Nian Xifeng sat beside Nian Yuchi, right by the window. He was boredly gazing at the sky, since he already knew everything Ren Lingying was teaching.

Beside him, Nian Yuchi felt helpless about his attitude. Unable to say much, she could only whisper a reminder.

"Brother, brother, pay attention in class!"

Anqi, on Nian Yuchi’s other side, just chuckled silently without a word.

Hearing Nian Yuchi call him, Nian Xifeng turned his head and looked at her in confusion.

"What is it, Yuchi?"

"We’re in class now; you should listen properly!" Nian Yuchi pouted her little lips, as if something terrible would happen if he didn’t.

"Alright then!" Nian Xifeng shrugged and reluctantly turned his gaze to Ren Lingying on the podium. But man, this was so boring.

Ren Lingying had long noticed Nian Xifeng daydreaming but hadn’t spoken up. Seeing him look at her now, she finally asked,

"Nian Xifeng, come answer this: how are human abilities generated?"

Hearing this, Nian Xifeng stood up leisurely. This made Nian Yuchi anxious beside him—she knew he hadn’t been paying attention, so whether he knew the answer was uncertain.

Nian Xifeng stood unhurriedly. He glanced at the nervously fidgeting Nian Yuchi, gave her a slight smile, and began slowly,

"Human abilities awaken at age six. Each person gains one or multiple abilities, which stay with them for life. To gain more, you must deeply understand your own abilities, discover others from them, and master their use."

What Nian Xifeng said was unfamiliar to everyone. In their understanding, abilities could only be gained during awakening, never after.

"Student Nian Xifeng, you didn’t seem to be paying attention just now," Ren Lingying said with a smile.

"During awakening, one or multiple abilities are born, depending on talent. Those with more might, with good opportunities, develop branch abilities later," Nian Xifeng replied calmly. He didn’t care what others thought; he stated facts, and whether they listened was up to them.

"Well, if the teacher doesn’t believe me, just consider it random talk! Anyway, it’s not that important." Nian Xifeng shrugged nonchalantly and sat down.

After he sat, classmates whispered among themselves about his words.

Ren Lingying pondered too. She’d check the materials later. After all, this was someone even the principal respected; his words weren’t baseless, and such a strong person had no reason to lie to her.

"Alright, let’s end this and continue with the next—" Just as Ren Lingying spoke, the bell for the end of class rang.

"Uh, well, that’s it then. Class dismissed!" Ren Lingying hurriedly left the classroom, heading toward the library.

...

"Brother!" After Ren Lingying left, Nian Yuchi called out to Nian Xifeng.

"What is it, Yuchi?" Nian Xifeng turned around in confusion.

"Class is over; let’s go home!" Nian Yuchi smiled sweetly.

"Mm! Okay!" Nian Xifeng smiled back.

"Anqi, want to walk together?" Nian Yuchi turned to Anqi on the other side.

"Mm! Sure! I was actually hoping to chat with Brother Xifeng too!" Anqi said with a mischievous chuckle.

This made Nian Yuchi pout her lips slightly.

Seeing her like this, Anqi secretly enjoyed it but couldn’t bear to tease her further. "Haha, don’t worry! I won’t steal him from you!"

Hearing this, Nian Yuchi’s face flushed slightly, looking like a shy little maiden—utterly adorable.

Only Nian Xifeng beside them looked completely clueless about what they were talking about.

"Alright, alright, let’s go!" Anqi’s smile widened. Yuchi was just too cute. If the boys in class saw their goddess like this, who knew what they’d think!

"Mm!" they both replied.

After leaving school, the three walked home together. Anqi couldn’t resist asking about what Nian Xifeng had said in class.

"Brother Xifeng, you said abilities can be gained beyond the awakening—is that true?"

"Mm! It’s true. It depends on individual talent and your awakened abilities. These determine how many more you can grasp later." Nian Xifeng knew Anqi was Yuchi’s good friend, so he had no reason to hide anything.

"Then how can one gain other abilities?" Anqi was still puzzled. Like others, she believed abilities were fixed at awakening. But after hearing Nian Xifeng, she felt hopeful—if true, she could become stronger.

"It varies per person, but simply put, you must deeply understand your awakened ability to develop branch abilities from it," Nian Xifeng said with a smile. Since she was Yuchi’s friend, he might as well teach her. Plus, she’d helped him that day; this was his way of thanking her.

"There are still limitations. What’s your current ability?" Nian Xifeng asked.

"My ability is Striking." Anqi looked at him with wide eyes.

"Mm, with Striking, you might derive abilities like Knockback or Stun. When you hit an enemy, you could inflict an additional status. Deeper mastery might allow direct Knockback or Stun." After hearing her ability, Nian Xifeng thought for a moment before sharing his understanding.

"Is that possible?" Anqi was surprised. Hearing this, she felt it wasn’t impossible. Though she hadn’t seen his abilities, she trusted he wouldn’t lie.

"Mm, yes!" Nian Xifeng confirmed.

"Then can I ask Brother Xifeng to be my master?" Anqi didn’t know why she blurted this out, but if it was him, it should be fine!

"Uh, better not. If you have questions, Anqi, just ask me. I’ll answer everything I know," Nian Xifeng refused awkwardly. He didn’t want to take on such troubles.

"Haha, alright then! I’ll part here! I go this way. Yuchi, Brother Xifeng, see you tomorrow!" At an intersection, Anqi waved goodbye with a smile. Her home was in another direction.

"Mm! See you tomorrow!" Nian Yuchi waved back.

"See you tomorrow!" Nian Xifeng replied with a smile.

Watching Anqi leave, Nian Xifeng smiled slightly at Nian Yuchi.

"Let’s go to the Adventurers’ Guild!"

"Mm! Perfect chance to see Brother’s teammates with Han Yuying!" Nian Yuchi giggled.

"Well, we’ll see them eventually. Let’s go; don’t keep them waiting." Nian Xifeng reached out, holding Nian Yuchi’s small hand in his palm. Together, they walked toward the Adventurers’ Guild.

At the guild, Nian Xifeng’s teammates and others were already waiting. Seeing him arrive, their faces lit up with surprise and joy!

"You’re here!" Han Yuying stood up, smiling and waving.

"Mm, sorry to keep you waiting!" Nian Xifeng said apologetically.

"No problem! We understand!" Han Yuying waved it off.

"Brother Xifeng!"

"Hi, Brother Xifeng!"

"Mm, hello to you all!" Nian Xifeng waved back.

When they saw Nian Yuchi, held by Nian Xifeng’s hand, everyone’s eyes were glued to her beauty, unable to look away.

"Brother Xifeng! Is this your sister?" Ke Feng felt his throat dry up and swallowed hard.

"Mm! Come, let me introduce you." Nian Xifeng pulled Nian Yuchi to his side.

Nian Yuchi stood timidly, head down, feet unconsciously forming an inward V, hands clenched unnaturally.

"This is my sister, Nian Yuchi," Nian Xifeng said, pointing to her.

"Yuchi, this is Lin Cheng, our team leader." Nian Xifeng pointed to the smiling boy who had been watching them.

"Hello!" Lin Cheng greeted with a smile.

"H-hello!" Nian Yuchi’s soft, honeyed voice made the boys present almost melt—except Nian Xifeng, of course.

"This one talking to us is Ke Feng!" Nian Xifeng pointed to Ke Feng standing before him.

"Hello there, Sister Yuchi!" Ke Feng greeted with an awkward grin.

"H-hello!"

"This is Xianxian, the only girl here. Now that you’re here, she’ll have someone to talk to!" Nian Xifeng smiled at Xianxian.

"Hello, Sister Yuchi! Please take care of me from now on!" Xianxian walked to Nian Yuchi, took her other hand, and gave her a sweet smile.

Nian Yuchi wasn’t resistant to girls. Seeing Xianxian so proactive and friendly, she let her hold her hand.

"Mm! Thank you, Sister Xianxian!" Nian Yuchi smiled back.

"Finally, this is Cheng Runchen." Nian Xifeng pointed to the last man, who had shown no expression throughout.

"Hello." Cheng Runchen just nodded.

"Hello." Nian Yuchi nodded back.