After the grueling night training that left the field soaked with dew and their breaths hanging in the chilly air, Long Yi finally allowed himself a satisfied nod. The moonlight caught the sharp lines of his face as he said, "Zhen, your bond power rank has risen to 13. This is not just a number — it's proof of your perseverance tonight. You'll notice it in every step you take, in the way your legs feel lighter, your breath steadier. Running two laps around the field will no longer be the burden it once was — it will feel like part of your stride, as natural as breathing."
Zhen bowed slightly. "Yes, Master. I can feel it too — I'm now a Rank 13 Spirit Forged Bond Master."
Long Yi's gaze was steady. "Good. Keep going until you reach Rank 20 and become a Soul Lord. Then, I'll arrange the next stage of your training."
"Understood, Master."
—
The next morning, as the first pale strands of sunlight spilled through the narrow dormitory window of Boys' Dorm Room 21, the faint rustle of blankets and the distant morning bell stirred Lei Wei and Shi Feng from their slumber. They blinked against the brightness, exchanging lazy glances before their eyes settled on the sight of Zhen, still curled under his thin blanket, breathing evenly, completely oblivious to the world. Lei Wei sighed with exaggerated patience, leaning over from his bunk. He gave Zhen a firm nudge, shaking him just enough to jostle his peaceful cocoon. "Come on, Zhen," he said, half-chiding and half-amused, "wake up — the day's already leaving you behind."
"Let me sleep, Wei," Zhen mumbled, his voice thick with drowsiness as he pulled the blanket tighter around himself, as if sealing himself away from the morning light and the world's demands.
Shi Feng leaned over, lowering his voice with a conspiratorial edge as if sharing some great secret. "Don't forget, Head Teacher Guan Fang was very clear—he told us to come early today, no excuses. He's probably already watching the clock, waiting to see who's late."
That jolted Zhen upright. "I don't want to be late!"
A voice from outside grumbled, "Don't shout, you idiot." Lei Wei and Shi Feng chuckled as they got dressed.
On the way to the academy, Lei Wei studied Zhen. "Your bond power ranked up, didn't it?"
"Yes. I'm Rank 13 now."
"Thirteen?!" Lei Wei, Shi Feng, and the girls Naer, Xiatao, and Queer all reacted at once. Zhen froze. "Y… yes."
It had only been four days since they stepped into the gates of the academy, a place brimming with ambition and rivalry. Most students, including his closest friends, had inched forward from Rank 10 to Rank 11, celebrating the modest progress. Yet Zhen stood apart—already at Rank 13, his advancement so swift it felt almost unreal, drawing curious glances and whispers in the corridors.
Queer tilted her head. "Do you do some kind of special training?"
Everyone stared suspiciously. "Hmmm…?"
Zhen's mouth opened — "I… uh…" — but the class bell saved him.
Naer stepped in smoothly. "It's time for class. We'll ask Zhen later."
—
In Class 2, Guan Fang addressed the students. "Everyone, follow me to the field."
They arrived just as Class 1 was finishing, the last echoes of students' chatter fading into the hallway. Hong Li, the stern yet sharp-eyed head teacher of Class 1, caught sight of them and let a slow, knowing smirk curve his lips, as if already amused by what he suspected was about to unfold. The expression didn't go unnoticed—Zhao Xiong's gaze flicked toward him, brows knitting slightly in curiosity and caution before he murmured under his breath, "Where's our head teacher going?"
One follower answered, "Young Master, he's heading towards those Class 2."
Zhao Xiong sneered. "Trash Class 2."
At the field's edge, Guan Fang instructed, "We'll begin running shortly."
Then came the mocking voice. "Hey, Guan Fang, how's it going?"
Suppressing irritation, Guan Fang introduced Hong Li. "Students, this is Mr. Hong Li, Rank 47 Holy Shifter, bonded with the Gale Wind Fox. Head Teacher of Class 1."
Class 2 bowed politely. Bing Queer noted privately that their class 2 head teacher Guan Fang was Rank 45, bonded with a Fire Fox, placing him just two ranks below Hong Li.
Hong Li smirked. "Pity you got such weaklings."
"Weaklings?" Guan Fang retorted. "On what basis?"
Hong Li, with an air of exaggerated pride, launched into a flamboyant account of Class 1's test results — bragging about Zhao Xiong's staggering 300 kg strength and making sure everyone knew about the ten students who managed to run a full lap around the massive field. His tone dripped with self-satisfaction, each word meant to flaunt Class 1's superiority. Class 1 members stood in a tight formation behind him like a victory parade, while Zhao Xiong flashed an especially smug grin at Zhen.
Naer's fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned bone-white, the air around her seeming to shimmer with heat as if a great flame had been lit within. Her jaw locked, lips pressed into a thin line, and her eyes blazed like twin phoenix flames ready to scorch all in their path. Her gaze bored into Zhao Xiong like a blade tipped with fire, each heartbeat fanning the inferno in her chest. So he's the one who dared to try and hurt Zhen during the trial… The thought burned in her mind like molten gold, and the urge to strike—swift and merciless—was barely contained.
Guan Fang chuckled. "Your class is good, but they can't match Class 2."
"What do you mean?" Hong Li demanded.
"Let's hear Class 2's strength results."
Shi Feng: 250 kg. Bing Queer and Yu Xiatao: 270 kg each. Hong Li relaxed — until Lei Wei announced 350 kg.
"Lei Wei? From the Lei Clan — Thunder Dragon Bond. Makes sense," Hong Li muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly in recognition, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as if filing away the information for later use.
Then Gu Naer stepped up. "Four hundred kilograms."
Shocked murmurs rippled through Class 1. Hong Li stared. "How?"
"She possesses rare dual Ice and Fire attributes, and her bond is with a majestic Phoenix—an extraordinary combination," Guan Fang explained with a tone of admiration, while Hong Li, listening, was momentarily taken aback by the revelation of Naer's extraordinary dual-attribute Phoenix bond.
But Guan Fang wasn't done. "One more student remains."
Hong Li eyed Zhen, his gaze lingering with a curious mix of intrigue and calculation. "This boy… those golden eyes… there's more to him than he lets on."
"Lan Zhen," Guan Fang said. "Your result?"
Zhen stepped forward calmly. "Five hundred kilograms."