BXBX NOVEL Chapter 44: Picking Personal Disciples
Adams, the head of the sect, sat comfortably in his ornate chair, seemingly oblivious to the expectant crowd. Erren, the young elf girl who had somehow charmed her way into sitting on his lap, giggled as he fed her grapes and entertained her with humorous stories.
Despite the importance of the moment, Adams appeared utterly engrossed in entertaining her, seemingly forgetting the weight of the decision that lay before him.
The other Valley Masters exchanged glances, waiting for Adams to break away from his playful distractions and make his selection. Jack, Master of the Valley of the Monkey King, couldn\'t hide his impatience any longer. He fidgeted, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the armrest of his chair as he watched Adams playfully interact with Erren.
Finally, Jack leaned over toward his mother, Linda, the Master of the Valley of the Moon Goddess, who was sitting gracefully to his right. He whispered loudly enough for several others to hear, **"Mother, at this rate, we\'ll all be as old as grandpa by the time he starts."**
"I can hear you brat," said John who was not far from him.
"Yeah that\'s because I\'m not trying to hide it and for the last time I\'m not a brat"
Linda shot him a sharp look, her eyes narrowing. **"Jack, show some patience. Adams is wise enough to know when to speak and when to wait."**
Jack rolled his eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. **"Yes, but by then, my hair might turn as gray as his beard!"**
Linda sighed, casting a sidelong glance at her son. **"Remember your place, Jack. You\'re a Valley Master now, not a child. Show some decorum in front of the disciples."**
Jack leaned back, pretending to study his fingernails. **"Oh, I am showing decorum, Mother. I\'m just practicing my Zen-like patience, much like a very wise...monkey."**
Linda raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a small smile. **"You may jest, but if you wish to be taken seriously, you should take your responsibilities more seriously."**
Jack threw up his hands in mock surrender. **"Oh, I take my responsibilities very seriously, Mother! Especially the responsibility of reminding everyone that life is short even if we have a long life ahead of us, we might as well start the ceremony before the next ice age."**
Linda chuckled softly, knowing that her son\'s humor was his way of easing the tension. She relented, a hint of amusement in her voice. **"Fine, Jack. But do try not to interrupt the announcement with any more... monkey business."**
Jack grinned, satisfied with his small victory. **"No promises, but I\'ll try. If I suddenly turn into a serious Valley Master, you\'ll have to call the healers."**
Just then, Erren giggled particularly loudly, pulling Adams out of his reverie. He blinked, suddenly aware of the hushed expectancy surrounding him. With a sheepish grin, he looked up and addressed the disciples.
"Ah, my apologies for the wait," Adams began, his voice carrying across the courtyard with an air of authority. "It seems I\'ve been a bit distracted. But now, it\'s time to reveal the disciples who have caught my eyes."
He gestured for Erren to stand beside him, and the little elf girl hopped down, still giggling as she took her place at his side. Adams turned his gaze to the Valley Masters, each one giving a subtle nod, signaling their agreement with the selections already discussed.
Adams cleared his throat, his tone becoming more formal. "The trials were merely a test to see what you are capable of under pressure. You have all shown great promise."
He began calling names, each announcement met with a mixture of excitement and tension.
"Elara of Everpeak," Adams declared, nodding toward the talented swordswoman. She stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Kael of Stormhaven," he continued, acknowledging the agile thief who had impressed many with his cleverness.
"Arin of Windholm," Adams announced, singling out the scholarly mage who had demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for magic.
"And finally, Charles of Homewater," Adams concluded, looking directly at the young man whose quick thinking and adaptability had stood out in every trial.
As each chosen disciple stepped forward, the crowd of their peers erupted in applause and congratulatory cheers. Adams smiled warmly, proud of the recruits who would soon become an integral part of the sect.
Adams addressed the selected disciples once more. "Congratulations," he said. "Your journey has only just begun. You lot are going to be my disciples. Once again, welcome to the Primordial Chaos Sect."
As the chosen ones basked in their newfound status, Jack added in a stage whisper to the other Valley Masters, "And may they all learn to balance seriousness with just a pinch of humor—like a true Master."
With that, the Valley Masters picked their disciples with Amelia fulfilling her promise by taking in the lots that Erren chose and some that caught her eyes.
Adams took his disciples back to his valley where Lilith, Mabel, and Melina were already waiting for him.
"Took your time and I can see you decided to pick more than expected," said Mabel as she looked at the disciples behind Adams especially Charles who would have been the main character here if not for her broken man who just came out of nowhere and everything changed in the entire Divine Plane, heck she was even supposed to end up with this Charles character.
Adams smiled as he dropped Erren on the ground before walking to wrap his hands around Mabel who protested as they were people watching.
Lilith seeing this took it as an opportunity and took his hand and put it around her waist as she smirked sheepishly at Mabel who was looking at her with her brow raised.
Melina seeing her sister acting like this sighed and just facepalmed herself and wondered what had gotten into her sister.
Adams smiled and gave Lilith a peek on her cheek which caused her face to turn red.
The disciples were baffled at this display of affection and wondered if they should excuse them but before that thought could even completely take root in their heart, they heard his voice.
"Alright let\'s get started, shall we?"