Please be alright...' I swallowed, reaching the door as I slid it open.
A hallway. Just like I remembered.
"It's... really okay..." I smiled, then walked down the hallway to the right.
'If I remember correctly, this should lead to where Elder Levi is.' I looked around the hallway as I continued walking.
'Damn it... my qi though... it's dropped back to first rate.' I sighed. Voices came from inside a nearby room.
'Must be Elder Levi.' I opened the door — and yeah, there he was.
Levi looked at me and immediately bowed. "Good morning, Sect Leader! There's some financial paperwork you need to sign." He held out some documents.
'Wait… wasn't the financial department in charge of this stuff?'
"Wasn't this supposed to go through the financial department?" I asked, grabbing the papers anyway.
"Sect Leader, you just need to sign it," Elder Levi replied with that stiff tone of his.
I stared at him for a second before walking over to the table. I dipped a brush into some ink and signed all three pages.
"Here." I handed the papers back. 'Hah... back to using brushes. I swear, someone needs to invent the damn pen already.'
"Thank you, Sect Leader!" He bowed again before heading out, closing the door behind him.
"...Now what?" I muttered, standing up again. 'Where's some rubber...?'
I walked back to my room, rummaging through drawers and boxes until I found a rubber band. I grabbed my hair, pulling it back into a ponytail. "Finally. It's not itchy anymore..."
'First thing's first... I should go check on the disciples training. Then... I'll train too.'
I stepped out of my room, shutting the door behind me. I looked left, then right.
"Uhm... which way's out again?" I scratched the back of my head.
'Oh yeah!' I turned left, walked to the first door on the right, and stepped outside.
The sun hit my face like a slap. I blocked the light with my hand. "Damn it, it's bright today— Oh yeah, I forgot. It was always like this before."
I mumbled under my breath, the sound of clashing swords and an instructor yelling echoing through the courtyard.
I smiled as I looked around. "It really is back..." I muttered, walking toward the sound of the disciples.
A gust of wind blew past as I crossed the bridge. Below it, clear water with fish swimming. Around me, clean-cut grass, herbs, flowers in bloom. Tall, strong trees that looked like they hadn't aged a day.
Just like before.
I chuckled. "How beautiful..." I whispered. Then noticed a first-grade disciple staring at me.
"Sect Leader! Are you okay?!" The kid ran over, clearly worried.
'Huh? Why's he so concerned?' My face twisted into confusion.
"Why do you ask?" I said, raising a brow.
"You never used to think this place was beautiful! And Senior Disciple Sam said you've been acting... kinder." The kid bowed, still looking unsure.
'Wow... I really was a douchebag.' I sighed. "I'm fine. Go back to your training."
He bowed again before running off. I watched him leave.
"Damn it... I didn't know I was that much of an asshole..." I sighed again.
I continued toward the training grounds, stepping onto the familiar marble flooring. 'Here we are. Let's see how they're doing.'
I looked over at the second- and third-grade disciples practicing. They turned the moment they noticed me — even the instructor.
They all bowed in sync. "Good morning, Sect Leader!"
"Stand up and continue training," I replied, watching them go back to their forms. Swinging their swords, focusing on technique.
'Not bad, actually. Especially that third-grade kid in the back. Good form.'
I turned left, heading toward my usual training spot. 'Alright... my turn.'
---
I reached the cave where I used to do isolation training.
"This place should do... How long should I train for? Two weeks? No... maybe a month."
"...Yeah, a month sounds right." I stepped inside, sealing the cave behind me. The light orbs embedded in the walls slowly lit up the space. 'Those damn things are expensive.'
I checked the shelves — stocked with food and supplies. "Nice. Looks like it's all restocked." I scanned the cave. 'That should be enough.'
I made my way to the center of the room, sat down
in a lotus position, and took a deep breath.
'Alright... time to check my body.'
---