Quan moved into his hut the day after Asha, and he returned from their trip. The sect ‘village’, as it was called, was about halfway up the mountain. He was shown to a row of very modest huts on the edge of town reserved for outer sect members with little to no rank. He was directed to one near the end of a lane by the paper in his hand Asha had given him.

Quan looked at his new hut. One room held everything, a bed, a meditation mat and a small cupboard for storage. A small table held a washing basin on it.

I feel like I've been demoted. This is worse than the dorms in college. He thought as he observed his new lodging. He unpacked a couple of items of clothing he had into a chest at the foot of the bed. He looked around again, deciding that his goal was now to improve his living conditions as quickly as possible. He sat down and meditated until exhaustion took him, and he fell asleep on the simple mat.

The next day he woke to the sounds of people passing by his hut and the early morning noises of a town. He headed out and followed his neighbours to a communal hall where there was hot food. He got in line with the others and tried to ignore the looks and whispered comments. He sat at a table by himself and observed the tables as they split up into groups. A lunchroom again. Dear gods, I repent from whatever sins I did to deserve this punishment." Quan prayed jokingly.

He finished quickly and headed over to Master Chiro’s for his morning training and work. This, at least, wasn’t changing as the steady man was at his forge as he always was. Quan lost himself in the work, and soon the morning was over. The afternoon was a rare chance to explore the town. Asha would be busy dealing with the results of their trip as she sorted out the various items they’d found or recovered and brought back.

As he walked the main street, he let himself take it in, unlike during the quick run-through he’d done with Asha. He was a little surprised to see how much it looked like any other town he’d seen. Children ran around parents as they went about their business. A tea house did business on the corner, and a few basic shops had signs out displaying names or wares. There were obvious exceptions like the Sect hall and pill shop, but it lacked the military crispness he’d been expecting.

He enjoyed a quick meal and tea at an outside table as he observed people passing by. He spent his contribution points for the first time and enjoyed the freedom of having his own money. He hadn’t gotten his earnings yet from their trip, but he knew it would be a fair amount. Plus, whatever Asha was able to get for the rare items from the cave.

Quan’s mind kept going back to his encounter with the remnant and the questions he wished he had asked. He’d gotten hints of a world that had both advanced math, science and cultivation. If it was possible, what held this world back? He decided that he needed more information.

As he finished his lunch, he headed over to the library. He noticed the young lady he’d talked to sitting alone at a table that looked like an administration desk and walked over to her. “Hello, My name is Hoon Quan. I don’t think I caught your name last time I was here.” He greeted her with a friendly tone.

“Meng Han,” she supplied as she looked up from whatever she was reading. A smile spread on her face as she recognized who interrupted her. “Your master sent you back so soon?” She asked.

“No, not today.” Quan asked, “I wondered if this library held more mundane books as well? I suddenly find I need to expand my knowledge in several areas. I know what the common people say on some of these topics, but I’d like a deeper understanding.”

“What exactly did you have in mind?” She asked curiously.

Quan paused. He didn’t want to be too direct if some group or organization held development back for some strange reason. “I guess I’d like to start in two areas, history of the kingdom, empire, or world. Not the old tales, but actual historical records if they exist. And anything on the current policies and standings of the politics around us.”

“What an odd request for a new member.” Meng Han stood up and indicated he should follow her as she walked. “Most young men are interested only in what they can punch or cut. It’s nice to see you looking ahead.” She pulled out a fairly thin volume and handed it to him.

“This is a copy of King Yaung’s vision for the kingdom. He wrote and distributed it when he was fighting for the throne, and it will give you some insight into his mind and policies.” Quan knew Yaung was the king of Taesan, the nation he was born to. He’d taken the throne shortly before Quan’s birth.

She pulled another larger volume out and said, “This is one of my favourites. The author is hilarious as he comments on the latest events in the empire over the last thousand years. He even sends updates every decade!”

“The king wants his words spread widely, so we have plenty of copies, and you can have one for a few credits. You can't take the large volume out of the library, but you can use a desk and read it for free. It’s a super cheap way to spend the afternoon!” She announced as she handed him the books. “Let me know if these fit what you’re looking for or if we need to find you something else.”

“I’m sure these will be a good start. I’m glad I approached you. You picked them out very fast!” Quan smiled.

“I like to read, and I’m not allowed to read the combat arts, so I’m the perfect person for today’s question!” She exclaimed happily. “Let me know if you need help.” She said again as she left him at a table.

Quan started with the larger book, A history of Fujikami. After reading a few passages, he realized it was more of a gossip book about the events of the times as the author heard them. It contained more scandals than history, but it had enough to be worth reading probably. After about an hour of reading, he took the book to the counter and told Meng Han he’d be back to read more but would read the other book in his own place and left the library.

He wanted to find something Lo Ren had told him about. A couple of polite direction requests later, he found himself looking at an area half the size of a football field with several sparring squares cut and raised on it. There was a large area for seating and watching. He found a place near the front where he could see the bouts of others in the sect. He didn’t see any masters in the yard, but older students seemed to be in charge in areas as various people sparred. He quickly found the more advanced students moving at speeds and performing feats that fooled his eyes. He had a depressingly long way to go before he could match these children who seemed to be his age.

"You gotta be Hoon Quan." A boy said as he came and sat beside Quan. "I'm Lee, Yaun Lee. Nice to meet ya.".

Lee had a friendly smile as he openly studied Quan. He was dressed like everyone else, in simple clothes fit for working out in. He was probably about the same age as Quan and appeared fit with close-cut hair and skin dark from time in the sun.

"Everyone has been wondering when you'd show up. A new guy here has everyone talking!". Lee said. "You find your way around already? Here to watch or to fight?"

"Oh. I don't think I'm supposed to be fighting yet. I'm very new."

"Ahh, having trouble mastering your first art? What are you going with?" Lee asked sympathetically.

"Oh, it's more of a body art.". Quan replied vaguely. "I’m not sure we’re supposed to share those details are we?” Quan asked.

“Not officially, but we all figure it out when we fight a few times. Don’t share outside the sect for sure!” Lee emphasized. “But no, you gotta fight. Everyone does!” Lee stood up and yelled at a nearby group of teenagers. “Hey, Qin, this guy’s next. He’s Master Asha’s student, Quan!”

The group looked over in interest at Lee’s yell, and Quan found himself being dragged towards the group by Lee’s insistence. The group of five all wore a basic training Gi. They looked to range in age from about 14 to 17. They openly inspected Quan as he got closer. The two youngest were scowling as he got near. “No fair, I’m next,” one of them said.

The oldest gave a tiny bow and said, “Haun Qin, I have looked forward to your arrival from seclusion. You have just recently formed your core, correct?” Qin asked, showing a surprising knowledge of Quan’s status already. Quan nodded, and Qin continued, “You can still fight next, Fung. You will test our new friend here.”

“I hope you will forgive my suggesting a partner so much younger, but he is the only one still at such an early stage to match you.” He said while turning back to Quan.

Quan was curious to see how he would fare against the other students and decided to go along with the pressure to a match. “That sounds fair. I’m willing to admit I have much to learn.

A minute later, Quan was in the square anticipating the fight call from the student judge of the bout. As the fight began, Quan waited to see what the Fung would do. Fung came in fast with two kicks, one high one low that Quan easily blocked. Quan pushed back with a light punch that failed to touch the agile boy. They circled for a bit, exchanging tentative blows to feel each other out. Suddenly Fung charged forward at a perceived opening and yelled, “Eagle Talon Fist.” Quan tried to dodge as he realized he was about to meet his first special attack. At the same time, he saw an opening Fung had left to get his hit in, and Asha’s training kicked in as he launched his own counter strike.

Suddenly Fung was down on the ground, moaning a bit. “Match Quan.” The judge declared.

“I see we need to up the stakes here. My apologies for underestimating you,” Qin said. He stepped into the square as a couple of boys helped Fung walk off. He bowed again, “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Haun Qin, junior student of Master Tang Wu, your master’s rival, and therefore, your rival. Let us begin.”