Tolerance is a type of weakness. It becomes an excuse to ignore a problem under the pretense of righteousness.

~Aine, Goddess of Love and Vengeance

Weeks went by in a flash, and the clan manor had become crowded in recent days. Winterfinding was finally here, and people were arriving from the ancestral grounds. Most would probably stay until the Day of the Dead. Winterfinding was rather dull, but the All Hallow’s Eve party was more outstanding than the Flower Festival.

Tomorrow’s Winterfinding was the aptitude testing for all the younger generation under the age of twenty that opened their Source but had not yet acquired a Shield. After the test, the clans celebrated individually, and restaurants around town filled up quickly. It was also the time they gave out the rewards for the Hunt.

Crow had no idea how his clan did in the Hunt, mostly because of his unique situation. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but he was on a path that was years ahead of his peers. He greeted his cousins as they showed up, but it was returned with ambivalence. The number of people arriving had forced Crow, Otto, and Luthais out of their rooms and into the small lodge with the Song sisters.

The arrangement was to Crow’s liking as it would ensure his cultivation and studies had minimal impact. He really did feel guilty about ignoring most of his family, but when he rubbed the scars on his palms, he could only harden his resolve. This was a path he chose.

He knew the reason he was wavering was because of tomorrow’s affair. It wasn’t something he wanted to admit, but he was nervous. Never had his confidence been shaken as much as it was now. Worse, he’d become an Ovate, which officially elevated him to a member of the Druid Order. They’d no longer consider him a child, and in theory, he’d be allowed to join other sects or academies should they choose him. Becoming an Ovate did afford him some rights, but it also opened him to other laws and traditions.

“Hey, little cousin,” Aine called out. She’d participated in the Hunt, but Crow hadn’t seen her since. It was no surprise that she and the other cousins his age were here for the aptitude testing. Not only was it mandatory, but it determined their placement in the Trial of Tur Briste. During the trial, those who stood out had the best chance of getting noticed by larger organizations in the tower. The Druid Order invited elders from many of the sects and academies they were on good terms with, and each elder left with at least one or two good seeds.

Not to mention the rewards inside the event itself. The child that took first also gave their clan rights to organize the trial for the following year. It meant they could cater the event to their younger generations’ strengths.

“How have you been? You definitely aren’t the little pigtailed girl I grew up with anymore,” Crow laughed and tried not to let his eyes roam. Aine wasn’t related by blood, or if she was, it was so so distant it didn’t have a word for it. Cousin was more of a title of respect for those within a clan.

“Hmph, what would you know? You hide out here all the time, and all you do is train. I didn’t even get to see you during the Hunt.”

“You—well, things happened,” Crow hadn’t expected her to be so bossy. She used to be calm and pleasant, always following him around.

“I heard later that you the target of a malicious attack. A-are you okay?” Aine looked worried. Out of all his cousins, she was probably the one he was on the best terms with. She was also a year and a half older than him.

Crow didn’t know how to reply, so he just shrugged.

“Fine, don’t tell me, but look what I can do,” Aine grinned, and Crow felt her Source opening. Her hand twisted, and a flame as read as her hair appeared, making her green wide-set eyes glow as they reflected the fire. Rotating her hand a bit more, the flame grew thinner and longer. It kept shifting until she held an object that looked more like a sword than chaotic fire. She waved it about and laughed. “What do you think, cousin? Impressed, right?

Crow might have remained out of touch or even aloof with his clan, but he cared about them. The fire blade was impressive, but he felt she was making a mistake focusing so much on it.

“Very impressive, but would you like some advice?”

“Pfft, you are younger than me. What advice can you give?” Aine laughed, but not so much in mockery as she wasn’t that type of person. When she saw Crow’s serious look, she immediately stopped laughing. “Alright. You’ve never been one to show off, so I’ll at least listen to what you say.”

Crow might never admit it, but he felt touched that she’d listen to him. Gave him at least that much respect.

“I’ll show you, then tell you. Use the ability again,” Crow said.

Aine’s hands moved while she drew on the fire to form her blade. Crow surged forward, Ghost Steps were much weaker using only Qi, but he still materialized in front of her. The flat of his dagger pressed against her pale throat.

The fire blade sputtered and failed to form, and Aine’s face recoiled in fear. A surge of guilt flashed across Crow’s face, and his dagger disappeared. None of his actions stopped her from shivering in fright. Crow could only console himself by claiming it was for her own benefit.

“You might be mad at me, but I’m not sorry. The thing I wanted to show you is that shaping magic takes time. Drawing that much fire exposes your weakness, and no enemy will allow you time to summon that blade. The advice I wanted to give you is to stop trying to form the blad—for now. Instead, focus on perfecting your ability to summon your fire. Speed is what will save your life.”

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Crow turned to see Aine’s father standing there. Slapping his fist to his chest, Crow bowed over it towards his senior, but mostly to hide flushed cheeks. “I apologize to senior—”

“None of that. You did me a favor. My little lass stubbornly wanted to focus on Forming the Blade technique, and I daresay you’ve opened her eyes to reality. You’ve changed, little Crow. Your bearing contains a bit of your father, and your footwork is more like your uncles.”

“F-father! H-h-he drew a knife—”

“Daughter, he meant you no harm. I’ve told you, the tower is unforgiving. If this boy had meant to kill you, you wouldn’t have been able to stop him with your current ability. Take this lesson to heart.” Aine’s father chuckled before addressing Crow once more. “If I’m not mistaken, Gavin has taken a liking to you?”

Crow glanced around nervously before giving a slight nod.

“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere, nor will I make your life difficult. I will trouble you to look after my daughter during our stay.”

“Senior doesn’t even need to ask. I will always look after the clan.”

“Good. Good answer. Your grandpa will arrive at some point today. He’s been looking forward to this event, but based on what I know of your situation…will he be disappointed?”

Crow was startled by the question, but it was a fair one. “I’ll pass. That is as much as I can promise. If that is enough for grandpa, then it’s enough. I won’t rank high if that is what you are asking.”

“Good. A test is just a test. It isn’t a measure of a man or the trials he faces. A person who can honestly assess their situation without fear is an opponent others should take notice of. We still need to get settled in, but I’m sure you youngsters will want to explore town later.”

Crow smiled and watched them leave. Aine turned back to give him a complicated look.