He truly was a foolish man.

In the shade of a tree outside of White Cloud Town on a hill overlooking the fields, Xuan Shi sat down, careful to be mindful of his injury. He let his head fall back against the trunk with a thunk. His hat tipped forward, falling down over his face, blocking out the world outside.

He did not know what he had expected. He should have learned by now that stories did not reflect reality.

An unusual bloodline only led to isolation.

The distant school, so far from the empty home, was not a place where the friendships of lifetimes were forged. The isolated and lonely heiress who buckled under the weight of expectation did not have any need for love to lighten her burden. Winning tournaments changed nothing. The mysterious and confusing girl who had intruded upon his life had never held any particular interest in him beyond friendly acquaintance, and in fact, his interest had frightened her.

Father had never intended to return for him. It had been a lie from the beginning.

a soothing voice whispered.

Xuan Shi did not think he had been particularly heroic. He had faced that creature out of desperation, knowing that Lady Bian’s skills were the only ones in their group which could hope to reach others. The pain of the blow he had suffered nearly overwhelmed him, and even now, his thoughts felt slow at the medicinal energies flowing in his veins, dulling the pain as the bones in his lower arm were regrown from shards.

Few Xuan were accustomed to pain, a side effect of their natural toughness. He had nearly fumbled his counter.

the spirit said patiently.

“This one apologizes, Kongyou. This sulking is unbefitting,” he murmured aloud.

she whispered.

“In Miss Ling’s position, such fears are not to be advertised,” he said quietly. Still, it hurt. He had thought things were going well.

the spirit said, and he almost missed the hint of doubt in her voice.

“This one is unworthy of such titles,” Xuan Shi replied. He sat up and reached up to adjust his hat. “This one is no child that needs constant reassurance.”

Kongyou said archly.

To that, he had no reply. Xuan Shi looked out over the fields where mortals performed their toil in silence. Despite himself, such words felt good. Even from his uncles, kindest of his caretakers, such direct praise was rare and sparing. Attracting the attention of a spirit of dream was the only good thing which had happened to him this year.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

Kongyou reminded him gently.

He remembered. She had explained from the beginning that she was a regional spirit and that she would not leave her home here in the south. That was… fine.

the muse said lightly.

Xuan Shi let out a dry chuckle. He appreciated the attempt to cheer him. Slowly, he stood back up, holding back a wince as the motion managed to jostle his arm, sending a sharp pain through the veil of medicinal energies in his thoughts. “This one has little idea of where to begin,” he admitted.

In the Savage Seas, children were allowed to mingle with young xuan wu, and the companionships that were born there became spirit bonds. There were ever less xuan wu than Xuans however, and of the four times he had attended the meetings, he had never attracted companionship. No one had taught him what to do after he became too old to attend those meetings.

Such things were a parent’s duty.

“Perhaps this one should study the interactions of the region?” Xuan Shi mused. Understanding the spiritual ecosystem seemed a good place to start in finding a suitable companion.

Kongyou chided.

There, Xuan Shi was uncertain. While spirits would not be put off by his people’s mode of speech, it was not as if his demeanor and inclinations had earned him friends among his own generation. Adults of the clan liked him well enough, but peers were a different matter.

“Miss Kongyou makes the task sound like such a trifle,” Xuan Shi said dryly as he began to descend the shallow hill he had sat on, returning to the road.

the spirit grumbled.

“If titles may be applied to this one, they may be applied to thee as well,” Xuan Shi said in amusement.

Kongyou made a sound of irritation, but there was no anger in it. Was this, then, what it was like to banter with a friend?

Kongyou muttered irritably.

“This one can only apologize,” Xuan Shi said, but despite his renewed cheer, anxiety still chewed at his thoughts. Did he truly have the chance of acquiring a spirit companion? His every attempt to forge connections with others had failed again and again. Why should now be any different?

Kongyou’s voice was thick with confidence and glee.