The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Li Tian and Aaron set out the next morning. The village still slept, but they couldn't wait. Their journey to the Spirit Academy was about to begin, and the excitement in the air was palpable. The Spirit Hall representative had left the village earlier that morning, headed toward the Academy, and the boys were to follow.
The road stretched out before them, winding through forests and fields. Aaron, as usual, was full of energy, bouncing on his feet with every step. His Wind Serpent martial spirit gave him an innate lightness that seemed to seep into his personality as well.
"I can't believe we're finally leaving the village!" Aaron said, grinning as he skipped a few paces ahead. "This is it, Li Tian. This is where we start becoming real spirit masters."
Li Tian nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The excitement of leaving the village and starting a new chapter was real, but he still couldn't shake the weight of what had happened during the awakening ceremony. His Three-Eyed Golden Lion martial spirit had caused a stir, and even now, he felt its power humming beneath the surface, waiting.
"Do you think the other students will be like us?" Aaron asked, slowing down to match Li Tian's pace. "I mean, not everyone's gonna have a spirit like yours, but... do you think there'll be anyone else with something crazy?"
Li Tian shrugged. "Probably. I don't know much about the Academy or who goes there, but if it's where people with powerful martial spirits train, there's bound to be others. Maybe not a lion, but something strong."
Aaron nodded thoughtfully, then gave Li Tian a sidelong glance. "You know they're going to expect big things from you, right? With that lion spirit... you'll stand out."
Li Tian sighed. He had already thought about that—people's expectations, their curiosity, and maybe even their jealousy. The power that came with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion wasn't just physical. It was a symbol of something greater, something legendary.
"Yeah, I know," Li Tian replied. "But I don't even fully understand what I can do yet. I'll have to figure it out as I go."
Aaron grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. You've already got the power, now it's just about controlling it. And hey, I'll be there to help."
The reassurance from Aaron lightened Li Tian's mood a bit. He appreciated having someone like Aaron by his side—loyal, dependable, and always ready to face the next challenge with a smile.
As they continued walking, the landscape around them changed. The forests grew thicker, and the path became narrower. It was a sign they were getting closer to the Spirit Academy. They had been told that the Academy lay deep within the forest, isolated from the distractions of the outside world. It was a place where young soul masters could focus on mastering their spirits without interference.
After a few hours of walking, they crested a hill and finally saw it in the distance—the Spirit Academy. The buildings were grand, nestled between towering trees, with a large stone gate marking the entrance. Even from a distance, Li Tian could feel the presence of other powerful martial spirits emanating from within. The Academy was alive with energy, buzzing with the potential of those who trained there.
As they approached the gate, a guard greeted them, eyeing the two boys with curiosity. "New students?" he asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.
Li Tian nodded. "Yes, we're here for training."
The guard waved them through, and as they stepped past the stone archway, Li Tian felt a shift in the air. It was as if the Academy itself recognized the power within its walls. There was a heaviness, but not in a bad way. It was a weight of expectation, the kind that came when you knew something important was about to happen.
Inside, other students were already milling about, some sparring in open courtyards, others chatting in small groups. Li Tian noticed a few glances in their direction—especially toward him—but no one approached just yet. He wasn't sure if they were intimidated or just curious, but either way, it seemed like his arrival had been noticed.
They were directed toward a large building where the new students were to gather for orientation. Inside, the halls were lined with ancient tapestries and paintings of famous spirit masters, some of whom had once walked these very corridors. Li Tian could feel the weight of history here—this was a place where legends were born.
As they waited with the other new students, Aaron leaned in close and whispered, "Think they'll do another test here? Maybe they'll want to see your lion again."
Li Tian wasn't sure how he felt about that. The power of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was still something he was getting used to, and he wasn't eager to make a spectacle of it right away. But if the Academy wanted to know what they were dealing with, he'd have no choice.
Before they could speculate further, a tall woman with sharp features and silver hair entered the room. Her presence was commanding, and the students immediately fell silent.
"Welcome to Spirit Academy," she said, her voice echoing off the walls. "Here, you will learn what it means to be a soul master. You will grow, you will face challenges, and you will be pushed to your limits. But know this: power alone is not enough. It is how you control it, how you wield it, that defines you."
Her eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, they locked with Li Tian's. He could feel her assessing him, weighing him, and then she moved on, continuing her speech.
Li Tian felt a shiver run down his spine. The road ahead was going to be far from easy. But whatever lay in store for him at the Academy, he was ready to face it.