The sun peeked over the mountain tops, painting the sect's white clouds with gold. Vishwa and Joseph shuffled out of the dining hall, both patting their stomachs.
Joseph stretched. "Ahhh, that was good. I swear, the buns here are better than the ones in our village."
Vishwa gave a faint smile. "You always think about food after training."
"Of course! Energy, my friend. Fire needs fuel," Joseph tapped his chest with a grin. "So… library today?"
Vishwa nodded. "We only have access to the first floor. But even basics are important."
Entering the Library
The sect library wasn't a normal library—it was carved into the third mountain's side, towering spires of stone wrapped in cloud mist. Inside, shelves stretched endlessly, glowing with faint runes. Scrolls and books floated gently back to their spots when returned.
Joseph whistled. "Whoa… this place is huge. Bet even one shelf has more books than our entire village."
"Focus," Vishwa murmured, eyes already scanning. "We need books on elements. And beginner skills."
As they wandered through the aisles, a soft cough echoed.
An old man in gray robes appeared, long beard flowing like smoke. His eyes were sharp yet kind.
"New faces," he said. "First-years?"
"Yes, sir," Vishwa bowed slightly. "We're from Dorm Seven."
Joseph scratched his head. "We… kinda got lost already. Can you help us find books about elemental skills?"
The old man chuckled. "Of course. I am Elder Kaien, one of the librarians here. Follow me."
The Librarian's Guidance
Kaien led them through winding rows until he stopped at a section labeled Foundations of Martial Arts.
"These shelves hold what you seek. Basics of cultivation, beginner techniques for each element. Do not underestimate them—without a firm foundation, you cannot hope to reach higher stages."
Joseph grabbed a book immediately. "Flame Palm Basics… ha, sounds like it's made for me."
Kaien smiled. "A good choice. Fire cultivators must learn control before power. Too much recklessness and your own flames will burn you."
Joseph blinked. "…ouch. Okay, noted."
Vishwa picked a black-bound book. He read the title quietly: "Void Walk."
Kaien's gaze lingered on him. "Dark element, hm? That technique lets you slip into the thin layer between shadow and space. Powerful—but unstable if you lack discipline. If you lose control, you won't just stumble… you could vanish into the void itself."
Vishwa held the book tighter, eyes serious.
Studying the Books
They sat at a stone table, flipping pages eagerly.
Joseph tapped the diagrams. "See this? Fire Palm—basic strikes, but you channel fire through your veins, focus it into your hand. Sounds simple enough."
Vishwa's brow furrowed. "Void Walk… It says I can shift part of my body into the void for a heartbeat, making attacks pass through me or letting me move unpredictably. But it warns—overuse drains your energy, and if your will falters, you get stuck between worlds."
Joseph smirked. "So you'll be like a spooky half-ghost."
Vishwa glanced at him. "And you'll be a walking torch."
"Hey, better torch than ghost."
They both laughed softly, the sound bouncing off the quiet shelves.
Kaien returned, setting two slim scrolls on the table. "Take these to the practice grounds. Words alone won't teach you. Practice will."
The Training Grounds
Later that afternoon, they stood in one of the outer sect's training fields. Dozens of other recruits trained, sparks, winds, and light flashing around.
Joseph rolled up his sleeves. "Alright, let's do this."
He took a stance from the book, inhaling deeply. Flames flickered around his right hand.
"Flame Palm!"
He thrust forward. A burst of fire shot out—too strong. It scorched the dummy in front of him, blackening its chest.
Nearby trainees turned to stare.
Joseph coughed. "Uh… maybe a little too much."
Vishwa shook his head. "You're forcing too much energy at once. The book said small flames first."
"Fine, fine. Your turn, void boy."
Vishwa closed his eyes, gathering the dark energy. He stepped forward, and for a second, his legs shimmered, like part of him slipped into another layer of space. His body blurred—then snapped back. He stumbled, nearly falling on his face.
Joseph snorted. "Pfft—did you just half-disappear and then trip?"
Vishwa glared lightly. "It's harder than it looks."
"Don't worry, you'll get it. Just don't vanish forever, alright? I'd hate to train alone."
Practice and Progress
They trained side by side. Joseph kept burning dummies—sometimes too much, sometimes not enough. His palms turned red, but his grin never faded.
"See? Getting better!" he shouted after one clean strike left a neat scorch mark.
Vishwa improved slowly. He managed to Void Walk for a heartbeat longer each attempt. One time, Joseph threw a pebble at him, and it passed right through his shoulder as he slipped into the void.
Joseph whistled. "Whoa, that was actually creepy. But awesome."
Vishwa was panting hard. "Feels… draining. Like pulling yourself apart and stitching back together."
"Sounds gross. But hey—it worked."
Soon, the librarian Kaien appeared again, watching silently.
"Mm. Good. But remember," he said, "true mastery isn't about flashy moves. It's about control. If you cannot step back out of the void as easily as you enter, you'll be trapped."
Joseph scratched his cheek. "So… I can't just burn everything?"
Kaien's eyes narrowed. "Unless you want to roast your own dorm, yes."
The boys exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter.
Friendly Rivalry
As the sun dipped low, they sat on the grass, panting.
Joseph tossed a pebble in the air. "Bet I'll master Flame Palm before you master your Void Walk."
Vishwa smirked faintly. "Doubt it. Your fire is too wild."
"Oh yeah? Wanna bet?"
"What's the wager?"
Joseph grinned. "Loser has to clean our dorm's floor for a week."
Vishwa sighed. "Fine. But don't cry when you lose."
They bumped fists, the firelight of sunset reflecting in Joseph's eyes, and the deep shadows of evening gathering around Vishwa.
For the first time since joining the sect, they felt like real martial artists—taking their first steps into power, side by side.