Days rolled by in peace in the temple. I spent most of the days training with the other disciples of my year and my sessions with the Abbot trying to figure out how to navigate the complications of my ability. I have not surmounted the first hurdle of being unable to comfortably use my element, so I spent the time struggling and ruminating about how to step forward.

"Your breathing has improved, and I can see that there's progress," the Abbot said.

"Not enough improvement, unfortunately," I mumbled in frustration, warming my hands on the wooden carving from Maun as I suppressed my body from shivering.

The Abbot sighed. "You know, there is wisdom among your peers," he said.

I looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying perhaps you should consult your co-disciples," he told me. "Indirectly, of course. There's knowledge in others' experience, and their journeys may be parallel to your own. No matter how different your paths, you may find they are more similar to you than you expect."

"Well, I wonder," I muttered.

"I heard you were all planning on eating out somewhere? Isn't that mushroom kid treating you?"

"Yeah. I feel he's quite wealthy," I said.

"Use that opportunity, then."

"I'm just a little concerned," I whispered. "Well, are we allowed to do this?"

"Which one? Eating out?"

I was silent when I realized how ridiculous my question really sounded. The Abbot gave a low laugh.

"You can do what you want as long as it's within the law. Of course, you cannot use your uniforms outside of the Temple nor can you use the Temple's name in vain or for your own purposes without prior permission. However, considering you are still disciples, you must embody the discipline and character that we represent," he explained. "In other words, act within the good bounds."

"Good bounds...a little vague," I said. "Anyone can justify what is good according to their own morality. I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."

"Makes perfect sense. However, you will pass by the temple's wall of virtues every time you leave. Don't tell me you haven't read it yet?"

"Wall of virtues?" I asked. "That existed?"

The Abbot gazed at me. Although it wasn't sharp or pointed as though scolding, there was a hint of dissatisfaction.

I nodded with a dry laugh. "I see...then I'll keep that in mind, master."

"Good. Let's finish here for today. It's the weekend, so be sure to rest well. Be sure to ruminate on the points I have given you earlier. I really hope we can make a breakthrough with you very soon."

"I understand. Thank you, master," I said. I rose from the floor, patting my thighs to encourage blood flow. I then bowed deeply to the Abbot and proceeded to retreat from the room.

I wasn't keen on knowing these virtues he mentioned just now, but I had an inkling I would be tested on them during our next meeting. I would be sure to check it out once we go, just to make sure I didn't run into some scolding once the weekend was over.

As I walked out of the inner halls, I stretched and yawned.

The moment I stepped out towards the courtyards, somebody ambushed me from an intersection. "Are you trying to escape?!"

I recoiled and tried to break free but found myself on my ass on the ground and bound in place.

At a loss, I tried to see my attacker's face. I found Mushroom Soup—rather, Erlan Jin, tying me up with a rope and pulling me away. "What is wrong with you? Who planned on escaping?"

"Miles said you were preparing to sneak away," Erlan said.

I frowned and looked over to that damned Miles, who was laughing from the side. I was guessing this little sh*t did this to get back at me somehow.

"I didn't!" I said. "Let me go. I'm not likely to decline a gathering. Rather, wasn't it Arondite who refused? So why am I being falsely accused?" I pointed out, glancing over to the side to see said person watching all of us with interest.

Just as I was pleading for my case, Maun appeared out of the corner and rushed forward with a deep frown. He ripped the ropes off me, lightly pushing back at Erlan with a glare. Seeing his interference and hearing my convincing explanation, Erlan quirked a brow and shot a pointed glance at Miles.

"You threw me into a pit, didn't you?" he asked, then pulled the troublemaker over. He locked Miles's head under his arm and rubbed the point of his knuckles on the top of his head.

"Ah! Ow! Noooo!"

"I did say to doubt him," Arondite said, arms crossed and observing from the side.

"Well, sorry. I was ready to drag everyone with me no matter the cost. I won't allow for a refusal!"

"There are many ways you could convince someone other than tying them up with a rope and dragging them with you," I told them, dusting off my back with a frown. "Besides, I'm just going back to the residence to change out of my clothes. It's not like I can go outside in my disciple's robes."

"Sorry, sorry. We'll wait for you. To compensate, I'll throw in an extra dish you'd like."

"If getting ambushed like this can get me a free meal, by all means, you can do it every night," I said with a smile, diffusing the situation fully. In this way, there was no longer any need to pursue the matter considering the misunderstanding.

"No problem. I'm just re-allocating the quota for Miles to you."

"What? Nooo!" Miles said with a pout.

I left for my courtyard and rapidly threw in something casual to wear. After tying back my hair into a low ponytail to tame down my curls, I pulled on my trusty cloak and walked out to the waiting boys outside of my yard. They were already talking, and the air seemed harmonious enough.

"Before we leave, master advised to look at the Wall of Virtues. Has someone seen that, yet?" I asked as we walked through paths with idle chatter.

"Wall of Virtues? There's such a thing?"

It didn't take long to arrive at the spot upon the guidance of a monk. It wasn't that easy to see considering the overgrowth and shrubberies hanging on the wall where the virtues were written. However, the characters were quite bold and valiant once they leapt out to the eyes.

"I'm guessing nobody really cares about this wall? It could use a little more maintenance," Erlan commented.

"Fight only when provoked, always choose peace if there is an option. Be restrained as the mountain, steady as river. Should you wield a blade or your fist, wield them to protect, not to cast meaningless harm upon others. Geez. All of these rules seem...I don't know."

"Don't wait for your masters to beat them into you," I said. "It's not like they're unreasonable. In fact, I agree with most of them."

"Would they, really?" Erlan asked. "Beat them into us, I mean. It just said to not cast meaningless harm upon others."

"The masters are rather an eccentric lot," Arondite said "I wouldn't put it past them."

"I think I'm good. Let us be virtuous disciples tonight!" Miles exclaimed.

"You just broke one of the virtues today, you little bastard." Erlan kicked his shin.

"Which one was it?"

"You chose to stir up trouble for your own benefit. Isn't that not so virtuous?"

We bickered our way to the business district. Lovarda had very nice views along the streets at night. The pavements were pearly or sand-toned and reflected the golden lights from the lamp posts beautifully. I wasn't sure if it was accurate, but it felt like something that one would see from a Van Gogh painting—rich blues and golds.

The breeze was cool and refreshing, carrying the scent of the nearby sea. I stretched out and enjoyed the walk, ignoring the loud chatter of the guys around me. Maun joined me in silence. Even Arondite rarely opened his mouth. The noisiest ones were Erlan and Miles. Occasionally, to make them feel like I was at least participating in the conversation, I would interject now and then. In the end, however, I could not bring myself to the same level of energy as these brats. Deep inside, I was an old soul with two lifetimes' worth of experience.

After a few minutes, we came upon a familiar place.

"Well, what a coincidence," I muttered under my breath as I looked up at the sign of the restaurant.

"Is there anything wrong, Evyionne?" Erlan asked.

"No." I shook my head and maintained a calm smile. "Do you go here often?"

"This is a favorite place of mine!" His eyes brightened like stars and his chest puffed up with enthusiasm and pride. "This place may seem very casual and laid back, but they have very good entertainment and high-quality service, especially on weekend nights. I've already reserved a place for us, so we should head inside immediately."

I told myself I wouldn't be back to this place, but here I was again. Was there a whirlpool of fate around here that somehow kept sucking me in?

I pulled the hood further down my face and walked into the restaurant with the rest of my group. Maun might not be aware of the circumstances considering he wasn't with us when we came here last time. However, he was quite sensitive to my mood and quickly caught on to the fact that I wasn't comfortable. He immediately stuck himself to my side and rubbed his shoulders against mine consolingly, asking with his eyes what was wrong.

I shook my head at him and, out of habit, reached for his head and patted it to offer the same comfort he gave me.

We were led to the table by a kind waiter—actually, it wasn't a table at all, but more of a private booth? Looking at Erlan's pride and swagger, I couldn't help but feel this guy wasn't so simple. Well, in the first place, those who could pass the trials of a tournament out of more than thousands upon thousands of hopefuls should have talent or resources, or both, in order to be able to get admitted.

Try as the Temple would to be fair towards its contestants, the limited slots with which they accepted students eventually would kick down some good talents down from the game. Those with disadvantages regarding social and economic status would naturally be easier to get rid of.

By the looks of it, Erlan Jin was the type to have resources. And even if it wasn't literal wealth, he should have some connections. As I had seen during his exchanges, he was quite the sophisticated fighter himself.

We sat around the table and got ourselves served some drinks. Since we were minors, alcohol was not allowed. Though I felt disappointed about this, I found the cucumber lemonade still very refreshing.

"So, I was wondering where you all learned to fight? Save for Arondite of course. His case is public."

"I think it would be worth to hear from him himself though. Rumors can be quite exaggerated," I said.

Erlan gazed at me. "You sound and feel like my mother."

"Do I?"

"Exactly like her!" he told me.

I quirked a brow.

"Anyway, you make sense, but I'm actually very interested in your diary," he said.

"Diary?" Miles reiterated.

"Yes!" Erlan said. "Whenever we're fighting, you always write and read that thing. There must be something in there about me, right? Were you writing evaluations and weaknesses?"

I gazed at his face, looking for signs and cues. He'd leaned over the table and gazed at me with such zeal and focus. Although somewhat presumptuous of me, I felt like this was one of the reasons, if not the main one, that he'd invited all of us out.

"I find it useful to study my opponents when I have the chance. Do you want to see it?" I asked.

"Yes!" he said.

"Well, it isn't that much of a trouble for me to share the contents of my observation," I said. "However, that is still something very detailed, and I worked very hard for it. Do you think buying me dinner will actually be enough for me to share it with you?"

His enthusiasm died down a little and he watched me with puzzled eyes. "Wow, you're not easy."

"Sorry for disappointing you." This kid was a little too young. He could not hide his intentions very well.

"Then, can it be a favor between friends?"

"I didn't know we'd already reached that status," I replied. "Especially after you ambushed me so desperately earlier."

He pursed his lips. I gazed at him with a bit of a smile and challenge. If he hadn't been a little more restrained, I would think he was ready to burst out crying any second now. Thankfully, he remained calm, albeit speechless and frustrated at the situation before him.

I chuckled. Oh, this night was going to be fun.

"Then, how about we go on an equivalent exchange?" I offered.

"What kind of exchange?" he asked.

Sorry I was late. I was sick lol.