Having checked into their suites without any issues, the instructors and students of the Academy reconvene in the grand lobby of the Resting Crane Tree. Although they have a long day tomorrow, the students found themselves intoxicated by the hustle and bustle of Jing City. Even though the city is not as crowded as New Hope city, it has a unique and apt atmosphere for night exploration. With the combined effort of all the students present, the instructors relent and agree to explore the city in groups.

“Can we choose our own groups?” One student asks.

Although they were not thinking about the possibility before, as soon as that student asked, the others joined in excited about getting to explore the city with their friends. Many start to leave their instructor’s sides, shuffling around the lobby to group up with their friends. The students in Sun’s group stand by their instructor as they watch the peculiar scene unfold. Even more peculiar, however, is the fact that Wei didn’t rush to group up with his friends. He just stands behind Sun, staring at the instructor’s back in deep thought.

“Wei, you don’t have to feel bad for us” The short-haired boy turns away from the chaos to look at Wei. “Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine without you.”

His half-joking comment draws the attention of the other students in Sun’s group. They turn their heads in unison towards Wei, puzzled by his presence despite the possibility of being able to leave the group he so looks down upon. Wei, still lost in his thoughts, doesn’t hear the short-haired boy’s comment nor does he notice the group staring at him. Sun turns around, meeting the young boy’s blank eyes.

“Wei, you can go join your friends if you want.” Sun speaks clearly, trying to get the boy’s attention.

Upon hearing Sun’s words, Wei snaps out of his daze. Before he could fully collect himself, a voice interrupts them.

“Students, please mind your manners.” Instructor Lianyi infuses her calm voice with her aura, causing it to ring firmly in every students’ ears. “Return to your assigned groups. If this is how you wish to carry yourselves as students of the Academy, perhaps it would be best if you do so in the comfort of the suite.”

“Sorry, Instructor Lianyi!” The students bow in unison towards Instructor Lianyi.

“Now, now. Let’s not ruin the night over a small matter.” An instructor with deep blue hair steps forwards. “The students are just excited to stretch their legs after a long day of travel.”

Instructor Lianyi glares at the blue-haired instructor for a split moment before softening her eyes. Overlooking the fact that he had stepped on her authority as the instructor in charge of the Viridian Valley excursion, Instructor Lianyi forces a smile onto her face before nodding slightly.

“Instructor Hue is right. I’m sure that nobody wants to ruin the night over a small matter.” Despite being agreeable, it’s clear to the adults that there’s venom in Instructor Lianyi’s words. “So, students, is this behavior fitting for students of the Academy?”

“No, Instructor Lianyi!” The students declare as they bow again towards her.

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“Good. Now, let’s make our ways back to our assigned groups.”

“Why not let the students enjoy the city with their friends?” Before the students could even move, Instructor Hue chimes in once again. “Tomorrow is a long day of learning, why not let them enjoy tonight how they want?”

Instructor Lianyi’s blood begins to boil as she glares at Instructor Hue. She could overlook the fact that he tried to step on her authority, but she found it difficult to ignore his follow-up attempt. The calm and loveable reputation she had built up with the students feels like it could come crumbling down at any moment.

“We should follow Instructor Lianyi’s suggestion.” Sun, sensing Lianyi’s internal aura running wild, decides to interfere. He turns to look at the seven students standing behind him and smiles. “I’m growing fond of my group.”

“Yuyu stays with Mi- uh… Instructor Sun!” Yuyu exclaims.

The students who had been scramming to find their friends raise a brow at the little girl interfering in a conversation between the adults. Their confusion towards Yuyu’s disrespect is amplified as they notice the other students in her group. Aside from the little girl and the boy standing beside her, the other five students are all members of some of the most influential families and sects on the grand continent. Their confusion grows even more as Yuyu’s innocent statement sets off a chain reaction.

“Student Dan wishes to stay with Instructor Sun as well. I’m learning a lot from them.”

“Student Xihan would like to stay with Instructor Sun. I think it’s important that we learn to get along with other students outside of our usual company.”

“St-s-student Anning would like to st-s-stay with Inst-st-Instructor Sun…”

“Student Maoyi agrees with Xihan. I’m having fun with my new friends. I would like to stay with my group and Instructor Sun.”

“Student Chunhua is enjoying the company of Instructor Sun’s group. I’m learning so much from Wei. Did you know that the Zhou family supports the Alchem-”

Before he could finish his sentence, the young girl beside him, Maoyi, elbows him in the arm. She bites her lip and lowers her head to try and suppress her urge to laugh. The other students in the group follow her lead, praying that they can hold back their laughter until the conclusion of this weird situation. They want nothing more than to turn around to see Wei’s expression, but they keep their heads low knowing that doing so would only make this strange situation even stranger.

“Students, that’s very sweet of you to say about your friends.” Instructor Hue says as he makes his way towards Sun’s group, stopping in front of the little girl who spoke first. “But it’s disrespectful to speak, unless spoken to, while the adults are talking.”

He bends his knee, bringing himself lower to meet Yuyu’s eyes. His lips curl into a smile as he reaches his hand towards the little girl’s shoulder. A cold sweat rolls down Dan’s neck as he watches the hand reach out in slow motion. He glances up at Sun, terrified by the crimson red glow in his eyes.

Dan’s heart skips a beat upon noticing an acute movement of a muscle in Sun’s neck. His eyes trace that movement downwards, stopping at Sun’s finger. His mind races as he watches the finger extend from a relaxed curl into a straight point. Though he had never seen Sun’s crimson red eyes, he had observed this motion many times while watching Sun train. Dan bites his tongue, using the pain to help him break out of his state of absolute fear, before stretching his arm out between Instructor Hue’s hand and Yuyu.

FASTER!

He screams internally as he watches the impending disaster unfold before him. Despite all his agility training, Dan laments the fact that his body cannot yet move as fast as his mind. The single second that is currently passing by feels like an eternity. Dan’s entire body screams as his arm enters view. As his mind races faster and faster, he begins to question whether or not his arm is even moving.

FASTER! MOVE! PLEASE! FASTER! PLEASE MOVE FASTER!