Dren stepped into the family hall slowly, keeping his shoulders slumped like always. The room was large and dim, lit by torches along the black stone walls. Shadows danced everywhere, fitting for the Nightveil Clan. A long wooden table stretched down the middle. Elders sat at the front, younger members on the sides. Everyone turned to look as he entered.
He acted the same as before with a blank face, slow walk and eyes half-focused. Inside, his mind was sharp now, he took in every detail. Head Elder Eldar, old with a long white beard, sat in the center chair, aunt Mira was next to him, her face already twisted in dislike. Zev lounged a few seats down, smirking like he owned the place.
"Dren," Eldar said in his deep, tired voice.
"Sit. We've waited long enough."
Dren nodded slowly, mumbled something low, and shuffled to the empty seat at the very end of the table. He kept his head down, staring at the wood grain like it was interesting.
Eldar cleared his throat. "We all know why we're here. Dren was sent to Beast Valley for the rite. Every fifteen-year-old in the Nightveil Clan must go. It's theTradition."
A few snickers came from the sides. Aunt Mira spoke first, voice sharp. "Tradition? Sending him was a joke. We knew he wouldn't tame a single beast. Look at him, he can barely tie his own shoes."
Zev laughed out loud. "Yeah. Did you even find the valley, Dren? Or did you just sit under a tree the whole time?"
More laughter erupted as someone else muttered, "He's probably scared of his own shadow."
Dren lifted his head a little, slow like always. He mumbled, "Valley... dark... beasts..." and trailed off.
The hall exploded in chuckles. Even some of the younger cousins covered their mouths. Zev slapped the table. "See? Still the same idiot. I bet he ran back crying the first night."
Anger burned hot in Dren's chest, but he kept it locked down. His fists clenched under the table. Vion's cold voice slid into his mind. "Let them laugh. Fools always mock what they don't understand. You should be wise enough to know that you should save your strength."
Eldar raised a hand, and the room quieted. "Enough. He returned empty-handed, no spirit beast bonded, no qi awakening that we can sense. As expected."
An elder named Torv, fat and red-faced, leaned forward. "So what now? He's fifteen and now past the rite age. He's useless for cultivation. We should move him to the outer yards permanently. Let him sweep floors or carry water. At least then he's not wasting space in the main compound."
Aunt Mira nodded fast. "Better yet, send him to one of the branch families in the villages. Out of sight. He's been a burden since the day he was born. No parents, no talent, nothing."
The words hit harder now that Dren's mind was clear. Before, they had slid off the fog. Now each one cut deep. He remembered years of this, being shoved aside at meals, ignored during lessons, left alone in cold rooms. They had never even tried to teach him, assuming he was too stupid.
He wanted to stand up, to shout that he wasn't the same anymore, that something in the valley had changed everything. But he stayed still. Not yet. He needed time, time to understand what Vion was. Time to feel the power awaking inside him.
Eldar rubbed his beard. "We'll decide his place later. For now, the clan faces real threats. The Duskblade Clan has been raiding our border villages again. Sword qi patrols spotted them last week. We need every able warlock ready."
The talk shifted. Elders discussed defenses, shadow illusion formations, summoning circles for night beasts, poison mists. They spoke of requesting healing potions from the Jadebrew Clan, maybe archer support from Shadowbolt if things got worse.
Dren pretended to zone out, eyes glassy, head nodding a little too late. But he listened to every word. Names of spells he had never understood before now made sense. He felt threads of energy in the air, faint but there, like invisible strings waiting to be pulled.
Zev leaned over after a while, voice low but loud enough for others to hear. "Hey, idiot. After this, go clean the training yard. All the practice dummies need wiping. That's about your speed."
A few cousins laughed again. Dren just nodded slowly, mumbling, "Y-yes..."
Inside, he smiled coldly. "Keep thinking that, Zev." He thought to himself.
The meeting dragged on for another hour, supply counts, training schedules for the younger generation, warnings about staying alert were also things they discussed. Finally, Eldar slammed a hand on the table. "Dismissed. Prepare yourselves. War may come soon."
They all stood up and filed out. Dren waited until almost everyone left, then rose slowly. He shuffled toward the door, keeping the act up.
Once he was outside, he slipped away from the main paths. The compound was huge, black stone buildings connected by covered walkways, courtyards for training, gardens of dark herbs used in warlock potions. He found an empty side courtyard, far from prying eyes. The sun was dipping low, painting everything red and purple.
He sat cross-legged on the cold ground, his back against a wall.
Vion spoke right away. "Good. You hid it well. They suspect nothing."
"What now?" Dren asked quietly.
"Now we test what you have. Close your eyes, breathe slow, feel for the qi in the air. It's everywhere, though, it's thin here but it's enough for a start."
Dren did as he was told. At first, he felt nothing but his own heartbeat. Then, slowly, he felt a faint warmth in his chest, like a tiny spark.
"Draw it in," Vion said. "Pull it toward that spark."
Dren focused. The warmth grew, spreading through his arms, legs, head, It tingled, almost burned, but not painful.
"You are better than I expected," Vion muttered.
"Your meridians were blocked before, which was part of what sealed your mind but the valley broke that seal, your Qi flows freely now." Vion said unhurriedly
"How far can I go?" Dren asked.
"Far but slow. You'll start at nothing, first step is Qi Gathering realm, pull in energy, store it in your dantian. Most of the people in your clan reach it by twelve or thirteen. You'll catch up fast with my help." Vion said.
Dren kept breathing, pulling in more qi. The spark became a small flame, sweat beaded on his forehead. After what felt like hours, he opened his eyes. The courtyard was fully dark now, stars out.
"Enough for tonight," Vion said. "You've gathered a thin strand. Tomorrow we'll do more. And I'll teach you your first shadow technique." Vion said.
Dren stood up, his legs were stiff but he felt different, stronger, even if it was just a little. He walked back toward his small room in the servants' wing.
On the way, he passed the training yard. Zev and a few cousins were still there, practicing basic shadow blades, dark qi forming into short swords. They laughed as they proudly showed off their skills.
Zev noticed him. "There he is, the yard cleaner. Get to work, loser."
Dren nodded dumbly and picked up a broom from the side. He started sweeping slowly, head down but as he worked, he watched their forms, the way they moved qi from dantian to palms, the hand signs for shaping shadow, he memorized every motion.
Vion chuckled in his head. "Learning already? Smart."
Dren swept until they left, still laughing about him. Then he finished quickly and headed to his room.
He lay on the thin mat, staring at the cracked ceiling again. As he thought to himself, tomorrow he would train more and grow even stronger.
The clan thought they knew him but they had no idea what was coming.