In the evening, to celebrate the breakthrough of three students to level thirty in the Star Dou Great Forest, Flander erected a large bonfire in the center of the cleared ground on the training field.
The other teachers at the academy, whom Tang San and his batch of freshmen had not met, also joined the barbecue team.
The orange-red flames leaping against the night sky illuminated everyone’s faces with a rosy hue, and an atmosphere of pure joy permeated everyone.
Tang Sui, holding a skewer of cumin-marinated mushrooms roasted by Tang San for her, giggled as she watched Ma Hongjun being chased by Oscar’s enlarged sausage spirit in a sorry state.
Apart from the students playing and barbecuing, among the teachers, the new face, Grandmaster, had joined the ranks of the Shrek Academy teachers, exchanging pleasantries with them in a cheerful atmosphere.
Tang Sui bit off a mushroom, her azure eyes reflecting the harmonious scene, a flicker of longing and yearning in their depths.
If the future could always be filled with such laughter, and not so heavy, how wonderful that would be...
'Dreams and reality are often the opposite.'
Fox Face's delicate voice echoed in Tang Sui's mind.
Tang Sui chewed the springy mushrooms with a calm expression, her gaze dimming slightly.
'Ah, I know.'
'It is precisely because the desires one wishes to fulfill are difficult that people constantly grow stronger for the things they care about.'
Just as she fought tooth and nail with fate to survive, wanting to overturn her tragic destiny.
And although she knew she could stay under the protection of her brother Tang San, the son of destiny, she did not want to be merely a dodder plant living off others. She also wanted to be a sky-high flower that stood firm even in a thunderstorm.
In the pitch-black spiritual space, a faint, alluring, or perhaps promising green light flickered in the empty, long fox eyes of Fox Face as its voice echoed in Tang Sui's mind:
'That day will come.'
'We are one. When the other masks awaken, we can also create a sky for you, giving you the right to grow without fear of your branches breaking.' Su Dan Novel Network
The dimness in Tang Sui's eyes dispersed, and a bright, cheerful smile returned to her lips.
'Yes. I also look forward to the day when all the masks awaken!'
Because by then, she would have truly become powerful, no longer needing to hide behind others when facing danger!
...
The eastern sky showed the belly of a fish, and streaks of red clouds emanated from the rising sun, gently falling upon the earth like silk, cloaking it in a brocade.
The golden-red dawn painted the chaotic sky, awakening the sleeping earth.
A thin layer of mist still enveloped the village houses within Shrek Academy, but all eight of them stood in a line before the platform on the training field without a single one being late, their eyes sharp as they looked at Grandmaster, who stood with his hands behind his back.
Today, only Grandmaster was responsible for teaching Tang Sui and the others, because at the bonfire celebration party last night, Flander had stated in advance that from this day forward, all teachers at the academy would cooperate with Grandmaster’s teaching plan.
Grandmaster swept his gaze over the spirited group and announced one of tomorrow's tasks: "For breakfast tomorrow, I expect to see you in the cafeteria even earlier. Because after eating, the stomach needs time to digest, and strenuous exercise cannot be performed immediately. From now on, breakfast will be ready at five in the morning. If you haven’t come to eat within half an hour, you won’t get any. Do you understand?"
These words were undoubtedly a reminder to everyone, telling them that tomorrow's training tasks would not be easy.
Tang Sui and the others replied in unison, "Yes," and waited for Grandmaster to continue speaking.
Grandmaster's scrutinizing gaze swept over them, and he then said, "Very well, I will now begin your intensive training. Tang Sui, step forward."
Suddenly called out, Tang Sui’s small face became serious, and she deliberately took small steps out of the line.
Grandmaster observed Tang Sui, whose complexion looked much healthier than yesterday, and nodded secretly. He said calmly,
"I have a task for you now. Your goal today is to defeat all seven of them without using your third spirit skill. Judging by age, we will start with Dai Mubai, the eldest among you. If you injure someone by being careless with your strength, you will be responsible for healing them after this battle."
As soon as these words were spoken, Dai Mubai and the others looked at her with expressions of horror.
Tang Sui was also dumbfounded.
This shouldn't be Dai Ge's job, right? Why was it her turn to fight one against seven?
And... she was a support-type spirit master!
Grandmaster saw the lingering fear in everyone's eyes and understood their thoughts. He remained composed and said, "Are there any problems? Although Tang Sui is a support-type spirit master, with the mutation of her spirit and the increase in the number of masks, it can be considered a form of ranged attack. Moreover, Tang Sui's current spirit power level is the highest among you, so there is no need to worry about fairness. Or are you saying you can't even defeat a support-type spirit master?"
Everyone: "......" The problem is, they really couldn't!
At this moment, Dai Mubai, who was the second to be called out, felt extremely bitter but had no words to express it.
Because they had all promised Tang San yesterday to avoid provoking her and to keep the matter of the other personality a secret from Tang Sui.
But now...
Don't ask, just ask and you'll get sadness.
Dai Mubai stepped out of the line with a heavy expression, his upright posture as resolute as if he were walking to the execution ground.
Brothers, I'll go first!
---Author's Note---
Sui Sui: I'm bearing a weight that shouldn't be mine at this age.orz