This story is part of the Wanderer series.
“The high elders will come and fetch you today.”
Chiyoko suddenly glared at Northsight. “What?! I don’t want to study today! I want to train!”
“We trained yesterday. It is—”
“I was on the verge of something! I must not let up!”
“It is important not to forego your studies.”
Chiyoko turned away in protest, pacing around. “I study enough. I am a Northstar! It is more important for me to train.”
The high elder patiently watched. “A sage’s clan does not substitute for their knowledge.”
“I need to strengthen the capacity of my vessel before it’s too late.”
“You have time.”
“My vessel will stop growing soon! I’m growing old!”
“You are ten, my dear.”
“I’m almost eleven. That’s old!”
Northsight chuckled. “You are not old.”
“For a blooming vessel, I am! I stop growing at thirteen!”
“There are a plentitude of studies proving the contrary.”
“Every day I do not train, I fall further behind the ceiling I could reach!”
The old sage brought both hands to his staff, leaning on it while his amused smile grew. “And how would you expand your vessel to the fullest if you do not know how to do so?”
“I—” she stumbled. “Well, I…”
“We would—”
“I know enough, how!”
“We would not be holding this debate were it not for your studies.”
“But the high elders keep straying to other subjects. And the prodding! The prodding they do about me. It’s embarrassing!”
“We teachers are always learning as well.”
“But it’s not fair that they take up so much of my time!”
“It is only fair for—”
“It’s half my time!”
“… the exchange—”
“I’m still growing!”
“… made.”
“I’m still learning! Let me train first, then we can prod my secrets later!”
“We mean you well.”
“I know you do. They don’t!”
With a forceful expulsion of her last words, Chiyoko finally stopped her pace and flung herself around to face the high elder, forehead furrowed and eyes gleaming with distress. Northsight stayed completely still as he was before. His amusement had gradually dissipated into melancholy.
“My dear, you regard us elders too highly.”
Blinking, Chiyoko retracted a little, gazing at him in confusion.
“There is still so much we do not know about this world. Much less about this phenomenon we call Wanderers.”
Chiyoko lowered her eyes, narrowing them as she reluctantly listened for a moment.
“That is why we trial and measure. To learn more about the student. What are their affinities? Where can they improve? Where do they lack understanding?”
Her eyes dropped even lower as she emitted a prolonged, frustrated groan.
“Every student is different. How can we help them if we do not know their capabilities?”
Silence. The question hung in the air as Northsight quietly awaited Chiyoko’s response, unwilling to let her go without an answer.
Growing uncomfortable, she drew in her shoulder and tucked her chin, her voice mumbling as she pinched her lips to pout. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? These other elders are a distraction.”
“Every teacher has their traits. I cannot teach you everything.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, Chiyoko extended her neck forward. “But you’re supposed to be the best!”
The elder expelled a humored grunt. ”Who told you that?”
Chiyoko flinched. With a closed-mouth gasp, she shrank back into her shoulders and stared wide-eyed at the high elder. “W-what do you mean? E-everyone says that.”
The high elder chuckled. “And you believe them?”
”Wh— W-why wouldn’t I?” she stuttered.
Northsight simply stared at her with a slight smirk developing.
“You’re from the North…! You and I!”
”I told you before. A sage’s clan does not preordain their position. That is for the Eightfold Journey to determine.”