Ezio stood in the grand circular room, surrounded by the other newly ascended inner court disciples. The air was thick with a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and the faint hum of suppressed ki. The room, lined with ancient stone pillars etched with runes, seemed to pulse in resonance with the auras of those within it. He leaned casually against one of the pillars, his arms crossed, watching each new disciple as they filtered in. His eyes were sharp, calculating, like a hawk surveying its prey.
Each new arrival was a potential rival, someone who might one day challenge him for the favor of the elders or, worse, the masters. He took a small, petty satisfaction in noting that a certain blue-eyed girl had yet to make her appearance. That arrogant girl—Mei, was it?—had made quite the impression on him, but for all the wrong reasons. She had spoken to him as if they were equals. Hmph, we shall see about that, he thought.
Ezio's lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk. He imagined the look on her face if she ever found out who his father was—the Crown Prince, a man of immense power and influence. He could already picture her shock morphing into a hypocritical fawning, desperately trying to curry his favor. What a joke, he mused.
Just as he was about to leave his spot and mingle with the other disciples, a door to one of the testing chambers creaked open. To his dismay, out stepped the very girl who had occupied his thoughts. Mei, with her piercing blue eyes that seemed to challenge everyone in the room, walked out with a confident stride. His head immediately throbbed with the beginnings of a headache. Of course, she made it through.
He let out an audible sigh of frustration, rubbing his temples. "Why must she be here of all places?" he muttered under his breath, choosing to turn away rather than acknowledge her presence. He had better things to do than waste his time thinking about someone so infuriatingly stubborn.
----------------------------------------
The room soon filled with the sound of rustling robes and soft whispers as Grandmaster Hong appeared atop a raised dais, his aura commanding immediate silence. He was an elderly man, yet his presence was anything but frail; he exuded a quiet, unyielding strength that spoke of decades of mastery. His eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk's, lingering momentarily on each disciple as if peering into their very souls.
"Congratulations, new disciples of the Inner Court," Grandmaster Hong began, his voice steady and commanding. "You have passed the trials, but this is only the beginning. The path ahead is treacherous, and only those with unwavering resolve shall rise. Prepare yourselves, for the true journey starts now."
The briefing was swift, direct, and devoid of unnecessary pomp—a quality Ezio appreciated. Grandmaster Hong’s words left a charged silence in the room as he departed, followed by the murmurs of disciples speculating on their futures. Ezio wasted no time; he pushed his way through the crowd, heading to the outer courtyard where they would await the next round of evaluations.
Stolen novel; please report.
----------------------------------------
The inner courtyard was a sprawling open field, ringed with towering stone walls that separated it from the outer court. Beyond, the lush foliage of the sect's ancient gardens could be seen, a stark contrast to the cold, disciplined atmosphere within the walls. As Ezio approached the assembly area where the Elders would be selecting their disciples, he couldn't help but notice the glares directed his way. What’s their problem? he wondered, his brows furrowing slightly.
“They don't like you,” came a calm, amused voice from his left. Turning, Ezio found himself face-to-face with a young man around his age. The newcomer had long black hair tied into a topknot with a decorative clasp, giving him a regal, almost princely appearance. His eyes, sharp and piercing, gave off an air of arrogance that Ezio recognized all too well.
“And you are?” Ezio asked, his voice cool.
“Sun Yun,” the young man replied, extending a hand. “Nice to meet the youngest son of the Crown Prince.”
Ezio blinked in mild surprise before taking the offered hand. “Ah, you must be the youngest son of Grand General Sun Shuren. I’ve heard of you,” he said, his tone shifting to one of polite formality. “It seems we are the most prestigious among the new disciples.”
A wry smile played on Sun Yun’s lips. “Indeed. Though I must say, I’m relieved you’re here. With your illustrious background, perhaps the spotlight will shine a little less harshly on me. So, allow me to thank you in advance, young prince.” He bowed slightly, a gesture that was equal parts mockery and genuine respect.
Ezio couldn’t help but chuckle. “I like your humor,” he admitted, genuinely amused for the first time that day. Sun Yun was sharp, unafraid, and knew how to play the social game—a rare find among the typically rigid disciples.
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that only those who understood the burdens of high expectations could share. But Ezio, ever the curious one, soon broke it.
“So, what deity blessed you?” he asked, genuinely intrigued.
“Iarae, the Goddess of Dusk,” Sun Yun said without missing a beat.
Ezio blinked, taken aback. “...Wait, isn't Iarae the goddess who only accepts women into her familia?”
Sun Yun grinned, his eyes glimmering with a mischievous light. “Indeed, but it seems she made an exception for me. I’m her first and only male disciple, as far as I know.”
Ezio stared, a mix of disbelief and admiration in his gaze. This guy must be some kind of player, he thought, imagining the chaos Sun Yun would sow among the female disciples of Iarae’s familia. What a bold move.
“Well... good luck with that,” Ezio said, feigning nonchalance. He gave a half-hearted wave before slipping through the crowd to get a closer look at the elders gathered ahead. He had no intention of getting too entangled with Sun Yun, whom he was now convinced was either a genius or a madman.