The Amulet of Seven Destinies

A Family’s Hope

Just as Ashur was pondering about his decision, he suddenly got a spark of inspiration.

Wait. What if he didn't tell them he failed?

It would be days before the results of the Grand Tests came back. Until then, he could pretend that everything was going fine.

Although he'd eventually have to face the music, at least he could enjoy these few days without dealing with his parent's anger and disappointment.

Nodding to himself, Ashur went out to the garden and sat on the bench to take a short rest.

“Ashur!"

Dalun's thunderous booming shocked the daydreaming Ashur to his senses. He turned around and saw that his father's face was dark and stormy.

“Father…?" Ashur said hesitantly. He wasn't sure why his father was angry but also didn't want to provoke him further.

“When were you going to tell me you failed your Level 5 Grand Tests?" Dalun shouted angrily. "I happened to meet Master Yin just now, and he told me everything! Why didn't you tell me that immediately once you came home? It has been at least 2 hours!"

“Oh, uh…" Squirming uncomfortably, Ashur wished that there was a rock he could hide under. His father, Dalun was the Clan Leader of the Hon Clan, and he expected a lot from his only son. After all, he would eventually take over his father's position when he retired.

“Your teleporting skills, summoning skills, and fighting skills are all subpar! Even your physical ability is so damn weak. You can't even lift 5 stones? How can you be the Clan Leader like this? Who will ever look up to someone so weak!" Father berated, almost spitting out the last word. “How can I face the Clan with a son like you?"

Ashur bowed his head in shame and wished that he could bury himself into a hole in the ground. He muttered, “Sorry Father. I tried. I really did."

“Try? All you can do is try. What use is trying? I want to see results!" Dalun shouted as he glared furiously at Ashur. The tension in the air was so thick that a knife could almost cut through it.

Ashur remained silent. He knew that there was nothing he could say that would appease his father when he was in a flying rage.

Just then, he heard a gentle knock at the door. He turned his head and saw his mother standing in the doorway. She asked, “Dalun, why are you shouting so loudly for?"

“This useless son of ours failed his Level 5 Grand Tests. What a disgrace!" Rolling his eyes, Dalun said, disgusted at the inability of his son.

Linny didn't need to ask Ashur if this was indeed true. One look at his ashamed expression told her everything she needed to know.

“Ashur, try harder next time, okay?" Trying to diffuse the tension in the air, Linny said softly.

“Mother, I am trying hard!" Ashur said indignantly. Indeed, he put in a lot of effort into training and cultivating. It wasn't his fault he just couldn't perform during the Grand Tests.

In a swift motion, Dalun slapped him across the face.

“Don't you dare talk back to your mother!" He burst out. At this point, his face was flushed red, and he was almost trembling in anger.

“Dalun, he can't help it if he can't pass the Grand Tests. Our son is obviously trying his best." Linny spoke up for Ashur. She paused for a moment, then said, “Maybe there's another way."

“What other way?" Dalun and Ashur turned to look at her at the same time.

“Perhaps...perhaps this place isn't right for him. Perhaps the Hon Cultivation Style isn't suitable for him. We can send him abroad to find another style of cultivation that suits him," Linny said.

“What? How can he become the Clan Leader of the Hon Clan if he doesn't learn the Hon Cultivation Style?" Dalun asked angrily.

“Is it better to have a Level 5 Hon Cultivation Style Clan Leader or a Clan Leader who is a Warrior, or even Master in another Cultivation Style?" Linny reasoned logically with Dalun.

Dalun remained silent. He knew that she was right, but didn't want to admit it.

Seeing that he was starting to come around, Linny pushed further. “Dalun, this is what's best for our son…"

“I think there is some sense in what you are saying. Hmm…" Dalun calmed down slightly and started to ponder.

“Mother, are you just finding an excuse to send me away in shame?" Ashur couldn't help but ask. It felt as if his parents were trying to get rid of him.

“Ashur, it's for your own good. This is also for the sake of the Hon Clan. Having a Master as the Clan Leader will definitely bring great honor and glory to the Hon Clan." Linny explained. “You need to become a great warrior before your father retires."

Dalun nodded and said, “Your mother is right. We can send you to the Lyra Academy in the Lyrus to learn the Lyrus Cultivation Style, or maybe even send you all the way to Prade to learn the ancient Prinus Cultivation Style…"

Hearing this, Ashur became extremely conflicted. On one hand, he wanted another chance to make his parents proud by going to a foreign land and learning another Cultivation Style before coming back and taking over his father as Clan Leader.

But on the other hand, he didn't want to leave his parents. He didn't want to leave the Hon Clan, the place he had grown up in and was familiar with. The prospect of going to a foreign land alone to learn an entirely new Cultivation Style was absolutely daunting.

“Mother, I'm not sure I want to…" Ashur wanted to voice out his concerns to his mother.

Suddenly, a shout came from outside the house.

“Clan Leader!" A clan member shouted as she quickly ran over. “There's a visitor!"

Dalun frowned. They weren't expecting any visitors. He asked, “Who is it?"

“I don't know!" The clan member panted heavily as she replied. It's a stranger! She wants to talk to you!"

“I better go take a look," Dalun said and swiftly turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he paused. “Ashur, come with me. You need to see what the responsibilities of a Clan Leader are."

“Yes father," Ashur said obediently. He followed behind his father as he strolled out of the house.

They rushed to the entrance gates of their Clan. A mysterious black cloak figure was standing there, a hood covering most of their face. Feeling an uneasy sensation come over him, Ashur shuddered in fear.

“Greetings." The figure in black said softly.