Morning arrived with the clear chime of a jade bell.
Its sound spread throughout the Outer Court, gently waking every new student.
Kieran opened his eyes.
For a brief moment...
He forgot where he was.
The unfamiliar wooden ceiling reminded him.
He was no longer in the Hidden Valley.
He was now a disciple of the Grand Academy.
Across the room, Ronan was already awake.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, his spear resting beside him.
"You wake early."
Kieran remarked.
Ronan nodded.
"My master said sunrise waits for no one."
Kieran smiled.
"Master Kael said something similar."
The two quietly prepared for the day.
---
Outside...
The courtyards buzzed with activity.
Hundreds of new disciples hurried toward the Outer Court.
Some carried swords.
Others held books.
Many were excitedly discussing yesterday's ceremony.
Mira waved enthusiastically as she spotted them.
"There you are!"
She was accompanied by Selene, who already had three books tucked beneath her arm.
"Were those assigned already?"
Kieran asked.
Selene shook her head.
"I borrowed them before breakfast."
Mira sighed.
"She actually woke up earlier than us... to visit the library."
"I couldn't sleep."
Selene answered simply.
---
The four followed the flow of students until they reached a vast lecture hall built into the mountainside.
Tier upon tier of stone seats overlooked a broad teaching platform.
Nearly a thousand first-year disciples filled the hall.
The atmosphere was lively.
---
An elderly instructor entered.
Instantly...
The entire hall fell silent.
Without introducing himself, he picked up a piece of white chalk.
He turned toward the enormous black stone board behind him.
Then he wrote a single word.
Path.
He placed the chalk down.
"What is a Path?"
Hands immediately shot into the air.
"The way of cultivation."
"A Martial Dao."
"The pursuit of strength."
"The road to immortality."
Each answer received the same response.
The instructor simply shook his head.
---
After dozens of answers...
He looked around the hall.
"Anyone else?"
Silence.
Then...
Kieran slowly raised his hand.
The instructor nodded.
"Speak."
Kieran stood.
"I think..."
"A Path is simply the direction one continues walking."
"It doesn't belong only to cultivators."
"A blacksmith has a Path."
"A healer has a Path."
"A teacher has a Path."
"Even someone who sweeps leaves every day walks a Path."
"The difference..."
"...is whether they stop walking."
The lecture hall became completely silent.
---
The instructor stared at Kieran for several long moments.
Then...
A warm smile spread across his face.
"Excellent."
He turned back to the board.
Beneath the word Path, he wrote another.
Journey.
He faced the class again.
"The Academy teaches cultivation."
"But cultivation is only one Path."
"If strength is your only destination..."
"You'll eventually lose your way."
---
Many students quietly lowered their heads.
Even those who had laughed at Kieran's lack of cultivation now found themselves reflecting on his words.
Mira whispered,
"That's exactly something you'd say."
Kieran scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I just answered honestly."
---
The instructor introduced himself.
"My name is Elder Rowan."
"I teach Foundations."
Several students looked surprised.
A mere Foundations instructor...
Was an Elder?
As though reading their thoughts, Rowan smiled.
"The Academy values understanding."
"Not popularity."
---
The lesson continued for two hours.
Rather than teaching techniques...
Elder Rowan spoke about observation.
Discipline.
Purpose.
And responsibility.
Every example seemed strangely familiar to Kieran.
Crystal and Kael had taught him many of the same lessons.
Only now...
He understood why.
---
As the class ended...
Most students hurried away.
Kieran was about to leave when Elder Rowan called out.
"You there."
Kieran turned.
"Yes, Elder?"
Rowan studied him carefully.
"Who taught you before you came here?"
Kieran bowed respectfully.
"My parents."
It wasn't entirely a lie.
Crystal and Kael had raised him.
The Elder nodded slowly.
"They must be remarkable people."
"They are."
Kieran replied without hesitation.
---
Watching from a distant balcony...
The Headmaster observed the exchange.
He smiled to himself.
"So..."
"The wind continues to blow."
He had heard every word spoken during the lesson.
Not through secret techniques.
But because his office overlooked the hall.
The boy's answer pleased him.
Not because it was profound.
But because it came from genuine understanding.
---
As Kieran left the lecture hall...
He suddenly stopped.
He blinked.
For the briefest moment...
He sensed something.
The surrounding Magna.
It wasn't entering his body.
Not yet.
But...
For the first time...
He could distinctly feel its existence.
It flowed through the trees.
Across the stone paths.
Within the wind itself.
Like countless invisible streams surrounding the Academy.
The sensation lasted only a heartbeat.
Then it vanished.
Kieran looked at his hand thoughtfully.
"...So this is Magna."
Though he still could not cultivate...
The world itself had begun to reveal another layer.
And hidden deep within him...
The Ancient Foundation Seal gained another tiny crack.
The day of its complete awakening...
Was no longer far away.
End of Chapter 74