ch. 33 - the Western Highlands end.

Merlin's weeks in the Western Highlands were a blur of activity, each day bringing new challenges and experiences. Training sessions with the Highlanders became part of his routine, their grueling regimen forcing him to refine his techniques and push his limits. He sparred not only with Faryn but also with others in Cairine's group, each of whom had unique fighting styles that helped Merlin grow in ways he hadn't anticipated.

The mornings were spent hunting alongside the Highlanders. The rugged terrain and unpredictable weather of the Highlands provided its own set of challenges, but Merlin quickly adapted, using his Lightning Vein Augmentation and Thunder Steps to traverse the rocky hills and dense forests with ease. The hunts weren't just for food; they were a test of skill, requiring coordination and quick thinking. Merlin learned to track game, navigate unfamiliar terrain, and work as part of a team, earning the respect of the Highlanders who had initially viewed him as an outsider.

In the evenings, the Highlanders taught him their traditions. Around the roaring hearth, they shared stories of legendary warriors and battles, sang hauntingly beautiful songs of the Highlands, and taught him about the ancient clans that had once ruled these lands. Though Merlin was an outsider, his willingness to learn and his dedication to the Highlanders' way of life began to break down the barriers between him and the clan.

Through it all, Merlin grew stronger. His cultivation advanced steadily, his Rolling Thunder Technique harmonizing with the physical demands of Highland life. He honed his combat skills further, seamlessly integrating his lightning-based magic with his martial arts. The Highlanders often remarked on how his movements seemed to flow like a storm—fast, unpredictable, and overwhelming.

When the time finally came for the caravan to return to Dawnsedge territory, the departure was bittersweet. Merlin had come to respect the Highlanders deeply, and they, in turn, saw him as more than just a sect disciple—they considered him a friend.

On the morning of their departure, Cairine clasped his forearm in the Highlander fashion. "Ye did well here, Merlin. Not many outsiders can keep up with our lot, but ye've proven yerself more than capable."

Faryn grinned, clapping Merlin on the back. "If ye ever grow tired o' the sect, ye'd always have a place here, lad. Though ye'd better be ready for another match if ye come back."

Merlin smiled, nodding. "I'll hold you to that. But next time, I won't hold back."

As the caravan began its journey back, Merlin cast one last look at the towering peaks of the Western Highlands. The time he had spent there had been transformative, and he carried with him not only new skills but also a deeper understanding of himself.

The journey back was quiet but filled with reflection. Merlin knew that his experiences in the Highlands had prepared him for the challenges that lay ahead, and he was eager to see how his growth would shape his future within the Dawnsedge Sword Sect.

******

The thunderstorm that had halted the caravan was relentless, its deafening booms and crackling flashes tearing through the night sky. For most of the travelers, it was a sleepless ordeal, filled with the cold bite of rain and the howling winds. For Merlin, however, it was an opportunity.

While others huddled in their wagons or tents for shelter, Merlin sat cross-legged beneath a rocky overhang, unbothered by the rain that streamed down his face and soaked his robes. The storm resonated with the Rolling Thunder Ascension Technique, the raw, chaotic energy in the air providing the perfect environment to attempt his breakthrough into the second stage—Gathering Clouds.

He closed his eyes and focused inward, channeling the storm's ambient energy into his core. The first stage, Rising Thunder, had refined his mana pathways and created a stable, pulsing foundation. Now, he needed to expand that foundation into something vast and deep, akin to the rolling storm clouds that loomed above.

The key to Gathering Clouds was patience. The mana needed to be drawn in slowly, layer by layer, and compressed within him without allowing it to overflow or destabilize. He envisioned the energy as wisps of clouds gathering around a central core, their density increasing with every measured breath.

The storm outside seemed to mirror his efforts. Each rumble of thunder sent vibrations through his body, and every crack of lightning made his mana resonate in tune. He used the Lightning Vein Body Augmentation technique to harmonize his physical form with the storm's energy, ensuring that his body could withstand the increased pressure of the technique.

As the hours passed, the layers of mana within him grew denser. The storm clouds he envisioned became darker, more ominous, crackling with latent energy. At times, the pressure threatened to overwhelm him, his breathing growing ragged as his muscles tensed under the strain. But Merlin pressed on, drawing on the lessons he'd learned in the Western Highlands and the discipline instilled by the Dawnsedge Sword Sect.

Finally, as dawn began to break and the storm outside waned, Merlin felt a profound shift within him. The Gathering Clouds stage had fully taken form. His mana had thickened and deepened, becoming a vast reserve of latent power that felt like a storm ready to burst at any moment. His body felt lighter, his movements sharper, and his senses more attuned to the world around him.

He opened his eyes just as a faint ray of sunlight broke through the dissipating storm clouds. A faint crackle of electricity danced across his fingers as he flexed his hands, testing the newfound power coursing through him.

Merlin rose to his feet, his robes still soaked but his spirit renewed. The storm had been a trial, but one he had overcome. As he rejoined the caravan, he knew that this breakthrough marked another step forward on his path—not just as a disciple of the Dawnsedge Sword Sect but as someone who could weather any storm, no matter how fierce.

Merlin stood at the edge of the caravan as it rolled through the familiar terrain of Dawnsedge territory. The towering cliffs, scattered forests, and rolling hills felt like a bittersweet welcome. The past weeks spent in the Western Highlands had been grueling but rewarding. He had forged bonds, learned invaluable lessons, and honed his abilities to a level he hadn't thought possible when he left the sect.

Flaring his mana briefly, he dried his damp robes and shook off the residual exhaustion from the storm and the long journey. The faint crackle of lightning coursing through his aura was a constant reminder of his growth during his time away.

Captain Cairine approached him one last time as the caravan prepared to split off toward the sect's main roads. Her wolfish grin was as sharp as ever. "Well, Dawnsedge boy, you proved your worth out there. Maybe next time you'll come back as a full-fledged warrior, eh?"

Merlin returned the grin. "Maybe next time, I'll be the one leading the way."

She laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'll hold you to that."

With that, the caravan moved on, leaving Merlin standing at a crossroads. Most inner court disciples were granted a bit of freedom upon their return from extended missions, and Merlin had every intention of using that time wisely.

For the first time in months, he was untethered. No elders watching his every move, no sparring partners testing his limits, no caravans requiring his protection. Just the open road and the weight of his own choices.

Merlin adjusted the straps on his pack, the hilt of his Black-Iron Saber catching the morning sunlight as it jutted out from behind his waist. He glanced up at the sky, the clouds parting to reveal the warmth of the sun—a sign, perhaps, of the calm before the next storm.

His path was clear, though the destination remained uncertain. There was much of the sect's territory he had yet to explore, and many lessons he could only learn by stepping off the beaten path. With a deep breath, Merlin set off down a side trail, his steps sure and his heart steady. For now, the journey itself was enough.