Cora had a dream.

In the dream, she lay beneath the shade of a grapevine. Michael, still his proud and arrogant self, pranced around her with lively jumps, occasionally pecking at her head with his sharp beak. It felt so real that when she opened her eyes, the sensation of his touch seemed to linger above her.

It had been an entire week since the night Michael underwent a transformation and died.

During these days, Cora had repeatedly attempted to knock on her neighbors' doors, but she received no response.

The tightly shut iron doors seemed to form a barrier of their own, shielding against any unwelcome scrutiny from the outside world.

Had they gone on a trip?

Perhaps that's why they hadn't been able to feed Michael. But if they were traveling, why wouldn't they take Michael with them? No, something didn't add up. Cora's knocking gradually ceased. Michael couldn't have starved, no way.

Dark memories surged like a nightmare–the grotesque, rigid body of the swan and its rows of protruding fangs. Whenever she recalled that image, her back shivered with a bone-chilling coldness.

Cora leaned her head against the closed door, her slender figure radiating an air of solitude. She had lost her only friend.

Behind her house, she laid Michael to rest on a slope, crafting a small mound of earth adorned with bamboo grasshoppers and grapes, his favorite treats. She had also written a note about Michael's passing and posted it on the neighbor's door.

Hoping the family would see it when they returned.

With a heavy heart, Cora stepped outside.

Regardless of the circumstances, she couldn't skip training at the martial arts academy.

If her master caught her skipping class, a sound thrashing was inevitable.

The sun had yet to fully rise, and a hazy mist enshrouded District 199. Occasionally, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks could be heard.

The neon lights above continued to shine without stopping, creating fragmented reflections on the indigo sea.

Passing by the harbor, Cora noticed an unusual scarcity of workers today.

Despite the laborious tasks, the work at the harbor was straightforward, didn't require identification, and the pay was decent.

It had always been a popular choice among the local youth. An almost-empty scene like today was quite rare.

She cast a puzzled glance and overheard a conversation in a corner. "... They're all on sick leave. The workforce has been dwindling lately."

"Did Sid not come today?"

"You haven't heard? Sid's dead!" "What? He was perfectly fine a few days ago. How did this happen so suddenly?"

"Someone poisoned Sid! His right hand rotted away completely! The police from District C were even called in. They came to deal with his body." Impossible... Why would people from District C bother cleaning up District F's mess?

"You don't know how horrifying his death was! I saw it with my own eyes! His eyeballs turned gray, his eye sockets protruded, and his whole body was as cold as ice."

The speaker lowered their voice, tinged with fear. "I heard they won't cremate him; they're sending the body to a forensic pathologist and an autopsy. Sid's parents fainted on the spot, and when they woke up, they were raving mad."

Cora's footsteps came to a sudden halt. Sid... Sid! The name sounded familiar, but it was only at this moment that she recognized it.

She remembered–the "Sid" they mentioned was the young man bitten by the fish that day. And the hand... the bloody hand... she recalled seeing it–the injured hand was his right hand!

In an instant, Cora's heart raced, and she couldn't stay in a place any longer.

She rushed towards the academy, driven by an intense feeling of urgency.

She had walked this path to Yue Mountain countless times, and she could navigate it even with her eyes closed.

However, today, whether or not it was her imagination, the surroundings were eerily quiet.

Even the familiar cacophony of insect chirping and bird calls was absent, replaced by a silence that sent shivers down her spine.

The scorching sun remained overhead. It is blazing heat causing sweat to trickle down her forehead, disappearing into the earth beneath her feet without a sound.

The cramped surroundings seemed to conceal boundless danger. Cora quickened her pace, reaching the mountaintop in a hurry.

Inside the academy, the atmosphere was as lively as ever, with occasional laughter from the trainees.

Cora leaned against the door frame, panting heavily.

Her tumultuous emotions gradually settled as she exhaled a deep breath, stepping over the threshold.

But after taking just a few steps, an intense feeling of impending danger swept over her–Danger!

A blinding red light suddenly burst from a corner, like a burning meteor, carrying a murderous intent as it shot toward her.

Cora's eyes narrowed, her upper body arching back significantly, her supple waist nearly folding in half.

In one fluid motion, she executed a graceful backflip, skillfully landing on her feet. The lethal red light narrowly grazed her forehead.

The assailant fired a missed shot and didn't linger, tauntingly muttering, "Junior stutterer, your reflexes are impressive."

Cora lifted her gaze to glance at him before averting her eyes again, remaining silent.

The stranger's tone was unfriendly.

"You can't even call for help properly? I remember you're a stutterer, not mute, right?" Cora pursed her lips and reluctantly spoke. "Ea... Eamon."

"Ea... Eammm... Eamon!" Eamon mimicked her speech, a malicious glint in his deep brown eyes. "So, it's true, a little trash from District F. Who gave you permission to address me by my name? Am I unworthy of being your senior brother?"

Cora didn't want to dignify his provocation. She turned a corner and headed for the backyard without a second thought.

Eamon followed, stepping forward and blocking her path with an annoyed expression. "I'm talking to you. Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to find... find Master."

For reasons unknown to Cora, Eamon's demeanor instantly turned cold.

"In a hurry to tattle, huh? Hah, just as expected of Felix's promised wife. He's not here, so you're trying to please his father, huh? Working hard, aren't you?"

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The malevolence radiating from him was like the hiss of a snake lurking in the shadows.

Cora kept her head down, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles cracked.

If it weren't for the academy rules prohibiting fights between students, she would have kicked that smug face and turned annoying Eamon into a pig's head.

As the two locked in a standoff, a clear, feminine voice sounded from behind them.

"Eamon, why are you bullying our junior apprentice again?"

The newcomer was striking, her features beautiful, and she wore a sleek combat suit.

Her high ponytail exuded a sense of determination. It was their senior sister, Rita.

"Impressive, taking advantage of Junior Zhang's absence to break the rules, huh? Who told you to use a particle gun in the academy?"

Eamon's family was a powerful force in the Deep Forest (District C33), controlling several arms factories.

They possessed many illegal and restricted weapons.

He casually played with the gun's stock, a faint red glow flickering. "It's just defective merchandise that hasn't hit the market yet. I asked Junior Stutterer to test its power. Is that not allowed?"

As he spoke, he suddenly aimed the gun at Cora's head again. "Besides, she dodged it last time."

Dangerous particle energy coalesced before her, yet Cora stood her ground, unflinching. Rita, standing nearby, reached over and pushed the gun down. "Put that away. What if the Master sees you? Do you want to be kicked out?"

Eamon's gaze faltered briefly as he retrieved the particle gun with a bitter smile, muttering under his breath, "Junior Zhang's future wife is indeed precious."

Rita confronted him without fear.

"Just shut up already. You're always picking fights and causing trouble. Is it because you couldn't take part in The Azures' assessment this year? You voluntarily forfeited, so what does it have to do with Senior Brother Zhang and Junior Apprentice here? And now you're even attempting sneak attacks? You really have no shame!"

Azure Force, formally known as the New Pacific Alliance (NPA) Special Duties Force, was the most mysterious and talked-about a military unit in recent years.

It quickly gained popularity across all regions, sparking a wave of enthusiasm for military service.

Its selection criteria were incredibly simple: no restrictions based on origin, background, or gender. Citizens over the age of twenty could join.

However, the allure of these simple conditions was unparalleled.

Those selected through The Azures' assessment could directly gain citizenship in a B-level city.

This proposition drew countless individuals who saw The Azures as a ladder to change their destinies.

The higher the attraction, the fiercer the competition.

The assessment process for The Azures remained confidential, and the acceptance rate was extremely low, with most applicants being rejected without understanding the process.

As an elite military force, stringent physical requirements were a given.

The Alliance saw a rise in popularity of combat training after The Azures were founded.

Both Eamon and Rita hailed from District C, joining this training to qualify for The Azures.

The team from Yue Mountain Martial Academy that signed up for the assessment, led by Felix, had already set out.

"You!" Eamon was hit where it hurt, his face contorting. Yet, because of Rita's background, he refrained from acting recklessly.

Rita, utterly undeterred, raised her voice defiantly, "It's fortunate you gave up in advance. Otherwise, going and not being selected would be even more embarrassing."

With that, she grabbed Cora's arm and pulled her away.

Eamon watched the two retreating figures with a dark expression, sneering with disdain, "Idiots."

"People who haven't awakened their potential. What's the point of trying harder?"

The design of Yue Mountain Martial Academy was unique, featuring complex structures that required navigating long corridors from the front yard to the back hall.

On their journey, Rita paused before inquiring, "Junior Apprentice, aren't you... Junior Zhang's...?"

Cora turned to look at her, noticing a tinge of discomfort on her face, a faint blush rising to her ears. She wondered why Rita would blush. She and Felix were several years apart and not close. They interacted little, mostly because she struggled with communication.

Finally, she answered slowly, "No."

Rita's mood brightened as she affectionately put her arm around Cora's shoulder, clearly relieved by her response.

Passing by the cafeteria, they encountered a plump woman responsible for logistics. She carried a tray with several bowls of piping-hot ginger soup and greeted them warmly.

"Little Cora is here! Haven't had breakfast, have you? I prepared two eggs for you in the room. Help yourself."

Cora's eyes lit up, nodding enthusiastically.

Rita, pinching her nose in disdain, said, "Auntie, it smells terrible. Why are you cooking this?"

The plump woman sighed helplessly. "It's strange, right? On such hot days, so many trainees are falling sick with fever. I'm making some herbal medicine to help them recover."

"Could they be faking it, trying to get out of training?" Rita expressed her doubts.

It was indeed odd that so many powerful individuals suddenly fell ill for no apparent reason.

The plump woman clicked her tongue.

"Way. You know what Theon told me? He said he got pecked by a wild chicken yesterday, and now he's aching all over and can't even get out of bed. That rascal is just making excuses. I think he's just itching for attention."

"Hahaha, he's something else!" Rita had no sympathy, laughing uncontrollably, "And what about that chicken that pecks people?"

The plump woman joined in the laughter. "I slaughtered it. It wasn't laying eggs, anyway. It's a good way to nourish these sick kids."

"I'll help you take this over." Rita took the tray from the plump woman and then turned to Cora, instructing her, "Junior Apprentice, Master is in the meditation room. Why don't you go check on Theon while we talk?"

While they conversed, Cora had already taken the eggs the plump woman had prepared for her, stuffing them into her pockets–one in each.