The Avalon Sect was a towering testament to Altheria's pursuit of magical excellence. For Valeriano, it was more than a school; it was a battlefield where he had to prove his worth, not just to others but to himself.
The first weeks were grueling. The sect's instructors held nothing back, pushing recruits to their limits. Each day was a whirlwind of exercises-mental and physical-that left most students gasping for breath.
Valeriano, however, struggled more than most.
Adjusting to Sect Life
The dormitories were divided by rank, with cultivators sharing a vast hall at the base of the mountain. Valeriano's bed was tucked away in the corner, offering little solace from the constant noise and chatter of his peers.
"Did you see his attempt at the Flame Arrow today?" one boy jeered from across the room.
"I've seen sparks from a campfire more threatening!" another chimed in, drawing laughter.
Valeriano ignored them, keeping his head down as he scribbled notes in a worn journal. His father had always emphasized the importance of study, and he clung to that advice now more than ever.
He practiced late into the night, long after the others had gone to bed. By the faint light of a flickering candle, he repeated the motions for the Flame Arrow spell, his frustration mounting as his efforts yielded only weak embers.
"Focus, Valeriano," he muttered to himself. "You can do this."
Master Eldric's Lessons
The next morning, the recruits assembled in the training grounds, where Master Eldric waited with his usual stern expression.
"Today, we will continue our study of elemental attacks," Eldric announced. "For cultivators, mastering the basics is crucial. Do not expect to advance if you cannot perform them flawlessly."
He demonstrated the Flame Arrow spell, his movements swift and precise. A brilliant streak of fire shot from his palm, striking a distant target with pinpoint accuracy.
"Your turn," he said, gesturing to the students.
One by one, they stepped forward to try. Some managed decent results, while others barely produced a spark. When Valeriano's turn came, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder.
"Watch him fail again," someone whispered.
Valeriano took a deep breath, recalling his father's words: "Magic is not about force; it is about balance. Feel the energy, and let it flow."
He raised his hand, concentrating on the flow of his soul power. A small flame appeared, trembling as he struggled to maintain it. Gritting his teeth, he pushed harder, and the flame grew brighter before shooting forward in a wobbly arc.
It struck the edge of the target and fizzled out.
"Barely adequate," Eldric said, his tone dismissive. "You lack control. Without it, your spells are useless."
The other students snickered, but Valeriano kept his gaze on the ground, his determination hardening.
The Weight of Expectations
As the days turned into weeks, the weight of expectations pressed heavily on Valeriano. The son of the Divine Magic Emperor was supposed to excel, yet here he was, struggling at the lowest rank.
He avoided his classmates as much as possible, choosing to spend his free time in the library or the secluded corners of the training grounds. The library became his sanctuary, its shelves filled with ancient tomes that spoke of legendary techniques and forgotten histories.
One evening, as he pored over a particularly dense text on fire magic, the librarian, an elderly man named Osric, approached him.
"You've been spending a lot of time here," Osric remarked.
Valeriano nodded. "I need to understand what I'm doing wrong."
Osric chuckled. "Magic isn't just about understanding, boy. It's about belief. Do you believe in your own strength?"
Valeriano hesitated. "I... don't know."
Osric placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then that's your first lesson. Trust yourself. The rest will follow."
The First Trial
A month after their arrival, the recruits faced their first trial: a basic combat exercise designed to test their spellcasting and agility.
Valeriano stood among the other cultivators, his heart pounding as he surveyed the arena. Targets popped up randomly, each requiring a precise Flame Arrow to hit. Points were awarded for accuracy and speed.
When his turn came, the murmurs began again.
"Let's see how badly he messes this up."
Valeriano stepped forward, ignoring the voices. He focused on the first target, raising his hand and summoning a flame. It shot forward, striking the target dead center.
The crowd fell silent, surprised.
Valeriano didn't pause to savor the moment. He moved to the next target, then the next, his confidence growing with each successful hit. His movements were slow but deliberate, each spell carefully aimed.
When the trial ended, his score placed him in the middle of the rankings-not impressive, but far better than expected.
For the first time, he saw a flicker of respect in the eyes of his peers.
After some time
Suddenly, a voice broke through his thoughts.
"Mind if I sit?"
Valeriano looked up to see an elder from the sect, Master Lira, approaching. She was a woman in her mid-forties, her silver hair tied in a tight braid, and her eyes sharp with wisdom. She had been observing him for some time, and Valeriano knew that she was one of the few who didn't mock him like the others.
"Of course," he replied, shifting aside to make room for her.
Master Lira sat down beside him, her gaze turning toward the sky. "You've been quiet these past few days. You're letting the weight of expectations cloud your path, aren't you?"
Valeriano nodded, his gaze still fixed on the stars. "It's hard not to. My father—he expects so much from me, and I can't seem to keep up. It's like I'm always falling behind."
Master Lira smiled softly. "Your father is a legend, Valeriano, but that doesn't mean you need to walk in his footsteps. You are your own person, and your journey will be different from his. Don't compare yourself to him or anyone else. You must walk your own path, no matter how slow it seems. Cultivation is about growth, not speed."
Valeriano felt a small spark of hope rise within him. He had always been so focused on meeting the expectations of others, especially his father. He had never considered that perhaps his own path was the one he needed to follow, no matter how long it took.
A Mysterious Encounter
Late that night, as Valeriano practiced alone under the moonlight, he sensed a presence nearby. He turned to see a hooded figure watching him from the shadows.
"Who's there?" he demanded, his voice trembling slightly.
The figure stepped forward, revealing an elderly man with piercing golden eyes.
"You've improved," the man said, his voice low and gravelly.
Valeriano frowned. "Who are you?"
"Someone who sees potential in you," the man replied. "But potential means nothing without guidance."
He tossed a small, glowing crystal to Valeriano, who caught it instinctively.
"What is this?" Valeriano asked.
"A test," the man said. "If you can unlock its secrets, seek me out."
Before Valeriano could ask more, the man vanished, leaving him alone with the mysterious crystal.
The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Valeriano felt a spark of hope. With each challenge, he grew stronger-not just in power but in resolve. And as the moonlight bathed the crystal in his hand, he knew his path was only beginning.