"Hyaah!"

Early in the morning, Zhang Dajian, bursting with excess energy, swung his massive sword in the camp’s open space. He slammed it hard into the muddy ground.

"Classmates! Today, just watch Jess Zhang shine!" Zhang Dajian twirled his heavy blade—normally so awkward to wield—with smug pride.

*Hmph. Think you’re the hero from Berserk?* Lin Luo sighed from a distance.

"Lin Luo."

Ziwan approached him, hands clasped behind her back, a longbow slung over her shoulder. Today, she radiated vitality. Her skin held a healthy, athletic glow—neither pale nor dark.

"Ziwan, how does awakening feel?" Lin Luo asked.

"Absolutely... amazing!" Ziwan spun gracefully before him, her movements fluid and precise. She was slightly shorter than Lin Luo. "I feel like I can hear the forest breathing. No danger can sneak up on me now."

"Oh? So you’ll excel in forest combat?"

"Hehe, want to team up with me today?" Ziwan grinned.

"Ah, today..." Lin Luo recalled his plans to explore with Feier.

"What’s wrong?" Ziwan’s eyes dimmed slightly as she lowered her head. Beneath her short purple hair, a trace of sadness flickered in her gaze.

"Lin Luo, before awakening... I was so scared. I thought I was done for. But somehow, I felt you were right there with me. I remembered us fighting those neighborhood kids as children. I told myself, *Lin Luo’s still behind me. I can’t back down—who else would protect him?*"

Ziwan lifted her head, meeting his eyes. Her clear, unwavering gaze stirred Lin Luo deeply. Even in this perilous place, this girl still thought only of shielding him. He didn’t need her protection—but he vowed to cherish her forever.

"Awakening feels incredible," Ziwan murmured, looking down. "In the darkness, I saw a god. When I offered my soul, my trust—everything—the god granted me strength and guidance. Now... I feel a deeper understanding, a stronger bond with this world."

*Offering soul and trust to a god?* Lin Luo’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Lin Luo! Ready to go?" Feier waved her staff from afar.

Ziwan’s radiance faded. She forced a smile. "You have plans? I won’t bother you." She turned away, eyes dull as she walked off.

*"I told myself, Lin Luo’s still behind me. I can’t back down—who else would protect him?"*

Ziwan’s words echoed in Lin Luo’s mind.

"Ziwan!" He grabbed her hand, turning her back.

"Huh?"

"Let’s explore the world outside—together." Lin Luo didn’t hesitate.

"...!" Ziwan pressed her lips tight, a hint of tears in her voice yet smiling. Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. "Mhm!"

Earlier, Zhang Dajian had led his buddies and Vice Monitor Li’s group of five on a hunt. Li, unawakened, walked in the middle of their formation. Zhang Dajian strode alone on the left flank. No one knew the purpose of this arrangement—was it just habit?

Under the eaves, You Xun and class officers huddled over a map. "Based on intel," You Xun pointed, "Lin Luo mapped the areas around camp. Chen Lulu copied several versions. We’re in Goblin territory. As long as we avoid nearby Jackalman and orc lands, one awakened student can keep foraging parties safe."

"So can we send more classmates to gather wild fruits and greens?" asked Xia Ying, a bespectacled, gentle-looking girl with short hair.

You Xun nodded. "We desperately lack vegetables and fruit. Sending girls to forage near camp is essential."

Discussions about returning to their original world had dominated past meetings. But with no leads, they’d stalled into bitter complaints—utterly unproductive. Gradually, the topic faded from conversations.