I entered the Trichokenisis Society, my stomach fluttering slightly. Today was the day that I would decide what the path I was going down for the rest of my life. I knew that today would have a large impact and didn’t want to make a choice I would regret. To me, it didn’t matter if I was the strongest in the world if I didn’t enjoy my powerset. I was not a cruel person, I didn’t live for the suffering of others, although I was strong willed and would not back down if I had set my mind on it. Some people would call that a character flaw, I preferred the saying “a quirk of personality”.

I had spent the time after I left the guild running a few dungeons with Aria and had gained a comfortable 5000 experience. It was enough to evolve my Ascent to the next tier. While ascents were cheaper in the first Evolution, that was going to change once I got to the 1st evolution where Ascents got pricey. The system was a bit weird like that. Oh well.

I smiled at Silvie as I walked up to her desk. She smiled back, clearly pleased that I wasn’t late. “Good to see you again Charotte.” Her voice was a touch playful almost like we had known each other far longer than we had.

"Thank you. I'm guessing the mentors are waiting for me?"

She nodded. "They're in the meeting room. Just head down the hall and take the first door on your left." She paused, looking me over with a touch of curiosity in her grey eyes. "Nervous?"

"A little," I admitted, feeling my stomach do a little flip. "This is a pretty big decision. I have a feeling I know what I’m going to say already though. It’s been calling me for a while now.”

I turned and waved goodbye to her before heading down the hall towards the meeting with the mentors. I could feel the anticipation building up in my chest.

I reached the door and paused for a second. I took a deep breath and entered the room, pushing the heavy wooden door open. Looking around I saw that the room inside was nicely furnished with about a dozen chairs sitting around a long rectangular table. 5 people sat on one side of the table.

The person in the middle, one of the mentors I assumed, gestured for me to sit down on the other side to them. I sat and took in the five women sitting across from me. Each had a presence that radiated power and experience. I recognized Seraphina right away, her dark hair gleaming under the light, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched me approach. The others I hadn’t met yet, but it was clear they were all seasoned members of the Trichokenisis Society. Each one of them had a different aura, but all of them felt... imposing. It was clear to me that they were all strong in their own ways.

The woman sitting in the middle, a tall figure with deep chestnut hair pulled into a neat but still large bun, was the first to speak. Her voice was calm but commanding. It was clear she was used to being in charge.

"Welcome, Charlotte. I’m Liora, one of the senior mentors here at the Trichokenisis Society," she introduced herself, her golden-brown eyes locking with mine. "Today, you're going to make a pivotal decision about the future of your powers and your path within the guild."

The woman sitting next to her, with long, fiery red hair and a confident smirk, leaned forward. "I’m Ava," she said, her tone brimming with energy. "Seraphina told us a lot about your duel. You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Not many would keep fighting with no hope of winning."

I smiled slightly, unsure if that was entirely a compliment.

Another voice joined in, this one softer and more soothing. I liked her immediately. "I’m Elara," said a woman with pale skin and silver hair that cascaded in soft waves down her back. Her expression was serene, and she had an air of grace that seemed almost ethereal. "Your abilities are quite unique, Charlotte. You’re on the brink of something incredible, but before we guide you, we need to know which path resonates with you."

The last two mentors remained silent, observing me with intense, unblinking gazes. One had raven-black hair and violet eyes that seemed to glow in the dim room. The other, seated next to her, had platinum hair, her pale blue eyes like shards of ice. Both looked dangerous, yet there was something compelling about their silence, as if they preferred to speak through their actions.

"Let’s not waste any time," Seraphina said, breaking the silence. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "We’ve already talked about the two primary routes for you—offense or control. I see great potential in your abilities for control, but ultimately, it's your choice. What do you want, Charlotte?"

I took a breath, feeling the weight of their question settle over me. The choice was indeed a significant one. I had been thinking about it ever since Seraphina had first mentioned it. The offense path would turn me into a weapon, able to tear through enemies with the sheer power of my hair. But the control path... the ability to subdue and dominate my enemies with precision and strategy—it felt right. It wasn’t about brute force, but about control, about shaping the battlefield to my will. It sounded to me like what I was born to do.

"I’ve thought about this a lot," I began, my voice steady but laced with nervous excitement. "While the offensive path is tempting, I believe that control is where my true strength lies. I want to be able to command the battlefield, to restrain my enemies and drain them until they’re powerless. That’s what feels right to me."

Liora nodded slowly, her expression neutral but approving. "A wise choice. Control is a difficult path, but with your Stat Sapping Hair ability, you have the potential to become a formidable force."

Ava grinned. "Well, well. I was hoping you’d pick the more strategic route. Offense is fun, but control—that’s a real challenge."

Elara smiled gently. "I believe this will suit you well. Control is not just about physical dominance, but about understanding the flow of battle, knowing when to act and when to wait."

The woman with violet eyes finally spoke, her voice low and quiet but with an edge of authority. "My name is Zaria. If you go down the path of control, you will need to learn patience, precision, and most of all, restraint. Control isn’t just about binding your enemies—it’s about mastering yourself. You’ll need to learn to use your hair like an extension of your will. Are you ready for that?"

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I met her gaze, feeling the intensity of her words sink in. "Yes, I am."

The final mentor, the one with ice-blue eyes, spoke at last. "I’m Kiera," she said, her voice cold and analytical. "Control demands discipline. You won’t get results by simply reacting—you need to be proactive, calculating. If you’re serious about this, we will teach you everything you need to know." Her gaze was piercing, as if it could see right into my soul. Perhaps she could.

Seraphina clapped her hands together, breaking the tension. "Then it’s settled. You’ve chosen your path, Charlotte. Now we begin your training in earnest."

Liora stood and gestured for me to follow. "Come with us, Charlotte. There’s much for you to learn, and it won’t be easy. But if you’re committed, we will help you unlock the full potential of your powers."

I rose from my seat, excitement buzzing in my veins. This was it—the beginning of my journey into the heart of the Trichokenisis Society. I was ready to learn, to push myself further than I ever had before. Control wasn’t just about strength—it was about mastery. And with these mentors guiding me, I knew I was on the right path.

As we left the room and headed towards the training chambers, I felt a sense of anticipation building. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I was ready to face it head-on.

This was my path now. Control. It felt right for me.

---

The training chambers were unlike anything I had ever seen before. As Liora led me through the corridors of the Trichokenisis Society, I couldn't help but feel the enormity of what I was about to embark on. The chamber we entered was vast, with high ceilings that seemed to stretch forever. The walls were lined with mirrors, reflecting the dim light from glowing crystals embedded in the floor. The air hummed with energy, and I could feel the weight of the power that had been honed within these walls.

"Welcome to the Crucible," Liora said, her voice steady. "This is where we train our members to master their abilities. Here, you’ll learn to control your hair as though it’s an extension of your body. To command your power, rather than let it command you."

As she spoke, the other mentors filtered into the room. Seraphina, with her ever-watchful eyes; Ava, the fiery warrior with a grin that promised both challenge and encouragement; Elara, graceful and calm, like the eye of a storm; Zaria, silent and intense, her violet eyes sharp with wisdom; and Kiera, whose cold, calculating gaze never left me.

I stood in the centre of the chamber, feeling both exhilarated and anxious. This was my moment to prove myself. I couldn’t afford to falter.

"Let’s begin," Zaria said, stepping forward. "First, we need to gauge the true extent of your abilities. You’ve levelled up significantly, but without proper control, you’re nothing but a wild card. Show us what you can do. Bind me."

My heart raced. Zaria’s words were calm, almost dismissive, as if she didn’t believe I could restrain her. But I wasn’t about to back down. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, feeling the power flow from the roots of my hair down to the tips. When I opened them, I focused on Zaria, imagining my hair snaking out toward her, wrapping around her limbs like living ropes.

With a flick of my wrist, my hair shot forward. It extended toward Zaria, shimmering slightly as the light from the crystals caught it. In seconds, my hair had wrapped around her wrists and ankles, binding her to the spot. I could feel the connection, the pulse of her energy through the strands, but something felt off. I was gripping her, but it wasn’t enough.

Zaria didn’t even flinch. With a simple flex of her arms, she broke free from my hold. My hair unraveled, falling limp around me.

"Again," she said, her voice cool and unbothered.

I swallowed, determined not to let my frustration show. This time, I focused more. I needed more control, more precision. My hair darted out again, wrapping tighter, faster.

For a moment, I thought I had her. But Zaria’s eyes flashed, and with a surge of power, she broke free once more. This time, my hair snapped back violently, sending me stumbling.

"You’re relying too much on brute force," Kiera said, stepping forward. "Control is not about overpowering your opponent. It’s about strategy. You need to anticipate their moves, outthink them. Zaria is a master at breaking holds because she knows where the pressure points are. You need to learn how to manipulate those points, not just trap her physically."

I nodded, feeling the sting of failure but refusing to give in to it. This was a lesson—one I would take to heart.

"Focus on the flow," Elara said, her voice soft but firm. "Your hair is an extension of you. It moves as you move. If you’re rigid, it will be rigid. If you’re fluid, it will be fluid."

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes again. This time, I tried to relax, to let my instincts guide me. I envisioned my hair as water, flowing and shifting, adapting to whatever shape was needed. When I opened my eyes, I saw Zaria standing ready again, her stance unshaken.

This time, when I sent my hair toward her, it moved with more grace, more fluidity. Instead of trying to bind her directly, I let it swirl around her, creating a web that shifted with her movements. As she attempted to break free, I anticipated where she would strike and adjusted my grip, tightening in response to her shifts. It wasn’t perfect, but I could see the slight change in her expression—a flicker of recognition that I was learning.

"Better," Zaria said, nodding approvingly. "But you’re still not there. Control is not just about reacting. It’s about dictating the flow of the fight. You need to think three steps ahead, make your opponent move where you want them to go."

Seraphina clapped her hands once, the sharp sound echoing through the chamber. "You’re improving, Charlotte. But Zaria is right. Control is about dominance—subtle, yes, but absolute. If you’re truly committed to this path, you need to be willing to embrace that."

Ava grinned, leaning back against the wall. "Don’t worry, kid. It took me months to get where you are now. You’ve got the raw talent. Now it’s just about refining it."

"Your training will be long and gruelling," Liora added, her voice calm but firm. "But if you stay the course, you will become something extraordinary."

I nodded, the weight of their words settling over me like a cloak. This was what I wanted. Not just power, but mastery. I didn’t just want to be strong—I wanted to be unstoppable.

"I’m ready," I said, my voice steady, even though my heart was pounding in my chest.

Seraphina smiled, a glint of pride in her eyes. "Good. Then let’s begin the real training."

Over the next few hours, the mentors put me through a series of exercises, each designed to push me to my limits. I practiced binding, releasing, and re-binding my hair in rapid succession, learning to manipulate the flow with more precision. I trained with each mentor in turn, learning different techniques and strategies. With Elara, I focused on grace and flow. With Kiera, it was all about precision and timing. Ava drilled me on speed and adaptability, while Zaria tested my endurance, pushing me to maintain control even under immense pressure.

By the time the session ended, I was exhausted but exhilarated. My body ached, my mind was spinning, but I felt more in tune with my abilities than ever before.

As I left the training chamber, Seraphina caught up to me, her dark eyes thoughtful. "You did well today, Charlotte. But remember, control is a lifelong pursuit. You will always be learning, always refining. Don’t ever let yourself become complacent."

I nodded, the weight of her words settling deep in my chest. This was only the beginning. I had chosen my path, and now I would walk it—no, master it. And one day, I would stand among the mentors, not as their student, but as their equal.

I smiled to myself as I stepped out into the lobby. Control was my future. And I couldn’t wait to see how far I could go.

I walked up to Sylvie, and with what was probably a lunatic’s grin, asked her a question. Adrenaline was flooding my system, dulling my inhibitions, clouding my mind, making me do some pretty impulsive things.

“Wanna go out tomorrow evening for drinks?”