Hearing Bai Xin's words, the trio and onlookers all gaped with open mouths, looking like they’d seen a ghost. After all, just moments ago, the two girls had been fighting at the school gate. Lin Mi used to bully Bai Xin daily, and now Bai Xin claimed they were new friends? The crowd was utterly bewildered. Seeing Lin Mi slightly blushing and not resisting, it seemed the ditzy girl had actually won her over.
Cold Night Feather, however, studied Lin Mi thoughtfully and mused to herself, (Should I say they’re all just kids… none are truly bad at heart; they make up so easily.)
Bai Xin, seeing their disbelief, started explaining unprompted, “Actually, Lin Mi isn’t bad. The principal told me about her family situation. She isn’t a bad person—you know she often helps classmates with small things?”
…
Let’s rewind to what happened earlier in the principal’s office.
Li Wushuang watched the two girls with a headache; they still glared fiercely at each other in his office. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Haven’t you cooled off yet?”
The girls exchanged a glance, snorted in unison, and turned their heads away.
Li Wushuang sighed. “Forget it. I’ll clarify things now to avoid all sorts of trouble from you two.”
Both girls instinctively turned their gazes to him.
Li Wushuang fixed his eyes on Bai Xin. “Do you know why Lin Mi targets you everywhere at school and envies you?”
Lin Mi wanted to deny the envy but lacked the courage before Li Wushuang. She only looked at Bai Xin.
Bai Xin pondered Li Wushuang’s question seriously for a long moment… then drew a complete blank.
Li Wushuang sighed again. “Lin Mi’s mother died when she was very young. As a child, she had almost zero talent for abilities. Her father paid her little attention. Only recently did she develop extraordinary talent, shaping her personality. But I believe, at heart, you’re not a bad kid.” He directed the last words to Lin Mi, whose face was complex.
No one knew about her mother’s death. Everyone thought her father doted on her like the apple of his eye. Yet Li Wushuang knew her family so well.
“How I live and my family have nothing to do with this!” Lin Mi said darkly, on the verge of exploding. “Even as principal, don’t casually reveal others’ private matters.”
Bai Xin looked curiously at Lin Mi’s vulnerable side, then back at Li Wushuang, who hadn’t finished.
Li Wushuang shrugged noncommittally. “What if I tell you Bai Xin’s parents died before she could remember? And just years ago, her only remaining relative passed away. She’s lived alone all this time.”
Bai Xin’s heart sank. Living alone this long—it was a lie to claim no sadness or loneliness.
(But now, I have family too.) Bai Xin’s mind flashed to Cold Night Feather’s stunning face, always wearing that smug smile. A faint blush spread across her own cheeks.
Lin Mi stared in shock at Bai Xin, making her uncomfortable, before speaking with a complex expression: “Your burdens and pain outweigh mine by far. No wonder I’ve never seen your parents.”
Bai Xin, ever optimistic, smiled despite her reopened wounds. “It’s okay. Time heals even the deepest scars.”
Lin Mi studied Bai Xin’s smile, sighed, and smiled back. “Then… can I be your friend from today? A real friend?”
Bai Xin looked at her in surprise but reached out, shaking her hand with a bright grin. “Sure! I’ll count on you, Lin Mi!”
Watching the two young girls hug tightly, Li Wushuang wore a gratified smile.
Lonely souls always resonate with their kind. Whether jealousy or darkness, in this long night, they cling together for warmth. Because they’re the same.
…
After Bai Xin’s retelling, the trio looked even more stunned. Ouyang Meng muttered, “What a clichéd plot.”
Cold Night Feather didn’t find it clichéd. She knew this kinship well. Once, she’d inexplicably befriended a madman from the Abyss—both fanatical for their beliefs. Though he later died by her sword. She remembered his last words in her arms.
…
“Heh heh… I’m dying, cough… as expected, you’re still better.” The handsome red-haired man, with huge black horns like ox horns on his head, coughed golden blood. He lay in the arms of a silver-haired man whose face resembled a stunning woman’s.
A hideous charred sword wound marred his chest, flickering with golden light. An ordinary person would be long dead, but this no ordinary man clung to life.
“Heh, Blazingglory… how did we, from different factions, become friends? Anything left to say?” The silver-haired man was Cold Night Feather. He smiled at Blazingglory, but sorrow lingered beneath it.
Blazingglory grinned, aggravating his wound. More golden blood spilled. “Why friends? Cough… because we’re the same. However dark or mad it gets, isn’t it wasted if only one sees it? Someone else must witness it. Cough… only you qualify. Pity… what I wanted you to see… you won’t. But I sense we’ll meet again in another world. Then… settle the score! Cough cough…”
Blazingglory spoke in a final burst, then coughed violently. His unyielding pale golden eyes closed forever.
Cold Night Feather sighed, watching him turn to ashes. She stood, expressionless, gazing at distant Abyss forces surrounded by an army in silver-white armor.
…
Cold Night Feather had thought Blazingglory’s “another world” meant the afterlife. Now, his words seemed to hold hidden meaning.
Snapping back, she found five girls staring curiously. She smiled faintly at concerned Bai Xin. “I’m fine. Your words just reminded me of an old friend.”
Bai Xin didn’t doubt her but asked eagerly, “Huh? An old friend? Where are you from, Ye Yu? And what happened to them?”
Cold Night Feather pinched Bai Xin’s cheek—her face screamed “curious”—and replied, “That guy? I killed him with my own hands long ago.”
Everyone froze in horror. To them, raised in peace, killing wasn’t casual—especially an old friend.
Just as they pressed further, the class bell rang.
Cold Night Feather addressed the group, still full of questions. “How about this: come to Bai Xin’s house for lunch today!”
They immediately agreed.
A tall, thin man in glasses entered the classroom with a book.
Cold Night Feather flipped open her history textbook, skimming quickly. It covered modern history—exactly what she craved to learn.
The teacher, about to quiz, spotted Cold Night Feather standing out among students. “Oh? A new member? White-haired student, close your book and stand. Answer: who was humanity’s first ability user, when did they awaken, and what impact did it have?”
Note: why did no one question Cold Night Feather’s silver-white hair? Some ability users’ hair changes color after awakening. Rare, but real—even this small class had non-black-haired teens. So her hair didn’t stand out.
Cold Night Feather took a deep breath and stood, answering fluently. “The first ability user was Ji Xing. He awakened in 1984—32 years ago. He’s humanity’s strongest, the sole SS-rank. His base ability is simple fire manipulation, but he’s developed countless forms and uses.”
“After the first ability user emerged, more awakened worldwide. Panic spread. Ability users clashed with governments until 1990, when Sin Beasts appeared. Tech weapons lost power against their mysterious energy; kinetic weapons faltered. But ability users’ power sources—similar yet opposite to Sin Beasts’—could neutralize their energy defenses, harming them effectively.”
“Since then, governments partnered with ability users. Now, they earn benefits by rank in exchange for fighting Sin Beasts and protecting humanity. Once seen as monsters, ability users became heroes overnight.”
The tall teacher nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent detail. Class, learn from her. Your name?”
“Cold Night Feather.”
“Alright, Cold Night Feather, you may sit.”
