We all stood for the duke as he came in and sat at the head of the table.

“You may be seated.” We all sat.

The servants started by bringing in the food and we began our dinner in earnest. I silently watched as the family spoke with one another, mostly isolating themselves to factions based on who their mother is. There was no outward animosity among the factions, but there was an underlying tension. I had no mother, so I was mostly a loner in this situation. The hour passed and as we were finishing up, father spoke.

“Avenelle, you have gone and represented the Whitefyre name resplendently at the academy. I have heard of your performance and you came back with a second circle, congratulations. You will come to my office tomorrow and we shall discuss your award, cheers.”

“”Cheers!!”” We all lifted our glasses then took a sip.

I looked at Avenelle to see a smug look on his face. His mother looked on proudly, no doubt elated that her child was quite competent.

‘He is talented, I’ll give him that.’

After the meal was done, we all headed to our respective rooms. I had a lot to do.

*****

The next few years I took my training up a notch. During that time, I advanced to a tier 5 chi master and had just advanced to a tier 4 aura master. I had been holding out on picking a concept until I reached the prerequisite 4th tier aura master. I wanted the conceptualization of my chi and aura to feed off each other and grow in strength. Now the time had come.

Telling apart the tiers of someone other than yourself is difficult unless they allow you to. I had deliberately disallowed any from seeing what level I had reached. Now, at 11 and just before going to the academy, it was time to realize my concept.

For a being that had mastered laws, built conceptual worlds and become one with the ‘dao’ this next step would be incredibly easy, and I knew exactly what to choose. I entered deep into the estate’s surrounding forest for some privacy.

I sat, cross legged in a clearing and closed my eyes. Immediately, I formed the concept for my aura.

‘From void comes the origin, the root of all things. The origin begets ying-yang, from ying-yang comes the five phases; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. From those phases, a myriad of elements are birthed. And so too, the elements must return to the phases, which returns to ying-yang, which returns to the origin, which returns to void.’

The quality of my aura immediately changed, however, a concept as complex and powerful as this would never hold on its own and would eventually become lopsided and destroy it’s holder. This is where the concept of chi comes in. It must be simple and direct.

‘Cycle, balance.’ A balanced cycle.

Once that formed, I allowed the two concepts to feed off each other and grow. My aura and chi took a qualitative leap.

‘Yes, YES, THIS IS THE FEELING!!!’ I had never felt so invigorated.

The new quality of my aura was changing me in fundamental ways even I didn’t understand, while my chi was maintaining a constant and cyclical growth.

‘Time to test things.’

I brought my aura to my palm and allowed it to take on the wood phase element. Immediately, it took on a spring green sheen and a heavy and potent vitality could be felt from it. I smirked.

‘Perfect.’

I was now prepared for my second circle. Unlike aura, the amount of circles a person has could be easily perceived by someone at a similar or higher level. So I had delayed achieving my second circle until just before I entered the academy. I had already long accumulated the necessary mana amount needed to build the second circle. So I did just that.

‘Shape, link, stabilize.’

As the second circle snapped into place, I felt a faint burn as it linked with my existing system.

‘I’ll never get tired of this.’

I opened my eyes and looked at the surrounding forest. I’ll need to report my advancement to my father and prepare for going to the academy this weekend. I’ll finally be able to use the teleportation circles and see outside the reach of the grand duchy.

I arrived in front of my father's study and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

I entered and closed the door behind me, stopping right in front of his desk.

“You’ve advanced to the second circle then?”

“Yes father.”

“And you’re going to the academy this weekend?”

“Yes father.”

He stayed silent for a few seconds, then sighed as if annoyed.

“You are among my most talented children, one of the more hardworking ones as well. Bellfast tells me you are a savant with the blade and Altham has assured me you are the most talented he has ever had the pleasure of teaching. So why do I sense no ambition from you?”

Silence greets his question. A silence that stretched for a few seconds. He sighed again.

“What then, do you want to do with your life after graduating?”

“Research, father. It is what I am most interested in.” Lie. I just needed to get him off my back.

He scowled. I knew immediately he was irritated. But He wouldn’t hound me to change my mind. It was one thing I somewhat admired about the man. He allowed his children to do whatever they wanted, but he would not help them when they mess up. And in his mind, I’m sure, I was making a mistake.

“Get out.” Ouch.