While Mei is on her journey home, let's see what is happening in Nouding Academy. The morning sun bathed Nuoding Academy, dotting the sprawling campus.
The air hummed with shouts of instructors drilling forms, and the lively chatter of students rushing between classes or congregating in small groups in the courtyards.
Soon, Tang San and Xiao Wu stepped into the academy and went straight to their dorm room.
As they pushed open the door to their dormitory, they were met with a chorus of greetings.
"You're back!"
"Tang San! Xiao Wu! How was the village?"
"Did you bring us anything?"
The small room suddenly felt crowded and warm. Wang Sheng and the other boys surrounded them, their eyes wide with curiosity.
One of them, a lanky boy with a mischievous grin, nudged Tang San, his eyes darting significantly between him and Xiao Wu, who was standing closer to Tang San than was strictly necessary.
"So," the boy drawled, "things look… different. Did you two have a good 'vacation'?" The implication in his voice was clear, and a few of the others snickered.
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, but she met their teasing with a defiant lift of her chin.
"Oh, shut up! It wasn't like that!" she retorted, though a small, secret smile played on her lips.
Tang San, as always, remained the picture of calm. "It was eventful," he stated simply, deftly deflecting the insinuation. He began to unpack a simple cloth bundle.
"We brought back some local specialties from the village." He revealed a collection of root vegetables and a few jars of preserved berries.
The villagers back home were extremely proud that their village had produced a soul master and showered them with many presents. So they decide to share them with their dormmates and Mei.
Xiao Wu, never one to be upstaged, launched into the story with her characteristic dramatic flair.
She told them about meeting Old Jack, the long walks through familiar lanes, and the simple, quiet peace of village life, carefully omitting the more personal moments, like Tang Hao's departure and the flower field.
Once the stories ended and the gifts were distributed, Tang San's calm gaze swept over their friends. "How was everyone's vacation here?" he asked.
The room erupted again as the other students shared their own tales—visiting family in the city, attempting (and mostly failing) to train on their own, and the general lazy freedom of the break.
When the chatter died down, Tang San asked the other students. "Has anyone seen Mei?"
"We have a souvenir for her."
He pulled out a small, carefully wrapped package from his pouch. It was a pair of delicate wooden hairpins Xiao Wu had insisted on buying, carved in the shapes of a gentle curve to resemble a flower.
Wang Sheng, ever observant, scratched his head. "Oh, Mei? I saw her yesterday morning at the job board near the Spirit Hall branch. It looked like she was picking a commission to take."
Xiao Wu's face immediately fell into a pronounced pout. "A commission? By herself? She's having an adventure without us!" She tugged on Tang San's sleeve, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Tang San, maybe we can catch up to her? It must be a fun and exciting mission, right? We could help her!"
Wang Sheng, wanting to be helpful, chimed in again.
"I asked around a bit after I saw her. Some of the independent spirit masters said she joined a team for a gathering mission in the Nuoding Forest. Something about Silverwool Sheep fur. They said it should only take a day or two. It's a pretty standard and easy job."
Hearing the mundane details of the mission, Tang San placed a reassuring hand on Xiao Wu's shoulder. His voice was steady and logical.
"See? It sounds like a straightforward task. A gathering mission with an experienced team is one of the safest types of commissions. Perhaps she took it for some solo training, to test her abilities outside of the academy. She'll be fine."
Xiao Wu studied his face, her initial impulsiveness warring with her trust in his judgment. She let out a dramatic sigh, her shoulders slumping in reluctant acceptance.
"Fine, we'll wait," she grumbled.
"You're probably right. Mei is smarter than she looks. She'll be alright. And I don't want to disturb her training. " She took the wooden hairpin from Tang San, cradling it in her palm.
"I just really want to give this to her. I hope she comes back soon."
The conversation moved on, and Tang San and Xiao Wu even got some souvenirs from their dormmate.
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This was just a quick chapter, since I had a bit of writer's block. So I hope you can bear with it and enjoy it. Thank you, and have a great day.