Qin Wei lay still for a moment longer before finally answering. He shifted onto his side, propping himself up with one arm, his expression calm despite the dull pain still lingering in his body. "It's a secret art," he said after a brief pause. "Someone passed it on to me." He glanced at Thea and added in a lighter tone, "Don't worry, dear. It can increase my strength, but the drawbacks are heavy. I can't use it freely. Only in real life-and-death situations. It's not something I can bring out during sparring."
Thea listened quietly, then let out a slow sigh. She walked over and sat down on the stone bench nearby, her shoulders sinking slightly. The disappointment on her face was clear. "I was hoping," she admitted, "that we could form a team for the upcoming annual festival."
"The annual festival?" Qin Wei repeated, lifting his gaze toward her.
