"If you like it, I'll make it again next time. It's late—I still have to go to school." Nangong Shiyu quickly slurped the rest of his noodles, gathered both bowls and chopsticks, and tossed them into the kitchen sink.
"Huh? Must you really go to school?" Xia Zixin pouted. "You're the Thunder God now. Skipping class won't matter."
"No, how to put it... School's about attitude. Wait—you kinda have a point."
Slinging his crossbody bag on, Nangong Shiyu hesitated: drop it or head out?
After half a minute of wavering, he suddenly realized something was off.
"What logic links being the Thunder God to school? I still need to earn money to eat!"
"But school doesn't guarantee that either," Xia Zixin calmly countered.
"You're right—I can't argue," Nangong Shiyu said, slipping on his shoes at the door. "But I'm not listening."
"But if—"
"I'm not listening, not listening, not listening!" Ignoring her, he opened the door. "Stay home till I return. Watch TV or surf the web—whatever. The computer password's my name in pinyin. Bye."
He shut the door after his rushed instructions, took the elevator down, and stepped out of the complex toward school.
The 7 a.m. air felt crisp. One deep breath expelled his lingering sleepiness. Sparrows chirped, bicycle chains clinked, and engines rumbled—a fresh symphony announcing Tianmu City's new day.
Steam billowed from roadside breakfast stalls, fogging second-floor windows. Sanitation workers slowly dragged carts and brooms past, leaving spotless, cheerful streets.
Nangong Shiyu walked silently down two blocks, reaching Luo Qitian's complex entrance.
Just like always, they met at this exact time.
"Yo~ Morning, Shiyu."
"Morning."
After waving, the two regular walking buddies strolled side by side.
Just as Nangong Shiyu thought it was another ordinary morning—
"Who's that girl trailing you?"
Following Luo Qitian's gaze, Nangong Shiyu turned to see an unexpected face behind him.
No—actually expected.
He'd forgotten a crucial fact: Xia Zixin was possessing him via the Thunder God's Mystic Pearl.
She had to stay within meters of him—three or five? He hadn't tested it.
"Hi, I'm Xia Zixin!" She waved at Luo Qitian. "I'm cohabiting with Nangong Shiyu~♪"
A chill shot down Nangong Shiyu's spine. He glanced sideways to meet Luo Qitian's resentful glare.
"No—don't believe her!" Nangong Shiyu waved frantically to explain.
"Oh ho! So that's why you rejected the class rep's confession. Hiding a treasure, huh?" Luo Qitian's smile turned sinister, his gaze judgmental. "But the sacred flame purifies all."
"Stop! Calm down, bro! Listen to me!"
"Ah-ha! Such vital intel—I must share it in class later."
"Hold on! Let's talk reasonably, bro!"
"I'm not listening, not listening, not listening!" Luo Qitian's face crumpled near tears. "I never thought you'd ditch your bro... Why hurt me? Why must bros betray each other? Is a woman's embrace really that—alluring?!"
"Stop it! She's just my... my older sister!" To curb Luo Qitian's otaku meltdown, Nangong Shiyu blurted the lie.
"Huh? Your sister?" Family words slightly calmed Luo Qitian's rage.
"Yeah, my sister—"
"We're not blood-related~♪" Xia Zixin cut in.
"Exactly... my ass! Are you stirring trouble?!"
"Nope—just stating facts. Lying's rude." She stuck her tongue out at Nangong Shiyu.
"Nangong Shiyu." Luo Qitian suddenly wore the chat app's "smile" emoji face and waved his palm.
That expression and gesture meant one thing:
Friendship terminated.
"Manual goodbye. I don't know you."
"Don't, bro!"
"Leave. I don't know you. Harass me again, and I'll call the cops." Ignoring Nangong Shiyu, Luo Qitian sped up, trying to lose them.
"Tsk... Friendship's little boat capsized so fast. I thought Shiyu's classmate was reliable..."
"Serious?!" Luo Qitian instantly perked up and ran back. "You truly think I'm reliable?!"
"Mhm, really." Xia Zixin nodded.
"Swear on your conscience?"
"I dare." She stepped behind Nangong Shiyu, pressed her chest to his back, wrapped an arm around his neck, and placed her hand on his chest. "I swear on his conscience."
Nangong Shiyu felt his friend's heart wither—though it wasn't his fault.
Though it wasn't his fault.
"Partner..." Luo Qitian approached with a dead-fish expression, patting his shoulder. "May you climb adulthood's ladder far."
"Act normal..." Nangong Shiyu sighed. "Nothing's between us. Cheer up."
"Chest-to-back? What's to explain!" Luo Qitian grimaced. "No comfort needed—this is humiliation! A life-ruining stain! Is my future doomed...?"
"I said, act normal..." Nangong Shiyu tired of his drama. "Stop acting crazy—girls will laugh."
"Sniffle... sniffle..."
This guy's beyond saving. Nangong Shiyu sighed again.
But just then—
"Shiyu, watch out!"
Xia Zixin's warning faded as killing intent crashed over Nangong Shiyu. At the street's end, something flew toward them at blurring speed. Between him and it, a dejected figure walked—unaware of danger.
Yes—Luo Qitian blocked the threat.
Damn it... Nangong Shiyu cursed inwardly.
"Dodge!"
He lunged forward, shoving Luo Qitian hard left. As his best friend cleared the death line, sensation vanished with splattering blood.
His right forearm severed cleanly, landing on the sidewalk.
The jagged wound seared his nerves—he screamed. His cry drew stares from pedestrians.
Timid onlookers shrieked; others collapsed weak-kneed; the rest fled immediately.
Their terror wasn't for the severed arm—but for the thing behind Nangong Shiyu.
A giant mantis-like creature loomed.
Black carapace covered its body. Green compound eyes bore black streaks. Faint smoke curled from its open mouth. Pale saliva dripped, sizzling on the pavement.
"Shiyu!" Xia Zixin rushed to him, clutching his stump, and pulled him up. "Snap out of it! Cauterize the wound with Lightning—now!"
Pain blurred his vision. He stared blankly at his arm, trembling.
"Hurry! Endure it!" Xia Zixin's voice cracked with urgency. "Cauterizing dulls the pain! Do it!"
Gritting his teeth, Nangong Shiyu focused Lightning in his left hand.
Remembering last night's lesson, he controlled the power. Crackling bolts streamed from his fingertips, searing the stump.
Worse pain blacked his vision—he nearly fainted. But the charred wound soon throbbed less. His mind cleared.
"W-what's happening..."
Luo Qitian sat roadside, staring at the severed limb near his feet, pupils shrinking.
"Help! Someone help!"
