The afternoon sun painted the academy walls in golden light as Old Jack led Tang San and Ayan through the wide gates of Nuoding Beginner Academy. The courtyard bustled with students, each with their own air of pride.
Inside the administration hall, the scent of parchment and ink filled the air. An elderly teacher processed their documents, occasionally peering curiously at the two new boys.
"Both are from Holy Spirit Village?" she asked.
Old Jack nodded. "Yes. Talented ones, these two."
After the formalities, a middle-aged man in simple but neat clothes entered the room. His eyes were sharp, as though they could pierce straight through skin and bone.
"This is… Master," Old Jack said respectfully. "He is a Spirit Master researcher here. Tang San, Ayan — greet him."
Tang San bowed slightly. "Master."
Ayan gave a lazy half-salute. "Hey."
---
The Invitation
Master studied them both for a long moment. Then he stepped closer, his eyes on Tang San.
"You have twin martial spirits," he said softly. "I can help you develop them properly."
Tang San's expression tightened. "How do you—?"
Master smiled faintly. "I have my methods. Tang San, I can guide you."
Then he turned to Ayan, eyes narrowing slightly. "And you… your martial spirit is rare. A doppelganger soul? Such a thing could be invaluable in combat and strategy. I could help you reach your potential."
Ayan tilted his head. "No thanks."
Master blinked. "No thanks?"
"I appreciate the offer, old man," Ayan said casually, "but I'm not the type to follow someone else's path. I want to be the master of myself. My own mistakes, my own victories. I'll learn from the world directly."
---
Different Roads
Tang San looked at him, slightly surprised. "You're refusing his guidance?"
"Not refusing," Ayan replied. "Just… choosing differently. You take the teacher's hand if you want. I'll walk with my own legs."
Master regarded Ayan for a long moment, as though trying to read a complicated book with missing pages. Finally, he nodded slowly.
"Very well. But remember… a lone path is often the hardest."
Ayan smirked. "Good. I like hard."
---
End of the Meeting
After Master left with Tang San, Old Jack gave Ayan a look somewhere between concern and exasperation.
"You're stubborn, boy."
Ayan shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't want my story written by someone else."
And with that, he stepped out into the academy grounds, ready to face the world on his own terms.