Tepo carefully observed the Force of Time for a while, trying to get a feel for it, just like they learned during the day.

After a few hours the young warrior finally felt confident. His mental strength pushed forward and touched the small, compressed block of force floating within his core.

Immediately Tepo felt as if he was pulled into a massive whirlpool. He groaned, his body trembling. Pain assaulted his mind, hitting as if trying to tear his body apart.

Images flashed before Tepo’s eyes. He saw a long river forming and drying up. Colorful trees growing and withering. Humans being born, ageing, and dying.

Tepo felt an overload of information. He was just learning to swim but the force directly pushed him deep into the ocean. The young man struggled for only a few seconds before his vision suddenly turned dark.

A few hours later Tepo opened his eyes with difficulties. His brain pulsed, hit by a massive headache. Tepo smiled wryly as his body laid sprawling on the ground.

Tepo berated himself before falling asleep.

When the dormmates gathered the next morning, everyone was surprised. Ironically it was Tepo who looked the worst despite leaving early.

Shorey pestered him for a while until Tepo admitted to overestimating himself, prompting the two older students to break out in laughter.

They didn’t expect the rather serious Tepo to make such a beginner’s mistake.

***

For the next week Tepo and Yerive got used to the student life. They went to lectures over the day and meditated at night.

They got closer to a few peers. Especially Shorey, Quordh, and Inurol’ah slowly started turning into their friends. Although the latter was upset with Tepo for his biased attitude to their religion.

But naturally not everything was perfect. The aristocratic students and even some teachers openly showed their hostility, trying to block Tepo and Yerive whenever possible.

Still, Tepo was content with his growth. As another morning arrived, he left the bath in a good mood, greeting Yerive, who ate some breakfast.

“Morning.”

“Morning, Tepo.”

“How is your training? Are you practicing immersion?”

“Yes! I feel like I’m on the right track. I will soon be able to train with crystals!”

Tepo smiled, feeling genuinely happy for his friend.

“Great! Listen, I was thinking if we should try to earn some crystals today.”

Hearing this, an embarrassed smile formed on Yerive’s face:

“Oh. I guess if you already thinking about this, you might be ahead of me by quite a bit.”

Tepo was surprised for a moment, but he figured it made sense. By comparison he already realized that his synergy with the Force of Time appeared to be outstanding. It was only natural that he progressed faster.

But this conclusion reminded Tepo of another goal he had for coming to the forum.

I should read up on changing forces. I don’t know what it takes, but perhaps we find something in the library. Yerive deserves better!

Not knowing Tepo’s thoughts, Yerive pondered for a moment before he spoke up:

“Today are no extremely important courses. We can try to earn some crystals. It’s always wise to be prepared.”

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Tepo nodded.

“Good. I have already gathered some information. I think our best bet would be joining a tournament. With the price money we will be settled for a while.

And since tournaments are held outside the forum, no one will try to make life difficult for us.”

Listening to his friend’s suggestion Yerive put down the bread he was just about to put into his mouth. He frowned, observing Tepo’s confident face.

“Do you think this is a good idea? Are we even able to get our hands on the price money?”

“Yerive, you need to have some confidence in yourself. Even if we don’t make it first try, I’m certain we can achieve a top three among our peers!”

Yerive smiled wryly. He had no idea why his friend thought so. The World of Nine Suns was even stronger than the World of Carrying Winds in most aspects. Could they really achieve something here after only a week?

“Have some faith in us. Come on. What’s the worst that can happen?”

Despite the many terrifying scenarios flashing in his mind, Yerive let out a low sigh. He finished his breakfast and followed Tepo, leaving the dorm together.

Tepo already had a target in mind. He went straight for the forum’s main building. Just as they were about to leave, a surprised voice reached their ears.

“Hey! Tepo, Yerive! Are you going out?”

The two young men turned their heads towards the familiar voice. They immediately spotted Inurol’ah accompanied by a young human woman.

“Morning Inurol’ah! Yes, me and Tepo thought about joining a tournament.”

“Morning!”

Yerive answered happily since the mood between Tepo and Inurol’ah was a bit strained.

“Hi! I’m Droa’va, Inurol’ah’s best friend! I have heard a lot about you! I’m glad I finally get to meet you!”

The student accompanying Inurol’ah introduced herself with an inviting smile. She stretched out her hand towards Tepo and Yerive.

The two friends were surprised by her openness for a moment as they mustered the pretty dark-skinned woman.

Her outstretched arm revealed tattoos of various colorful flowers as the sleeve of her white student robe slid back.

Yerive was the first to react as he shook the woman’s hand.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Yerive.”

Tepo eyed his best friend. He noticed that the forum already showed positive effects for Yerive’s self-esteem. At least the young man was less shy around women.

After Yerive let go of Droa’va’s hand, Tepo also introduced himself politely. He was neither friendly nor hostile towards the woman who was likely to be a member of the Church of Guiding Nature as well.

“Hehe, you guys would’ve met earlier if Droa’va wasn’t always so busy. That’s what you get for being an outstanding student.

But today she could finally take some time for her neglected best friend and agreed to stroll through the city with me!”

Droa’va rolled her eyes as her best friend but on a sad act. She smiled at Yerive and Tepo:

“Don’t believe a word she says. As if Inurol’ah is any less busy. I’m sure she holds the record for most lessons attended.”

“Haha, perhaps! But Yerive and Tepo are doing their best to catch up. I’m surprised to see you here today.”

“Well, there are no important courses today, so we decided to earn some money.”

“Ah, a noble cause.”, Droa’va giggled brightly, her soft voice producing infectious laughter, prompting the other youngsters to chime in.

“But if you want to earn money, why would you leave the forum? Did you take a mission?”

“No. We feared the aristocrats would make things difficult for us, so we decided to earn some crystals in a tournament.”

As Yerive’s words fell, Droa’va and Inurol’ah looked at each other in surprise. They eyed the two young men, not sure if they should say something.

But Inurol’ah looked into Tepo’s confident face, feeling discouraged. Thus, she only dropped a vague hint:

“Then I can only wish you good luck. You might need it…”

Tepo and Yerive were slightly taken aback, Yerive’s confidence waning again.

Just as Inurol’ah was about to leave, her best friend spoke with a mix of worry but also excitement in her eyes:

“Inurol’ah. Why don’t we go with Yerive and Tepo? Let’s cheer them on.”

Inurol’ah pondered for a moment before shrugging her shoulders:

“If you guys want to have us…”

“Of course!”

“Sure, why not.”

Coming to a decision the two women followed Tepo and Yerive. They left the forum together in a good mood. Even Tepo did his best to suppress his bias.

Thus, the four students conversed happily. Droa’va played the guide this time, stealing this role from her best friend.

She obviously knew the way towards their target well, telling Yerive and Tepo a lot about the city.

In this joyous atmosphere the youngsters arrived before a big arena in next to no time.

A boisterous crowd was gathered in this part of the city. They discussed their favorite fighters or placed high-stake bets. Multiple arenas occupied a large area, their surroundings a park-like area with hundreds of picturesque bridges crossing many small rivers.

Storytellers and musicians praised the brave fighters while rankings were displayed outside of the arenas.

This was the famous arena district, drawing contestants from multiple worlds with the promise of a quick rise to fame.

Tepo didn’t feel great within the dense crowd. He urged his friends, quickly approaching one of the smaller arenas called Four Elements Arena.

There was less excitement around this arena, as the tournament hosted today was only for aspirants.

Their group of four entered a large gate. Yerive and Droa’va drew some attention with their student robes, which were famous in the city. Speculations began if the students came here to join the fight and how far they could make it.

Thus, a few people whose souls were tightly gripped by gambling addiction covertly eyed the youngsters as they approached the assistants at the side.