Calhoun

"Master." The polite and good-looking student of martial arts knelt down in front of his master, who was standing with his back to him.

After a few minutes of seeming silence, the master eventually broke the hush with a sigh and said, "Do you know why I summoned you here?"

At that, the dashing guy with the light-medium skin tone kept his composure. Because he and his master had already gone over a great number of topics in the past, he was unsure of what they were going to talk about today, much alone the reason why he had been called to his master's place on that particular day.

"You aren't aware of that, are you?" When the master turned around to face the young guy, who was kneeling a few feet away from him and facing away from him, he questioned him.

"I am the grand master and head of this sect, and your parents brought you here when you were only six years old. Since then, you have never returned to your home. This place has served as your residence." The master stopped as he made his way down the winding staircase that led up to his throne-like chair serving as the grand master's throne.

"Yes, master, for as long as I can remember, I've thought of this place as my home, and the people who live here as my family." The student provided a response.

"Calhoun, I immediately took you under my wing as my primary disciple, and I instructed you in a great deal. Although I would have liked to appoint you the next grand master and head of our sect, we must never forget your origins. You are a prince, but I believe it is time for you to return to your kingdom." Master said.

Calhoun was forced to grovel to his master after hearing this remark, pleading with him to not let him leave the sect. Even though he had a bright future waiting for him back in his home, he didn't know anybody there apart from his parents and smaller brother, and he couldn't even remember what the majority of his relatives looked like.

"I have said this in the past, and I will state it once more: you must never forget where you came from. You are the crowned prince of Amber Land, and regardless of whether you want to, you have to return home for the sake of your people." In response, Master said.

"I am aware of all of these things; nonetheless, I do not intend to go back just yet, Master. My brother Bronson, who has been living at home while I've been away for the last many years, has certainly established a solid reputation for himself in the kingdom and has amassed a sizeable fan base. My coming back will just make things more difficult for me in the future... Do you not see that no one would want to crown someone who they had not seen for years as king?" Calhoun inquired.

"If he seizes the throne and you have nowhere else to go, you can come back here and take my position as sect leader, but you have to fight for what is yours at all costs; don't just give up because he is well known and you aren't," the master offered advice.

"I have trust in you that you will do great things... the day of your graduation is getting closer; you need to study even more diligently and make sure that you pass the finals." Before Master allowed Calhoun to depart, Master added.

****

"Master wants you to leave right after graduating?" Calhoun's closest friend from childhood, Louie Francis, expressed interest in the matter.

Calhoun gave a brief nod in response to Louie's question as he sat on his bed, which was next to Louie's.

"Why right now? After you've attained the level of martial king, I assumed he'd finally let you go, but he hasn't." Louie asked.

"We are all aware that the master is prone to making last-minute adjustments to his plans. Even though it's upsetting, I'm trying to have a positive outlook and realize that everything works out for the best." Calhoun provided a response.

"Is this really for the best? After graduation day, you'll be leaving Caleb Cook. He'll probably stay behind and become a martial arts grandmaster before you do, and before you know it, the master will have made him the leader of this sect." Loiue stated.

Caleb Cook was another martial arts student in the sect; he'd been the obnoxious and dangerous kid when they were younger, but now that they're all grown up, he's proving to be just as skilled as Calhoun and achieving similarly impressive results via his practice.

Since then, it has become almost like a battle between the two, with one trying to prove that they are superior to the other in terms of being better, stronger, and wiser.

It got to the point where many students placed bets on them to see which one would end up being the most successful with top grades than the other one.

Calhoun groaned as he leaned back on his bed and said, "Right now, there are a lot of things going through my head, and I no longer know what to do or say."

"You want to go eat? The buns being prepared right now are ours to take." After Calhoun had given him a harsh look, Louie volunteered while giving a mocking smile and making the comment to make it sound like he had been joking.

"I apologize, but what options do we have? It is impossible for you to defy the master and stay here... On top of that, you never know—your brother may not care about the throne at all, leaving it open for you to claim it as your own." According to Louie, he was endeavoring to lift his friend's spirits and help him feel better.

Calhoun heaved another sigh.

"I don't know why I'm more afraid of losing the grandmaster's title than I am of my brother taking the kingdom." Calhoun conceded.

"Because this grandmaster fight is more intense compared to the one for the throne?" Louie inquired, despite the fact that he was aware that what he had said was, in fact, the opposite of what it really was.