THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM

UNLOCKING THE FOUR WINDS

“The martial arts teacher, Wang Yu, is an old family friend. Even before I learnt of Manna, we used to visit there when I was much younger and play around his dojo while Father was trained. Later on, he also became my master for a year before I decided to focus my efforts on Alchemy. But my daughter, Rai, has more interest in martial arts, too much interest if you ask me. So he’s her master now, though for a while, she hasn’t been able to attend class because it’s not safe to commute with the council out to get us. I remember seeing that quote on the oak tree in his field. It was carved into it and I never understood it till now because there have never been cherry blossoms anywhere close to the dojo. It’s a riddle so I assume a cherry blossom tree is what the cherry blooms part of the line means instead of the cherry fruit because obviously fruits can’t bloom.”

“Master Wang Yu hasn’t accepted a new student in years, Malessa. He only accepted Rai because he owed me a favour and she w