The afternoon sun clung to the rooftops of Shrek Academy like a lazy fog that had no intention of lifting. Dew glistened along the worn stone pathways, and the usual noises of the academy had yet to stir. It was peaceful, deceptively so. For Li Wei, this kind of morning can be said to be the rare type he cherished most.
He sat at the edge of the practice field with a thermos of warm tea resting beside him, his Diendriver manifest and held loosely in his lap. His fingers idly traced the edge of the driver.
'It feels strange… being at peace.'
The academy had yet to stir into full activity, and for once, there was no imminent spar, no high-ranking opponent, no overwhelming force bearing down on him. He sipped the tea slowly, enjoying the contrast of warmth against the lingering chill.
Across the field, Ma Hongjun was fast asleep against a tree, mouth slightly open and snoring softly. Dai Mubai was training further away, throwing punches into the air with controlled power. Yesterday fight can be said has burn his spirit but for how long, only times will tell. Oscar, as usual, was off on his own—likely practicing food-based incantations somewhere quiet or experimenting on his own sausage.
Li Wei allowed himself a slow breath. For someone who had lived through a full life already—this second life came with challenges, but also with moments like these. Moments where he could simply be a teenager.
'In my last life, I worked myself numb. No rest, no room to breathe. Here... even with the danger, there's something oddly comforting about the structure of it all. Classes, sparring, downtime. It feels more real than my old reality ever did.'
The sunlight crept higher.
His gaze shifted to the Diendriver.
'Even if it breaks, I can always recall it. The summon isn't just about strength—it's about identity. It's part of who I am now.'
He glanced toward Dai Mubai's form, watching as the senior student executed a powerful strike that cracked the earth.
'They're strong. I'm catching up... slowly. But there's always someone stronger. That's what makes this world so terrifying and so addicting.'
Hongjun stirred with a loud snort, blinking awake and wiping drool from his chin.
"Did I miss breakfast?" he asked blearily.
Li Wei smirked. "No, you still have time to be disappointed by the porridge."
"Ugh." Hongjun stretched his limbs and cracked his back. "I'd kill for a steamed bun or something sweet."
"You say that like you don't know how to hunt your own chickens."
"Jokes aside," Hongjun yawned, "Zhao Wuji said we've got a break today, right?"
Li Wei nodded, though he didn't let himself relax entirely.
'A break on paper. But that just means something bigger is coming. I've watched how Flender moves. He's not the type to let us go soft.'
Hongjun glanced at him. "You're always thinking, aren't you?"
Li Wei didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took another sip of his tea and watched as morning light spilled across the grass like golden silk.
"Thinking keeps me alive."
"Fair. But don't forget to live, too."
That gave him pause. Li Wei glanced at the boy, surprised by the uncharacteristic wisdom.
He let out a quiet chuckle. "I'll try."
As they walked toward the cafeteria together, their footsteps soft against the morning grass, Li Wei allowed the silence to settle again.
He didn't need a battlefield to feel challenged.
Sometimes, just surviving a day in peace was its own kind of victory.