Chapter 7:Weight of Paths

FrostVale was known for many things its towering trees of crystal bark, its rivers that sang under moonlight, and its harmony between the high and dark elves. But above all, what defined it was the Three Great Sects, pillars of cultivation, legacy, and ambition.

On the morning following their breakthrough, the students stood in the Courtyard of Selection, a circular plaza carved into the side of Mount Thaeron. It overlooked much of FrostVale's southern expanse, its cities scattered like gems across a white-and-emerald sea.

Mistress Kim stood in front of them, dressed in ceremonial azure. At her side, three figures waited silently, each wearing robes of a different sect.

"The three sects have each agreed to host your class for observation before you choose where to align yourselves," she said. "Each of you must choose by the end of the week. No exceptions."

She motioned to the first.

"This is Instructor Vanna Ryze of the Frozen Blade Sect."

The woman stepped forward. Her snow-white robes bore a silver insignia of a downward-pointing sword piercing a glacier. Her eyes were cold, not cruel but measured, like she had seen what failure looked like and had no patience for it.

"We offer strength through mastery," she said simply. "Your body is a blade. Your mind, the sheath. Your Domain, the forge. If you lack the will to sharpen it… you will be broken."

"Follow."

Three students stepped forward, drawn by the discipline and the edge in her tone. Guren wasn't one of them.

The remaining six were split between the next two sects.

Mistress Kim gestured to the second instructor a gentle-looking man with leafy green robes and dark brown skin. His eyes gleamed with age and wisdom, and his voice was like a breeze.

"Instructor Theron Elswood of the Verdant Soul Sect."

"We walk alongside nature, not above it. The elements, the beasts, and the roots of this world have long whispered their truths. We teach you how to listen."

Jin Park, a thin dark elf boy who barely spoke, looked fascinated. So did Riya Mehta, the high elf girl who always carried a notebook. They moved to follow him.

Scott Kawski yawned dramatically.

"Sounds like a weekend picnic."

Tyron smiled patiently. "It's often those who mock the soil that find themselves buried in it, young one."

Scott only shrugged and fell back into the middle group.

The final instructor stepped forward. Her robes were a blend of red and gold, trimmed with glyphs that shimmered faintly in the morning light. Her gaze was sharp, but not unkind curious, alive, and calculating.

"Instructor Mira Matthew of the Dawnfire Sect."

"Our path is the study of Qi itself its patterns, its truth, its resistance to the will of mortals. We are seekers of knowledge, manipulators of energy, and the closest this world has to scholars of the flame that fuels all things."

Scott immediately raised a hand.

"Yeah, I'll go with her. Sounds like less running."

Mira smirked. "You might be surprised, Mr. Kawski. Ignorance burns hotter than fire."

Guren stood silently for a moment.

Dawnfire's path aligned with what he wanted not just raw strength or communion with nature, but understanding. Still, he hesitated. Each path had weight. Each demanded sacrifice.

"Von Duran," Mira called out, already halfway down the eastern stairwell. "If you're going to stand there and ponder the world forever, do it while walking."

Guren blinked… then smiled faintly and followed.

***

The Sect Tours Begin

Each group of four students was led across different routes, their days spent witnessing the practices, customs, and teachings of each sect.

Guren's group consisting of himself, Scott Kawski, a dark elf girl named Naomi Sterling, and a stoic dark elf named Elias Rowe was first brought to the Dawnfire Spire, an ancient tower built over a natural Qi well that never ran dry.

There, they watched spellweavers ignite runic constructs in midair, manipulate flame as if it were silk, and extract Qi threads directly from falling water.

"Our discipline," Mira explained, "is in the finesse of Qi not its brute use. Power is easy. Precision is rare."

Scott snorted. "I'll take easy."

Elias didn't speak once the entire day, his eyes sharp, always focused. Naomi, on the other hand, asked two dozen questions before lunch.

Guren mostly observed… storing everything.

***

Over the next two days, the students rotated between sects.

At the Frozen Blade Sect, Guren was impressed by the physical rigor. Students trained in martial formations and mental focus, even striking Qi imbued stones until their fists bled. Yet the cold pride in the air reminded him of Brent too much.

At the Verdant Soul Sect, the peace was genuine, the connection to the land deep and quieting. But it felt… too slow. Like it would bury his ambition under roots and reflection.

When the week neared its end, the twelve were summoned again to the Courtyard of Selection.

Mistress Kim stood waiting.

"You have seen what each sect offers," she said. "Now choose. This path may not be your final one, but it will shape your foundation."

Each student approached the three tablets bearing the sect crests and pressed their hand to one.

Guren was third to walk.

He didn't hesitate this time.

He placed his hand on the Frozen Blade Crest.

And the Qi in the air sparked just slightly.

To be Continued