After talking with Faey a little longer, he discovered that Shen was the Eye of Twilight, the leader of the Kinkou Order. His role was observation, understanding, and impartiality. Watching the Stars, as they called it.
Kennen was the Heart of the Tempest, responsible for the core teachings of judgment and action when necessary. He served as the voice of reason, ensuring that the decisions of the Kinkou Order were followed and understood by all.
Mayyam, someone Faey deeply admired, and mother to Akali, was the Fist of Shadow. She represented Pruning the Tree, the elimination of threats when reason failed.
Orion couldn't help but feel that Mayyam's teachings contradicted the others with her focus on assassinations and killing, but apparently, it was a necessary last resort to restore harmony.
'War isn't okay, but killing those who disrupt the balance is?'
Orion puzzled.
'If killing disrupts balance, wouldn't that create more imbalance too? Or is it about stopping the creation of further imbalances? Why not fight the Noxians then?'
Ionia was at war with Noxus. Ionia is a small continent located west of the main continent and Noxus, comprising most of Runeterra. According to the Kinkou, there was no reason for this war other than greed and lust for power.
'Doesn't this go against the principles the Kinkou preach?'
Shaking his head, Orion couldn't understand them very well but decided to remain silent on it.
The next morning, after several more meals and time to recover, Orion woke and looked around for his Undercity clothes, only to frown.
'What... are those?'
Brown, colorless clothes with layers of sash-like cloth folded up at the base of his bed. He picked them up with a raised eyebrow, unsure how to put them on as he glanced between them and his worn, tattered pants.
"A neophyte will teach you to dress," Shen's calm voice rose from the doorway. He was still wearing his light-blue tunic.
"A Nepho-what?"
"Neophyte. They are younglings who've yet to reach adulthood," Shen replied. "They are mentored to understand our ways and rituals, and are trained to fight the moment they arrive."
Snapping his fingers, a young boy walked in wearing bright green-sashed robes. He held a fierce expression, brown hair tied neatly, his forearms wrapped in white bandages.
"With time, Neophytes discover their strengths and weaknesses and may one day become an acolyte."
Orion's curious gaze wandered to his bruised knuckles and the familiar calluses along his fingers and palm, signs of heavy striking practice.
'If I remember right, some of the martial arts here mimic ours. Lee Sin looked like a Muay Thai fighter when he walked in League of Legends.'
The boy's face tightened, clearly holding back a scowl before he exhaled and forced his expression into neutrality.
"Valere Rin, teach Orion the basics."
"Yes, Master Shen!"
After thirty minutes of repetition, Orion finally had the hang of wrapping the sashes to keep his new muddy-brown robes in place.
'They're definitely thorough,' Orion thought as he tucked in the sash for the tenth time.
"Don't you know basic respect?"
Valere finally scowled, jabbing a thumb toward himself. "Bow your head to your teacher!"
Orion paused, staring at the kid silently for a moment in contemplation before bowing his head slightly.
'He's rude, but he did teach me. Shen isn't doing anything either... Maybe culturally I'm the rude one?'
"Thank you for teaching me."
"That's more like it!"
Valere turned back toward Shen with a proud grin, puffing his chest. Shen nodded and gestured outward.
"Well done, Valere. You're an excellent mentor. You may see to your other duties."
"Thank you, Master Shen!" Valere shouted, bowing deeply before striding proudly out the door.
When the sound of his steps faded, Shen sighed softly.
"Please forgive his manners. He is young and desires much."
Orion blinked, a little surprised by the apology before waving a dismissive hand.
"Ah, forget about it. It's nothing unusual. I'd be more surprised if he wasn't at least a little aggressive with all the training it looks like he's been doing."
"Fighting does not require aggression," Shen frowned. "One must be calm when fighting or risk exposing his weakness."
"Fair enough…" Orion trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. "I have to ask, why didn't you correct his manners when he was in front of me?"
"We don't discipline our young in front of guests unless it is a grave offense," Shen replied evenly.
"Don't want to humiliate them?"
"Respect must be cultivated, not demanded." Shen's tone softened slightly. "To shame the young is to teach them anger, not wisdom."
"I don't know," Orion muttered. "I've learned some pretty valuable lessons after being shamed intensely in front of everyone."
"But I assume you were also angry," Shen countered gently. "Perhaps you wanted revenge for such humiliation?"
Orion nodded. For once, he didn't have a sarcastic comment or a brush-off ready.
"Come. Walk with me," Shen beckoned. "I will show you the Xuanain Temple."