Chapter 45: Picking Personal Disciples 2
Charles stepped forward, his voice earnest and respectful. "We are grateful for the opportunity you have given us, Master. We promise to always follow your commands," he said, bowing his head in deference.
"Tsk, speak for yourself," Kael muttered, crossing his arms defiantly. His fingers twitched slightly, a sign of his restless energy and rebellious nature. Since he arrived at the sect, he knew that one of these days, he was bound to test the boundaries.
The other disciples looked at him as if he had gone mad, their eyes wide with disbelief. How could he speak so casually and disrespectfully to the head of the sect?
Adams, however, simply laughed, recognizing the spark in Kael's spirit. "You are truly courageous, Kael. You remind me of a younger Jack. He always speaks his mind, regardless of who he's talking to," Adams said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
As Adams held Kael's gaze, Kael felt a wave of pressure wash over him. The intensity of Adams' stare was like a force of nature, and despite his earlier bravado, Kael's resolve wavered. He began to shake slightly, aware of the power and authority emanating from the sect leader.
Seeing Kael's reaction, Adams softened his expression, nodding in approval. "That boldness will serve you well if tempered with wisdom," he advised. "Each of you has qualities that make you unique, and it's my job to help you hone those strengths while also teaching you the discipline required to master your abilities."
Arin, the scholarly mage, spoke up, her voice calm and thoughtful. "Master Adams, we are eager to learn from you. Your reputation precedes you, and we hope to become as skilled and wise as you are."
Elara, the swordswoman, nodded in agreement. "We understand the privilege of being chosen by you, Master. We won't let you down."
"Reputation? I didn't know he had one," said Melina, who was seated beside her sister, her tone teasing and playful.
"No, don't say that! Big brother has a reputation; you just don't ask the right people," Erren replied, snuggling up to her big brother's arm with a look of adoration.
"Brat, don't you have training right now? What are you still doing here?" Mabel scolded, her voice both stern and affectionate as she addressed the obsessed elf girl.
Erren's eyes widened, and she let out a laugh. "You're right, I should be going!" she exclaimed, standing up quickly. She looked at her big brother one last time, a smile on her face, before flying away with a playful wave.
The courtyard seemed quieter in her absence, and Adams chuckled softly, watching her go. "Erren's energy is contagious, isn't it?" he remarked, turning back to the girls.
Melina nodded, her earlier teasing demeanor softening. "She certainly livens up the place. And it's true Adams, your reputation may not always be obvious, but those who know you understand your worth."
Adams shrugged modestly, a smile playing on his lips. "Reputation is just a side effect of doing what one believes is right. Let's focus on helping these new disciples find their paths."
Adams looked at them and decided to give them a gift as his disciples based on their specialty, while also giving them everything they need in their path of cultivation.
With a thoughtful expression, Adams turned slightly and issued a silent command to Jarvis, his system AI. Within moments, four shimmering lights appeared before him, each one containing a carefully selected gift tailored to the needs and specialties of his new disciples.
Adams stood and addressed them with a smile. "As my personal disciples, you are each destined for great things. To help you on your journey, I have prepared some gifts. These are not just tokens of my trust but tools to guide and empower you in your cultivation."
He gestured to the first glowing orb, which floated toward Charles. "Charles, your quick thinking and adaptability in every trial have shown me your potential.
Inside this is the *Flowing River Technique*, a cultivation manual that will enhance your agility and control over water elements, complementing your affinity for versatile strategies." The orb opened, revealing a beautifully bound book along with a sleek dagger forged to channel elemental water.
Charles bowed deeply, his eyes alight with gratitude. "Thank you, Master Adams. I promise to use these wisely."
Adams nodded and then moved on to Arin. "Arin, your scholarly pursuit and innate talent in magic have not gone unnoticed. Here is the *Arcane Codex of Windholm*, a manual filled with advanced spells and techniques to deepen your understanding and control of magical forces." The orb floated to Arin and revealed a tome pulsing with arcane energy, along with a staff that seemed to hum with power.
Arin accepted the gift with a respectful bow. "I am honored, Master. I will dedicate myself to mastering these arts."
Next, Adams turned to Elara, whose determination had impressed him. "Elara, your skills as a swordswoman are exceptional. I present to you the *Swordmaster's Path*, a comprehensive manual detailing techniques that will hone your swordsmanship to unparalleled levels." The orb before Elara revealed a finely crafted sword, its blade shimmering with a faint aura of light.
Elara's eyes gleamed with excitement as she took the sword and manual. "Thank you, Master. I will strive to reach new heights with these."
Finally, Adams addressed Kael, who had shown remarkable courage and tenacity. "Kael, your fearlessness and cunning remind me of someone close to my heart. Here is the *Shadow's Dance*, a manual of stealth techniques and shadow manipulation that will suit your talents perfectly." The orb unveiled a cloak woven with threads of shadow, along with a set of throwing daggers.
Kael grinned, taking the gifts eagerly. "I won't let you down, Master. These are perfect!"
Adams surveyed his new disciples with pride, knowing that each was equipped not just with powerful tools but also with the determination to succeed. "Remember, these gifts are only the beginning. Cultivation is a journey of persistence and growth. Support one another, learn from your experiences, and never stop striving to become the best versions of yourselves."
With a respectful bow, the disciples expressed their gratitude once more, understanding the significance of what they had received. Under Adams' guidance, they felt prepared to embark on their path within the Primordial Chaos Sect, each ready to explore the depths of their potential.