A woman in purple sect martial attire with green accents suddenly rushed to Lassim’s side from a hut near the training arena, her hands glowing with green healing energy as she tended to his injuries.
She was a nature elemental warrior that thankfully was always on-site as the Sect’s healer during training exercises and battles, her touch soothing and mending his broken body.
Lassim winced as his bones knit back together, the pain slowly receding.
However, he also coughed up a few bone fragments that had punctured his lungs in that last attack so that they could heal.
Volten watched impassively, waiting until Lassim was healed enough to stand. "You’ve shown determination, Lassim, but power alone isn’t enough. You’ll serve as a sect servant for the next month, as agreed."
Lassim nodded, still catching his breath. "Yes, Sect Master."
"Your first task," Volten continued, "is to submit 50 Lightning Source Stones each week. You’ll find them naturally formed by the storm overhead out in the Tempering Fields that you were at this morning. They’re used as the sect’s cultivation allowance each month and vital as a training aid for some of the sect’s battle arts and defensive techniques.
Sect Servants don’t receive this but instead 500 mid-grade ESS a month as payment. Once you reach initiate rank, you’ll join the others and receive one source stone each month until you advance. Elder Qin will hand you a booklet when you receive your servant uniform that will explain the ranks within the sect and the requirements for advancement."
The Sect Master paused for a moment, thinking something over before adding, "However, since you’re a bit of a special case, I want you to fully experience and appreciate the hard work the others put in to reach the higher ranks within the sect.
You are forbidden from advancing ranks for a minimum of 6 months per rank, even if you currently meet the requirements to be an inner sect disciple with your current cultivation level. It’d be best if you spent at least a year at each rank, but we shall see."
Lassim stood up, body aching still but limbs and bones back in place. "I understand."
Volten turned to Elder Qin. "Ensure he receives the necessary guidance and equipment for his tasks. And make sure he understands that failure is not an option or else he’ll be kicked out like the other Sect Servants."
Elder Qin nodded. "Of course, Sect Master."
As Lassim limped to stand at Elder Qin’s side, he felt the eyes of the recruits on him as he approached, a mix of awe but also pity.
He knew the road ahead would be challenging based on his cold reception, but he was determined to prove himself, no matter the cost.
This was only the beginning of his journey within the Lightning Sect.
Lassim and the recruits and Elder Qin watched as Sect Master Volten disappeared from everyone’s eyes with a clap of thunder resounding, too quick for their eyes or spirit sense to catch his movement. The air where he stood still crackled with residual energy before fading away.
"Follow me," Elder Qin instructed, his voice cutting through the lingering tension. "We need to get you all settled."
The group followed Elder Qin, leaving the arena and grand hall in through the expansive courtyard outside towards the quartermaster’s office.
After a few minutes of walking they arrived. The building itself was imposing, constructed from dark stone and adorned with lightning motifs. Lightning-shaped spires reached toward the sky, and the entrance was flanked by large pillars carved with intricate runes that flickered with energy.
It had big thick rune words above the entrance that conveyed the meaning of "supplies" and "office" combined when Lassim touched them with his spirit sense.
Inside, the atmosphere was just as formidable and conveying of order as the rest of the sect Lassim had seen so far.
The interior was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with shelves holding various items and equipment necessary for the sect’s daily operations. Various plants, potions, robes, under clothing, etc. were all available.
The room was illuminated by hanging crystal lamps that emitted a soft, electric blue glow, casting a unique yet comforting warmth across the room.
In the center of the room stood a long, polished stone counter behind which the Sect’s Quartermaster awaited.
He was an elderly looking man with a stern face and a meticulous demeanor, his sharp eyes taking in every detail as the group approached. His beard was neatly manicured and twisted into a single braid that hung down to just above his collar bones in the chest of his chest.
Behind him, more shelves were stocked with more neatly organized rows of uniforms, array discs, and various cultivation aids.
"Greetings Quartermaster Stern. I’ll need 6 initiate sets and one servant set for today’s newest members please." Elder Qin stated politely with a half bow.
Turning towards the group behind him, "For the initiates," Elder Qin began, "your robes are purple with deep gray accents. They signify your rank and your affiliation with the sect. Always wear your Sect robes while on official missions and within the Sect’s domain.
Wear it with pride but know any illegal or inhumane acts will have you dealt with by the Guards Tower Master when she learns of your treachery. This is your only warning."
While Elder Win explained, the Quartermaster handed out the robes to the new initiates, each one taking theirs with a mixture of pride and apprehension.
The initiates stepped forward one by one, receiving their allowances and uniforms from the quartermaster, who meticulously recorded each transaction and their names and rank in a large ledger.
When it came to Lassim, the quartermaster handed him a solid brown robe with purple accents. "This is for you," he said, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of pity. "Sect servant robes and your ESS allowance."
Lassim took the robe, feeling the rough fabric between his fingers. It was a clear sign that his job was a dirty one and barely affiliated with the sect.
He accepted it without complaint, determined to prove himself. It was only for a month anyways.
The initiates also received their allowance of two thunder source stones and a voucher for a basic rank lightning battle art from the battle art library.
Additionally, they were given a token that could be exchanged for one hour of an Elder’s time for training advice.
They were also handed schedules which listed their required mission quota of one initiate level mission to be completed every three months, and the list of lectures being held by Sect Elders.
Attendance was not mandatory but recommended for those who wished to impress a lecturer and become an elder’s personal disciple. A personal disciple had a vastly improved set of allowances, a golden accented robe and often received additional gifts from their master.
Lassim, in contrast, only received the mid-grade ESS as allowance, and his schedule only listing his mission quota of 50 Thunder Source Stones per week.
Along with it was a sheet of paper explaining how to find the TSS and what they looked like in simple terms. He was not allowed to attend the lectures or any other activities until his rank increased to initiate.
After receiving their supplies, Elder Qin led them to the residential building for initiate rank disciples.
The building was grand, with individual rooms for each disciple. The exterior was constructed of the same dark stone as the other buildings, with intricate lightning patterns etched into the walls.
The entrance was adorned with a large emblem of the Lightning Sect, a ring within which was a cloud with three bolts of lightning perpendicular to each other striking downwards. It also had large lightning rune words that conveyed the meaning "initiate".
"This will be your six’s home for now with individual rooms for each of you on the fiifth floor as the newest arrivals," Elder Qin said, addressing the initiates. "Take care of them and respect each other. Also, I recommend taking some time to get to know each other and your fellow initiates. They can probably give you advice on which lectures are best to attend.
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I personally teach array building lectures on the third day of each month, should you wish to expand your knowledge."
"Thank you Elder Qin!" The initiates all exclaimed in unison before entering the residential building.
With them setting off in a hurry towards their rooms, he then turned to Lassim. "Follow me."
Lassim followed Elder Qin to a smaller building behind the initiate one. The servant quarters were starkly different from the initiate dormitories. The building was smaller and less ornate, with a simple design that emphasized function over prestige or form.
Inside, there were no individual rooms but a set of military-style barracks with bunk beds, each one plain and functional. The beds were neatly made, and the room was devoid of any personal touches or decorations.
"This is where you’ll stay," Elder Qin informed him. "It’s not much, but it’s enough. The other servants should still be out collecting their quotas for the week, but they should arrive before the sun sets. If you’re hungry, there are ration supplies and some cookware in the corner. You’re not allowed inside the mess hall until you reach the official ranks.
Sorry child, you hold a lot of promise but don’t let it get to you too much. I’ll see you again one month from now when your probation period is over."
Lassim nodded, taking in his new surroundings.
The hall was empty for now so he took his time searching for an empty bed area that was more obvious that there was no clothes or personal items in the drawers next to the beds.
He ended up choosing a bed that looked dusty with a cobweb in the corner that hadn’t been used in a while. He took the bedding outside and patted it down and took some new sheets that he found inside one of the closets, putting the old ones in a large laundry basket.
With the sheets changed, Lassim took a moment to find the communal showers near the corner where the kitchen was. He showered and changed into the servant set of robes.
Feeling clean and still a bit sore, Lassim laid down on his bunk, staring at the ceiling.
Lassim’s eyes grew tired as he felt like apologizing to his beloved spirit companions, "[Sorry Zaph. Sorry Mari. For whatever reason it seems like things will be difficult for us for a while. I don’t know why the Sect Master is this abrasive, but let’s just prove him wrong that I’m not some golden spoon brat and can actually work hard too.
He doesn’t know us or what we faced in helping the Drow together or how we’ve survived two Dragal legion invasions so far. We’ll show him we deserve a higher rank soon enough.]"
As he drifted off to sleep, he thought of the path that lay ahead. He dreamt of himself rising through the ranks and earning his place among the elite of the Lightning Sect someday. His former Headmaster shaking his hand and proud of the warrior Lassim would become as a crowd showered Lassim with adoration.
Yet, it was just a dream and soon the sun rose the next day as he slept through the night with no servants bothering him when they returned from their missions.