Gu Yuan wandered aimlessly through the pouring rain, his drenched clothes clinging to his thin frame as cold wind pierced through the fabric.

Barefoot, he trudged along the slippery road, each step bringing sharp pain. His feet, cut and bloodied by jagged stones and debris, were caked in mud and rainwater. His gaze was vacant, as though he had lost all direction in life.

Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps and low murmurs broke through the rain. Several figures emerged from the mist. At the front was a girl with a ponytail—Xu Suye. She held an umbrella, walking alongside Zhou Peixue and a few other classmates.

“Wait, is that Gu Yuan?” Xu Suye’s voice carried a mix of surprise and concern. She quickened her pace, tilting her umbrella toward Gu Yuan to shield him from the rain.

“Gu Yuan? What happened to you?!” Her voice rose in alarm as she took in his soaked, disheveled appearance. His feet were covered in mud and blood, his whole body looking utterly miserable.

Gu Yuan blinked and raised his head to see Xu Suye and Zhou Peixue. His lips trembled slightly, but no words came out.

“Oh my god, you can’t go on like this!” Without another word, Xu Suye reached out and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. A wave of warmth spread from her palm, coursing through his body.

This was her newly awakened C-class restorative ability—“Ripple of Life.” Gu Yuan’s injuries healed visibly. The torn skin on his feet mended, leaving no trace of the wounds, and the sharp pain gradually faded away.

“Thank you…” Gu Yuan murmured, his voice hoarse and faint.

“What happened to you?” Xu Suye crouched down, her face full of concern.

Zhou Peixue stood nearby, arms crossed. She cast a cold glance at Gu Yuan and let out a faint sigh. “What’s going on?”

Gu Yuan didn’t answer, lowering his head to avoid their eyes.

“Forget it. Let’s find somewhere for him to rest first,” Xu Suye said firmly, standing up.

“Suye, hurry up! We need to get going,” one of the classmates called from a distance.

“I know!” Xu Suye shouted back, then turned to Gu Yuan. “How are you feeling? Can you walk on your own?”

Gu Yuan nodded, forcing out a weak, “I’m fine.”

“Alright then…” Xu Suye hesitated for a moment before gently patting his shoulder. “Gu Yuan, no matter what happens, remember—you can always come to us. It’s what classmates do for each other.”

Zhou Peixue remained silent, giving Gu Yuan one last indifferent glance before opening her umbrella and walking off with the others.

As they left, the group of classmates continued chatting.

“Who’s that guy?”

“Oh, I remember now. That’s the F-class spatial ability guy from this morning.”

“Suye, don’t tell me you like him?”

“No way, Suye’s just kind-hearted,” another classmate said with a laugh.

“Even if she liked him, she couldn’t possibly pick an F-class guy.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Hearing this, Xu Suye’s cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly shook her head and stammered, “N-no, it’s just… he’s a classmate, and… I wanted to try out my new ability.”

Her voice carried a hint of nervousness, as though eager to explain herself. The others chuckled and dropped the topic, walking away with their umbrellas.

Standing in the rain, Gu Yuan watched their silhouettes disappear into the mist. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself.

Pulling out his phone, he checked the money Huang Yunmu had transferred earlier. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to afford a cheap motel.

The motel was a dilapidated building at the end of a secluded street. Its flickering neon sign cast an unsteady glow, and the air around it felt damp and oppressive.

Inside, the reception desk was dimly lit by a single yellowed bulb, and the faint smell of mildew lingered in the air. Compared to his former apartment, this place felt unbearably cramped and suffocating.

The room itself was bare—a hard, uncomfortable bed, a chipped desk, and a wobbly lamp. Gu Yuan gently closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the coldness of the mattress beneath him.

He thought back to his old, spacious apartment: the exotic beast-fur rugs, the paintings by renowned artists, and the breathtaking cityscape visible through the windows. A bitter smile tugged at his lips as a wave of complex emotions washed over him.

“So, this is my new life…” he murmured to himself, staring blankly out the window at the endless rain.

...

Two weeks later, at Guanqing High School’s training grounds.

The Guanqing High training grounds, located at the heart of the campus, were vast and considered the most advanced student facilities in Yaoxing City.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Built from state-of-the-art materials, the training grounds boasted a sleek, modern design. The high ceiling and transparent dome allowed natural light to pour in, and one could see the sky’s ever-changing patterns.

Inside, the grounds were divided into multiple zones, each equipped with cutting-edge technology.

At the center was a massive holographic simulator, capable of dynamically adjusting light, temperature, and terrain to mimic various combat scenarios.

Nearby was the elemental energy field, designed for precision training for elemental ability users. On one side was the recovery chamber, fitted with automated devices to help students quickly restore stamina and energy.

Every corner of the training grounds was fortified with automatic safety systems, ensuring that any out-of-control abilities or energy surges were swiftly intercepted. A faint scent of disinfectant and the subtle hum of energy filled the air.

After the awakening ceremony, the school’s curriculum underwent significant changes. In addition to traditional academic classes, new courses focused on ability development and combat training were introduced.

Students were grouped according to their ability types and levels, participating in individual training, team exercises, and simulated combat against mock beasts.

The grounds buzzed with activity as students threw themselves into training. Flames roared into the air, sending waves of heat rippling outward. Frost spread rapidly across the ground, exuding an icy chill.

Beast-enhanced reinforcement users clashed fiercely, their collisions creating shockwaves. Meanwhile, mental ability users focused intently on sensing and controlling, working in tandem with other ability users during simulated battles.

The vibrant energy and fierce competition lit up the training grounds, creating an atmosphere so charged it felt electric.

Amid this bustling scene, Gu Yuan sat alone in a corner after finishing a simple combat exercise. His gaze swept across the lively training sessions, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

So Lin Mowen hasn’t been at school at all recently, he thought. From classes to training group assignments, and even around campus, there’s no sign of him.

“Where has Lin Mowen been lately?” murmurs floated around him, but no one had answers. Though his absence had sparked some speculation, the intense training soon drowned out the curiosity.

Gu Yuan stood and walked to the edge of the training grounds. He glanced down at the basic training guide in his hands. Its simplistic content seemed almost mocking in its inadequacy.

He looked up at the center of the grounds, where his classmates unleashed dazzling abilities, their passion shining amid the cutting-edge equipment.

“What can I even do?” Gu Yuan muttered, a flicker of determination in his eyes as he resolved to find his place amidst the brilliance.

...

The Next Day, Outskirts of Yaoxing City: Ancient Forest - Starfall Thicket Entrance

The Starfall Thicket was a primeval forest shrouded in mystery. Towering ancient trees reached for the heavens, their intertwining branches forming a dense canopy that nearly blocked out the entire sky. The damp air carried the rich scent of earth, and faint, low growls echoed from its depths.

Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the moss-covered ground, which was littered with a thick carpet of fallen leaves, exuding a sense of natural desolation.

The forest's edge was lined with sharp thorns and gnarled roots, forming a natural barrier that separated the outside world from the unknown depths within. A faint breeze rustled the leaves, adding an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

“For this mission, you are tasked with entering Starfall Thicket to hunt beasts!” The instructor stood at the entrance, his eyes sweeping over the gathered students as his voice rang out, firm and commanding.

“Regular beast-clearing operations ensure the safety of the city’s inhabitants. Remember, this task is not only a test but also preparation for your future missions. Don’t worry—this area has been secured, and only F-class beasts are present. Each F-class beast is worth two points, and ten points are required to pass. You may form teams freely, but remember, team points will be divided equally. Those who fail to pass—my advice is to reconsider participating in the upcoming national exams.”

As the instructor’s words fell, the students’ eyes lit up with excitement. Some were eager to discuss strategies, while others, looking tense, began scanning for suitable teammates.

“Hurry up and form your teams; the earlier, the better!”

“I’ve heard that while this forest only contains F-class beasts, the terrain is complex, and acting alone could be dangerous.”

“Don’t waste time! Team up—it’s more efficient!”

The once-quiet forest entrance grew lively as students clustered together, their energy charged with a mix of nervousness and anticipation for this important test.

Gu Yuan was no different. He was keenly aware that with his current abilities, completing the task alone was nearly impossible. Standing off to the side, he anxiously scanned the crowd, hoping to find someone willing to team up with him.

His gaze landed on Xu Suye’s group. She and Zhou Peixue stood not far away, both wearing close-fitting combat uniforms. The material, though lightweight, appeared highly protective, accentuating their elegant figures.

Xu Suye’s high ponytail gave her an energetic appearance. The combat uniform hugged her slender waist, and her every movement radiated a sense of agility and confidence.

In contrast, Zhou Peixue exuded an air of icy composure. Her long legs, wrapped tightly in the combat uniform, were both graceful and powerful. Every gesture carried a subtle yet palpable dominance.

Gu Yuan hesitated, gathering the courage to speak, but before he could, Xu Suye noticed him and interrupted.

“Sorry, we’re full,” Xu Suye said with a slight smile of apology, though her tone was firm.

Gu Yuan froze. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t muster any words. Finally, he forced a bitter smile, nodded, and turned to leave.

As he continued to search for a team, he unexpectedly crossed paths with Huang Yunmu, who was also glancing around. Since their phone conversation days ago, Huang Yunmu had been unusually distant, rarely reaching out.

Though Gu Yuan had noticed this, he had attributed it to Huang Yunmu being preoccupied with his own affairs.

Huang Yunmu’s combat uniform, made of expensive, high-quality materials, gleamed faintly and exuded sophistication. Despite his slightly plump figure, the tailored design gave him a neat and imposing appearance.

In stark contrast, Gu Yuan’s uniform was the basic issue provided by the school. Though labeled a “close-fitting combat uniform,” it hung loosely on his thin frame, emphasizing his frailty.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward. Gu Yuan hesitated but eventually broke the silence. “Fat… uh, Yunmu, how about we team up?”

Huang Yunmu remained silent for a moment, a fleeting look of complexity passing through his eyes. Then he smiled faintly, nodded, and said, “Sure, Gu Yuan.”

Gu Yuan glanced at Huang Yunmu, then down at his own ill-fitting uniform. His lips pressed together as a swirl of emotions churned within him.

Turning his gaze back to the looming Starfall Thicket, with its dense shadows and the occasional deep growls, a wave of unease crept over him. But he quickly took a deep breath, forcing the doubt aside.

“Gu Yuan, ready?” Huang Yunmu asked, turning to him.

Gu Yuan inhaled deeply and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

The two walked toward the forest entrance, their figures gradually disappearing into the dense shadows. The forest seemed to wait silently, its mysteries concealed, as if anticipating their arrival.

...