Their spar ended just in time for breakfast, so the two of them headed to the restaurant attached to the battle arena.

’We’re leaving today. This is my last chance for a free meal. It’d be a waste not to eat.’

Su Zhi ladled himself a large bowl of Minqu—a Huai City specialty. It consisted of thin noodles made from mung bean flour, served in a hot broth with cilantro, green onions, and a dash of vinegar and chili. A single bowl was enough to keep a person energized for the entire day.

Yu Bao ate his usual pet food, but Su Zhi also gave him a few small sausages.

"Woof woof woof..."

Forgetting all about his food, Yu Bao began to excitedly tell Su Zhi about his new discovery:

The Sand Shadow Guards were indeed clones, but if he were to activate a portion of the Earth Element within them, they could have an effect similar to the Ice Blade Legion.

In the future, Yu Bao could activate the Sand Shadow Guards to varying degrees depending on the situation, giving them the ability to use Skills within a certain range!

"That’s amazing! You’re the best, Yu Bao!"

Su Zhi heaped praise on him while sneakily reaching his chopsticks toward the sausages in Yu Bao’s bowl.

"Woof." Yu Bao swatted his chopsticks away with a paw.

Then, he looked at Su Zhi, then back at the sausages, and proceeded to lick every single one.

Su Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "So you can spread knowledge and guard your food at the same time, huh?"

"Woof."

Yu Bao’s message was clear: even a Wise One has to eat.

The restaurant was relatively empty in the morning, with only the occasional sound of someone scrolling through videos on their phone. Su Zhi and Yu Bao brought a bit of life to the vast dining hall.

Selena, sitting opposite them and eating her own bowl of Minqu, watched the scene quietly.

’Actually, Xue Ao is usually quite lively, too. Especially at mealtime. He’s always squawking up a storm. He hasn’t made a peep today. Yu Bao must have beaten him into a state of total depression. Good. Mission accomplished.’

"You seem to have a wonderful relationship with your Pet Beast."

Selena had already finished her breakfast. She watched the pair across from her, still eating together, and smiled, resting her chin on her hand.

"Has anyone given you a hard time about it?"

"A few times," Su Zhi said calmly. "I see Yu Bao as my family, not just a Pet Beast."

"I know my approach doesn’t align with the mainstream view, but I’m going to stick with it."

"It certainly doesn’t align with the mainstream view..."

"...But it does align with mine."

A look of admiration flashed in Selena’s eyes.

"That’s right. The mainstream belief is that the bond between a Beast Tamer and their Pet Beast shouldn’t be too close. That’s the case for most departments, even within the Common Defense Alliance."

"But where there’s a mainstream, there are always other currents. Take our Flying Shadow Alliance, for example. Among the Nine Great Alliances, we’re the branch that places the most emphasis on building the relationship between a tamer and their pet—relatively speaking, of course."

"Why is that?" Su Zhi asked, his curiosity piqued.

Selena smiled faintly.

"The Flying Shadow Alliance’s functions are disaster relief and rapid response. We often have to rush to disaster zones on a moment’s notice to provide aid."

"We often have to face challenges far greater than ourselves and protect people far weaker than ourselves."

"If the tamer and pet can’t work together as one, sharing a common purpose, how could we possibly face disasters so much greater than ourselves?"

Su Zhi’s eyes lit up.

’He thought about the upcoming summer camp. According to the requirements, he still had to confirm which Alliance branch’s camp he would attend.’

’Maybe I should sign up for the Flying Shadow Alliance’s camp?’

"If you’re interested, you can sign up for the Flying Shadow Alliance’s summer camp. If we’re lucky, I might even end up being your mentor."

Selena smiled faintly, her thoughts aligning perfectly with Su Zhi’s.

But then, her smile turned bitter.

"However, I wouldn’t recommend you join the Flying Shadow Alliance. You’ll understand why later."

"Do you have any other questions?" Selena glanced at Su Zhi, who looked like he had something on his mind.

Su Zhi asked curiously, "I remember you said you had a flight this afternoon?"

"Mm-hm."

"But wouldn’t it be easier for you to just fly on your Pet Beast?" Su Zhi said, looking at her beige trench coat.

’If he was guessing correctly, Selena must do that often. Why else would she be dressed like that in the middle of summer?’

"That’s true."

The corners of Selena’s mouth lifted as she lightly ran her fingers through her long blue hair. A rare, almost girlish delight appeared in her eyes.

"But things have been slow lately, so I actually took the time to do my hair last night. Flying on a Pet Beast would mess it all up, but taking a plane won’t..."

"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

As she spoke, Selena’s phone suddenly blared with a piercing ringtone.

Selena’s body went rigid. The joyful light in her eyes vanished, instantly replaced by a frosty glare.

"Excuse me."

"WHOOSH!"

Before Su Zhi could say a word, Selena had already dashed out of the restaurant, summoned a gigantic ice-blue bird with an enormous wingspan, and soared into the clouds...

[Pet Beast: Xue Mei (Extreme Ice Phoenix)

Attribute: Ice Element

Race: Middle Commander Race

Real-time Energy Value: 15026]

His Beast Tamer-issue phone detected a Pet Beast with an Energy Value exceeding One-star and automatically displayed the scan results.

Su Zhi didn’t even glance at his phone.

The young man stood at the restaurant entrance, a complicated expression on his face as he watched that smooth, ice-blue hair whip about in the fierce wind and disappear into the distance.

·

One hour later, a news story shot to the top of the trending list—

_Magnitude 9.6 Superquake Rocks Hundred Rivers Province, Flying Shadow Alliance First to Reach Disaster Zone_

"Sigh, Hundred Rivers is such a disaster-prone place. It seems like there’s an earthquake there every other month."

"I heard from a tech specialist at the Divine Strategy Alliance that there’s a giant dual Earth and Gold Element Pet Beast active beneath Hundred Rivers, which is what causes the frequent earthquakes."

"Sigh, those poor Hundred Rivers People. It would be great if some powerhouse showed up one day who could put a stop to that thing."

"The Flying Shadow Alliance has it rough, too. I heard their casualty rate during disaster relief is even higher than the casualty rate from the earthquake itself..."

During breakfast, several students were discussing the news.

Su Zhi had already finished his breakfast. He stared at the restaurant entrance, his heart filled with a swirl of emotions.

He suddenly understood why Captain Sai had advised him against joining the Flying Shadow Alliance.

At first, Yu Bao also watched with a somber expression, being the wise dog that he was.

But when Xiaoyue came for breakfast, he couldn’t be bothered to watch anymore. He sidled up to Xiaoyue’s ear and began recounting the morning’s events.

Xiaoyue pretended to listen, nodding repeatedly, a trace of helpless resignation in his eyes.

"Su Zhi?"

Shao Ya poked him, forcing a smile. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about the summer camp."

Su Zhi quickly snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Shao Ya. "Your dad is an Alliance Member of the Flying Shadow Alliance too, right? Is he..."

"He’s fine! He should be on leave, so he won’t be deployed!"

Shao Ya quickly smiled and changed the subject. "Want to head home together in a bit?"

"Yeah, but I have to make a stop at the Alliance Headquarters first."

Su Zhi collected Shao Ya’s empty bowl and chopsticks and handed them to a server who was clearing tables.

"The Huai City Common Defense Alliance sent me a text the day before yesterday. All my approvals have been finalized. Once I pick up my Alliance Youth Team badge, I’ll be an official Alliance Youth Team Member."

"Congratulations~!"

Shao Ya’s eyes lit up as she clapped her hands.

"Then let’s go to the Alliance Headquarters first, and then head home. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, okay."

"I’ll go back and pack my things, then."

The girl took a few steps, then suddenly put her hands behind her back, turned her head to look at him, and blinked her brilliant blue eyes.

"Thanks for last night~"

Cao Mingyu and Liu Yuhang stopped their discussion. One had half a fried dough stick dangling from his mouth, the other half a fried pancake, and both were staring at Su Zhi with a brand new, inquisitive look.

Su Zhi’s cheeks flushed.

"Y-You’re welcome... Okay, just go already!"

"Ahahaha, I’m outta here~!"

·

At 9:50, Su Zhi finished packing and left the room with his suitcase and Yu Bao.

Across the hall, the girl with the bright white hair was waiting, suitcase in hand.

The morning sun cast a long, narrow strip of light down the hallway, brushing across the tips of her hair and making it seem to glow softly.

Su Zhi held out a bag. "Here’s the towel and other things I borrowed from you..."

The girl blinked mischievously. "Are you expecting me to use a towel after you’ve used it?"

"...Then I’m not giving it back!" Su Zhi said, petulantly pulling the bag back.

Shao Ya covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, saying nothing more.

In the small plaza in front of the battle arena, they met up with Cao Mingyu and Liu Yuhang.

The four of them asked a passerby to take a group photo for them.

Su Zhi stood in the center, his smile calm and confident. Yu Bao, cradled in his arms, wore a smile of his own, full of grace and composure.

Shao Ya stood to the right, leaning in slightly with a peace sign, her other arm holding Xiaoyue, who looked on with an expression of pure exasperation.

Liu Yuhang stood on the left with Xue Li perched on his shoulder, the picture of a sunny, cheerful guy.

Cao Mingyu stood directly behind Su Zhi, making a pair of horns behind Su Zhi’s head with his fingers. The look he was giving Su Zhi was... indescribable.

"What’s with that look? Can’t you just act normal for once?"

"My friend, Su Zhi, it was you who taught me to show my true self, to live without wearing a mask..."

"You should put it back on!"

The small plaza was filled with cheerful laughter.

The matches were fought, the prizes were claimed, and the photos were taken. The seven-day city tournament had officially come to an end.

"Brother Shu, I’m heading out! See you at school the day after tomorrow!"

"Brother Yuhang, you need not travel alone. Allow me to escort you."

"Alright, Old Cao. Thanks!"

Cao Mingyu remotely summoned his Maybach and drove off with Liu Yuhang.

Su Zhi watched them getting all buddy-buddy, and a strange feeling welled up in his chest... ’No, what am I thinking? As if.’

The commotion died down, and the small plaza grew quiet once more.

A gentle breeze swept by, and Su Zhi caught a glimpse of soft, bright white strands of hair in his peripheral vision.

"We should get going, too," he said. "To the Alliance Headquarters."

"Mm-hm."

"Woof!" On their way out, Yu Bao, as if remembering something, nudged Su Zhi worriedly.

Su Zhi glanced in the direction of the hospital. The corner of his mouth curved into a smile as he turned his gaze back to the path ahead.

"She’ll be fine. Don’t worry."

...

...

「In the hospital room.」

slowly opened her eyes. The hazy darkness was gone.

Her pale pink eyes darted about, taking in her surroundings.

’Her last memory was of her Refusing Flame Blessing being shattered, of Yu Bao knocking her out of the ring... So I was injured, and now I’m getting treatment?’

The possibility made 004 suddenly tense up.

’If the injury is irreversible, it’ll be hard to get back to my previous training intensity. My potential might even be capped!’

’If that happens, will Fang Yuan terminate our contract?’

’I can’t let that happen. I have to get out of here now.’

’Even if I’m really hurt, I have to act like I’m perfectly fine!’

Just then, the sound of the door opening came from outside the room.

004, stubbornly determined to get out of the treatment pod, heard the footsteps approaching. But in that instant, on some strange impulse, she squeezed her eyes shut.

·

·