"Cough, cough... We're on the same team. You can't... cough... act alone," the frail boy said between fits of coughing.
Seeing how fragile he looked, Mu Qingyun immediately let go of him.
She could tell that if she'd used even a little more force, this boy might've died in her hands.
Looking up at the group standing nearby, she recognized from the memories in her mind the bear-eared girl and the snake-bodied man as members of her team.
The first trial of the Military academy was simple but cruel—survive for six months on this desolate island.
Each team had four members, and unless all four survived the six months together, they would be eliminated. This wasn't just a test of individual strength, but of teamwork and cooperation.
Though she didn't have anything to prove, the original host had been poor—and so was she now. She needed money.
"I understand," she said coldly, her eyes dark as she gave a slight nod. "So, what's next?"
"We... cough, cough... need to find... cough... a place to rest. If not... cough... we won't last..." the boy wheezed.
"Enough. Don't talk anymore," Mu Qingyun cut in, her head already aching from his laborious speaking. His coughing was as exhausting to listen to as it was for him to endure.
And as if to echo his words, a loud rumble of thunder exploded in the sky. Moments later, rain poured down in torrents.
Mu Qingyun: "…"
Did this boy's mouth have magical powers?
"Come with me... cough..." the boy said, pulling a small umbrella from the pouch at his side and holding it above the two of them. "You don't have... a storage pack, do you?"
Storage pack?
A flash of confusion passed through her eyes as she looked at the pouch at his waist. She shook her head.
"Hey, stop chatting and hurry! We need to find shelter!" the bear-girl, Xiong Ruoyou, called out as she opened her own umbrella and urged them on.
Mu Qingyun glanced around. The two girls who had previously mocked and attacked her were already gone—probably off to find shelter as well.
She noticed the faint shimmer of a blue energy field around the umbrella. Rain bounced off it harmlessly, never touching them.
Fascinated, Mu Qingyun followed the others through the rain, eventually arriving at a mountain cave.
All four rushed inside. The boy stowed his umbrella and shuffled further into the darkness, still coughing.
Mu Qingyun found a corner and sat down, glancing at the others who had picked separate corners—clearly, they weren't close either.
Realizing this, she opened the small screen on her wrist again.
[This guy and that walking stick should just die together.][Exactly. He attacked the princess and that skeleton still helped him? Disgusting.][They're both trash. If they don't die soon, it'll be a disgrace to the galaxy.]
Disgrace to the galaxy?
Mu Qingyun gave a sarcastic smile. If the universe really cared about justice, she wouldn't have been given another chance at life.
Her gaze drifted toward the thin boy. So he was the "walking stick" the commenters kept insulting—all because he'd been kind enough to help her.
"Um... hi, everyone. I'm Xiong Ruoyou, a bear-beastkin. My family runs a security firm," the bear-girl said with an awkward smile. "Anyone want to introduce themselves?"
"Cough, cough... I'm Su. From the trash planet," the frail boy replied, sounding like he might keel over any second.
"Fan Xuanye," the snake-man said coolly. He clearly had no interest in making friends—his entire aura screamed stay away.
Mu Qingyun glanced at the three of them and replied flatly, "Mu Qingyun. Also from the trash planet."
"Haha, um... wanna sit together to keep warm? The weather's pretty chilly," said Xiong Ruoyou, walking to the center of the cave.
With a sudden roar, her graceful body transformed into a large black bear, fur thick and soft.
[Whoa! Bear-sis transformed!][Love her! Everyone else can die—save Bear-sis!][Yeah, I only like the bear girl. That ugly dude and skeleton can go to hell.][What about the snake guy? He's so cool even with that mask on.][Ugh, why are you simping? Get outta here!]
"You can come over. We'll stay warm together," Xiong Ruoyou offered, opening her furry arms to the rest of them.
Mu Qingyun stared at her for a while, unmoving.
These beastkin were unfamiliar to her. Even if they showed kindness, she wouldn't just trust them outright.
As expected, the other two remained silent as well.
Suddenly, an annoying beeping sound echoed through the cave.
"Beep—beep—beep—"
Mu Qingyun flinched and quickly looked down at her wrist, where the sound was coming from.
"Day One of the Military Academy Trial: Please demonstrate your abilities to your teammates. Confirm upon completion. Thank you."
The robotic female voice repeated the message several times. Mu Qingyun looked at the bracelet, frowning.
How do I reply? Where?
[LOL, look at ugly boy. Doesn't even know how to respond. Total trash.][So stupid. Trash planet trash, inside and out.][Bet they're gonna fail for sure. That ugly freak is just dragging the team down.]
"Tap the green button," Su said softly, noticing her confusion.
"Thanks," she replied. With his help, she finally managed to respond.
But his kindness caused a storm in his own livestream. The comment section filled with vile words, so he simply shut it off.
"I'm a beastkin. No powers," said Xiong Ruoyou, pointing to her bear head.
"Same," said Fan Xuanye, his tone sharp and detached.
"I use water." Su raised his hand, and the rain outside condensed into shimmering droplets that floated gently toward his palm.
[Whoa, Water—just like the princess.][Fine, I won't hate him... just 'cause his power's cool.]
When it was Mu Qingyun's turn, she didn't speak.
She stared at her palm, recalling the technique described in her memories. Concentrating, she slowly gathered energy until a small flame ignited in her hand.
[Tch, fire again? So boring.][That flame looks pathetic. Might as well go watch someone play with sand.][Trash freak has another reason to die. What a loser.]
Fire, huh?
Mu Qingyun frowned as the flame danced in her right hand—but then a strange itching sensation began to spread across her left palm.