*Chapter 4: Bonds and Rivalries*
The world warped as each teen stood alone in glowing circles—Li Wei trapped by a thousand whispering shadows, Jin Ming surrounded by paper cranes that combusted if he lost focus. Chen Xiulan's water maze twisted higher with every mistake, and each misstep sent icy currents nipping at her heels. Bao Yu found himself in a barren desert with his seedling drooping, sweat pouring down his brow as he desperately begged the earth for life. Mei Fen wandered a hall of mirrors where every reflection sneered something different—sometimes her friends, sometimes old fears.
Li Wei clenched his fists, hearing not only his own doubts but snatches of the others' fear. He reached out mentally, desperate to connect—first to Bao Yu, who was on the verge of breaking down.
> "Focus," Li Wei projected, "You're never really alone. The earth listens if you ask nicely."
Bao Yu blinked, wiped his brow, and tried again, this time whispering a joke about the last pillow disaster. A tiny bud unfurled from rock, earning a small victory cheer.
Jin Ming, hearing the distant mind-link, smirked. "Let's see if your brain can handle fire, genius!" But his own flames pulsed dangerously, lighting up the cranes. It was Chen Xiulan who shouted encouragement, snapping Jin back. "Pretend they're magic fish, not birds!" she called, making him grin and relax, the fire flickering steady and safe.
Mei Fen paced her illusions, her voice shaking until a familiar, invisible rabbit hopped past—a remnant of yesterday's joke—reminding her she wasn't really alone. She burst through her trial with a burst of laughter, shattering the last mirror.
Little by little, each teen let Li Wei guide them. He pulled their minds together in a shimmering, shimmering web—steering Jin away from reckless moves, boosting Bao Yu's confidence, calming Chen Xiulan, cutting through Mei Fen's confusion. Finally, the barriers vanished, five weary teens stumbling together in the glowing center of the courtyard, success burning in their chests.
There, Madam Zhou watched silently, face unreadable. "You survived. Barely. But will you survive each other?" she whispered as she faded away.
Later, back in the dorm, tension snapped when Jin Ming loudly declared, "If brains could burn, Li Wei, you'd be toast!" Laughter mixed with a hint of rivalry. Chen Xiulan rolled her eyes at the boys, while Bao Yu's seedling did a happy wiggle. Mei Fen dropped an illusion of a trophy over Li Wei's head, making him blush and the group dissolve into giggles.
But in the shadows outside, someone watched and whispered, "Soon, the game changes…"