*Thump* *Thump*

Her beating heart could be felt in her skull as the heat from the afternoon sun beat down on her back. It was her first full day since she got her twin katana daggers and Mei could already feel a growing attachment to them. She worked hard twisting and turning dodging her master's strikes left and right. Cui Xinya never gave her a chance to get a breather before she was on top of her again putting immense pressure on her.

It was good because it gave her a major distraction from the sorrow she felt in her heart since she found out her mother left Sinsan. Even though she had grown distant from her mother since she found out her father died she did not dislike her. Perhaps deep down it was her way of dealing with the sorrow left by her father. The training was intense and left her sore every day. Allowed her to forget about her past a bit and that made it worth it to her. It would let her forget her feelings and focus on her future.

Slashing down towards her master she spun around until she was on her back kicking her in the butt and sending her face into the ground.

"Too slow my child also why are you not using your blessing to augment your weapons? It works the same way as anything else; it is a mere extension of your body. You need to be better than this if you are to rise above the prejudice that comes with the god you follow."

Mei jumped up and slashed at her master again trying to push her back instead, but in a flash her master sidestepped the strike giving three swift punches to her chest, sending her stumbling back.

The sheer exhaustion and aches from sparring all day had finally taken its toll on her, dropping her to her knees, her hands lost strength and she dropped her katanas.

Her master looked down on her. "Get up and go to the springs early today. Cultivate and rest well tomorrow I have business to attend to and you will be training with a friend of mine and her students. Do you understand?"

Breathing heavily Mei nodded, unable to speak while she was still gasping for breath. Mei quickly took out her leather water pouch and took a long gulp of water.

"Get up when you are ready. I will see you at the spring Seito."

Mei collapsed to her back as she tried to catch her breath even though she knew it was better to walk off the exhaustion she still wanted to lay there and never leave. Resigned to her fate she got up and slowly made her way to the springs.

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...

Mei walked up the spring and dove in immediately letting the energy fill her up. Her master had obviously already finished her bath and left her to herself. Mei didn't mind it, letting her focus on herself for a change. She floated in the water keeping only her face above the water. The spiritual energies of the spring poured into her body. She entered her Ki island and looked around. It was slightly bigger than before, but nothing drastically different.

The inner court was more segregated than she had originally hoped. Even though she was quite bitter to the very people who bullied her for so many years she still felt a desire to earn their approval. It made her disgusted with herself, but she couldn't hide her true feelings from her mind. She worked hard because the time where she could put all the naysayers to rest was fast approaching and she needed to train. After so long of struggling she hoped it was all coming to an end and she would finally be free and clear.

The following day Mei woke at the same time she always did and waited for her master's friend in the courtyard. She imagined they were cut from the same cloth in terms of personality meaning serious and harsh in training. Mei watched the sun just peak over the horizon turning the sky a purple haze.

"Seito Mei?" a voice came from behind her; it was a light and cheery voice. As she turned around Mei saw possibly the most ridiculous sight she had seen since arriving in the academy. A woman who was slightly taller than average with long legs and a large chest. Her hair was long dark brown pinned up in a very old fashion style. She stood before her holding onto a large quarterstaff with metal bearings on the ends, behind her were three youths one around her age and was a girl and the other two a few years older than herself and were boys. To say the least, if her master was a tigress her friend was a large black and white fanged bear.

Every master she has met seems to be very eccentric in their own way Mei thought to herself. This one was way too bubbly and she had just spoken a few words.

"This student greets you" Mei bowed politely towards her master's friend.

"You're just a cute little thing? Listen to your master, asked me to take you around the city today so hurry up and get ready to go." She said with an abnormally large smile. "Oh, and those eyes! Someone could just take a swim in them couldn't they?"

Mei averted her gaze slightly embarrassed, no one had ever complimented her eyes before so she didn't know how to react. Who was this insane woman?

"Thank you...err I don't think you mentioned your name, Master."

The woman looked quite offended at the moment "Xinya never told you my name?!?" she pouted "So typical of her!" she stamped her foot onto the ground in a mini fit of anger.

"Seito Mei, you may call me Master Myong Yeo-Jung. I am one of the three young masters of the Phoenix Academy" she said proudly.

Mei looked at her blankly, giving her no reaction. It wasn't that she was not impressed, only shthat e didn't understand the significance of it at all.

Myong Yeo-Jung's face twitched in annoyance at the lack of reaction on Mei's part, but quickly moved on.

"Today is going to be quite fun! We are going to the arena!"