✏️ Edited Version – POV: Yuehan
The teachers say it's the end of the school year, but really, it's just a two-month break before we move up to higher classes.
For the past month, I've been working on hand dexterity training, following advice from Tang San. I've also been sparring with both Tang San and Xiao Wu every other day so that I have time to recover between sessions. My body still hasn't fully caught up, but I'm improving.
Master Yu Xiaogang became a full-time teacher at the academy two weeks ago. He's been incredibly persistent—diligent to the point of obsession. Even though most of the class dislikes his strictness, I can tell he genuinely cares.
"How long until we arrive at your hometown?" I ask Tang San, nearly stumbling from exhaustion.
"Look who got tired first!" Xiao Wu says, her voice full of teasing pride.
"It's not my fault! We've been walking for three hours straight," I grumble. "You're the weird one for still having energy. Even Tang San is sweating!"
I point at Tang San for proof.
"Okay, okay—we'll take a break," Xiao Wu says, suddenly guilty.
'That's not fair. You only changed your mind because of Tang San…' I think to myself. I don't say it out loud, though. Not when a flick to the head from Xiao Wu is still a very real threat.
[Five hours later]
"And this is my house," Tang San says with a tired voice, having just led us on a tour of the village.
"So where did you train?" I ask, my curiosity bubbling over. "Is there, like, a secret basement? Were you trained like a ninja? Or maybe you're from a family of assassins! What kind of training did they give you—poison trials? Surprise ambushes? Hidden weapons?"
"Shut up," Xiao Wu snaps, already raising her hand to hit me again.
"What? How can you not be curious? He literally has one of the worst combat-related spirits, but he still manages to beat all the senior students at school! Have you seen his freaky techniques?"
Before I can finish, Xiao Wu is chasing me around the courtyard. Tang San just watches us, eyes distant.
"You're so rude!" Xiao Wu shouts while trying to grab me.
Tang San, meanwhile, isn't really listening. He's staring at the house—his childhood home. I watch as his expression shifts. He's anxious, distracted… like something's pulling him forward.
He suddenly runs inside.
Tang San's POV (brief interlude)
Tang San bursts into the house he lived in for six years, calling out through every room.
"Father? I'm home!"
No answer.
He runs upstairs, heart pounding, and opens the door to his father's room. It's empty.
Only a letter remains.
Tang San,By the time you read this, I'll be gone. Don't look for me. I know you want to become a Spirit Master—so study hard. If you ever change your mind… come back and be a blacksmith.
Tang San's chest tightens. He doesn't know why it hits so hard—maybe it's his body reacting on its own, or maybe it's seven years of unspoken feelings crashing down all at once.
He wipes his eyes.
Then he climbs out the window and runs straight into the forest.
Back to Yuehan's POV
I've been looking for Tang San for half an hour. Xiao Wu is "helping," if you count following me around and telling me to find him faster as actual help.
After asking around the village, we learn that Tang San used to train every morning at sunrise on a hill to the east. That's where we head.
What's gotten into him? I think as I climb the hill. Tang San's never been the type to talk about his emotions. Has he just been holding them all in this entire time?
I glance at Xiao Wu. I can tell she wants to sprint ahead and throw her arms around him. She keeps bouncing on her heels like she's holding herself back.
"I'll catch up," I say, slowing my steps. "Go ahead. Tell him I'm coming."
She nods once and bolts ahead, disappearing into the trees.
I pause for a moment, alone now.
And I think—about the life I left behind, the village I once called home, and the people who've become my closest thing to a family.