A few things before we start!

If you're familiar with the concepts of cultivation, cultivators, and Qi or Kii, please feel free to skip this part and start reading the story. But for those of you that heard this mambo jumbo for the first time, let me elaborate: 

Kii or Qi is basically a meta-physical manifestation of nature, both living and unanimated. Cultivators are able to gather a safe amount of it out of their surroundings and store it inside their bodies (said action is the core of the concept known as cultivation), enlarging their reserves and using said energy to perform specific, superhuman techniques.

Yaru turned around slowly, and the movement took all his effort. Maybe because he wasn't sure he wanted to see, yet Yaru wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't. One look back will have to be enough – had to be enough, because…

'I'm never going to see him again.'

Yaru's eerie, blood-red eyes closed tight.

The man was surrounded by smiling faces, congratulations and people worthier than Yaru. He looked happy and proud. Yaru longed for the courage to face his only friend and say goodbye, but Yaru shouldn't -just thinking of trying had his breath trapped in his throat.

He turned back decidedly and marched away from the sounds of music and the chitter-chatter of the other disciples. None of them acknowledged him. Instead, he was completely ignored – a blessing Yaru didn't take for granted.

Maybe calling Koryn a friend was presumptuous of him, but no one treated Yaru like Koryn - No one else showed him respect or threw a kind word his way.

This place, this temple… it isn't a place for ordinary people, for those without talent… and Yaru, with his awful skills, should have been kicked out twenty times over.

So many other people got dismissed, and he stayed. Why?

He'd been a burden as a baby and a good for nothing as a child. The cold stares and twisted expressions on the adults' faces never got better as he grew up. Teaching him anything amounted to a waste of time.

'Why keep him? Just kick him off the mountain. All he's ever going to be is a mortal [1]. He doesn't belong here,' They whispered between themselves, 'we gain nothing by feeding and clothing him.'

This is a cultivation sect. Your potential decides how others will treat you. If you're strong, you get everything, and if you're weak…

Koryn was… the one good thing in this hell hole.

Yaru didn't even know why Koryn bothered with someone like him. No one cared before. Losing his f-friend hurt, but Yaru knew better than asking for things.

Being alone again felt like putting on an old shirt and finding that even if it still fits, the way it sits isn't as comfortable as you remember.

Still, it's not like Yaru can force Koryn to stay. The guy had a dream, an ambition and who was Yaru to ruin this for him?

He couldn't. Yaru would have to learn to live without him. And if by some miracle, he will finally figure out why he couldn't cultivate, he'll break free of this place.

The guys at the temple could laugh and whisper all they wanted, but Yaru refused to give up. 'One day, one day, I'm going to show them. When that day comes, I'll finally leave this hell hole.'

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[1] A cultivator is someone who can absorb Kii and other types of energy through the air.

[2] Kii or Qi is the life force.