The days on Mount Hwa blurred together, a cycle of training, meditation, and quiet scrutiny. I rose before dawn, my breath misting in the cold air, and took my place among my brothers. The courtyard was alive with movement—disciples flowing through forms with the grace of falling leaves.
And then there was me. A tree in a storm.
My sword moved in arcs, the weight of it familiar yet unwieldy in comparison to the speed of my peers. The Mount Hwa sect valued precision, refinement, and agility. My form, shaped by strength and endurance, was at odds with that philosophy.
"Baek Hwachan."
The voice of Elder Sun pulled me from my thoughts. He stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms folded behind his back. His gaze was unreadable.
"Demonstrate the First Form."
I exhaled slowly, stepping forward. The First Form of Mount Hwa's swordsmanship was a lesson in balance and fluidity, meant to guide the blade as though it were an extension of the body. I had practiced it a thousand times, and yet, as my blade moved, it was clear that something was lacking.
Elder Sun watched in silence until I completed the sequence. Then, with a flick of his wrist, his wooden staff struck my wrist, light but firm.
"Your footwork is heavy," he said. "You force the blade rather than letting it move with you."
I frowned, gripping my sword tighter. "This sword is heavier than the ones our sect favors."
Elder Sun nodded. "And yet you chose it."
I had no answer to that.
With a sigh, he turned and gestured for me to follow. Away from the courtyard, we walked in silence until we reached a secluded grove. The ground here was uneven, the earth littered with scattered stones and exposed roots.
"If you wish to master Mount Hwa's swordsmanship, you must first learn to move." He pointed at the uneven terrain. "Run."
I hesitated. "Run?"
Elder Sun's expression did not change. "Run. Do not stop until I say so."
I set my jaw and obeyed.
The first few laps were easy. My body, built for endurance, carried me without issue. But as time passed, my legs grew heavy, the uneven ground testing my balance with every step. Roots threatened to trip me, loose rocks shifted underfoot.
I stumbled. Then I fell.
Elder Sun's voice cut through the quiet. "Again."
I pushed myself up and ran.
The sun crept higher in the sky, and my breath grew ragged. My muscles burned, my balance wavered. And still, he did not let me stop.
By the time he finally raised his hand, my body was shaking. Sweat dripped from my chin, my breaths came in harsh gulps.
Elder Sun studied me for a long moment before speaking. "A strong body is meaningless if it does not move with intent. If you wish to wield that sword, you must first learn to carry its weight properly."
I nodded, unable to form words.
He turned to leave. "Tomorrow, we do this again."
I watched him go, my legs trembling beneath me.
Slow. Steady. If that was the path, then so be it.