"Again," shouted the Clan Elder to his students. Seventy-six children, all nine years and younger, stood in rows to practice the clan`s breathing technique, the Breath of Foon.

　　The Elder walked down each row with a critical eye. He stopped in front of one student and shook his head. "Sloppy practice yields no fruit, Enril. Focus," he scolded, swiping his cane through the air. "Look to your cousin, Zelek. His movements are fluid, elegant, and graceful." He rapped his cane on the ground. "Again."

　　Enril blushed, realizing this was his tenth repetition. He drew his hands up with a slow breath and pushed them outward as he exhaled. "That`s the way, Enril," Zelek cheered.

　　The Elder turned with a huff. "It`ll do," he muttered. "Enril and Zelek come of age tomorrow. Their bodies have stored a small amount of riken in their ten years." He paused and scanned the students. All eyes were locked on him. "They will manipulate this riken with the Breath of Foon, circulating it through their channels, known as the Stream. The resultant product of this miraculous process is a wondrous thing known as a Filter."

　　The Elder paced between the rows of children. "In time, you will all have this opportunity." Once he arrived at the courtyard entrance, he dismissed the students except for Enril and Zelek.

　　He ushered the two boys into the small hut that adjoined the courtyard. Three ceramic cups and an ornate pot sat on the plain wooden table. Soft steam billowed from the pot. He sat on a fluffed, red cushion near the table and waved the boys in. They sat, hands folded in their laps.

　　As the Elder poured tea, they caught a whiff of its aromatic scent. "Are you boys prepared?" His stern gaze crashed down on the boys as he thumped his teacup on the table. Both boys took a slow sip.

　　Zelek puffed his chest. "I am prepared, Elder Winryu," he boomed.

　　Winryu raised an eyebrow at Enril. "I-I`m r-ready as well, Elder," he replied, avoiding Winryu`s emerald eyes. He felt like they would bore into his soul if he continued to stare.

　　Winryu tugged at the end of his gray mustache. "Good. You won`t mind a few questions, then?" He shot a sidelong glance to Zelek.

　　"Not at all, Elder," both boys replied.

　　"What is the purpose of the Filter?" Winryu asked.

　　Enril almost leaped from his seat. "The Filter is used to absorb riken. This absorption increases the capacity of the Reserve."

　　"Yeah, but Filters can be different," Zelek added.

　　Winryu twirled his mustache to the base of his finger before heaving a sigh. "It seems you two did pay attention despite your constant shenanigans," he said, letting the mustache spring free from his finger. "You`re both correct."

　　"Why does this difference exist, Elder?" Enril asked.

　　"Some are blessed by Heaven, others are not. It`s as simple as that. If you were not born with a blessing, it is your fault for being born unlucky." Winryu closed his eyes and began twirling his mustache again.

　　Zelek spoke up, "If you aren`t blessed, are you doomed to be weak?"

　　Winryu peeped one eye open at Zelek, then closed it. "It only means you start behind others. A blessing provides no more advantage than talent. Like talent, a blessing can be squandered. One could overcome this paltry difference with proper etiquette and hard work."

　　Enril and Zelek`s hearts pounded as they shared a nod.

　　"Moving on, the decision of Schema is important. Each Schema provides guidance into the secret arts of riken, as understood by its author. Share your thoughts with this Elder on which Schema you wish to study from."

　　The boys shared a nervous glance. With a meek squeak, "I am interested in the Bounding Wind Schema, Elder," Enril said.

　　Winryu opened his eyes with a half-smile, "A humble choice. I commend you, Enril. That Schema should serve you well. Now, Zelek?"

　　The dark surface of the tea rippled as Zelek`s fingers tightened. "Winds of the King Schema," he whispered.

　　Winryu squinted, "I didn`t hear you child, speak up."

　　Zelek tore his eyes from his tea. They blazed with emerald fire. "Winds of the King Schema, Elder Winryu," he bellowed.

　　Winryu leaped to his feet. A breeze blew and shook the room divider as he swiped his hand. "Boy, you should know your place." His voice roared in tune with the wind. "The Winds of the King Schema is a treasure designated for immediate members of the head family. Some backwater branch boy such as you is not entitled to even think about it. The eldest son of the current Patriarch and Matriarch wasn`t qualified to receive it when he came of age, so why would you?"

　　With a breath, the wind died as Winryu reclaimed his seat. "See reason and choose something else."

　　Zelek`s shoulders quivered as he tipped his head down. His fists balled on his knees. In a low grumble, "Junior thanks Elder for his wisdom."

　　"You two will need to know about realms."

　　"Realms?" Enril asked, leaning over the table with a grin.

　　"Once your Filter is created, you are qualified to bear the title of Seeker, a cultivator of a higher power on a path to Heaven." Winryu adjusted his belt with a cough. "A Seeker`s task is to find the truth and wisdom of Heaven. To be free and unfettered is the pinnacle. To reach that point, one must enter new realms of power." Winryu`s eyes glazed over as he grinned into the depths of his cup.

　　"Hear that, Enril? I`ll be free to roam the world," Zelek guffawed.

　　Winryu snapped, "Insolent Junior, know your place." Zelek squirmed and gave a quick apology.

　　"Elder Winryu, how does one seek the truths of Heaven?" Enril asked.

　　"Schema provides the first insights into the basics of riken manipulation. As you grow, opportunities for enlightenment will present themselves. This will allow you to glimpse the Heavens. A new technique, or maybe a modification to one you already utilize, can be one benefit." Winryu stood and opened the doorway. The sun shone vivid orange as a warm breeze rolled in.

　　Seven humble abodes, one for each Foon elder, perched atop a hill overlooking the clan`s territory. A courtyard and a small garden adjoined each residence. Winryu let his gaze drift across the territory. Four crop fields surrounded the village, one in each cardinal direction. Family housing was separated according to branch, but each branch nestled close to another. Then, his gaze landed on the town square. "Foundation Formation Realm, that is the beginning. A child will take one year to walk the five steps to enter the next realm: the Wandering Realm. Your Filter and Schema are your aids."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　The boys squealed with excitement. Winryu immediately reprimanded them. Both boys wore a shining crimson imprint on their faces.

　　Winryu paced back to the doorway before continuing, "Steps are the divisions of each realm. Each step yields an increase to your Reserve, as well as your ability to manipulate and absorb riken. Realms offer a different, distinct advantage." Winryu paused as his eyes settled on a large, silver gong hanging in the square. Sat atop an elevated platform flanked by two decorated chairs.

　　On this platform, guided by the Matriarch and Patriarch, all Foon children come of age.

　　"You`re dismissed. Eat and sleep well tonight. Tomorrow is unarguably the most important day of your life. Treat it as such," Winryu`s voice trailed off.

　　The boys placed their hands behind their backs and bowed before leaving. Winryu watched their entire sprint home. With a deep sigh, he retired inside. He muttered into a fresh cup of tea, "Those two will be the death of me, I swear," and shook his head. The corners of his lips curled upward as he remembered Enril`s choice of Schema.

　　A loud gong resounded through Foon territory at dawn. "Now is the time for two clan members to form their foundation," the wind carried the voice of a man clad in green robes trimmed with silver. A woman adorned in matching robes sat opposite the gong. In front of the pair, two boys knelt, chins tucked to their chests.

　　Handfuls of Foon members trickled from their homes and gathered in front of the platform. The man stepped forward, "Foon Zelek, it is time for you to create your Filter. Rise."

　　Zelek clambered to his feet and bowed his head low. "Junior Zelek greets Honored Patriarch Xing."

　　"Junior Zelek, prepare yourself." Xing waited for Zelek`s attention. "Begin the Breath of Foon." Zelek`s breathing shifted to the rhythmic cycle. Enril was entranced with each breath Zelek took, as though he were glimpsing Heaven itself.

　　"Now, feel for your riken within. You should feel a tug near your navel. Draw on that sensation. Force it out," Xing commanded.

　　Zelek`s brow furrowed as sweat beaded along his forehead. Snow-white wisps steamed from him, they gathered and convulsed above his head.

　　A crystalline white sphere the size of a watermelon formed over Zelek`s head. Without warning, it flashed brilliant white. Solid pieces shed from the sphere and fell to the ground like fresh snowfall.

　　"You`re doing well, Junior." Xing folded his arms, and his eyes drifted.

　　Matriarch Di Yu stepped next to Xing and yawned. "You`re almost finished. Maintain your focus," she said.

　　Snow-white flakes continued to pile at Zelek`s feet. In another brilliant flash, the mass of energy ceased its movement. Zelek couldn`t see it, but his Filter had formed. Enril glanced at Zelek, and a pristine, pure-white object with one-hundred sides met his eyes.

　　"Well done, Junior. Your Filter has formed. The Heavens will reveal your potential," Xing said in a huff.

　　Zelek`s Filter rotated on its axis. The number one engraved itself onto his Filter, once per second, ninety-five times.

　　Di Yu rolled her eyes and tapped her foot, while Xing tapped his fingers on his arm. This ceremony was being held for children of a branch family. Only the head family could produce children with values greater than one with any form of consistency. Xing was itching to return to duties that would benefit the clan.

　　The ninety-sixth number of Zelek`s Filter revealed itself, another one. A few members of the crowd yawned, while others dispersed. Zelek`s parents stood, hands clasped in fervent prayer.

　　"A two!" Zelek`s mother shattered the silence.

　　The ninety-seventh number had been a one, but the ninety-eighth revealed a two. Then, the ninety-ninth shone as three.

　　The crowd roared and raved.

　　"What a blessing."

　　"Nothing short of amazing."

　　"Our beloved Patriarch was the last Seeker blessed with a three."

　　"Is this the end of the Foon`s stagnation?"

　　Di Yu and Xing stepped back. With a shake of his head, Xing rid himself of his previous thoughts. Hope blossomed in his heart. The crowd`s clamor ceased a moment later. Only the whisper of the wind spoke.

　　Elder Winryu, who was observing from the comfort of his home on the hill, spat his tea across the lawn.

　　The final face revealed itself: a four.

　　Another round of cheers erupted. Once he composed himself, Xing stepped forward and raised a hand. Silence washed over the crowd. "Congratulations, Junior Zelek. Your Filter is complete. Now, what Schema do you wish to study?"

　　Zelek bit his lip and glanced at the crowd. He caught sight of his parents` tear-filled eyes and ear-to-ear grins. "Honored Patriarch, Junior has an&Unreasonable request." Zelek lowered his head to the ground. His Filter remained suspended where it formed. "Junior requests the Winds of the King Schema."

　　The crowd gasped.

　　Xing approached Zelek. His boots were a hair`s breadth from Zelek`s head. "Did this Patriarch hear you correctly?" Xing`s voice was cold and distant. He clasped his hands behind his back as he towered over the young boy.

　　"Yes, Honored Patriarch," Zelek answered, head still planted.

　　Xing remained silent. He turned to walk away. An object plopped next to Zelek with a soft thud. A green tome lie with its pages rustled by the breeze. The cover read Winds of the King Schema`. Zelek`s eyes widened as he snatched the tome and hugged it tight. With a squeal, he bounced from foot to foot.

　　"Compose yourself," Di Yu snapped.

　　Zelek gave a deep bow. "Junior apologizes, my behavior was indecent."

　　Xing chuckled. "It is time for our other Junior`s turn. Head to see Sixth Elder Shinu, Junior Zelek."

　　Zelek skipped away, his Filter bobbing overhead with each bounce.

　　"Junior Enril, forward," Xing said.

　　Enril stood and bowed. "Junior Enril greets Honored Patriarch Xing and Honored Matriarch Di Yu."

　　Di Yu gave a callous wave, "Begin."

　　A weight grew in Enril`s chest. His worry grew, threatening to wrest his breath from him. How could he compare to the blessing Zelek received?

　　With a nod, he began to cycle his breath. A new sensation ran from his chest and spread through his body, as though a warm stream flowed through his veins. He felt a power tugging at his navel, and he responded by pulling back at it.

　　His Filter began to form as snow-white wisps steamed from his body. With each breath, a new burden struck his core, but it wasn`t a painful sensation, rather, an exhausting one. Enril felt as though his life was being extracted from him.

　　The sensation subsided, and his Filter was shaped.

　　Enril hadn`t heard a word from the crowd as his faces revealed themselves. Unbeknownst to Enril, the first ninety-eight had revealed themselves to be the same number: one.

　　Fear gripped his heart, and a singular thought raced through his mind: `Am I so much worse than Zelek?`

　　As another face of his Filter revealed itself, Enril heard his father shout, "You`ve done your family proud, Enril." A tear crept into Enril`s eye as his father`s words echoed through his soul. With renewed focus, Enril continued his breathing cycle. He felt the energy cease as the final face engraved itself.

　　The process was complete.

　　When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the awkward gawks of Xing and Di Yu. After a moment, he realized they weren`t fixated on him, but on his Filter.

　　"Well, uh," Xing coughed. "It seems both our Juniors received a great blessing today. The Foon clan rejoices at the addition of these two talented young boys." He raised a fist into the air and the crowd erupted into cheers. "Junior Enril, your choice of Schema?"

　　With a dry swallow, Enril answered, "B-bounding Wind Schema, Patriarch." A thin, pale-green tome titled Bounding Wind Schema` floated into his hands.

　　"Join your cousin," Xing commanded.

　　With an eager bow, Enril set off. His Filter bounced above his head as he dashed up the hill to the Elder`s Residence.

　　In a dark room, ten chairs sat veiled in shadows, with one remaining empty. "Did anyone else feel that?" asked one of the chairs.

　　"It felt quite a lot like heavenly-riken, didn`t it? This could be what we`ve been waiting for," a shrill voice squeaked from another chair.

　　A woman stood up and reported, "I traced the origin point to the Western Sector."

　　"Seems you have an investigation to conduct, Yun." A gruff voice spoke with a yawn. The other seven hummed in agreement.

　　"So it would seem," Yun said and vacated the dark room. Her platinum hair shimmered in the morning light.