Ciona Han

The Flux Pavilion was the central pavilion of the Free Feathers Martial Arts School, located in the heart of the entire academy. It was the largest building and the place where students and teachers spent most of their time discussing the best ways to cultivate Flux, understand, and improve their personal arts.

 Kizaer, along with other students, hurried toward the Flux Pavilion. This was one of the most anticipated moments for the students, especially considering that the vast majority of them lacked a support network, families, backers or affiliations that could provide Flux cultivation techniques or help correct errors for those just starting on the path of Flux cultivation.

The Flux Pavilion consisted of a group of teachers who were at various stages of Flux cultivation. They used their personal experiences and scrolls from the Free Feathers Martial Arts School to teach training methods to those curious-minded students determined to embark on the path of cultivation.

It's worth noting that Venerable Director Ling did not force all his students to become cultivators. Those who lacked interest or didn't put effort into this path were trained and educated to become influential individuals in society, holding various positions and learning professions that would provide them with a comfortable and stable life. Venerable Ling's personal mission was to offer a path for changing his students' lives, whether through cultivation or educational instruction.

Kizaer entered the Flux Pavilion and headed toward the west wing, designated for beginners. As he approached the classroom, he encountered his childhood friend, Ciona Han, waiting by the entrance.

Ciona Han a 8-years-old girl, already had the reputation of a "little beauty." Her small and delicate figure was graced with hair as black as the night, flowing down to her shoulders, brushed, and shining like the reflection of moonlight on a lake. Her eyes resembled small reddish pearls, reflecting a light of innocence, intelligence, and gradual maturity.

Her face was fine and delicate, her skin lightly bronzed by the sun, and her lips timid, cherry-coloured, reminiscent of the fire-spiritual flowers that bloomed in spring. Her nose was slender and harmonious with her small chin. The combination of her youthful beauty, still maturing, gave her an air of a cherry blossom that had sprouted on the highest branch of a tree. From there, she could catch the sun's rays and stand out among the other flowers.

Despite appearing immature, Ciona Han already displayed behaviour and postures befitting a little fairy, inadvertently attracting admirers who had begun to disturb her peace at times. Kizaer and Ciona had been friends since their earliest childhood memories allowed them to recall. Although Kizaer lived in a secluded and poor area in the southern part of the city, and Ciona came from a prominent merchant family in the southern district, the people of the city weren't petty enough to interfere in children's friendships due to differences in social class. After all, children were children, and anyone could elevate their social status through effort, whether through Flux cultivation or studies in the various schools in the city.

While political alliances and economic interests were sealed by marriage in this world, people also advocated for freedom of choice in their partners. Perhaps not with as much freedom among royal families, but nothing so rigid that it would cause wars. at least not in the Country of Waven.

Because of this, friendships and relationships between individuals of different social classes were not so rare or abstract that they were rejected or persecuted among the people.

"Ah, it's you," Kizaer said in a monotonous and tedious tone. "Good morning, Booger Girl. What brings you here? Are you working as a spokesperson to attract more drooling admirers to class?"

"Shut up, or I'll spread the word to everyone that you wet your pants!" Ciona retorted, stomping her feet in anger, while Kizaer widened his eyes dramatically. "And what's this talk about attracting 'drooling boys'? To me, those nuisances are like flies buzzing around feces all day and suddenly showing up at mealtime to disturb and ruin people's appetites." Despite appearing like a sweet little fairy, Ciona had a spicy temperament.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's all this?" Kizaer exclaimed, glancing around frantically to check if anyone had heard what his friend just said. "That happened many years ago, and you know it! What benefit do you gain from spreading such things around? It'll tarnish the reputation of this hardworking young master here."

After ensuring that no one nearby could have heard what his friend said, Kizaer continued, "You know very well which 'drooling boys' I'm talking about: that swarm of flies that follows you everywhere, craving your attention. Well, since we're friends, I'm willing to sacrifice myself for you and officially declare myself your fiancé so that you can have a little peace… Although…" Suddenly, Kizaer placed one hand on his stomach and the other over his mouth.

*Blergh* *Blerrrghh*

He exaggeratedly mimicked vomiting. "Forget it. Even though this young master is magnanimous and merciful, there are limits to everything under the heavens. I could never endure living by your side."

*Pah!*

"Ouch!" Kizaer roared as he received a slap on the side of his head.

"Shut your trap!" Ciona retorted, her face flushed with anger, and one of her hands slightly numb. "Who in their right mind would want to become engaged to a natural scoundrel like you? You should be grateful to still have my friendship. Come on, bedwetter, we're running late for class. If you keep up these senseless engagement insinuations, rest assured I'll hang a banner at the school entrance that reads 'Kizaer is the biggest bedwetter in town.' Do you dare doubt me?" Ciona spun on her heels and stormed into the classroom, fuming. 'How did I become friends with this scoundrel? And why does it feel like every time I hit him, it's like hitting a piece of iron?' she wondered to herself.

'How do I put up with this annoying girl?' Kizaer thought to himself as he followed her. "What do those drooling boys see in this annoying little girl who looks like an enraged ferret?" he muttered under his breath.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Ciona spun around again on her heels and shouted furiously.

"NOTHING, NOTHING! I was just muttering that I need to study harder, hehehe." Kizaer nervously and exasperatedly replied.

"Humph!" The girl huffed and walked away, paying no further attention to the little rascal.

Unconsciously, Kizaer wiped an invisible bead of sweat from his forehead. 'That was close! I need to watch my mouth.' Kizaer admonished himself as he entered one of the beginner classrooms and headed for an available seat.