It had been a month since Sharkai Bai rescued the girl from the abyss.
Before he knew it, Sharkai Bai’s campus life grew increasingly busy.
Not only had two annoying roommates moved into his once-solo dorm, but the student council president also kept piling him with trivial errands.
On the tree-lined paths of Celestial Carving Academy, the lazy white-haired boy could still be spotted.
"Darling, take good care of yourself while I’m away," Cecilia Xuelian said.
"Got it," he replied.
Today was the day Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbell returned to their family for what sounded like a clan meeting. Sharkai Bai had never attended such gatherings for the Sharksea Clan, despite their tradition.
Bleary-eyed with dark circles under his eyes, Sharkai barely registered Xuelian’s morning chatter. He responded mechanically with "uh-huh," "yeah," and "okay."
Xia Feina, however, looked thrilled and cheerful at the news of Xuelian’s departure.
Watching the white-haired girl’s expression, Sharkai knew they’d have argued again if time hadn’t been so tight.
After Cecilia Xuelian finally shut the door and left, Sharkai turned to head back to bed—only for Xia Feina to yank his shirt from behind.
"I’m hungry," she said, clutching her stomach.
"You again! Isn’t there leftover food in the fridge?" Sharkai yawned, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Nope."
"Ugh..." He turned around to find Xia Feina grinning mischievously.
Guess he’d have to grab groceries from the campus convenience store himself.
Walking down the path, Sharkai pulled out his wallet. His monthly allowance was already half gone after just one week.
(Bread, milk, meat...) He tossed the essentials into his shopping bag.
Still half-asleep, Sharkai reached his dorm building. Only after grabbing coffee and orange juice from the vending machine did he realize—he’d forgotten to take his change at checkout.
He vaguely recalled paying and walking straight out.
"Ugh... what rotten luck," he sighed, trudging back to the store.
"Out for an early stroll? Quite the habit, Sharkai," Dishi greeted him on the way back.
"Hah, with another troublesome roommate added to my dorm," Sharkai muttered.
"Heh, your own choice. Got a minute? Someone wants to see you."
"Spare me—I’ve only slept four hours and might drop dead any second."
"Don’t worry, it won’t take long."
"If I said no, you’d drag me anyway, right?"
"Mm, sharp as ever, Sharkai." Dishi clapped a hand on his shoulder and pulled him into a rift in the air.
When Sharkai’s feet touched solid ground again, the academy’s familiar grounds had vanished. He stood in a long corridor draped in red carpet.
After nearly two years at the academy, he’d never seen this mysterious place.
"Don’t worry about where this is. Just walk straight ahead. I can’t meet this person," Dishi urged from behind, pointing toward a grand door at the corridor’s end.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Sharkai trudged forward, the heavy shopping bag weighing down his arm.
He yawned widely, glancing at the murals lining the walls.
Pushing the door open, thick dust rained onto his head from the frame.
This place hadn’t been touched in ages. Sharkai brushed off his hair, feeling the stale air cling to his skin.
"Hello, Sharkai Bai of the Sharksea Clan." A crisp male voice echoed above him.
Sharkai looked up. A middle-aged man with long purple hair floated inside a massive rectangular crystal. He wore simple white robes like a devotee.
"...Hello," Sharkai replied, an inexplicable unease tightening his chest under the man’s gaze.
"Hello, Sharkai Bai. I am Aikua Hebrai Eburna, founder of this academy."
"Huh?!?! FOUNDER?!?!?"
---
Swan Forest.
The Cecilia Family convoy had reached this spot.
The golden-haired girl leaned against the window, her gaze distant as she stared at the passing scenery.
Suddenly, rustling erupted from the grass surrounding the vehicles.
The convoy guards snapped to attention.
Sure enough, figures in uniform black suits leaped from the bushes.
The guards formed ranks to counter the ambush—but the attackers’ strength overwhelmed them. Even trained warriors couldn’t hold the line.
"Who dares assault the Cecilia Family?" Ozbell snapped.
"Snowlotus, handle them," she ordered.
Only after the guards were cleared did Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbell step from their carriages.
"Stand down," a tall black-clad figure commanded in a feminine voice, stepping forward from the crowd.
"So you’re their leader, little girl," Ozbell said coolly. Ice spread beneath her feet.
"You won’t get away with this!" Xuelian shouted. The earth trembled violently as a colossal stone giant surged beneath her.
The black-clad woman’s eyes stayed locked on Xuelian. "I despise you, Cecilia Xuelian."
---
Celestial Carving Academy.
"Too slow! Too slow! Too slow! What took you so long?! I’m starving!" Xia Feina’s voice brimmed with complaint as Sharkai returned to the dorm.
"Hey, I worked hard for this," he grumbled. After leaving Aikua Hebrai Eburna’s hidden chamber, he’d backtracked to the cafeteria for his change. Dropping the shopping bag on the table, he collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted.
Aikua Hebrai Eburna had shared details about Sharkai’s body—but Sharkai didn’t dwell on it. Whether a monster lived inside him or he held power to erase Godfiends, he’d focus on his daily life and protecting those who mattered. That was enough.
"Can’t tease that annoying auntie anymore... kinda boring now," Xia Feina mumbled through a mouthful of bread.
"Swallow first before talking," Sharkai said dryly.
"You think I’ll choke? I’m not that—" *cough cough cough!* She fumbled for the milk bottle, gulping desperately.
(Just kidding, jeez...) Guilt pricked Sharkai’s heart, as if his words had cursed her.
---
Swan Forest. Trees lay shattered—a battlefield aftermath.
(So strong... this woman!) Cecilia Xuelian lay on the ground, staring up at the black-clad figure.
Even teaming up with Ozbell, they couldn’t beat Elucia—but this masked woman stood unscathed! Ozbell had taken a brutal blow meant for Xuelian and now lay unconscious.
"How weak. You’re Sharkai Bai’s fiancée?" the woman sneered.
"...Cough! You know Darling?" Xuelian rasped.
"Don’t you dare call him that!" Enraged, the woman kicked Xuelian flying. She skidded across the dirt before stopping.
"W-who... are you?" Xuelian lifted her head with effort, vision blurring. She’d never seen this face or heard this voice—a complete stranger.
"Who... am I?" The woman murmured, glancing toward Celestial Carving Academy in the distance. Her eyes hardened as she turned back. "I am Qian Nami Shizuru. A migratory bird that can no longer take flight. The one Sharkai abandoned two years ago."
