The New Teacher

After the jade bead incident, I realized I couldn't keep relying on luck or theft to survive in this sect. But instead of confronting my failures like a reasonable person, I decided the best course of action was… to run away.

Why stick around where people laugh at you when the whole world is out there, ready to be scammed?

That night, I packed my essentials: half-eaten steamed buns, a poorly drawn map, and a weird purple jade rock I was convinced might be magical (spoiler: it wasn't). I even left a dramatic note on my bed:

"To those who mocked me, farewell. When I return, you'll all be amazed by my greatness. Sincerely, Amon, Future Legend."

Sneaking past the guards was embarrassingly easy. Turns out, they don't pay much attention to bottom-ranked disciples. I was practically a ghost—or maybe they just didn't care if I left. Either way, freedom!

At the edge of the sect's territory, I paused to soak it all in. The dark forest stretched before me like a grand invitation. "This is it," I whispered, clenching my fist dramatically. "Amon's journey to greatness begins now!"

Then I heard the howl of a spirit wolf.

"…Or maybe it begins tomorrow," I muttered, sprinting back toward the sect as fast as my legs could carry me.

I'd barely made it through the entrance when I spotted Elder Hurky standing there, arms crossed, with the kind of disappointed expression that could crush a person's soul.

"Out for a morning stroll, Amon?" he asked, his tone dangerously casual.

I froze. "I wasn't… uh… escaping?"

Hurky raised an eyebrow. "Mm-hmm. Sure. You think no one noticed you sneaking out last night?"

I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. "Maybe I just needed some fresh air?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "You couldn't even last one night outside the sect without running back."

"In my defense, there was a spirit wolf," I said, puffing up slightly.

"A spirit wolf?" He snorted. "That's what sent you running?"

"It was big," I protested, gesturing wildly. "And it had glowing red eyes. Very intimidating."

Hurky chuckled, patting my shoulder. "Alright, Amon. You're stuck with us."

After my humiliating return, I decided to turn things around. No more running, no more stealing just pure focus. Well, mostly.

The next morning, Hurky informed me I'd be meeting a new instructor. "This could be your chance to stop being such a joke," he said, his tone dry as sandpaper.

"I'll show them how serious I am!" I declared, puffing out my chest.

Hurky gave me a look that screamed I'll believe it when I see it but didn't bother arguing.

I found myself standing outside a small, run-down courtyard, rehearsing what I'd say to my new mentor. Surely, they'd be a wise, long-bearded sage with a glowing aura of ancient magic. Someone who could mold me into a legendary mage.

The door creaked open.

Out walked a man who looked barely older than me, wearing an obnoxiously fancy robe that screamed I'm important, but also trying way too hard.

"Uh… are you my teacher?" I asked, blinking.

He stared at me for a moment, then sighed. "You're Amon?"

"Yep!" I said, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "Ready to be your star disciple!"

He scratched his head. "I'm Fang Zheng. Nice to meet you, I guess?"

Fang Zheng. Wait wasn't that the same name as Fang Yuan's brother from the tales? Nah, it couldn't be.

"Come on in," he said, waving me inside.

The room was as unimpressive as the courtyard: sparse furniture, dusty shelves, and a massive stack of empty teacups. Definitely not the mystical training grounds I'd envisioned.

"So… what exactly are we going to do?" I asked, trying not to sound disappointed.

Fang Zheng rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I'm supposed to teach you mana control… but, uh, looking at you, I'm not sure where to start. You seem like a bit of a lost cause."

"Hey!" I protested. "I'm not that bad!"

He gave me a once-over, unimpressed. "You ran away from the sect last night."

"That was… a brief detour," I muttered. "But I'm serious now! Totally focused!"

"Uh-huh." He didn't look convinced.

After a long, awkward pause, he sighed. "Alright. Let's start with the basics. Close your eyes and try to feel your mana."

I shut my eyes, expecting… something. A spark of power, a rush of energy, maybe even an explosion (a small one, ideally). At first, there was nothing. Then, faintly, I felt a strange pulse deep within me, like a second heartbeat.

"I think I feel it!" I exclaimed, opening my eyes.

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, mildly impressed. "Alright, maybe you're not entirely hopeless. Now, try to sync that pulse with your breathing."

I nodded, determined. This was it my moment of redemption.

Of course, that was when my mana sputtered and fizzled out like a dying firecracker.

Fang Zheng sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is going to take a while."