The two hours of family time passed quickly, filled with laughter, tears, heartfelt conversations, and the promise of a new beginning. Parents clung to their children, cherishing the final moments before a new chapter began. Lei Wei and Bing Queer proudly introduced their guardians to their friends, basking in the shared joy and relief of their accomplishments. Bonds forged in trial were now being celebrated openly, with hope gleaming in every eye. But not all meetings were simple or light-hearted.
Long Yi stood apart from the crowd, her aura calm and commanding, having called Lan Hua and Lan Xin aside for a private conversation. Her gaze was serious, and her tone carried weight.
"I called you here to speak about your son's dragon bond," she began.
Lan Xin blinked, concern rising. "Zhen's dragon bond?"
Long Yi nodded slowly. "Yes. His bond is quite similar to mine."
Lan Hua's brows furrowed. "Similar to yours?"
Long Yi's voice dropped to a whisper. "Pure Dark."
The words echoed with weight, stunning both parents.
"You should understand," Long Yi continued, "the two most powerful attributes in the world of Beast Bond Masters are Light and Darkness. Light embodies the power of creation. Darkness holds the power of destruction. But very few are born with purity in either, and even fewer have a strong beast bond that amplifies that purity."
She paused, letting the revelation sink in. "My bond is with the Demon Dragon. It carries pure dark energy. That's why Lan Zhen's bond felt so familiar to me during the trials. His darkness—pure and ancient—it called out."
Lan Xin looked pale. "We always knew he had a dragon bond, but… we never imagined it was pure darkness."
Long Yi's expression became thoughtful. "There's more. I sensed another attribute in him—one I couldn't identify. It was faint but unmistakable."
Lan Hua leaned forward. "Another attribute? What kind?"
"I don't know yet," Long Yi admitted. "It's elusive, as though it's concealed by instinct or fate."
Xin's voice trembled, worry written all over her face. "Will this darkness… will it harm him?"
Long Yi softened her expression and placed a gentle hand on Xin's shoulder. "No. Quite the opposite. This power will make him strong—extraordinary even. But he's still just a child. Seven years old. That's why… don't tell him about this. Let him grow into it. When the time is right, the truth will come to him."
Lan Hua and Lan Xin exchanged glances and nodded.
"From now on," Long Yi added, "he will stay in the dormitories with the other students. You'll only be able to meet during holidays."
The news stirred a pang in both parents' hearts. But they knew this was part of his journey.
As Long Yi turned to leave, her gaze lingered on them a moment longer. A flicker of something crossed her expression.
She saw it clearly now—Lan Hua emitted a subtle, dormant dark aura, while Lan Xin shimmered faintly with light. A paradoxical harmony.
Then she said, "One more thing. I will be taking your son as my disciple."
Tears welled up in Lan Xin's eyes. "Please guide him well. He's everything to us."
"I will," Long Yi said with a gentle nod. And with a shimmer of spatial energy, she vanished.
As she moved through the ether, a quiet murmur escaped her lips. "His father is the Holy Tyrant… and his mother is… hmph. Very interesting indeed. This child… is something more."
Elsewhere, the courtyard buzzed with joyful farewells and final embraces. Laughter mixed with soft sobs. Children clung to their parents while excitement fluttered in their hearts. Lan Hua and Lan Xin returned, walking side by side. Lan Zhen spotted them from across the crowd and rushed forward.
"Mom! Dad!"
He collided into their arms.
"Who was that lady?" he asked, eyes filled with curiosity.
Xin gently brushed a hand through his hair. "You'll learn more about her in the academy."
Lan Hua knelt down, eyes kind. "Zhen, promise us something. Be happy here. Make friends. Grow strong. Enjoy your time."
"I promise, Dad," Zhen said with a smile.
They pulled him into a tight hug, savoring the moment.
"Come home during the holidays, alright?" Xin whispered.
Zhen nodded. "I will."
The time soon came to an end.
All seventy children were gathered once more in front of Tai Zhi, who stood tall on the central stage. A hush fell over the students.
Tai Zhi's voice boomed with authority. "You have all been assigned to your respective classes."
A massive translucent screen lit up above them, flickering as names and class numbers scrolled across.
Lan Zhen scanned quickly—his heart leapt.
Class 2, Year 1.
He hurried to his group. "I'm in Class 2, Year 1! What about you guys?"
Gu Na'er jumped up. "Same here! Lei Wei and Yu Xiatao too!"
Shi Feng joined them with a grin. "Class 2, Year 1. Looks like we're together again."
Moments later, Bing Queer came bounding over. "I got Class 2, Year 1! What did you all get?"
Gu Na'er suddenly wore a sad expression. "Ah… sorry, Queer. We all got Class 1, Year 1."
Bing Queer froze. "What?! I'm the only one in Class 2?! That's not fair!"
Her shoulders drooped, eyes glassy with disappointment.
Suddenly, laughter burst out from the group.
"Gotcha!" Shi Feng said, winking.
Lei Wei pointed to Na'er. "It was her idea!"
"Na'er!" Bing Queer shrieked, chasing after her friend as the others howled with laughter.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiong was placed in Class 1, Year 1, along with his remaining loyal followers and the cold, mysterious Yan Wu. The rest of the candidates were assigned accordingly across various first-year classes.
Tai Zhi clapped once, drawing their attention again. "Now, head to your assigned dormitories. Your journey as students begins now."
Boys and girls were directed to different wings of the grand dormitory buildings. Lanterns lit the paths as students filed in with excitement.
Lan Zhen carried his belongings along the winding corridor, heart pounding. Laughter echoed, doors opened and closed, and the sound of new friendships forming filled the air.
He stopped in front of a wooden plaque: Dorm Room 21.
He took a deep breath and opened the door.
Inside, two boys were already unpacking—familiar faces.
They turned.
Their jaws dropped.
"Zhen?!"
Zhen blinked. "Lei Wei?! Shi Feng?!"
The three stared at each other—then erupted.
"No way!" Lei Wei shouted, flopping backward onto the bed. "You're our roommate?!"
Shi Feng laughed so hard his bag slipped from his hand. "This is too perfect. Destiny, I swear!"
Zhen grinned, setting down his bag. "Guess the universe wants us together."
Though it was coincidence, something deeper hummed beneath it.
Not chance.
Fate.
Their journey, their battles, their destiny—they would walk it side by side.
The room glowed with laughter and light, and outside, the stars began to rise.
The true path of the bond master had begun.