Wei's eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep; he had drifted midway through the journey.
He found himself lying beneath a canopy made of silk and beaded crystals; the soft translucent fabric draped evenly on opposing sides, filtering the light coming from the lanterns. Walls stood tall, washed in shades of royal reds and dark beiges. Dark brown stained wood carved elegant designs on the ceiling which were all held together by large wooden beams incorporating similar patterns.
As he inhaled, each breath carried a scent of tranquility. It smelled like burning sandalwood which carried a nostalgic feeling to what he couldn't pinpoint.
The furniture had also been designed to match the vibe of the room; each piece flexing its beauty, chairs had curves and carvings worthy of belonging in a museum, low tables polished and clear glass acting as a mirror on top. The craftsmanship was truly astonishing.
In the middle of all these luxuries, sat Wei.
His clothes dirtier than rags, torn and crisp from dried mud; hair stuck together in chunky groups, like seaweed found on the shore. Wounds and bruises covered evenly over his skin, either fresh or half-healed. In such a noble place, he looked like a pile of rubbish.
...
Light clicks of shoes approached the room. Through the silk curtains draped across the doorway, it seemed like a hooded black figure, noticeably similar to the one from the caravan.
A steady knock sounded against the wall of the entrance.
Wei, who had slipped off the bed, took light steps, measuring each one full of caution.
The figure had stepped into a clearer view.
They wore a goblin-like mask, painted in a deep bloody crimson, eye sockets blacker than black, holding nothing but abyss, except for one eye —pupil burning bright against the darkness.
"Young Master Zei, wishes to see you."
Zei? Was that the name of the master?
Judging by the tone, it was a man in his mid-thirties, his voice was crisp yet carried a calming deep timbre.
Wei gently nodded and followed the person.
The person led him into a spacious, grand room. There, Wei saw his master sitting silently, writing something with a stern and focused expression.
As soon as he saw Wei enter, his expression transformed; a glow of light shot across his face, warming his facial features.
"Ah yes! You're here." He said, voice lit with enthusiasm.
Wei shot a quick glance beside him — the servant had vanished.
"Like I had promised, in exchange for you passing the test. You'll be my discipline and be trained under this sept." He continued.
Wei listened carefully, mentally taking note on every word.
"Your training starts early tomorrow morning." He stated clearly
Wei nodded in agreement.
"Oh! And change out of those rags." His master added, handing him a set of neatly folded clothes.
As Wei took the clothes, his eyes widened. The clothes were soft and of exceptional quality, dyed deep, ink black. Upon closer inspection, Delicate silver details were woven into the fabric. On the rubbish streets he lived in, such luxury would be the same as finding water in a desert.
He silently accepted the clothes and strolled toward his room.
Beside his room, he noticed what seemed to be a bathroom. Without hesitation he stepped inside and slid the door shut; it would be useless to wear new clothes without cleaning up.
In the middle, sat a large circular tub; its exterior was decorated in wood preserved in a glossy structure. While the interior had been covered in crystal-like tiles, that caught light.
Wei slipped inside, and instantly he felt a wave of relaxation. The warm water soothed his skin; a sense of ease washed over him.
Wei walked out of the bath. A cloud of steam followed, swirling around his shoulders still hot. Unlike before, his sewerage stench didn't cling to him, no wet and muddy strands stubbornly stuck in chunks. His skin was smooth, sparking a sense of confidence in him. He was hardly recognizable anymore.
…
He collapsed onto his bed. Within minutes, sleep overcame consciousness.
------------------
Wei's eyes slowly opened, his vision still blurry. A figure stood beside him, gently nudging him awake.
He rubbed his eyes and focused on the figure.
"Tsk, first day and you're sleeping in."
At first glance, he seemed to be like any other servant. But unlike the rest, his hair was tied neatly into a bun secured with a ribbon. His clothes matched the others in style but underneath glimmered a bright red uniform.
…
"Ya deaf, kid? Your late for training!" He erupted.
Wei scrambled out of bed, tangled hair, clothes wrinkled.
The servant let out a loud sigh, then picking up a brush, carefully combing his hair.
"Why would master choose a kid like this to train...?" He whispered to himself