The Snowy Water Beast Taming School 's Water Zone buzzed with nervous energy. Beneath the stage, spanning a hundred square meters, stood a hundred young faces—some eager, others pale with apprehension. The towering, ten-meter scoring pillar loomed ahead, its obsidian surface gleaming under the sunlight.
"Silence!" boomed the attendant, Xuě jīnyú, her voice like cracking ice. She was a striking figure, her flowing white robes adding an air of authority. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd, resting briefly on each student as if weighing their worth.
The murmurs died down.
"Lu Rè Jīng," she called.
The boy's face lit up with a confident smirk. His crimson robe swayed as he strode forward, exuding an air of fiery determination. The crowd parted for him, murmurs of admiration rippling through the students. "At least, he is not in the F class, the lowest" someone whispered.
"At least, he is not in the F class, the lowest" someone whispered.
Lu Rè Jīng's hand clenched into a fist. The veins on his forearm bulged as he stood before the pillar. With a sharp inhale, he spread his legs into a solid stance.
"Come forth!" His voice boomed across the stage.
The temperature shifted immediately. A gust of heated air swirled around him, forcing spectators to shield their faces. Steam hissed from the floorboards as his Hot Whale beast materialized—a massive, crimson creature with shimmering scales
and glowing red eyes. Gasps echoed. Sweat beaded on foreheads as the heat intensified as the whale also splashed hot water as if it just came out from a hot sea.
Lu Rè Jīng grinned, stepping closer to the pillar with the beast by his side. With a fierce roar, the whale unleashed a splash of molten water, raising the stage temperature further.
He pulled his arm back, muscles coiled with energy, and delivered a thunderous punch to the scoring pillar.
The punch connected with the pillar, a resounding *boom* reverberating across the Water Zone. A red shimmer coursed through the magical stone, flickering like veins of lava as it calculated the impact.
The crowd held their breath.
The pillar erupted in light: B-Class Tamer
Cheers erupted. A few students clapped while others whispered enviously.
"Expected. He's quite strong," someone muttered.
Lu Rè Jīng turned to face the audience, a proud grin splitting his face. He raised his fist in triumph, his Hot Whale letting out a guttural growl of approval before vanishing in a swirl of steam.
As he descended the stage, he caught sight of Xuě Fú Fèn watching him, arms crossed, her expression cool and unimpressed. Her icy glare made his smile falter, but he quickly straightened and walked off with feigned confidence.
Xuě jīnyú's sharp voice broke through the crowd again.
"Xuě Fú Fèn."
Xuě Fú Fèn stepped forward with effortless grace. Whispers rippled through the crowd:
"She's the Marquis' daughter."
"Of course, she will rank higher than him."
Her silvery-white gown glittered under the sunlight, her aura both regal and intimidating. As she climbed the stage, the crowd instinctively leaned forward, eager to witness her performance.
Xuě Fú Fèn glanced at the pillar, her cold gaze calculating. Then, she raised her slender hand, her voice steady and commanding.
"Come forth, Snow-White Manta."
The stage changed in an instant. The air grew frigid, and snowflakes spiraled down, blanketing the area in an ethereal frost. The temperature plummeted, sending shivers through the spectators.
The Snow-White Manta appeared—a five-meter-long majestic creature that hovered above the ground, its translucent fins glimmering like ice. The manta's presence was overwhelming, its eyes glowing with a frosty light that made the temperature even colder.
Xuě Fú Fèn stepped closer to the pillar. Her delicate hand formed a fist, and with one smooth motion, she struck the stone. The manta let out a high-pitched cry, adding to the dramatic display.
The pillar glowed a brilliant white, frost spreading across its surface. The glowing letters read: A-Class Tamer
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
"She surpassed Lu Rè Jīng!" someone exclaimed.
"She's incredible!"
Xuě Fú Fèn turned gracefully, her icy demeanor unbroken. The applause was thunderous, but her expression remained stoic. She gave a faint nod toward her aunt, Xuě jīnyú, before descending the stage.
Xuě jīnyú allowed a rare smile to touch her lips as she addressed the crowd.
"Well done. Xuě Fú Fèn sets an excellent example for all of you."
In the crowd, Lu Rè Jīng scowled, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Show-off," he muttered under his breath.
Xuě jīnyú's voice cut through the murmurs.
"Xiǎo Hǎiyáng."
The crowd fell silent. Every eye turned toward the tall, lean boy at the back. Hǎiyáng's expression was calm, but his hands trembled slightly as he stepped forward.
"Isn't he the top 1 student?"
"What beast will he summon?"
Hǎiyáng climbed the stage, his movements deliberate. His usual confidence seemed dimmed under the weight of the stares. Standing before the towering pillar, he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Come forth..." His voice faltered for a moment, then strengthened.
The world seemed to pause.
The ground beneath his feet shifted. A watery aura spread out, followed by a sudden burst of fresh grass aroma. Sand lifted into the air, swirling like a desert storm before giving way to blistering heat. Flames flickered, scorching the air, and then fierce winds howled, whipping through the stage.
Gasps of amazement erupted as the surroundings morphed into a tempest of chaos. Finally, the winds calmed, and the stage was eerily silent, as if it had been transported to a parallel dimension.
Everyone leaned forward, anticipation thick in the air. The transformation of the surroundings had left the crowd awestruck, the chaos of natural elements still lingering in their minds.
Surely, Xiǎo Hǎiyáng was about to summon something unparalleled.
"Look ! Shadow of a huge beast ! It is somehow similiar to...?!Majestic Dragon?" Someone added.
"Oh, my God ! No one is able to summon a dragon for decades !"
"Really ?"
"Let's wait!"
...
Seconds ticked by, but the stage remained empty.
"Where's the beast?" someone murmured, their voice laced with skepticism.
Hǎiyáng's hand trembled, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fist tighter. He scanned the stage, sweat trickling down his temple.
"Maybe... it's just delayed?" another student muttered, half in hope and half in mockery.
"Or maybe," a snide voice cut through the crowd, he doesn't have a beast at all.
Laughter broke out. It was nervous at first, but as the silence stretched on, it turned cruel.
"Trash! He doesn't even have a beast!"
"Some top student! This is embarrassing!"
Hǎiyáng's jaw tightened, his shoulders stiff under the weight of their jeers. His breaths came shallow and quick, each insult slicing into him like a blade. He tried to ignore them, tried to focus, but the mocking laughter grew louder, swelling into a deafening roar.
Xuě Fú Fèn frowned, her icy composure flickering.
"This... doesn't make sense," she whispered, though her tone held a trace of contempt.
Her eyes darted toward the crowd, her lips pursed as if suppressing a sharp remark.
On the edge of the stage, Lu Rè Jīng's face turned red with anger.
"Shut up!" he yelled, his voice cracking.
"You don't know anything!"
But the crowd ignored him.
"Enough!" Xuě jīnyú's voice rang out, silencing the noise. She looked at Hǎiyáng, her expression unreadable. "Punch the pillar."
Hǎiyáng hesitated, his hand hovering mid-air. For a moment, his usually bright eyes dulled, his confidence shattered. Then he nodded and took a deep breath, stepping toward the pillar.
He drew back his fist, every muscle in his body coiled with tension, and struck the magical stone with all his might. The impact echoed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the stage.
The crowd fell silent, their collective breaths held. The pillar... didn't react.
No glow. No shimmer. Nothing.
Whispers began anew, growing louder and sharper.
"Nothing? Did he even punch it?"
"Is the pillar broken?"
"No," someone sneered,
"He's just that weak."
The silence on the stage felt suffocating. Hǎiyáng's heart pounded in his chest, his face burning with humiliation. He clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms.
"Trash-level," someone hissed. "XF-Class, the lowest of the low!"
That word—XF—spread like wildfire through the crowd. Students pointed, snickering openly now.
"The so-called genius can't even register on the pillar!"
"How pathetic!"
Hǎiyáng's vision blurred, his breath shaky. He turned his back to the pillar, eyes darting toward the crowd, and saw nothing but mocking faces. His legs felt like lead as he stepped down the stage, each step heavier than the last.
Lu Rè Jīng shoved through the crowd, his face twisted with fury. "What's wrong with all of you?" he snarled, his fists clenched. "Don't you have anything better to do than mock him?"
Xuě Fú Fèn stood motionless, her face a mask of cold indifference, though her brows knitted slightly. "It's strange," she murmured under her breath. "There's no way he could be this weak."
As Hǎiyáng passed her, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "Looks like the mighty has fallen." Her words stung more than the laughter.
The teacher's voice rang out, but it was merely a formality now. "The test is over for today. All students dismissed."
For once, the students cheered Hǎiyáng—not out of respect, but out of gratitude. "Thanks for ending the test early, loser!" someone jeered.
As the crowd dispersed, their mocking laughter lingered in the air like a curse. Hǎiyáng stood frozen at the edge of the stage, his head bowed, shoulders trembling with the effort to hold back tears. The once-proud top student had been reduced to a spectacle of humiliation.
In his mind, he heard echoes of his father's voice, strong and steady:
"No matter what they say, hold your head high.You are destined for greatness, Hǎiyáng."
But now, even that voice seemed far away.
Hǎiyáng trudged down the steps, his legs heavy as if weighed down by chains. The laughter and mocking whispers from his peers still rang in his ears, each word a dagger piercing his already battered pride.
He didn't look up as he walked past the crowd, their faces blurring into a sea of contempt. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, his nails digging into his palms until they almost drew blood.
Lu Rè Jīng caught up to him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Hǎiyáng," he said, his voice filled with a mix of anger and concern. "Don't let them get to you. This doesn't mean anything!"
Hǎiyáng didn't respond, his face devoid of its usual light. His jaw was tight, and his eyes remained fixed on the ground.
"Hey!" Lu Rè Jīng shook him slightly. "Say something!"
Hǎiyáng finally looked up, his gaze distant. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice cracked at the edges.
"You're not fine!" Lu Rè Jīng shot back, his frustration bubbling over. "They're idiots! You don't have to prove anything to them!"
Across the courtyard, Xuě Fú Fèn stood watching, her arms crossed. Her icy demeanor was unshaken, but her brows furrowed slightly as if she couldn't make sense of what she had just witnessed.
"He's hiding something," she murmured under her breath. Her white manta had dissolved into shimmering flakes moments ago, but the stage still bore faint traces of frost.
She turned to her friends, who were busy snickering about Hǎiyáng's failure.
"He's probably just a fake genius," one of them said, flipping her hair. "All talk and no power."
Xuě Fú Fèn didn't respond, her gaze fixed on Hǎiyáng's retreating figure. Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of curiosity and lingering contempt.
As Hǎiyáng and Lu Rè Jīng walked away from the courtyard, Xuě jīnyú called out, her voice sharp and commanding. "Xiǎo Hǎiyáng."
Hǎiyáng froze but didn't turn around.
"You're dismissed," she said coldly. Her tone carried no malice, but it was devoid of sympathy.
Hǎiyáng's fists tightened further, his shoulders trembling. Without another word, he continued walking, his steps quickening until he broke into a run.
The Loneliest Path
Hǎiyáng didn't stop running until he reached the farthest corner of the school grounds, a quiet spot near the edge of the forest. The towering trees cast long shadows, their rustling leaves a faint comfort in the stillness.
He sank to his knees, his chest heaving from the exertion. His hands gripped the dirt beneath him, the rough texture grounding him as his emotions swirled like a storm.
Tears welled in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "Not here. Not now."
The memories of the day played in his mind on an endless loop—the mocking laughter, the teacher's indifferent dismissal, Xuě Fú Fèn's cold words. And above all, the silence of the pillar.
The sound of footsteps behind him made him flinch. He quickly wiped his face and stood, his expression hardening.
"How did it come to this?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.
It was Lu Rè Jīng, his usual fiery energy subdued.
"Hey," Lu said softly, his voice careful as if not to provoke Hǎiyáng's fragile state. "I figured you'd be here."
Hǎiyáng didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
Lu sighed and stepped closer. "Look, I know today was... rough. But it doesn't define you. You're still the same Hǎiyáng I've known since we were kids."
Hǎiyáng's lips twitched into a bitter smile. "Am I? Because right now, I feel like nothing."
"Don't say that!" Lu's voice rose, anger flashing in his eyes. "You're more than some stupid pillar's judgment! You're—"
"Enough!" Hǎiyáng snapped, his voice cutting through the air. "Just... leave me alone, Lu."
Lu hesitated, his hands balling into fists. He wanted to argue, to shake Hǎiyáng out of his despair, but the raw pain in his friend's eyes stopped him.
"Fine," he said quietly. "But I'm not giving up on you. Remember that."
As Lu walked away, Hǎiyáng sank back to the ground, the weight of the day pressing down on him like a mountain.
For the first time in years, he felt utterly alone.
Fractured Bonds
Hǎiyáng sat alone in the quiet grove until the sun dipped below the horizon. The amber light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch toward him, as if mocking his solitude.
The mocking voices of his classmates replayed in his head like an unrelenting echo: "The great Xiǎo Hǎiyáng, just an XF class after all. What a fraud."
"How does it feel to fall from the top, huh?"
"I knew he wasn't that special. Just another pretender."
His fists dug into the earth again, trembling with frustration. He couldn't stop hearing their laughter. Even the faint praise for halting the test felt tainted, like backhanded gratitude masking disdain.
"Is this how they'll remember me?" he thought, his chest tightening.
When he finally returned home to the Xiǎo family residence, the atmosphere was icy. His uncles and cousins were gathered in the main hall, their expressions ranging from smug satisfaction to outright disdain.
Xiǎo Jiàn, one of his eldest cousins, sneered as Hǎiyáng entered. "Ah, here comes the mighty XF class tamer," he said with mock reverence.
The room erupted into low chuckles.
Hǎiyáng froze in the doorway, his jaw clenching. "I don't need this right now," he said through gritted teeth, turning to leave.
But his eldest uncle, Xiǎo Fóng, blocked his path. His towering figure cast a long shadow, and his stern expression was laced with disdain. "You'll stand and listen, boy," he said firmly.
Hǎiyáng's shoulders stiffened, but he said nothing.
Xiǎo Fóng's voice dripped with contempt as he spoke. "You've shamed this family, Hǎiyáng. To think we raised you as one of our own, only for you to bring this disgrace upon us."
"I didn't choose this," Hǎiyáng replied, his voice low but steady.
"Oh? Then who did?" Xiǎo Jiàn chimed in, crossing his arms. "Face it, Hǎiyáng, you've always been nothing more than a burden. Just like your parents."
At the mention of his parents, Hǎiyáng's composure cracked. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Don't you dare bring them into this," he growled, his voice shaking with barely contained rage.
Xiǎo Fóng raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're not even worthy of their name. From this moment forward, you're no longer a part of the Xiǎo family."
The words hit Hǎiyáng like a physical blow. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe.
"You can't—"
"Enough!" Xiǎo Fóng's voice boomed, cutting him off. "You're a disgrace, an orphan with no legacy. Leave this house, and never use the Xiǎo name again."
The night air was cold as Hǎiyáng stepped out of the Xiǎo residence, his belongings stuffed hastily into a small satchel. The heavy wooden doors slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing in the stillness like the final nail in a coffin.
For a moment, he stood there, staring at the ornate gates that had once been his home. The memories of his childhood flooded his mind—his mother's gentle smile, his father's reassuring hand on his shoulder, the warmth of family dinners.
All of it felt like a lifetime ago.
The mocking voices of his relatives still rang in his ears, blending with the laughter of his classmates earlier that day. He tightened his grip on the satchel, his knuckles white.
"Is this all I am now?" he thought bitterly.
"A failure? A laughingstock? A nobody?"
His chest heaved with the weight of his emotions—shame, anger, grief. But beneath it all, a spark of something else flickered: determination.
"I'll show them," he whispered, his voice trembling but resolute. "I'll make them regret this. I'll make them bow before my parents' name."
The thought gave him a shred of strength as he walked away from the estate, his head held high despite the tears threatening to spill.
He wandered the streets aimlessly, the city lights casting long shadows around him. For the first time, he truly felt the sting of being alone.
A Suspicious Ally
Hǎiyáng's wandering eventually brought him to the school courtyard, its towering trees illuminated by the faint glow of the moon. The air was cool, and the faint hum of cicadas was the only sound accompanying him. He found himself staring at the central fountain, its gentle trickle of water somehow calming.
"Can't sleep, can you?" a soft but sharp voice interrupted his thoughts.
Hǎiyáng turned to see Xuě Fú Fèn standing a few feet away, her arms crossed. The moonlight reflected off her pale complexion, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
"What do you want, Xuě Fú Fèn?" he asked flatly, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
She approached him slowly, her snow-white robes trailing behind her. "I heard about what happened with your family," she said, her tone unusually soft.
Hǎiyáng's fists tightened, but he didn't reply.
Xuě Fú Fèn tilted her head, her icy demeanor softened by genuine curiosity. "Why didn't you fight back?"
"What's the point?" he muttered, his gaze fixed on the fountain. "They've already decided I'm worthless. What good would words do?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're not worthless," she said after a pause, her voice firm.
He scoffed, the bitterness in his laugh cutting through the stillness. "That's rich coming from you. Haven't you always seen me as a rival? Isn't this what you've wanted?"
Xuě Fú Fèn hesitated, her expression flickering between annoyance and something softer. "You're right. I've always wanted to surpass you. But not like this."
Hǎiyáng finally looked at her, his brows furrowed. "Then what do you want from me?"
"To understand," she admitted. "You're not the type to give up. So why do you look like you've already lost?"
Hǎiyáng was silent for a long moment, the weight of her question settling over him. "You wouldn't understand," he finally said, his voice low.
"Try me," Xuě Fú Fèn replied, sitting on the edge of the fountain.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "They called me a disgrace. An orphan. A useless failure… just like my parents." His voice broke slightly on the last word, and he quickly cleared his throat, unwilling to show weakness.
Xuě Fú Fèn's expression softened, but she masked it with a neutral tone. "Your parents... what happened to them?"
"They died when I was young," he said simply, his gaze distant. "But they weren't failures. They were heroes. At least, that's what I believed. Now…" He shook his head. "Now I don't even know what to believe."
She was quiet for a moment, then said, "You shouldn't let their words define you. People love to tear others down when they feel threatened."
He looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Why are you telling me this? I thought you'd be celebrating my downfall."
Hǎiyáng snorted despite himself, a small, fleeting smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"But," she added, her tone softening, "I don't want to beat someone who's already broken. I want to surpass the Xiǎo Hǎiyáng who always stood at the top."
Before Hǎiyáng could respond, Xuě Fú Fèn stood abruptly, her usual commanding presence returning. "Come with me."
"What?" he asked, startled.
"You can't sleep outside like a stray dog," she said matter-of-factly. "I'll talk to my aunt about getting you a room in the transfer students' dormitory."
Hǎiyáng blinked at her, unsure whether to be grateful or insulted. "Why would you do that?"
"Because," she said, rolling her eyes, "I can't have my rival looking like a pathetic street urchin. It's bad for my image."
He frowned, opening his mouth to protest, but she silenced him with a glare. "Don't argue. Just follow me."
Reluctantly, Hǎiyáng followed her through the dimly lit paths of the school. They arrived at a small office where Xuě jīnyú, Xuě Fú Fèn's aunt and their class attendant, was sorting through papers.
Xuě jīnyú looked up, her sharp eyes narrowing at the sight of them. "Xuě Fú Fèn? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"Aunt Shuǐ, I need your help," Xuě Fú Fèn said, her tone unusually polite.
Xuě jīnyú raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what could be so important that you'd barge in here at night?"
"It's about Hǎiyáng," Xuě Fú Fèn began, gesturing toward him. "He needs a place to stay."
Xuě jīnyú's gaze shifted to Hǎiyáng, her expression unreadable. "And why should I help him?"
"He's been kicked out of his family," Xuě Fú Fèn explained, her voice steady but firm. "He has nowhere else to go."
Xuě jīnyú leaned back in her chair, studying Hǎiyáng with a critical eye. "So? Plenty of students face hardships. Why should I make an exception for him?"
Xuě Fú Fèn hesitated, then said, "Because he's not just any student. He's the one who broke the scoring pillar."
Xuě jīnyú's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her surprise. "The pillar was broken?"
"Yes," Xuě Fú Fèn confirmed. "And it's only a matter of time before people start asking questions. If we leave him out in the open, who knows what kind of trouble might find him?"
Xuě jīnyú tapped her fingers against the desk, deep in thought. "You make a fair point," she said finally. "But housing him is a big responsibility. Are you prepared to vouch for him?"
Xuě Fú Fèn nodded without hesitation. "I am."
Hǎiyáng stared at her, bewildered. "Why are you doing this?" he asked softly.
Xuě Fú Fèn glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Consider it a favor. But don't think for a second that this changes anything between us."
A Place to Rest
By the time Hǎiyáng and Xuě Fú Fèn reached the transfer students' dormitory, the night had deepened. The building, while modest compared to the grand halls of the main dorms, was clean and orderly, its wooden beams illuminated faintly by lantern light.
Hǎiyáng followed Xuě Fú Fèn with hesitant steps. She strode ahead with her usual confidence, barely glancing back at him.
"This isn't a charity, Hǎiyáng," she said abruptly as they approached the entrance. "If you're here, it's because I fought for it. Don't make me regret it."
Hǎiyáng didn't respond. He knew better than to argue with her at this point.
The dormitory overseer, a middle-aged man with a grizzled beard, greeted them curtly. "You're the one they're vouching for?" he asked, his skeptical gaze scanning Hǎiyáng from head to toe.
"Yes," Xuě Fú Fèn interjected before Hǎiyáng could reply. "He'll follow the rules, won't he, Hǎiyáng?"
Hǎiyáng nodded. "Of course."
The overseer grunted, clearly unimpressed. "Fine. Follow me."
Clan Business
Earlier that evening, Xuě Fú Fèn and Xuě jīnyú had stood in the grand study of the supreme headmaster, Xuě Jīn Mán. The elder was seated behind a carved mahogany desk, his wrinkled face stern and his piercing eyes studying them both.
"This school is not a haven for strays," Xuě Jīn Mán said bluntly, his voice cold. "Why are you wasting my time with this?"
Xuě jīnyú folded her arms, her usually gentle demeanor now sharp. "It's not just about charity, Brother. The pillar broke. The energy it absorbed was too much, and that boy was at the center of it."
Xuě Jīn Mán's eyebrows rose slightly. "And you think this warrants special treatment? This is a family school. Not a place for outsiders to linger indefinitely."
Xuě Fú Fèn stepped forward, her expression calm but determined. "Uncle, it's not indefinite. Hǎiyáng will have to retake the test once the provincial school sends a higher-capacity scoring tool.
Until then, he needs a place to stay. He has no home now."
Xuě Jīn Mán leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "He was disowned by his family, correct?"
Xuě jīnyú nodded. "Yes. And we can't ignore what happened during his test. That kind of power could be dangerous in the wrong hands."
The elder sighed heavily. "Fine. But on my conditions."
He held up a hand to silence Xuě Fú Fèn's protest before she could speak. "He will live in the transfer student dormitory and follow all their rules. He must work as part of the cleaning service team after school each day to earn his keep. And when the new scoring tool arrives, he will retake the test in front of the entire school."
Xuě jīnyú frowned. "Brother, is that necessary?"
"Call me headmaster here!"
"It is," Xuě Jīn Mán continue said firmly. "This will remind him—and everyone else—that our family's school operates on discipline and merit."
A Humbling Start
As Hǎiyáng settled into his dormitory room, he mulled over the conditions set by Xuě Jīn Mán. The cleaning duty wasn't what bothered him. He was no stranger to hard work. It was the idea of being tested again in front of everyone—after what happened last time.
He clenched his fists as he sat on the edge of the bed, the silence of the room pressing in on him.
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The next morning, Hǎiyáng arrived at the dormitory cleaning service office as instructed. The overseer handed him a bucket, a mop, and a stern glare.
"Your first task is the main hall," the overseer barked. "And don't miss a single corner."
Hǎiyáng nodded and got to work without complaint, his mind replaying the events of the day before. The humiliation. The disbelief in his classmates' eyes. The mocking whispers.
By the time classes began, the school grounds were alive with chatter. The story of Hǎiyáng's test failure had spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? The XF tamer is scrubbing floors in the dorms now!"
Hǎiyáng kept his head down as he walked to his class, ignoring the taunts and snickers. His resolve was growing stronger with every insult.
At lunch, he found himself sitting alone under a tree, away from the bustling dining hall. He didn't mind the solitude—it gave him space to think.
From a distance, Xuě Fú Fèn watched him silently, her expression unreadable.
The Headmaster's Plan
Meanwhile, Xuě Jīn Mán met with a representative from the provincial school.
"The replacement scoring tool will take some time to arrive," the representative explained. "It's a complex device, and transporting it safely is a priority."
Xuě Jīn Mán nodded. "Make it quick. I want this matter resolved as soon as possible."
"Do you really believe this boy is worth all the trouble?" the representative asked curiously.
The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I don't know yet. But the potential he showed—if it's real—could reshape everything."
By the end of the week, Hǎiyáng's routine was set. Classes during the day, cleaning in the evenings, and studying late into the night. He worked tirelessly, his determination burning brighter with each passing day.
In the quiet moments, he thought of his parents. Their laughter. Their warmth. Their unwavering belief in him.
"I won't let them be forgotten," he whispered one night, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves outside his window.
As he drifted to sleep, a faint outline of the five-headed dragon appeared in his dreams, its presence both comforting and ominous.
His journey had only just begun.
-----------------------------------End of Chapter 1---------------------------------