Duel request

The tallest tower in Yellow Vines is the one Elder Shi lives in and it was made of black stones. The tower jutted out of the ground like a finger pointing at the sky, and it was built so that the only room it has was at the top and you had to climb over hundreds of steps to get to it.

A normal scared practitioner would not get tired by climbing these stairs but Shun was far from a normal scared practitioner and these stairs would take a lot out of him.

He took a deep breath as he put his feet at the first of the stairs, nothing much to do but climb so he began his journey to the top of the tower carrying with him a bundle of food that had been given him for Elder Shi. He knew this was not a task given to just anybody but he was sure the Senior Elder was trying to help him or at least that's what he thought, he climbed faster at the thought of getting help for his weakness.

He was breathing hard when he got to the top and was facing the big iron door, his wounded shoulder didn't make it easier as he tried to open the door without dropping the food.

He found elder Shi on a chair by the window, her back to him even as he got close and dropped the bundle just on the table by her side and bowed to her.

"Tell me about the qi sprite Souljewel." Her voice was soft and dry like the wind and when she turned from the window he saw that her eyes were completely white. He could not tell the color of her Souljewel because her head was covered with clothes. Her affinity and why she was so respected by the Family was because she could see the past and future.

Shun told her everything without leaving anything out as she began to silently eat.

"You faced the sprite yourself? Impressive, Luo Shun."

His heart leaped, she complements me? "Thank you, Elder."

"You have something to ask me," she said without looking up from her food.

He bowed again, "I am not allowed to learn the scared practice," he said, trying and failing to keep the bitterness from his voice.

She stopped eating, "why should you learn? Can you learn? Your Souljewel did not carry any light."

"How can I learn if I'm not given the chance to do so?" He countered, then bowed.

She paused for a long time before answering, "given chance? The world is cruel and no one will give you a chance, boy. In the end, the choice lies with you."

He bowed, feeling her words taking root inside him, washing away the shame of Senior Elder's words.

"It'll be hard, in this world where the sky isn't even the limit," she smiled, slyly and Shun thought he could see something she was not telling him, a lot of things.

He bowed again and made his way out.

When he got home and in his bed, his thoughts kept going to her words but try as he might he didn't know what to do or what chance he should take. His last thought as he slept was that he would not die a weak human.

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That morning, at daybreak. Chun received his punishment.

Almost all the main members of the Family were there as the Family house was a very big compound where all who are close to the main Family lived, including Luo Shun's family.

The Senior Elder addressed the excited crowd that had gathered, "A member of our Family turned his back on the tradition and honor of this Family when he left the battlefield and left a weak Lightless to face an angry qi sprite alone. He would receive five lashes, Initial Amber Luo Chun."

The Senior Elder motioned and one member of the family came forward with a whip as the whip was lifted a voice called out.

"Wait, Senior Elder," Luo Rong shouted and pushed his way forward. Shun's heart dropped, what is it again? Is Rong trying to save his son from punishment?

"What is it?" The Senior Elder said, frowning at Rong.

"Shouldn't Shun be punished as well?"

The Senior Elder lowered the whip, and looked at Shun and Rong, "I have already punished him."

"But that doesn't restrain Chun's honor," Rong insisted as he glared at Shun. Rong had always acted indifferent against Shun but now he's acting as if he hated him.

"He should have known that when he ran away."

Shun could see his mother and Mei opposite, his mother's face was unreadable but he could see that Mel was worried, for who he didn't know.

"Be as it may be, the Lightless hasn't been punished enough for going into the forest when he knew he was weak and couldn't protect himself." Rong continues.

Everywhere is silent now and Shun could feel the eyes on him, heavy eyes that judged his weakness. Shame crawled through his face and he willed himself not to react.

"Let them fight!" Rong shouted. "Let them duel against each other and let's see who keeps his honor!"

Shun's heart dropped like a heavy stone, him and Chun? Chun would kill him no doubt.

"Is that necessary? The boy is weak and wouldn't stand a chance and Chun is already so close to exceptional Amber, right? It would stain his honor further to fight," the Elder said while flicking the whip In impatience.

Rong smiled, "Of course. That is why a champion of sixteen years ago will fight for Chun," sixteen years old Amber is the first and lowest of the rank of power in the scared practitioner's ranks. "The sixteen years ago would only be Amber and had just started the affinity training."

When one turned sixteen, their Amber would have been open enough to allow them to start training in an affinity– you might be born with an affinity but you can also choose an affinity and train. It was always advised that one choose only one.

"Do you accept, Luo Shun?" The Senior Elder asked.

Shun was trapped and his thoughts kept getting stuck but he took a deep breath. Elder Shi's words came back to him, he had to choose his destiny. He had to find his way, his own will.

"I accept."

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*This is from the author*

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