The elder sitting furthest to the left had a tiny amount of wood energy combined with his red sun power. The red sun energy was almost undetectable, but to someone who practiced the World Tree Sutra, it called to me like a beacon.

  “If you would have me,” I said, bowing to the elder, “I would study under you, Venerable One.”

  The wood elder raised his eyebrows and the chamber fell silent.

  “An interesting choice,” the elder said softly. “Why?”

  I picked my words carefully. “I feel… connected to your energy, Venerable One. As if it resonates with something inside of me.”

  “Hmmm,” he murmured studying me for a long time. “Alright, I accept.”

  “A waste,” the fire elder mumbled but didn’t openly object.

  “Then it is decided,” the ice elder declared. “He will study under Elder Molric. Ensure the proper documentation is completed.” This last part appeared to be directed to no one in particular, however I noticed a number of shadowy figures separate from the walls and disappear into the hidden doors.

  “Let’s go,” Elder Molric said, standing from his chair. He was a tall and thin middle-aged man, wearing robes with bark-like patterns on them. “We have much to talk about.”

  As we exited the chamber I caught Vayara giving me a nod of approval. She’d seen how I controlled that vine during the raid — my choice of Elder Molric likely made sense to her. Why wouldn’t someone capable of manipulating plants choose the wood element master?

  “A logical choice,” she murmured. “I was curious whether you would chase the flashier elements. Many initiates forget that the greatest power comes from learning to control what you already know, not from always seeking the newest technique.”

  She shook her head, “Well, my work here is finished. Try not to die too quickly, I spent a lot of time getting you here.”

  With that characteristically unsettling farewell, she turned and glided away. I watched her disappear into one of the many crystalline corridors, leaving me alone with Elder Molric.

  “A path with focus is typically the most effective,” Azure agreed. “You’ve barely touched the surface of wood element techniques.”

  They were both right.

  In the Azure Peak Sect, I had barely started exploring wood element cultivation. The World Tree Sutra showed me the potential of what was possible, but I was still a beginner. Now I had the opportunity to learn from a master of wood techniques, even though his energy source was different, it would still be beneficial.

  “The concepts will be similar,” I thought back to Azure. “Even if the red sun's energy behaves differently from Qi, the basic way it influences plants can’t be completely different.”

  Besides, I had already demonstrated I could control the red sun's power. Better to build on that base using wood element techniques, than try to learn a completely new element from the beginning. Elder Molric may utilize different methods, but his knowledge of plant life and energy would be invaluable.

  Sometimes the most direct path to success wasn't the most spectacular; it was the one that built on what you already knew.

  Elder Molric walked me through a succession of increasingly narrower corridors, each one appearing to fork like the branches of some massive crystal tree. We saw other initiates as we walked, all who pressed themselves against the wall, bowing deeply as we passed. They were clearly terrified of accidentally getting on the wrong side of an elder.

  “You’re wondering about the wood energy you sensed?” Elder Molric said unexpectedly almost making me miss a step.

  “Yes, Venerable One.”

  “Hardly anyone notices it; fewer understand its significance.” We stepped out onto a small balcony that gave a panoramic view of dense forest below. “Red sun's energy alters everything it touches. Some transformations are easy to spot – the Sun-touched, for example. Other transformations are less apparent.”

  He pointed to the forest. I could see areas of the forest where the trees had become crystalline, and the leaves of the trees reflected the red sun's light like rubies.

  “I am interested in how life adapts to the red sun’s influence,” he continued. “Most people believe that the red sun is simply destructive and chaotic, but…” A small smile played across his face. “Nature has a great deal to teach us about survival.”

  “Is that why you accepted me as your disciple?” I asked. “You detected my connection to…?” I hesitated, not wanting to expose too much about the World Tree Sutra.

  “To life energy? Yes.” He turned to face me fully. “However, I suspect there’s more to your story than what you’re revealing to me.”

  I remained expressionless, recalling Vayara’s warning about lying to the elders.

  “There’s so much I’m unsure of myself, Venerable One.”

  “Hmm.” His eyes, a deeper shade of crimson than most I had seen in this place, studied me intently. “Well, we’ll have plenty of time to untangle those mysteries. For now …” He reached into his robes and produced a seed that looked like it was made of rubies. “Your first lesson begins.”

  I took the seed carefully. The way it pulsed…it reminded me of my own red core.

  “What do you feel?” he asked.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  I reached out with my spiritual sense to get a better understanding of what I was holding.

  “It’s... alive?” I said finally. “But not like normal life. The pattern of the energy seems distorted, as if…”

  “As if what?”

  “As if it’s stuck between states,” I continued slowly, observing the way the energy flowed through the crystal lattice. “It’s not fully crystal and not fully plant. It is... adapting?”

  “Excellent,” the elder’s eyebrows rose slightly at my response. “Most initiates cannot perceive the transformation process at all.” He took the seed back from me and rolled it between his fingers. "The red sun's power forces evolution, drives change. While most resist it, try to control it through runes and resonance, I prefer to guide it."

  His words resonated within my understanding of the World Tree Sutra. The Primordial Wood Arts emphasized assisting in growth as opposed to compelling it, working with the natural flow of life energy rather than dominating it.

  Perhaps this was the reason his energy called to me – our philosophies of development were even closer than I had assumed.

  The seed began to grow in his hand, producing crystalline roots and leaves that refracted light like prisms. Within moments a small tree of living crystal stood in his palm, with branches that swayed in a breeze that I couldn’t feel.

  “Beautiful,” I breathed, honestly moved by the sight.

  “Beauty is secondary,” the elder dismissed the comment. “Understanding is the key. The red sun's energy isn’t merely destructive chaos; it’s about transformation. Those who can truly comprehend this...” He closed his hand, and the tree crumbled into dust that swirled away in the wind. “Those who achieve greatness often do so by transcending what others believe is impossible.”

  “That is what you’ll teach me?” I asked, excited.

  “Amongst other things.” He turned to walk back to the door. “Now, come. You need to get formally documented, receive your quarters, and..." He glanced down at my villager's clothes, "appropriately dressed."

  Elder Molric Analysis...

  Established Social Bond

  Level of Relationship: enigmatic master

  Level of Trust: 5%

  Archetype: reclusive expert of profound wisdom

  Notes: Displays the typical characteristics of a practitioner of the heterodox path. Outside of mainstream practices, likely has developed new insights that most practitioners have missed.

  Warning: Likely involved in research that may be technically forbidden.

  Recommended Approach: Show respectful caution while demonstrating interest in his ideas.

  I had to hold back a smile; Azure’s assessment wasn't wrong at all. Elder Molric really did fit perfectly into that classic archetype of the unorthodox master who'd discovered some profound but controversial dao.

  This type of master would end up one of three ways — either as a revolutionary figure who transformed their world forever, as an outcast heretic who lived out their days as a bitter recluse, or the particularly tragic cases who pursued their research too aggressively and ultimately became a cautionary tale when they blew apart from attempting to unlock forbidden knowledge.

  "Though given this academy's attitudes," I thought back to Azure, "I'm betting on the 'lonely heretic' path. At least he hasn't started ranting about how all the other elders are short-sighted fools who don't understand his profound insights yet."

  “That usually doesn’t occur until Chapter 3 of his story arc, Master.”

  ***

  The remainder of the day was a blur of paperwork. I was fitted for robes, assigned a small room in one of the lower spires, and presented with a seemingly endless stack of forms to sign. Most of the forms appeared to be liability releases, which did little to alleviate my concerns regarding the survival rate in this place.

  “These will allow your resonance to stabilize until you develop sufficient control over your runes,” the quartermaster said, handing me a set of silver bands with crimson markings etched into them. “Wear them always.”

  I slid the bands onto my wrists, sensing their power interlinking with my red core.

  The persistent pressure I experienced from the red sun decreased somewhat.

  “And these,” she continued, piling stacks of books onto the counter, “these are the foundational texts for your studies. Elder Molric wants you to become familiar with the theories of resonance before your first lesson tomorrow.”

  I stared at the stack of books. There must be tens of thousands of pages there. “Tomorrow?”

  “Welcome to the academy, initiate,” She gave me a thin smile. “Sleep is a luxury you can no longer afford.”

  As if to reinforce this idea, a bell sounded in the complex. Instantly, every initiate in sight stopped what they were doing and assumed positions of attention against the walls.

  “Evening meditation,” the quartermaster explained. “You will learn the schedules eventually. For now, follow the other initiates to the meditation hall. Please, do not die on your first day; the paperwork is excessive.”

  I followed the closest group of initiates and attempted to emulate their stiff postures. The boy beside me gave me a quick glance and whispered, “You’re the Natural everyone is talking about?”

  “Spines straight, eyes forward!” A senior disciple shouted. “Silence in the meditation line!”

  I saw that the boy had fresh bruising on his cheeks; probably the result of previous corrections by senior disciples. Clearly, Vayara was not wrong about the discipline here.

  The line of initiates moved with military precision through the corridors until we arrived at the meditation hall.

  The meditation hall itself was a massive chamber located near the apex of the central spire. On the numerous crystalline platforms at varying heights, thousands of initiates sat in a variety of meditative positions.

  “Find your resonance level,” a senior disciple instructed me softly. She must have noticed my confusion because she added, “Platforms are organized in layers according to cultivation level and resonance strength. The higher the platform, the more concentrated the red sun’s energy. Meditating at a level beyond your ability can lead to ...” she glanced at a portion of platforms that seemed darker than the rest, “…death.”

  Using my spiritual sense, I let my red core's energy flow freely. Several platforms near the center of the chamber lit up as they responded to my energy.

  “Impressive,” the senior disciple whispered. “Most new initiates can barely access the lower levels — their resonance is too weak to withstand the red sun’s influence at the upper levels. The bottom five levels are for those still developing their fundamental rune. The middle levels are for those whose resonance has stabilized. Only the highest platforms are for those who are close to breaking through to Rank 2." She studied me thoughtfully. “Of course, I suppose being a Natural changes that.”

  “Thank you, Senior Sister,” I bowed.

  I then made my way to one of the platforms and settled into a meditation position. The other initiates around me found their own levels, creating a matrix of practitioners. The organization of the platforms was not solely for appearance; I could feel how the upper platforms were channeling increasing amounts of the red sun's energy.

  “Tiered systems prevent practitioners from overextending themselves,” Azure mentioned. “Each level requires perfect resonance with the previous level before the next becomes accessible.”

  Before I could respond, the chanting began…

  “Through resonance, we transcend,” thousands of voices sang in unison. “Through transcendence, we serve the Last Light.”

  I had to suppress a smile. They had it all. Even the phrasing was perfect cult material: the vague promises of transcendence, servitude framed as enlightenment, and that melodramatic 'Last Light' title.

  "Begin," a voice commanded from somewhere above, and I could almost picture some hidden elder conducting this choir of devoted followers.

  Still, I reminded myself, cult or not, they had power.

  Power that I needed.

  If chanting some melodramatic phrase was the price of learning their techniques, then I guess I could live with that.

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