Morning sunlight spilled across the sect peaks, bathing the five mountains in golden light. The air buzzed with excitement as the roar of a Sky Serpent Beast echoed from above.
Students poured out of their dorms to look up. High in the clouds, an elder in silver-blue robes rode the massive flying creature, his long beard flowing in the wind like a banner of authority. In his hand, he held a bundle of golden flyers.
With a flick of his wrist, he released them into the sky. The sheets burst into glimmers of light, scattering across the sect like glowing petals. Wherever they landed, disciples rushed to grab them.
One of them drifted down near Dorm 1's courtyard, landing neatly on Taro Renji's head.
"Oi! What the—?" Taro blinked, snatching the flyer and reading the text printed in bold crimson. His eyes widened, then his mouth stretched into a huge grin. "Guys! You're not gonna believe this!"
He sprinted toward the dorm, waving the flyer like a victory flag. "Wake up, everyone! We've got big news!"
Inside, Joseph groaned, halfway through brushing his hair. "Taro, if it's about free dumplings again, I swear—"
"It's not food!" Taro panted, bursting through the door. "It's the Junior Initiation Ceremony! It's happening next week!"
Vishwa looked up from his meditation mat, his dark aura fading around him. "Junior… initiation?"
"Yeah!" Taro said, flopping the flyer onto the table. "The Elder just announced it. All disciples under the Civilian rank can challenge for promotion to Junior Stage. It's open combat, trials, and power assessment!"
Joseph's eyes lit up immediately. "So that's it—the official step into the real ranks."
Riku adjusted his collar calmly, but a small smile played at his lips. "Looks like the sect's about to get lively again."
Vishwa picked up the flyer and read it quietly. 'Junior Initiation Ceremony – A chance for rising talents to prove their worth. Winners will receive resources, ranking privileges, and entry into advanced training halls.'
He could almost hear his heartbeat quicken. The last few months of training had been grueling, but this was the first chance to prove himself among real cultivators.
Taro punched the air. "Let's do this! Dorm 1's going to sweep the entire ceremony!"
Joseph leaned back, smirking. "I like your confidence. But if we're going in, we're going in ready. No more lazy mornings."
Taro groaned dramatically. "Nooo, not more dawn runs—"
"Yes," Joseph said flatly. "Dawn runs. And sparring. And endurance drills."
Riku crossed his arms thoughtfully. "We'll also need to adjust to each other's element strengths. Coordination could make the difference in group battles."
Vishwa nodded, his tone serious. "Then let's plan this properly. Starting today—we train for the ceremony."
The eight members of Dorm 1 gathered in their meeting space—a wide courtyard overlooking the clouds. Stone statues of dragons coiled around the edges, and the wind whistled softly between the tiles.
Joseph stood up first. "Alright. The ceremony's in fourteen days. That's seven days to increase your cultivation level, sharpen your qi control, and boost your endurance."
Taro sat cross-legged on the ground, already munching on a snack. "You sound like the instructor."
"I can start throwing fireballs too, if you want," Joseph replied dryly.
That got Taro moving instantly. "N-No need! I'm already motivated!"
Riku smiled slightly, then looked at Vishwa. "You'll be our center of defense. Your Dark Element techniques give you better reaction and perception in low light. If we have night stages, you'll be critical."
Vishwa nodded. "Got it. I'll focus on Void Walk and dark qi manipulation."
Joseph crossed his arms. "And I'll work on fire burst speed and flame projection. We'll need fast strikes and area control."
The rest of the dorm cheered in agreement. Even the usually quiet disciple, Hanji, raised a fist. "Dorm 1 won't lose!"
Taro grinned widely. "Then it's settled. For the next seven days—we train like lunatics!"
The following week turned into a blur of sweat, bruises, and laughter.
At dawn, the dorm members ran laps up the steep mountain paths. The rising sun painted their faces gold, breath misting in the cold air.
"Joseph—slow down!" Taro gasped. "You're not human!"
Joseph glanced back, grinning. "Then start running like one!"
By afternoon, the group split into teams. Joseph and Vishwa trained together, their opposing elements crackling in the air—darkness and flame, clashing and blending like storm and fire.
"Again!" Joseph shouted, sending a quick flame strike.
Vishwa side-stepped with Void Walk, fading briefly into a shadow blur before reappearing behind him. "Too slow."
Joseph blocked just in time, the impact sending sparks flying.
Both were panting, sweat dripping, but neither stopped.
"Your reaction's improving," Joseph said between breaths. "You're reading my fire flow."
Vishwa smirked. "You're too predictable when you switch stance."
"Predictable?" Joseph growled good-naturedly. "Alright, shadow boy, let's see you dodge this!"
A sudden burst of flame shot out—not straight, but curved mid-air, tracking Vishwa's movement.
Vishwa barely twisted aside, sliding on one foot, his aura flaring dark purple. The flame grazed his sleeve but didn't burn through.
"Not bad," he said, grinning.
Taro, watching from a distance, clapped wildly. "That was insane! My money's on Joseph—no wait, Vishwa—no, Joseph again!"
Riku sighed. "You could just say you're impressed."
As days went by, both Vishwa and Joseph began to feel something shift within their cores. Their qi circulation grew smoother; their bodies lighter.
On the sixth evening, while meditating under the moonlight, Vishwa felt his breath deepen and a pulse of energy expand through his veins.
He opened his eyes—the aura around him darkened, forming faint black wisps.
A voice echoed in his mind. "Dark Element—stabilized. Advancement achieved."
He exhaled slowly. A quiet smile formed on his lips. "Junior Stage… at last."
When he went to report his progress, Joseph greeted him with a grin that said everything.
"Looks like we're both moving up," Joseph said, flames flickering faintly in his palm. "Junior Stage, Level One. Power Level… twenty-seven."
Vishwa raised a brow. "I'm thirty."
Joseph groaned. "You're kidding me! Three points higher? You've been hiding that energy, haven't you?"
Vishwa chuckled. "You were too busy chasing rabbits with fireballs."
"Those were training dummies!" Joseph said defensively.
Taro leaned in from behind. "Sure, flame boy. Training dummies that ran away."
Everyone burst into laughter, the tension of the last few days melting away.
Night fell across the sect, lanterns lighting up along the mountain paths. Disciples gathered in small groups, whispering excitedly about the upcoming event.
Dorm 1 sat together outside, watching the stars. The cool breeze carried the faint scent of pine and spirit herbs.
Riku sipped tea calmly. "Tomorrow, we'll stand before the Elders. Everything we've done comes down to that."
Joseph leaned back, hands behind his head. "We'll make it count."
Taro nodded eagerly. "I can already imagine it—'Dorm 1, the new rising stars!'"
Vishwa smiled faintly, eyes on the distant peaks. "Let's just do what we've been doing—together."
There was a quiet moment after that. The four of them sat there, side by side, listening to the wind whisper through the pines.
Taro broke the silence softly. "Hey, Vishwa… remember when we first came here? You barely talked."
Vishwa nodded slightly. "I remember."
"And now you're stronger than me and Joseph combined," Taro teased.
Joseph immediately protested. "Not combined!"
They all laughed.
The laughter faded into a comfortable silence. Above them, the stars shimmered, as if watching over their journey.
Tomorrow would mark the start of something new—challenges, rivalries, and perhaps even danger.
But for tonight, they were just friends sitting under the stars, proud of how far they'd come.