Li Tian's first few days at Spirit Academy were a whirlwind of new experiences, challenges, and responsibilities. The academy was much larger than he had expected, and it buzzed with activity. Young spirit masters from all over the continent trained here, each striving to become stronger, to rise through the ranks and secure their place in the world.
For Li Tian, though, the adjustment wasn't easy. His Three-Eyed Golden Lion spirit made him the subject of curiosity and attention, and while most of the students kept their distance, whispers and side glances followed him everywhere.
Aaron was a comforting presence, always lighthearted and optimistic. But even his usual enthusiasm couldn't shield Li Tian from the feeling of being an outsider. He was powerful—too powerful for someone who didn't fully understand the extent of his abilities yet. There was an unspoken pressure to prove himself, not just to the academy but to the world.
It was during one of those quieter moments, as Li Tian wandered the academy grounds, that he first saw her.
She stood under a tall oak tree, seemingly lost in thought. The morning sun caught the shimmer of her blue hair, cascading down her back like water, and her pale skin seemed to glow under its light. She was dressed in the academy's uniform, but there was something different about her. She had a presence that was hard to ignore—an air of quiet confidence, like she was part of something far bigger than the academy itself.
Li Tian felt a strange pull toward her, though he didn't understand why. He had seen many powerful students since arriving at the academy, but something about this girl stood out. He found himself walking toward her before he could even think twice about it.
As he approached, her eyes shifted in his direction. They were sharp, clear, and focused—like she could see straight through him. Li Tian stopped a few feet away, unsure of how to introduce himself. The girl didn't move, but she watched him carefully, as though sizing him up.
"You're new here," she said after a moment, her voice calm but direct.
Li Tian nodded. "Yeah, I just got here a few days ago. I'm still trying to figure everything out."
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze never leaving him. "You're the one who awakened the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."
Again, Li Tian nodded, though hearing her say it out loud made him feel exposed. "Word gets around quickly, I guess."
The girl studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "It's hard to miss something like that. Your spirit is… unique."
Li Tian shrugged, feeling a bit uncomfortable under her intense gaze. "Yeah, that's what they say. But I'm still figuring out what that actually means."
For a few moments, they stood in silence, the awkwardness lingering in the air. Li Tian was about to excuse himself and leave when the girl finally spoke again.
"My name is Wang Qiu'er," she said, her voice softening just slightly. "My spirit is the Golden Dragon."
Li Tian blinked, surprised. The Golden Dragon—he had heard of it before. It was one of the most powerful and ancient spirits, rivaling even the strongest in the world. And now, standing before him was the girl who carried that legacy.
"You're from the Auspicious Emperor Beasts," Li Tian said, the realization dawning on him.
Wang Qiu'er nodded. "Yes. Our kind are rare, but our spirits carry the bloodline of ancient rulers. Much like your lion spirit."
The connection between them suddenly made sense. Both of their spirits were ancient, powerful, and tied to a legacy that stretched far beyond the academy. Li Tian couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with her, even though they had just met.
"Do you know much about your spirit?" Wang Qiu'er asked, her voice more curious now than before.
Li Tian shook his head. "Not as much as I should. I know it's powerful, and it's tied to destiny in some way, but… there's a lot I still don't understand."
Wang Qiu'er's expression softened slightly, and she looked away, her eyes focusing on the distant horizon. "It's not easy," she said quietly. "Carrying the weight of a spirit like ours. People expect so much from you, even when you don't fully understand what you're capable of."
Li Tian was struck by the sincerity in her words. He had been feeling the pressure of his power ever since the awakening ceremony, but hearing someone else voice the same struggles made him feel less alone.
"I guess we're in the same boat, then," Li Tian said, offering a small smile. "Maybe we can help each other figure things out."
Wang Qiu'er turned to him again, her eyes meeting his. For the first time since their conversation started, she smiled—a small, almost hesitant smile, but a genuine one nonetheless.
"Maybe," she said softly. "It's not easy to find someone who understands. But you… you might."
Li Tian nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over him. Meeting Wang Qiu'er had been unexpected, but he could already tell that she would play an important role in his life here at the academy. There was a connection between them, something deeper than just their shared legacy of ancient spirits.
Before they could continue, a loud bell rang out across the academy grounds, signaling the start of the next round of training. Wang Qiu'er glanced in the direction of the bell, then back at Li Tian.
"I should go," she said. "But I'll see you around."
Li Tian nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure we'll run into each other again."
As Wang Qiu'er walked away, disappearing into the flow of students heading toward their classes, Li Tian stood still for a moment, processing the brief but meaningful conversation they had just shared.
He didn't know much about Wang Qiu'er yet, but he felt a sense of certainty that their paths would cross again, and often. Both of them were tied to powerful legacies, and whether they liked it or not, their futures seemed intertwined.
With a deep breath, Li Tian turned and headed toward his next class, feeling lighter than he had since arriving at the academy. For the first time, he didn't feel completely alone in carrying the weight of his martial spirit.
As he walked, a thought lingered in his mind: This is just the beginning.