After reaching the communal hall, Moon searched for a quiet corner where he could sit in peace and eat his meal. He found a spot near the edge of the room, and his rice bowl sat untouched before him, faint steam curling upward like dying breath.
The dining hall buzzed with conversation light chatter from younger trainees, gruff exchanges between senior disciples, and occasional bursts of laughter that echoed off the walls. Most of the noise didn't reach him in his secluded corner, but he could feel their eyes on him, could hear the whispers.
A group of boys two tables over leaned in conspiratorially. One mimicked a transformation, rolling his eyes back and jerking his limbs spastically while another stifled laughter, trying not to meet Moon's gaze when he glanced their way.
Moon returned his attention to his bowl, but before he could take a bite, a voice called softly, "Moon."
He looked up to see Mira, Instructor Yuna's apprentice, standing beside his table with a tray in her hands. She looked uncertain, like someone stepping into a storm that hadn't yet broken.
"Do you mind if I sit?"
He shook his head. She settled across from him, placing her tray down with careful precision. For a moment, neither spoke.
Then, softly, she said, "I saw what happened earlier with Kwan."
Moon exhaled quietly. "It's not worth thinking about."
"I know," she replied, looking at him with something that might have been pity.
That drew his gaze up to meet hers. "You don't have to defend me."
"I'm not," she said, meeting his eyes steadily. "I'm just tired of seeing good people blamed for things they can't control."
Moon blinked in surprise. "You think I'm... good?"
Mira smiled faintly. "I think you're trying. That counts for something."
He didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded and returned to his food. The rest of the meal passed with light conversation punctuated by Moon's characteristically flat replies. After finishing, he headed outside without lingering.
"Isn't it today?" he muttered to himself. "The monthly skill assessment?"
The monthly assessment was held to evaluate each candidate's overall progress in the current month. Moon quickened his pace he didn't want to be late.
When he arrived, the training yard buzzed with excitement as children and teenagers gathered for the competition. Wooden platforms of varying heights dotted the arena, creating an obstacle course designed to test agility, speed, and combat prowess. Moon leaned against a pillar at the edge of the crowd, observing with quiet intensity.
"Competitors, prepare yourselves!" Elder Joo announced, her weathered face creased in a rare smile. The old woman always enjoyed these competitions almost as much as the children did.
"Today's challenge: retrieve the token from the center platform while evading your opponents. Last one standing with the token wins."
Moon studied the setup. Eight platforms were arranged in a circle around a central, taller platform. Atop it sat a small wooden box containing the token. Simple in concept, but execution would require both strength and strategy.
"Moon!" Mira bounded up to him, practically shining with excitement "You're competing, right?"
Before he could answer, a cluster of girls approached, led by Lina. Unlike yesterday, when Kwan's words had driven them away, today they seemed determined to reclaim his attention.
Lina stepped forward first, fiddling with the sleeves of her training robe, as her eyes not meeting his. "Hey, um… Moon ?" she said, with a soft voice but carrying an edge of nervous energy.
Moon gave a slight nod to her
"Will you be joining the competition?"
Seon and Nari flanked her, offering smiles that seemed overly bright. Behind them, Moon could see other boys from the clan watching with poorly disguised resentment.
"I haven't decided," Moon replied flatly with one hand touching back of his head
"Oh, come on, you have to compete," Nari said, her voice bright with excitement as she looked at Moon. "Everyone's saying you're the best out of all of us."
Mira gave a short laugh, stepping a little closer to him. "He already knows. He doesn't need a fan club."
Lina folded her arms, tilting her head just slightly, her tone cold. "Did anyone ask you?"
Moon resisted the urge to sigh. Lately, the sudden attention from the clan's girls had only grown stronger. It didn't feel like interest it felt like calculation.
From across the training yard, Kwan's voice cutting Through the low hum of chatter.
"Well..well, look at that," he called out
"Surrounded already enjoying the attention while it lasts, Moon?"
He stood with his usual crowd sons of higher-ranked clan members, all dressed a little too neatly for a training day and few snickered beside him.
Moon glanced at him, calm as still water. He wasn't in the mood but if Kwan wanted to play, fine.
"Are you competing today?" Moon asked, with a steady voice, just loud enough to carry "Or just running your mouth again?"
That got a few reactions chuckles, even a whistle and hearing it kwan's face darkened.
"Of course I'm competing not like some people who might back out."
Do i need to do this moon thought in his mind "Then let's get ready.."
He stepped away from the pillar, with a smooth movements there was no need to posture he already knew where he stood.
At that moment, Elder Joo raised her hand, a small red flag gripped tightly. "Competitors, to your platforms! Choose your starting positions!"
The crowd scattered into motion and mira reached out, touching Moon's sleeve as he turned
"Hey," she said quietly. "Ignore Kwan. You've got nothing to prove."
Moon gave her a small, smile "I know."
What he didn't say was that Kwan's petty jealousy was the least of his concerns not with his tenth birthday just two days away.
Sixteen competitors climbed onto the platforms that ringed the arena. Moon picked one facing east, where the sun wouldn't blind him. He could see Kwan on the far side, still trying to impress the kids watching from the sidelines.
Elder Joo's voice rang out loudly. "On my mark!" and the red flag trembled in the air then dropped
"Begin!....