab."
The merchant blinked. "All of it?"
"Of course," Riku said casually, waving his seal. "My treat."
Vishwa frowned. "Riku, you don't have to—"
Riku cut him off with a grin. "I insist. You'll repay me by training harder."
Taro patted Riku's back. "You're officially my favorite person."
Joseph shook his head, amused. "You nobles really don't know what saving money means, huh?"
"Money's only worth something when spent on the right people," Riku replied calmly.
Trouble Approaches
The group exited the shop, arms full of bags and boxes. The bazaar's crowd had thinned a little, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone street.
Just as they turned toward the weapon stalls, a loud voice echoed from behind.
"Well, well… if it isn't the famous heroes of Dorm 1."
Four students in dark-blue robes approached, their sect badges marked with the number 3. At the front stood Kai Tenroku, tall, smug, and with a scar running down his cheek.
Joseph muttered under his breath, "Dorm 3 again…"
Kai smirked. "Didn't expect to see you shopping instead of training. Guess winning one dorm event made you lazy."
Vishwa kept his expression calm. "We're preparing for the next one, actually."
"Preparing?" Kai snorted. "Looks more like spending Riku's family money to me."
Riku's polite smile didn't falter. "At least I can afford things without stealing from juniors."
Kai's smirk vanished for a moment, then returned sharper. "You've got guts, noble boy."
Taro stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves. "Back off, Kai. We don't want trouble."
"Trouble?" Kai said mockingly. "We are trouble."
Joseph's hand twitched near his sword. "Say that again."
Kai's friend, a shorter boy with spiked hair, sneered. "What's the matter, flame boy? Gonna set us on fire again?"
"Don't tempt me," Joseph growled, faint sparks flickering at his fingertips.
The crowd began to whisper. Merchants glanced nervously, sensing tension rising. Vishwa moved subtly between Joseph and Kai, his voice low but steady.
"Don't push it, Kai. We're not here for a fight."
Kai leaned closer, smirking. "Oh? What's stopping you? Scared your dark power might slip out and hurt your own team?"
The words hit like a slap. Vishwa's pupils darkened for a second, a faint hum of void energy vibrating around him. Shadows rippled faintly under his feet.
Joseph's flame aura flared in response. "You should shut your mouth—now."
But before anything could escalate further, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Enough!"
The crowd parted as an instructor walked in—robes bearing the insignia of the Inner Sect. His gaze was sharp as steel. "No fighting in public spaces. Do I make myself clear?"
Kai stepped back immediately, bowing slightly. "Of course, Instructor. We were just talking."
"Talking my foot," Taro muttered under his breath.
The instructor turned his gaze toward both groups. "Return to your dorms. The next assessment will decide your worth, not street brawls."
Kai gave a mock salute. "As you say, Instructor." He leaned toward Vishwa as he walked past and whispered, "Next time, no witnesses."
Then Dorm 3 was gone, leaving only the faint tension in the air.
Aftermath
The four stood there for a moment in silence before Taro burst out, "That Kai guy is begging for a beating."
Joseph clenched his fists. "I swear, next trial, I'll roast him."
Riku sighed softly. "Ignore them. They're desperate for attention."
Vishwa, still quiet, finally spoke. "Let them talk. The trial will speak louder than words."
Taro grinned. "Now that's the spirit, Dark Knight."
"Don't call me that," Vishwa said, but a small smile appeared on his face.
They started walking back up the mountain as the sun dipped lower, painting the peaks in gold and orange. Merchants closed their stalls, and the sound of temple bells echoed faintly.
Evening on the Mountain
By the time they reached their dorm, night had fallen. The path was lit with blue lanterns, glowing softly like fireflies.
Joseph stretched. "Tomorrow, we start training again."
Vishwa nodded. "Void Walk practice at dawn?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Joseph said.
Taro groaned dramatically. "Can't we train after breakfast for once?"
Riku chuckled. "No complaints. I'll bring energy tea."
Vishwa smirked. "Deal."
As they reached their dorm steps, a cool wind swept past them. For a moment, all four stood silently, gazing at the glowing sect towers above—the path ahead uncertain, but full of promise.
Joseph broke the silence first. "You know, for a bunch of rookies… we're not bad."
Taro grinned. "We're not just good. We're Dorm 1."
Vishwa looked up at the stars. "Then let's prove it."
The wind carried their laughter through the mountain, blending with the hum of distant bells—a small reminder that every great journey began with moments like this.