A while later.
Ryo hopped out of the carriage and strolled to the familiar hut on the outskirts of the state. The small, weathered home sat quietly beneath towering trees, its faded wooden walls telling stories of simpler days. A thin wisp of smoke curled up from the crooked chimney, promising warmth inside.
"Home sweet home."
Ryo pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The scent of fresh herbs mixed with the faint aroma of sewing fabric greeted him. His mother sat near the window, humming a gentle tune as she carefully stitched a robe. Her dark hair was tied back loosely, strands falling softly around her serene face. Her eyes, kind and tired, glanced up as he entered.
"Ryo, honey, how was school today? Make any new friends?"
Ryo settled beside her, watching her nimble fingers work the needle through cloth. With a sigh, he answered reluctantly.
"Same as yesterday, Mom. Maybe tomorrow. Who knows."
His mother chuckled, her lovely face lighting up with warmth.
"Ryo, my boy, you've said 'tomorrow' for about two weeks now. I'm saying it for your own good. Loneliness isn't good for your mind."
Ryo nodded at her words, then started to speak.
"Actually, it can be good, but it can also be bad depending on who your—"
Her finger gently landed on his lips, silencing him.
"No, no. Mothers are always right. Now go greet Sayuri. She's been asking for you all day."
Ryo nodded.
Mothers are always right? Until they are wrong.
He then walked to Sayuri's room and knocked twice.
"Come in!" a cheerful voice called.
'Tch, she probably already knows it's me.'
Ryo opened the door, and his little sister jumped into his arms, her small frame colliding against him with an eager hug.
Ryo chuckled and ruffled her hair.
She smiled brightly "Why do you always take so long to get home?"
Ryo sighed "Like I said, academy. You'll be going there soon too if you have talent for cultivation."
Ryo sat on her bed and patted the space beside him. She eagerly settled down, her brown hair resting softly on her shoulders, her big blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mmm, I want to be a cultivator like you, Brother. When can I? When can I?"
Ryo sighed inwardly. What is it with people in this family and repeating themselves?
"I told you, if you have talent, you'll know."
"How will I know, though?"
Ryo's eyelid twitched. I spoil her too much.
"It'll feel like your soul core, which is currently dormant, will awaken. It's as if something ignites inside you, a sensation flowing through your whole being. At that moment, you'll feel completely at peace with yourself. Then... you'll be a cultivator."
Sayuri's eyes widened as she clapped her hands.
"Will I be stronger? Able to throw you into a wall?"
"...No... not straight away."
Ryo gave her a strange look, but she just smiled innocently.
He smiled back and patted her head.
"You'll be talented, I know it. When you become a cultivator, you'll be stronger, faster, jump higher, and sense things a mortal can't."
Just as Sayuri was about to reply, a voice echoed from the hallway, making them both freeze.
"Ryo, get here. You know where you should be when it's time for training."
Ryo frowned but gave Sayuri a wink and patted her head before leaving the room.
Standing in the hallway was his father—a tall man with broad shoulders and sharp eyes that missed nothing. His presence was commanding yet silent.
Ren Tanaka.
"How are your studies?" his father asked.
Ryo answered quietly, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Good, as always."
Ren nodded, folding his arms.
"Physical exams?"
"...Good."
Ren shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "For lying, today's training will be worse."
Su, Ryo's mother, watched from her chair and paused her sewing.
"Ren, honey. Please be easy on him..." she said, her eyes flicking between Ryo's scared face and Ren's unreadable expression.
"No," Ren said firmly. "He has to learn. For his own good. Books won't save you when someone is trying to take your life." Turning back to Ryo, he commanded, "Come. And no moping around."
Ryo followed his father resignedly. Their one-floor home consisted of a small kitchen, a modest living room, Sayuri's room, Ryo's room, and the parents' room.
Ren led the way out the back door and opened a heavy trapdoor revealing an underground basement. The cold, dimly lit space was lined with rough stone walls. A single lantern flickered as Ren lit it, illuminating the room.
"Give me 200 push-ups," Ren ordered, pointing to the floor.
Five more than last week. He's pushing the numbers up a bit too much, isn't he?
Ryo dropped down, holding himself up on hands and feet, beginning the relentless exercise.
1... 2... 3... 10... 20... 30... 50... 100... 160... 161... 162...
WACK!
Ren's staff struck sharply against Ryo's backside.
"Get to 170 or else."
WACK!
"Fuck..." Ryo gritted his teeth.
WACK!
"Control your mind, boy."
163... 164... 165...
Ryo's arms shook violently before he collapsed onto the ground.
"You're not taking this seriously. You're improving too slowly. Get up." Ren shook his head.
Ryo pushed himself up, arms trembling.
If only I could beat him up.
WACK!
"Stop glaring. You're at Qi Gathering Initial. You awakened earlier than a peasant normally would—if they awaken at all—at thirteen. You're wasting your talent on books? It's okay if you want to read. Power comes first," Ren breathed out. "Now come at me."
Ryo lunged, fist raised. Ren dodged easily, tripping him with his foot.
WACK!
Ryo's backside burned with every mistake.
"What are you doing? You want to fight a stronger opponent with brute strength? Use your brain. Use your Qi."
Ryo lunged again, focusing on his Qi, using the only move he currently knew.
Wind Gale.
A strong gust surged toward Ren, but he spun his staff, dispersing the attack.
"Better, but too predictable."
Ryo rolled to the side and unleashed another Gale Palm, then another timed perfectly.
Ren met the first strike by spinning his staff, then swung it down imbued with Qi. The two forces clashed, sending the second gale flying past Ryo's head and into the wall, leaving three claw-like scratches.
Ryo froze before Ren grabbed his face and punched his stomach multiple times.
"Ugh... fuck you," Ryo spat, earning a harder punch.
Before he could react, Ren slammed him into the wall and kicked his face.
"What are you doing, sending two gales at once? Are you trying to waste your Qi on useless moves?"
Someone save me.
As Ren readied another punch, Ryo sent a gale flying at his father's face. Ren jolted back, sliding across the floor before coming to a stop.
"Good boy. You learned. Make a move when there's an opening."
Ryo sighed in relief and collapsed on the floor.
Fuck you.