As she began to walk away, he gently took her arm, drawing her back. "Have a productive time. Demonstrate your skills and show them what you are capable of. You possess the strength for this, you know."
"Thank you."
"Listen, Venus, I am unsure of what to say. Last night—"
She did not wish to hear another apology, so she interrupted him. "It is alright. Just go."
He nodded slowly. She felt a strong urge to call him back as he entered his vehicle, to tell him of her need to mend the rift between them, but she held back. She had asked him to offer her his closeness for a single night, and he had been unable to fully commit.
She watched as Julian's vehicle departed, disappearing around a bend in the road. Whether she desired it or not, she was now alone.
She straightened her shoulders and moved to the end of the registration line. She was aware of curious glances from some of the young healers and their families. She was a female pursuing a traditionally male path, and while her local mentors had accepted her dedication, some still held the archaic belief that females were not suited for the rigors of healing. She simply had to maintain her composure and project the confidence of one who belonged here.
Julian's words echoed in her mind: You possess the strength for this.
A pair of young males ahead of her nudged each other, gesturing for their companions to stare at the lone female wolf in line. One turned to her and said, "Excuse me, the embroidery guild meets down the street. You seem to be lost."
His friends laughed.
Venus adjusted her satchel on her shoulder. "I am in the correct line." She raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain you are?"
"Oh, I am certain, little blossom."
She was about to offer a sharp retort when the registrar called out, "Next!" and gestured for her to approach. "Name?"
She cleared her throat. "Venus Lin Yue."
The registrar's gaze swept over her. "You are the female wolf aspirant."
"Indeed." The registrar was remarkably perceptive.
He handed her a new pack, a water skin, and a scroll case, all bearing the emblem of the Elite mountain healer Academy. "This contains your schedule for the week and the key to your assigned chamber. Uniforms will be distributed before the practical exercises tomorrow. Ensure you wear your identification tag at all times," he instructed, affixing a tag bearing her name to her tunic. He placed it awkwardly near her collarbone, clearly uncomfortable placing it lower, as he did with the male aspirants. "The refectory is located on the ground floor of the living quarters, adjacent to the common room."
"Understood."
As she walked away, one of the senior healers beckoned her over. "Welcome to Elite, Venus," he said. "I am Healer Zang, specializing in advanced techniques. I will be guiding your practical training this week."
She clasped his hand. "I am honored to be here, Healer Zang. Thank you for this opportunity."
"In case you were unaware, you are the only female in this program. As there are no separate bathing facilities for females, the communal bathing areas for the male aspirants will be closed from the fifth to the quarter past the sixth hour of the morning cycle, and again from the seventh to the quarter past the eighth hour of the evening cycle, to ensure your privacy."
"Understood."
"One final matter," he said. "We have zero tolerance for any form of disrespect or unwanted advances. Should you experience any such behavior, inform me or any member of the staff immediately. That being said, I trust you possess resilience. Young males can be… boisterous. Do not be too quick to take offense, if you understand my meaning."
Following the cautionary words, she made her way to the living quarters and located her assigned chamber at the end of the corridor. All the male aspirants had roommates, but she had a single room. She dropped her bags and sat on the edge of her sleeping mat. The room contained a small storage space, a window, a single sleeping mat, and a writing desk. It was simple but clean and free of vermin. And devoid of Julian. She had grown accustomed to his presence and the sound of his voice. Even now, she felt his absence.
It did not take long to unpack her belongings. If she were a different sort, she might remain in her room and isolate herself until the program officially commenced the following day. Instead, she headed for the common room to meet the young males she would be training alongside for the next week. She noticed Gao Tianyu (seated with a group of others on a communal cushion. She felt no particular emotion towards him, only a determination to demonstrate to him and everyone else her competitive spirit and her worthiness to be there.
There was no possibility she would allow Gao Tianyu to perceive her as intimidated. She was a leader amongst her peers back home and represented them here. This was not solely about her own aspirations. She stood directly before him. "Hello, Gao Tianyu."
He glanced at her, offered a mumbled greeting that was barely audible, then resumed his conversation without acknowledging her presence or offering an introduction. It was clear he did not desire her company, so she found an unoccupied cushion on the opposite side of the room. She attempted to initiate a conversation with a few of the aspirants seated nearby. They offered brief responses and then moved away as if she carried a contagious ailment.
She was returning to her chamber when she overheard a group of males conversing with their door ajar. If they were her fellow trainees, she would be sitting amongst them. She was an outsider in unfamiliar territory. Why be timid now, when she knew isolation would serve her poorly during the practical exercises tomorrow?
She straightened and was about to enter the room to introduce herself when she heard one of them say, "Did you see that female wolf in the registration queue this morning?"
Another offered a short, derisive laugh. "That fellow Gao Tianyu mentioned she was admitted to the program as a mere token. The girl is delusional if she believes she belongs here."
"She had better not be assigned to my training group," one of them stated.
The others echoed similar sentiments, and suddenly, Venus's desire for camaraderie vanished.
She hurried to her chamber and collapsed onto her sleeping mat. Normally, she would be prepared to challenge their prejudice, to demonstrate that she was not intimidated by their lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of training alongside a female. But at this moment, she felt utterly deflated.
For the first time since her peers had recognized her leadership qualities, she did not feel like one.
Julian Zhao xin watched as the ornate gate slowly swung open after he announced his arrival through the speaking stone. Some might be impressed by his grandmother's sprawling estate, but he held no regard for ostentatious displays of wealth or status. This dwelling epitomized both.
He parked his vehicle in the circular drive and gazed up at the towering pillars flanking the oversized front entrance. He felt a sheen of perspiration, and it was not solely due to the morning sun. Meeting his grandmother on her own territory felt akin to facing an unknown adversary in a crucial territorial dispute. Adequate preparation was impossible, and anxiety lingered until the encounter concluded.
A male wolf in formal dark attire, his expression severe, awaited him at the entrance. "Are you with the Emperor's Guard?" Julian asked, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.
The other male remained impassive. "Follow me."
Julian was led into the dwelling. The interior featured soaring ceilings and vast corridors, reminiscent of the extravagant residences depicted in popular visual scrolls. The staircase was crafted from polished metal, and the furnishings were opulent and undoubtedly exorbitant. The formally dressed male wolf halted before a room overlooking a large pool in the rear grounds. The room was filled with pale furniture and violet cushions, it was excessively feminine and flamboyant. Julian wondered if Venus would find it appealing or if she would prefer the familiar comfort of her own worn furnishings.
He had intended to remain with Venus that morning until she was settled within the academy. That was before he had noticed several individuals who would undoubtedly recognize him. He had considered revealing aspects of his past to her, but what purpose would it serve? Remaining silent and departing before recognition was the easier path, and he had taken it.
He stood by the window, gazing at the expansive pool, a sense of longing for Venus's presence washing over him, when he heard someone enter the room. He turned and immediately recognized his grandmother. She wore a stark white ensemble, her hair elaborately styled, and her makeup heavily applied. He was taken aback by her tanned complexion, as if she had just returned from a distant sun-drenched land rather than a healing sanctuary.
She held her head high, like a matriarch approaching her inferiors, as she advanced towards him, her arms outstretched. "Are you not going to greet your grandmother?"
"Greetings, Grandmother," Julian said, his tone devoid of warmth. He made no attempt to conceal his lack of affection, but at least he did not recoil when she drew closer and offered one of her customary air kisses.
Why did the werewolf bring a ladder to the full moon festival?
He heard the party was going to be over the moon!