The river mist thinned as the first hint of sunrise touched Mount Cheon. Seo Yul wrung the cold water from his sleeves, his breath still uneven from the morning shock. The bruises on his wrist darkened small, round, easy to hide. Hosan had a heavy grip, but not heavy enough to matter in the long run.
He started up the stone path, moving slowly. His legs were stiff from the cold and yesterday's humiliation, but the mountain didn't care about soreness. Disciples were already drifting out of the dorms tying belts, rubbing sleep from their eyes, muttering half-awake greetings.
Halfway up the path, a familiar small figure appeared.
The boy from last night thin arms, nervous steps, struggling to carry a bucket filled to the brim. His name was Han Seo-jin. Yul remembered hearing the seniors shout it the day before, when they scolded him for being slow.
Seo-jin gritted his teeth as the bucket wobbled dangerously.
"You'll spill it," Yul said quietly.
Seo-jin froze, startled. "Ah Yul! I… I'm trying."
"You're trying too hard," Yul corrected. "Use your legs. Not your arms."
He steadied the bucket with two fingers. Seo-jin adjusted his grip and lifted again this time steadier, less shaky.
"Better," Yul said.
Seo-jin's shoulders relaxed a little. Not much. But enough to show he wasn't terrified of him like he was of everyone else.
They walked the rest of the path together. When they reached the courtyard, Hosan was already barking orders like a dog chasing attention. Disciples scrambled into line.
Seo Yul took his place among the lowest-ranked juniors. The weak row. The forgettable ones.
Jin Do-hwan noticed him and smirked.
"Look who's early. The mouse survived the night."
Yul didn't react. That annoyed Do-hwan even more.
Hosan clapped loudly. "Stances! Lowest row you better not embarrass me again."
Yul lowered into the stance. His legs trembled almost immediately. His knees burned. Sweat beaded on his forehead long before anyone else began struggling.
Hosan walked past, eyeing him like he was inspecting a cracked pot.
"Lower."
Yul obeyed.
"Lower."
Pain shot up his thighs.
Hosan leaned in slightly. "If you fall, you run laps until your legs fall off."
Yul held the position. Barely. When the bell finally rang, he straightened slowly, his legs shaking so hard it felt like they might crumble under him.
Do-hwan laughed as he passed. "Careful, mouse. Floors are slippery."
Yul ignored him. Mockery meant nothing if he didn't respond.
Across the yard, Seo-jin was pouring water into cups for the seniors. One shouted his name too loudly and the boy jumped, spilling half a cup down his arm. The senior grabbed his shirt.
"You useless brat! Can't even carry water?"
Seo-jin's lip trembled.
Yul stepped beside him. "I'll do it."
He took the pitcher and poured the water steadily into the remaining cups. The senior disciple scoffed and left, uninterested.
Seo-jin whispered, "T-thank you. I didn't mean to spill"
"You didn't spill," Yul said. "He scared you. That's different."
"But… I'm weak."
"We all are," Yul said. "For now."
Seo-jin swallowed hard, but nodded.
The training bell rang again sharper, urgent. Disciples gathered fast near the main hall. A gray-haired instructor addressed them with a serious tone.
"Listen carefully. A new elder arrived on Mount Cheon this morning. All junior and intermediate disciples must attend his welcoming assembly."
The courtyard buzzed with whispers.
Seo-jin tugged on Yul's sleeve. "A new elder… is that bad?"
Yul kept his face blank. "It means things will change."
"Change how?"
Yul stepped into the forming line.
"We'll find out," he said.
His wrist was bruised. His legs were shaking. His breath was shallow.
But his mind was awake.
Very awake.
And change meant opportunity.