Chapter 3: Meeting the Eccentric Family

  "We will visit each of your fellow disciples now," Second Sister said as they walked from the pavilion. "It's important you understand not just cultivation theory but also the people who will be your companions on this journey."

  Leo followed her along a stone path that curved through a grove of flowering trees. Beyond the grove stood a large stone building with a chimney billowing dark smoke.

  "That looks like a forge," Leo observed.

  Second Sister nodded. "Indeed. This is where you'll meet Fourth Brother."

  As they approached, Leo felt waves of heat emanating from the structure. The rhythmic sound of metal striking metal echoed from within. Second Sister knocked firmly on the heavy wooden door.

  "Fourth Brother, are you in there?" she called.

  The hammering paused. After a moment, the door swung open, revealing a large chamber filled with tools, weapons, and various metalworking equipment. Standing in the doorway was a mountain of a man with broad shoulders and muscular arms. His face was partially obscured by a thick beard, and his eyes were deep set beneath heavy brows. Soot covered his apron and forearms.

  "This is Leo, our new Seventh Brother," Second Sister said, gesturing toward Leo. "Leo, this is Kaelin, our Fourth Brother and master forger."

  The large man looked at Leo briefly, then grunted something that might have been a greeting. Without another word, he turned and walked back to an anvil where a glowing piece of metal awaited his attention.

  "Fourth Brother prefers to let his work speak for him," Second Sister explained, stepping into the forge and motioning for Leo to follow. "His artifacts and weapons are of the highest quality, sought after by cultivators throughout the empire."

  Leo watched as Fourth Brother lifted his hammer and brought it down on the metal with precision. Each strike seemed purposeful, almost meditative. Despite the man's massive size, there was something delicate about the way he worked.

  He reminds me of my little brother back home, Leo thought, a pang of homesickness washing over him. Always so focused on his video games he barely noticed when I entered the room.

  The thought made his chest tighten. What was his family doing now? Were they looking for him? Did time even pass the same way on Earth as it did here?

  "His spiritual artifacts contain powerful enchantments that amplify cultivation techniques," Second Sister continued, either not noticing Leo's momentary distraction or choosing to give him space. "When your cultivation advances enough, you might ask him to craft something for you."

  Fourth Brother glanced up briefly at the mention of crafting something but remained silent, returning his focus to his work.

  After a few more minutes of observation, during which Fourth Brother did not speak a single word, Second Sister indicated it was time to leave.

  As they stepped back outside, Leo remarked, "He's not a man of many words."

  "That's just how he is," Second Sister replied with a fond smile. "Please don't take it personally. Despite his silence, he cherishes each one of his brothers and sisters. His way of showing care is often through the items he creates."

  Leo nodded, understanding. People expressed themselves differently, and that was fine.

  "Our next stop is the training grounds," Second Sister said. "Fifth Brother should be there at this hour."

  They walked for about ten minutes, following a path that led away from the main buildings. Even before they reached their destination, Leo could sense something unusual in the air. A strange pressure seemed to build as they got closer, making the hairs on his arms stand on end.

  "What is that?" he asked.

  "Qi manifestation," Second Sister replied. "Fifth Brother is practicing."

  As they rounded a bend in the path, Leo stopped in his tracks, eyes widening at the spectacle before him.

  A young man stood in the center of a wide clearing, his body surrounded by swirling energies. To his right, the air shimmered with heat, flames dancing around his outstretched hand. To his left, frost formed in intricate patterns, small ice crystals hanging suspended in the air.

  "Impressive control," Second Sister murmured proudly.

  The young man noticed their presence immediately. With a fluid motion, he dispersed both the flames and ice, bowing deeply toward Second Sister.

  "Senior Sister," he said formally, his voice clear and strong.

  "Fifth Brother," she acknowledged. "I've brought our new disciple to meet you."

  The young man turned to Leo, studying him with intense eyes. He appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, with sharp features and a disciplined posture. Unlike Altan's easy grace or Fourth Brother's bearlike presence, Fifth Brother carried himself with rigid precision.

  "I am Renzo, Fifth Brother of the Academy of Eccentric Geniuses," he introduced himself with another formal bow. "Welcome."

  Leo returned the bow, feeling somewhat awkward. "I'm Leo Vanteo. It's nice to meet you."

  Renzo nodded once, his expression serious. "Have you begun cultivation training?"

  "Just this morning," Leo replied. "Your control over those elements was amazing."

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  "It is nothing," Renzo said, shaking his head. "I must work harder to perfect the techniques. Fire and ice require opposite spiritual energies. Balancing them demands absolute focus."

  This guy really needs to chill, Leo thought, while maintaining a polite expression. Though I guess being intense is his whole thing.

  "Fifth Brother's control and technique are remarkable," Second Sister said. "He demonstrates true spirit and perseverance."

  Renzo's expression remained unchanged at the praise. "I still have far to go. I practice fourteen hours daily."

  "Which reminds me," Second Sister interjected, her tone gently admonishing. "Rest is also crucial for cultivation advancement. Pushing too hard can damage your meridians."

  "Yes, Senior Sister," Renzo acknowledged with another bow. "I will incorporate adequate rest periods."

  The formal way he addressed Second Sister, compared to Altan's casual manner, reinforced Leo's impression that the disciples weren't all the same age or background.

  After observing some of Renzo's techniques, which Leo found both terrifying and fascinating, Second Sister indicated it was time to move on.

  "Fifth Brother is the most dedicated among us," she said as they walked away from the training grounds. "His determination is admirable. You would do well to follow his example of diligence."

  "Absolutely," Leo agreed aloud, while thinking, I'm definitely not training fourteen hours a day. That's just psychotic. There's diligence and then there's obsession.

  Their final destination was an archery range nestled between two hills. The moment they came into view, a cheerful voice called out.

  "Seli! You're here!"

  A streak of colorful robes rushed toward them, and suddenly Second Sister was enveloped in an enthusiastic hug by a young girl with bright eyes and braided hair. It was the same girl Leo had glimpsed hiding in the bushes the previous evening.

  "And you brought Seventh Brother too!" the girl exclaimed, turning her brilliant smile toward Leo. "I saw you yesterday! I was too curious to wait for formal introductions."

  Second Sister smiled indulgently, ruffling the girl's hair. "Leo, this is your Sixth Sister, our youngest disciple."

  The girl bounced on her toes, energy radiating from her like sunlight. "How old are you, Leo?"

  "Twenty," he replied, finding her enthusiasm contagious.

  "Ooh, you're older than me," she said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I'm sixteen. But since I joined before you, you should still call me Senior Sister."

  Her playful tone made Leo smile. "And what should I call you by name, Senior Sister?"

  "Hmm." She tapped her chin, pretending to consider deeply. "I don't know if I should tell you yet. Maybe you have to earn it."

  "Aline," Second Sister said with mild reproach.

  "Oh, fine!" the girl laughed. "I'm Aline. But you can call me Senior Sister Aline."

  "Aline specializes in temporal and spatial techniques," Second Sister explained, a hint of pride in her voice. "She's particularly talented with her spirit bow."

  "Spirit bow?" Leo asked.

  Aline's eyes lit up. "Want to see?"

  Without waiting for a response, she stepped back and made a graceful motion with her hands. Light gathered between her palms, stretching and solidifying until she held a translucent bow that seemed to shimmer with inner radiance. She pulled back on an invisible string, and an arrow of pure light formed.

  "I can slow time around my arrows," she explained, aiming at a distant target. "Watch."

  She released the arrow, and Leo's breath caught. The arrow didn't simply fly toward the target, it phased through the air, leaving a trail of afterimages. It struck the center of the target with perfect accuracy.

  "That's incredible," Leo said, genuinely impressed.

  Aline beamed at him. "You'll learn cool techniques too! What's your aptitude?"

  "B-rank," Leo replied, feeling slightly self-conscious after seeing her obvious talent.

  "That's good!" Aline said encouragingly. "Aptitude isn't everything. First Brother always said heart matters more than natural gifts."

  Leo noticed how her mention of First Brother caused a flicker of emotion to cross Second Sister's face.

  "Sixth Sister is correct," Second Sister said. "Dedication and understanding are as important as natural talent."

  Aline nodded, her head bouncing up and down like it was about to fall off. "Plus, you're going to get special training with both Second Sister and Third Brother! We all get this as new disciples."

  "Special training?" Leo asked, looking at Second Sister questioningly.

  "We'll discuss that later," Second Sister replied. "Right now is for introductions and basic concepts."

  Aline stepped closer to Leo, studying his face with innocent curiosity. "You really do look different from us. Is it true you're from another world entirely?"

  "Aline," Second Sister cautioned. "Let's not overwhelm Seventh Brother with too many questions at once."

  "Sorry!" Aline said, not sounding sorry at all. "But this is so exciting! We haven't had anyone new join since I arrived three years ago. And you came from a portal left by First Brother!”

  Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Leo found himself smiling despite the weight of his situation. " Yes, I'm from a place called Earth. It's very different from here."

  "Do they have cultivation there?" Aline asked eagerly.

  Leo shook his head. "Not like here. We have different... kinds of power."

  "You must tell me everything!" Aline declared. "But later. Right now, I have to practice my temporal arrows." She gave Second Sister another quick hug, then waved at Leo. "See you at dinner, Seventh Brother!"

  As she skipped back to her practice, Second Sister chuckled softly. "Sixth Sister brings much-needed light to our Academy. Her spirit is as bright as her talents."

  Leo watched Aline nock another spirit arrow. "She seems very skilled for being so young."

  "She is an S-rank talent," Second Sister confirmed. "The highest aptitude possible. All of us were personally selected by First Brother, each for different reasons." She gave Leo a meaningful look. "Including you, it seems."

  S-rank? Leo thought, feeling a twinge of inadequacy. First Altan, now Aline. Is everyone at this academy S or A-rank? If they're all exceptional talents, why bring me here with just a B-rank aptitude? There must be something else First Brother saw in me, something beyond raw talent.

  This comment reminded Leo of the many questions still swirling in his mind. How had he gotten here? Why had this mysterious First Brother apparently arranged for his arrival? And most importantly, could he find a way back home?

  "Will I meet everyone at dinner?" Leo asked.

  "Yes," Second Sister replied. "We always dine together in the main hall. It's one of First Brother's traditions that we maintain in his absence. 'Breaking bread together keeps hearts aligned,' as he used to say."

  "I like that," Leo said. The thought of a shared meal with these strange, talented individuals both intimidated and intrigued him.

  As they walked back toward the main buildings, Leo glanced at his guide. "Thank you for introducing me to everyone, Seli."

  Second Sister paused, turning to him with a slight raise of her eyebrow. "That's just a nickname Sixth Sister uses. My name is Selian, but you should address me as Second Sister or Senior Sister for now, as I am still your cultivation teacher."

  "Oh, I apologize, Senior Sister," Leo said quickly, feeling awkward.

  She smiled gently. "It's quite alright. Formality helps maintain the proper relationship between teacher and student. Perhaps in time, when your cultivation has advanced, we can be more casual."

  Leo nodded, sorting through his impressions of these strange new acquaintances. Kaelin, the silent, focused craftsman. Renzo, the intensely dedicated martial artist. Aline, the bright, cheerful archer. Then there was Altan, with his easy charm and mysterious powers, and Second Sister herself, with her patient teaching and hidden depths.

  What an unusual group I've found myself among, he thought. Or maybe they've found me.

  Either way, Leo was beginning to understand that his path forward would be intertwined with theirs, whether he wanted it to be or not. And surprisingly, he found himself not entirely opposed to the idea.

  After all, if he was going to learn to cultivate and find his way home, he could do worse than having five eccentric geniuses to learn from.