The courtyard of the Sox Clan estate bustled with activity as sunlight poured over its ancient stonework. A group of boys and girls, all 14 years old, sat cross-legged in a semi-circle. Their bright eyes sparkled with excitement and nervousness as they whispered among themselves.
At the center of the courtyard next to the elder stood two young men. One had an easy grin and a relaxed posture, while the other was composed, a scroll in his hands.
Third elder Alders, his silver hair gleaming under the sun, raised a hand to silence the young ones. His voice carried authority and pride."Young ones, your time has come. Soon, you will leave this estate to walk your martial path, representing our clan and becoming a great guardian of Ares. But before that, you must understand the legacy you carry and the challenges ahead. Karl, Ronan, as the leading students, enlighten them."
The calm figure, Karl Sox, stepped forward. His gaze swept over the younger members of the clan before he spoke.
"We know our Human Corridor has seven Territories," he began, his voice steady. "Each one vast, with its own martial traditions and histories. However, these histories are not without conflict. Wars over resources and power have left scars, and mistrust still lingers between each Territory."
The taller young man, Ronan Sox, chuckled and interjected, "In other words, it's been a mess for centuries. But here in our beloved Ares, things are a bit... different."
Karl nodded. "Our Ares Territory is home to five great bloodline clans: the River Clan, the Fizer Clan, the Drake Clan, the Lumos Clan, and the Argos Clan. These clans possess inherited bloodlines, giving them unique powers passed down through generations. Their strength often shapes the future of the Territory." He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle. "Most of the Territorial Lords—the strongest Guardians of Ares—have come from these bloodline clans. Out of 17 generations, only four were from ordinary martial clans like ours. It's a rare achievement, but it proves that talent and effort can stand on equal footing with inherited power."
Ronan grinned, clapping his hands together. "Exactly! Those four made history, and one of you could be the next! Just imagine the look on those bloodline clans' faces."
One of the younger boys hesitantly raised a hand. "What about us, Cousin Karl? We don't have a bloodline. Can we really compete?"
Karl's faint smile carried reassurance. "The Sox Clan may not have a bloodline, but we have something just as valuable—a legacy of lightning techniques given by the founding Guardian, the first Territorial Lord of Ares to our ancestor. Our strength lies in discipline, effort, and adaptability."
The elder stepped forward, his sharp eyes sweeping across the young faces. "Soon, you will enter one of the four martial academies of the Ares Territory. There, you will train alongside others, including members of the bloodline clans. The academies are places of learning, growth, and competition. It is there that you will test your mettle and carve your own path."
Karl added, "You will face challenges. You'll meet those who are stronger, faster, and more talented than you. But remember, talent is only part of the equation. What matters most is what you do with it."
Ronan smirked, crossing his arms. "And hey, make some friends—or rivals. Trust me, it makes things way more interesting."
The elder's voice grew firm. "But before you take the first step on this path, we must determine your foundation. Talent is measured by three key parameters: Affinity, Vitality, and Mental Strength."
The young ones sat up straighter, their curiosity piqued.
Karl continued, "Affinity measures your connection to the elements—wood, water, earth, fire, wind, thunder, and metal. Vitality evaluates your ability to absorb, refine, and store energy. And Mental strength shows your potential to comprehend and master martial techniques."
Ronan grinned mischievously. "And today, we're going to test them."
The elder motioned toward a group of clan members carrying a glowing orb artifact. He placed the orb in the center of the courtyard, the ethereal light of a silver level artifact casting shifting patterns on the stone floor.
"This is the first step," the elder said. "Each of you will step forward and place your hands on the Talent Orb. It will reveal your affinity, vitality, and mental strength, each rated from one to five stars. Prepare yourselves."
The young ones exchanged nervous glances, excitement mingled with apprehension. One of the girls whispered to her friend, "What if I only get one star?"
Ronan leaned in with a grin. "Then forget your martial path hehe."
The elder gestured to the first child. "Julius, Step forward."
As the boy hesitated, the courtyard grew silent. All eyes were on him as he walked to the orb, his hands trembling slightly. The glowing light began to intensify, and the runes shimmered with activity.
The young ones held their breath.
Julius hesitated, his steps heavy as he approached the Talent Orb. The courtyard was utterly silent, save for the faint hum of the glowing artifact. His hands trembled slightly as he placed them on the cool surface of the orb.
The runes inscribed on its surface began to shimmer, the light intensifying until it projected a glowing image in the air:
Affinity: 2 Stars
Vitality: 3 Stars
Mental Strength: 2 Stars
A soft murmur rippled through the gathered youths. Julius looked back at his cousins, uncertainty plain on his face.
The elder's voice cut through the chatter. "Step back, Julius. Next."
One by one, the young members of the Sox Clan stepped forward to face the orb. The results were strikingly similar:
Marie: Affinity: 2 Stars, Vitality: 2 Stars, Mental Strength: 3 Stars
Rowan: Affinity: 1 Star, Vitality: 3 Stars, Mental Strength: 2 Stars
Elaine: Affinity: 2 Stars, Vitality: 2 Stars, Mental Strength: 2 Stars
The courtyard buzzed with mixed emotions. Some of the young ones exchanged nervous glances, while others hung their heads, disappointed. A few, like Julius, wore determined expressions, unwilling to let the results discourage them.
The elder observed quietly, his face unreadable. Finally, he turned to Karl and nodded.
Karl stepped forward, his calm presence commanding the attention of the group. "Do you know what these stars mean?"
Julius raised his hand hesitantly. "They show how talented we are… right?"
Karl's lips curved into a faint smile. "Not exactly. They show your starting point. That's all. Talent helps, but it doesn't define your limits."
He gestured toward the orb. "When I first tested, I scored 3 stars in Affinity and 3 stars in Mental Strength. My Vitality was just 2 stars—completely average. Nothing impressive."
A murmur of disbelief spread among the younger generation.
Ronan laughed, clapping Karl on the back. "And yet, this guy is one of the top students in his class. He has just been promoted to the ranks of junior Zhun where there are third year students still lingering in the same rank. Go figure."
Karl nodded, his gaze steady. "Do you know why? Because talent alone doesn't determine your success. Discipline, effort, and character are just as important—if not more so. Fei, Zhun, Wei, and Kang, four steps that shows a guardian's strength, each promotion show huge difference in a guardian's status. Our Patriach and first elder stationed at the west border are both at the reserved Wei ranks keeping us as part of martial clans."
He turned his attention to Rowan, whose head was bowed in disappointment. "Rowan, you scored 1 star in Affinity. Does that mean you can't improve? No. It means you'll need to work harder to sense the elements. But hard work will strengthen your connection over time."
Then, to Marie, who looked frustrated. "Marie, 2 stars in Vitality doesn't mean you lack potential. It means you'll need to refine your energy absorption techniques. With practice, you can surpass someone who started with 4 stars but stopped trying."
Karl's voice grew firmer as he addressed them all. "Your scores don't determine your future. They only determine how much effort you'll need to put in. I've trained with students who had middle to upper 4 stars talent and I can hold my own against them—not because I'm naturally gifted, but because I never stopped trying to improve."
Ronan smirked, leaning against a pillar. "Yeah, and you've beaten a few of them too. Trust me, I've seen it."
The elder cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Your older cousin is correct. Effort and character define greatness. The path of a martial artist is one of constant growth. The Talent Orb may measure your starting point, but it does not measure your determination or resolve."
He looked around the courtyard, his sharp gaze meeting each young face. "Remember this day. Remember your results. But more importantly, remember that the journey ahead is yours to shape."
The sun dipped lower in the sky as the last of the younger generation tested their talents. By the end of the session, it was clear that none had scored above 3 stars in any parameter. The air was heavy with a mix of determination and lingering doubt. With that, the elder dismissed the gathering, and the young ones dispersed, their minds racing with thoughts of the path ahead.
As Karl and Ronan lingered in the courtyard, Ronan gave his cousin a sly grin. "You're getting good at these motivational speeches. Who knows? Maybe one of them will end up surpassing us someday."
Karl chuckled softly. "That's the goal, isn't it?"