When Shen Huaiyun pushed open the door and stepped into the office, the cold touch of the training equipment still lingered on his fingertips. A wave of warmth greeted him from inside, and he heard his mentor’s robust voice shouting into his phone, “Isn’t it simple? Just go down the list from the top based on practical combat results and pick out the best ones!”
Shen Huaiyun slowed his steps, silently placing the still-warm training report on the corner of the solid wood desk before standing to the side with his hands at his sides, waiting for Professor Ning to finish the call.
The person on the other end of the communicator seemed to say something else. Ning Yanfeng clicked his tongue, his gaze instinctively sweeping over the quietly standing boy beside him, lingering on Shen Huaiyun’s calm profile for half a second.
“Fine… Let him go and learn more, see some real action.” His tone grew heavier. “Tell Old Liu, this kid is from my side make sure he’s looked after! If he gets hurt, I’ll hold you accountable!”
The call ended abruptly. Ning Yanfeng turned around, picked up his oversized enamel mug, and took a gulp of strong tea before finally picking up Shen Huaiyun’s report. His eyes moved up and down the page, and eventually, an unmistakable satisfaction seeped out from the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
“Hmm, you didn’t forget your skills after all the New Year’s fun. Not bad.” He pulled open a drawer, took out a worn-edged file folder with the bold characters “Huaiyun” written on it, and carefully tucked the report inside.
“There’s something else.” He set the cup down, its base clinking softly against the desk. “The academy is opening a new field practice ground, within the safe zone marked by the watchtower. They’re sending the top third-years to test the waters first, to see if there are any oversights the academy hasn’t considered. You’re on the list.”
Shen Huaiyun’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he looked up. “Field practice? I thought that usually starts with fourth-years?”
“This year is special.” Ning Yanfeng waved a hand as if brushing away unnecessary worries. “Your batch has a solid foundation, and the higher-ups want to push you. Don’t worry about safety the area has been pre-sealed with a simulated Great Wall barrier, the watchtower has been cleared, and the ‘teaching materials’ left inside are all low-level, screened specimens. The team leader is Old Liu, a retired B-class Sentinel with more practical experience than all the meals you’ve ever eaten.”
“Oh, right, a few fifth-years who have already differentiated and shown outstanding performance both Sentinels and Guides will also be going, to keep things under control.”
He paused, looking at the boy’s clear yet unreadable eyes, and added, “Shen Tangmo is also on the list. You two brothers can look out for each other.”
Sure enough, upon hearing his brother’s name, Shen Huaiyun’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
He nodded. “I understand, Professor.”
“Alright, it’s mealtime. Don’t just stand around here. Go back, eat, and get ready.” Ning Yanfeng picked up his phone and opened a food delivery app, already in a dismissive mood.
Shen Huaiyun gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
The coolness of the hallway replaced the warmth of the office. Shen Huaiyun walked steadily, but his heartbeat, belatedly, quickened by a few beats. Field practice and with his brother.
When he pushed open the dormitory door, the familiar scent of shower gel washed over him. He had just tidied up the slightly messy desk and straightened up when the door was pushed open again.
Shen Tangmo walked in, bringing with him the crisp chill of the outdoors and the vibrant warmth that lingered after his training. His forehead was slightly damp, his breathing a bit heavier than usual, but his eyes were bright. When he saw Shen Huaiyun, that brightness softened into a gentle smile.
“Perfect timing. Want to head to the cafeteria together?”
“Mm,” Shen Huaiyun replied, picking up his meal card. He thought to himself that during the meal, he could tell his brother about the practical activity.
“Hey, Shen Tangmo!”
Just as they had settled into their seats with their trays, a booming male voice called out. Turning, they saw it was Shen Tangmo’s friend, Zhu Ji.
He had recently completed his differentiation and was now an A-rank Guide.
“Little Huaiyun’s here too!” Zhu Ji said, setting his tray down beside them. Shen Huaiyun had played a few rounds of games with him before, so he greeted him as well.
“My mentor told me about a field practical activity. Brother, we’re both on the list,” Shen Huaiyun said as he scooped the sauce from his braised pork over his rice.
Zhu Ji took a bite of his chicken leg. “What a coincidence? My mentor mentioned it too. Looks like we can go together then.”
“Oh, right, Shen Tangmo, did you know Jiang Qishui has a girlfriend now? He was bragging about it in the group chat yesterday. Man, his girlfriend is really pretty! I don’t know what she sees in him,” he complained.
Shen Huaiyun didn’t join in, his tone flat. “I’m not really close with him.”
“Alright, alright,” Zhu Ji said, stuffing two more pieces of meat into his mouth before his eyes lit up. “Hey, I remember you got confessed to by a girl before, right? Anything going on with you?”
“No,” the boy replied without hesitation.
Whether it was an illusion or not, Zhu Ji felt like Shen Tangmo had glanced subtly in Shen Huaiyun’s direction.
He didn’t pay it much mind, turning instead to Shen Huaiyun with a mischievous grin. “How about you? Anything going on?”
The young man had already finished most of the food on his plate without anyone noticing. He swallowed a mouthful of greens, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
Shen Tangmo frowned.
Zhu Ji’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Wait, really?”
But Shen Huaiyun blinked and said, “What does it feel like to like someone? I don’t really understand.”
Zhu Ji stopped eating entirely, eagerly explaining things like “your heart races when you see that person” and “you always want to spend more time with them,” completely missing the subtle sigh of relief from Shen Tangmo beside him.
Unfortunately, no matter how eagerly he tried to dig for gossip, all he got in the end was another thoughtful shake of the head.
“No. If I had to say, the only people I care about are my brother and my parents.”
Zhu Ji slumped back into his seat, resigned. “Man, I may have all this theoretical knowledge, but none of my friends seem to have any practical experience.”
Shen Tangmo ignored him, taking a sip from his water cup, but the faint, indistinct emotion in his heart didn’t seem to be washed away by the warm water.
“Is this what they mean by birds of a feather flock together?” Zhu Ji muttered under his breath.
The young man beside him scoffed. “Is having a lot of practical experience at this age really a good thing?”
“Uh, good point.”
“Speaking of which, where do they even find the time to date? I feel like I don’t have enough hours in the day for classes and training. If they’re so free, can they share some of their time with me?”
It was a question that was hard to figure out. Zhu Ji guessed they must have 25 hours in their day.
No matter how much time those people had, at least the three of them lived in a world where days were only 24 hours long. The topic ended along with dinner, and the three returned to their respective dorm rooms.
After washing up and lying in bed, the silence of the night seeped in. Shen Tangmo lay on his back on the lower bunk, staring at the blurred shadows of light on the ceiling, wide awake.
He had asked his younger brother in detail about the specifics Professor Ning had informed them of and glanced at the message from his own mentor: “Stay safe during the practical activity.” All routine notifications, nothing unusual.
From the upper bunk came the rustling sound of fabric as someone turned over. Shen Tangmo took a breath, and a bluish-purple psychic tentacle quietly extended from his sleeve, gently climbing up to the edge of the upper bunk, hesitantly swaying its tip.
“Huaiyun, are you asleep?”
“Not yet.” The slightly nasal response of a young man came from the upper bunk. Soon after, a warm hand touched the slightly cool psychic tentacle, helping it wrap around his wrist, fingers soothingly stroking the translucent appendage.
“After all, we’re going out into the wilderness this time. If anything unexpected happens, make sure to protect yourself first, okay?” His voice sounded especially clear in the silence.
Sensing the unease transmitted through the psychic tentacle, Shen Huaiyun paused his fingers, then gently squeezed it and replied, “I will.”
That’s what he said, but if an accident really happened, how could he possibly run away first, leaving his older brother to face the danger? He would definitely stay, standing in front of his brother.
The psychic tentacle seemed to sense something, tightening for a moment before slowly relaxing, still wrapped around his wrist without retracting.
“Sleep now.” Shen Tangmo finally whispered, “We have to get up early tomorrow.”