In the middle of a breezy Spring night, a cluster of stars twinkled as the bronze boy lay alone on one of the many barracks' rooftops while gazing through his golden eyes. Located at the inner disciples' main quarters, Zeke took some time for himself to relax and ponder.
A little more than a third of a year had passed since the events between him and Sensei Haruto transpired.
...
After their battle ended that day, mutual respect was earned on both sides. Kenshin, Liz, Rosemarie, Sakura, and Sayuri arrived shortly afterwards, having barely made it before the deadline thanks to Zeke deliberately disrupting Haruto's concentration on upholding the Gravity Field.
However, an unexpected guest suddenly swooped in, effortlessly shifting the mood to where only his presence mattered.
Wearing a white, diamond-embroidered robe, having a cloud full of hair that matched his fluffy beard, atop a fiercely bear-like physique. Martial Leader Rayden decided to make a unannounced personal appearance. Peering through silver eyes, he looked to ascertain the unforeseen disturbance caused.
With tension naturally in the air, Haruto promptly explained the situation without leaving anything out. Listening intently, the Martial Leader's facial expression never changed, remaining neutral. Rayden then turned his head to the main culprit behind this chaos,
" So, young lad, if I heard everything correctly, you purposely caused a ruckus in the hopes of creating an opportunity for your companions to become outer disciples?"
" Correct, Martial Leader, and I'd like to take this time to formally apologize to everyone here and Sensei Haruto for my rambunctious behavior. However, I couldn't sit idly by while my allies fell by the wayside."
Zeke responded, bowing still while peering at the ever-imposing Rayden. He used his trusted scouter to size up one of the strongest martial cultivators known in the Eastern Continent.
[Scout]
Allias: (Rayden Yan) -- Mana (N/A) -- Qi (78,660/78,666) —Sword Force (N/A) — Power Level (173,000)—Health (155,000/155,000)
Title: (Stage 5 Disciple) (Lightning Physique)
Zeke felt stifled by the presence of someone known to be at the pinnacle of the martial arts society; however, he didn't find himself awestruck by Rayden's power. Instead, Zeke became intrigued by how someone who barely entered the cusp of Stage 5 became so revered.
Not taking Rayden lightly, as he personally knew the painstaking grind, luck, opportunity, and sheer talent it took to reach his status of strength. Yet their shared experiences didn't change the fact that his past life held more dangerous martial monsters, masquerading as humans.
Even the Stage 5 Grandmasters' powerhouses, like his father, Lord Samus, were mere puppets to their Ancestors who influenced the mortal world's structure and bottom line from a higher realm.
Getting back to the matter at hand, Rayden did some observing of his own as he could naturally surmise that Zeke was a Stage 3 Disciple.
" How old are you, child?"
Rayden inquired with curiosity as Zeke promptly responded,
" I will be turning 11 next month, Lord Rayden."
Impressed, Rayden made a mental note to keep an eye on this promising youth progress moving forward. Ending his short discussion with Zeke on his actions, Rayden then readdressed Haruto,
" Do as you see fit."
With that being said, he floated high into the sky before jetting far away into the distance.
...
Fast forward to the present day, Zeke had recently become an inner disciple of the Martial Alliance. Setting his mark as one of the youngest in their grand +200-year history of existence to become an inner disciple at just eleven.
However, before this monumental achievement fully flourished, a commotion within the inner circle of elders spoke against the notion of an outsider setting such a high precedent so abruptly.
Reprehending his chaotic and disrupted behavior as an invitation for the surrounding smaller sect to rise and cause disorder.
Cautious that it would set a small but irreplaceable blemish that could stain their reputation and power dynamic going forward. While those for Zeke welcome this rare diamond in the rough, harboring ulterior motives of eventually wooing him over into their individual factions amongst the alliance.
Split down the middle, Lord Rayden had the final say, as he decided that Zeke rightfully had the level and potential to stand as an inner disciple. Not pleasing everyone with his decision, nobody dared to speak otherwise, remaining silent as the matter was eventually put to bed.
Nine months went by until the yearly ceremony proceeded as scheduled; Amidst calculating his plans presently, it had been just a week since he had assumed his new status and living quarters.
' How do I..."
A recurring question of his wafted through his mind since arriving in the martial city as he wondered where and how he would successfully obtain the highly coveted Angelic flute.
Interrupting his train of thought while gazing into the night sky, he caught wind of someone abruptly landing by his side.
"You're quite the peculiar little fellow, aren't you?"
A soft yet sharp voice spoke directly to Zeke as they soon settled down beside him.
" Oh, and what might you mean by that, senior sister Julep?"
Zeke responded without having to glance in the direction of the snowy, white-haired beauty with blue eyes. This wasn't their first encounter on top of the rooftop since he became an inner disciple just a couple of weeks prior.
In fact, over the nine months since he joined the martial alliance, the pair grew more familiar with each other through a mutual acquaintance.
" Where would I even begin to start?"
Julep jokingly sighed as she sat with crossed legs, joining Zeke in stargazing. This highly regarded star of the martial alliance had taken an interest in the bronze boy, who made their presence known at the candidates' final exam.
" How did such a small sect come to cultivate a baby monster, like yourself? Even I, who's known as one of the top 100 strongest in the younger generation, didn't break through to Stage 3 until I was 16."
" Is that so? Don't tell me you're jealous of little old me, senior sister?"
Zeke sat upright as he finally turned towards Julep with a childishly mocking grin. If Ken or Liz could have witnessed this strange sight, they would instantly assume their usually serious brother must have received a concussion or something.
Even Zeke himself sometimes felt awkward putting on this fabricated mask, which he tactfully tailored for others, creating a perception of himself that hid his true nature and ambitions. However, this deceptive method wasn't new to him, as he had ample experience from his past life.
Julep's eyebrows furrowed as she smirked, pinching both Zeke's cheeks in the process,
" You brat, don't get too cocky! The real journey starts from here, you know how many so-called geniuses failed to rise past Stage 3 in their lifetime because of their ego?"
She earnestly advised him in her own way. Needless to say, Zeke may have still been lacking in this new world structure, but he was well aware that Stage 3 was where most martial cultivators faltered.
If the first two stages could be considered the infant and child phases, then the third stage would represent adulthood, where certain growth and changes were no longer a fact of life.
"I understand, senior sister...."
Zeke said, making a face like a kid who had been scolded by their parents, afterwards. Feeling guilty for coming off as harsh. Julep relented, releasing her grip as she stood up,
"...Anyhow, I didn't come up here to spoil your mood. I came to let you know that we will be meeting at the usual spot tomorrow morning. So don't be late."
Without saying another word, Julep gently bolted off the roof into the distance. Standing to give a slight bow of farewell upon her abrupt departure, Zeke reverted to the neutral expression he was most accustomed to.
' Tsk, what respecting fox would ever be displeased when gaining access to a hen house?'
Zeke thought as he lay back down on the rooftiles, which became his mattress under the stars. He licked his lips, closing his eyes, wondering how best to make use of the golden goose that was the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader.
...
Embroidered in gold on the left half of his back, "Inner Disciple" and on his right, "Chameleon sect", the sun rose as a bronze boy wearing a white, green-crested, and cloaked double-breasted robe. Zeke casually strolled towards his destination amongst a crowd of onlookers who couldn't help but gawk and gossip about him.
" It's him!"
" Wow, he's a lot shorter in person."
" What do you expect? He's barely out of his diapers."
" That may be so, but he was still able to become an inner disciple, so he must be nothing to sneeze at."
"Yeah, not only that, but did you see the feed of him going toe to toe with Haruto Namgung some months ago! We may be witnessing the birth of someone else worthy of the top 100 youths under the sun! "
" Psst, hold your horses, even though the kid was impressive, I'm sure the instructor was pulling his punches. Yet remains to be seen, when it comes to already anointing him with those freaks of nature."
This idle talk and debate became a common occurrence ever since a transmission depicting his confrontation with Haruto leaked to the public. Going against the usually restricted nature of the martial alliance, this video feed wasn't their doing.
The culprit who orchestrated this mishap remained unknown as some officials in the alliance looked into this case behind closed doors.
' I wonder who I should give my thanks to?'
Zeke reflected as he signed certain items and greeted the admirers who flocked to him. Not a fan of this overwhelming attention, he viewed this intrigue and affection as a necessary evil.
Usually going unseen by leaping rooftops, Zeke made it a point of emphasis to make himself seen once a week, to deposit into his public persona. Having the attention to cash in from this "bank" when the time proved prudent.
Of course, operating so brazenly in the open wasn't ideal for an assassin, especially during a suicide mission. However, Zeke had always been more than an assassin from the very beginning.
This being no different, he would look to take advantage of any unforeseen opportunity for all it was worth.
" My, aren't you quite the popular one."
A familiar voice suddenly broke through the small crowd that gathered around him as they quickly made way for a person who was easily more well-known than Zeke himself.
" Greetings, senior sister Julep. You didn't have to go through the effort of seeking me out."
His slight bow was immediately met with a pat on the head.
" As if this wouldn't be the first time you let your adoring fans hold up our prior engagement."
Julep giggled, pinching one of his cheeks as it had become a built-in habit that Zeke adjusted to. Soon, his golden eyes scan past Julep over to the other woman, who was frowning at the end of the block.
The young lady in an extravagant crimson and gold garb, having an amply curved figure with a mixture of scarlet and peach colored hair and eyes, seemed lost in thought.
" Hey, what's wrong with Lady Amber? She seems more disgruntled than usual?"
Zeke asked as Julep gave a knowing gaze towards Amber before turning back to him,
" Well, about that..."