The rain fell steadily, drumming against the tiled roofs of the Lian Family courtyard. Puddles formed along the stone paths, wooden swords glinting wetly in the gray light.
"Third Son!"
I turned my gaze at the voice. "Lian Wei, think you can keep up today?" A cousin lunged forward, sword swinging recklessly.
I gripped my own wooden sword and stepped toward him. Rain ran down my sleeves. My boots slipped slightly on the wet stone, but I adjusted without hesitation.
His first swing came straight and strong—but careless.
I sidestepped. His blade cut through the air where my shoulder had been. A shove of my foot, and he stumbled to the side, flailing.
Another cousin attacked—from the left, then the right. Wooden swords clashed with a loud crack.
I moved between them, ducking under one swing, pushing another off balance. One tapped the wrist, another shifted his footing, and all three broke formation without realizing it. They scrambled to readjust, but it was too late.
"Your footwork is improving, Lian Wei," the second sibling called from the balcony. Calm. Controlled. Every movement counted. Nothing escaped him.
The eldest sibling raised a hand. "Enough for today."
Wooden swords dropped. Puddles rippled as everyone froze. Rain dripped from hair and sleeves.
I set my sword down and stepped over a puddle, boots squelching.
A younger cousin, no more than eleven, tried to sneak a swing at me from behind. I caught his wrist and pushed him lightly. He landed on his knees in the water, splashing.
"Don't try that again," I said quietly.
He nodded, embarrassed, and scrambled to his feet.
The courtyard cleared as everyone retreated to the hall. I stayed for a moment, stepping over scattered swords and puddles, letting the rain soak through my sleeves. One sword had a small crack near the tip. Another was slightly splintered. I picked up the cracked sword and swung once—solid. It would do.
From the balcony, the eldest sibling's voice cut through the rain. "Lian Wei. Come up. Training is over."
I didn't rush. I walked carefully through puddles, letting water splash around my boots. The wooden sword felt light in my hand, steady despite the soaking rain.
I climbed the stone stairs, dripping, and reached the balcony. The eldest sibling waited, calm, arms folded. The second sibling lingered in the shadows, silent.
"You rely too much on speed," the eldest said. "Balance comes first. Efficiency second. Power is last."
I nodded. "Understood."
The second sibling's voice followed, low and controlled. "Observe, Lian Wei. Every step, every motion. Timing, gaps, pressure points. Learn them now."
I didn't answer. I only stepped aside, letting the water drip from my sleeves.
The rain grew heavier. Wooden swords thudded against the wet stone as other cousins practiced. I circled, moving carefully through puddles, watching. One stumbled into another, both slipping. I stepped aside, letting them recover while keeping my stance ready.
A cousin tried to corner me near the edge of the courtyard. He swung wildly. I dropped low, rolled forward, and pushed him aside. His wooden sword clattered across the stone. He froze, blinked, then scrambled back to the formation.
Another lunged from behind. I sidestepped, a tap on his shoulder sending him off balance.
No one could keep up. Not yet.
By midday, everyone was soaked through. Wooden swords warped slightly from the rain. Puddles reflected gray skies, disturbed by splashing feet.
I moved across the courtyard again. Another cousin lunged, desperate. I ducked under the swing, spun around him, and lightly pushed him into a puddle. Water splashed across his face. He sputtered, muttered something under his breath, then straightened again.
The eldest sibling finally descended from the balcony, boots splashing in puddles. Rain slid down his long sleeves. He didn't speak at first, only watched.
I set my sword down, letting it drip. Boots squelched. Hair clung to my face.
"You have potential," he said finally. "Not for speed alone. You will need more when your Pattern awakens."
I only nodded. Words weren't necessary.
The second sibling stepped forward, voice low, steady. "Don't waste effort showing off. Precision first. Timing second. Force comes last. You will understand soon enough."
I nodded again, gripping the sword lightly, ready if needed.
The hall doors opened, and the rest of the family filed in. Training was over. Rain fell harder, drumming on the stone and wood. Puddles reflected distorted skies.
I walked to the side, picking up the cracked wooden sword again. One swing through the air, letting water drip along its edge. Not perfect. Not even close. But enough for today.
I glanced at the balcony one last time. The eldest and second were still there, silent, observing.
No Pattern yet. Not for another year.
One year.
Enough time to learn, to move, to grow… before the real test came.
I straightened, boots squelching, and walked toward the hall.
Wooden swords lay scattered across the wet courtyard, puddles reflecting gray clouds.
The first strike had been mine.
Tomorrow… the next would be too.