Author Note: Character names and specific terminology have been localized to fit a Western fantasy setting (e.g., Xia Tian \rightarrow Summer, Jin Yue \rightarrow June).
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A new day.
It began with Nun Lilith's wake-up service.
Early in the morning, Summer's door was knocked upon, rousing him from his immersion in cultivation.
Summer pulled the door open to see Lilith, still dressed in her nun's habit, standing outside.
"Little Summer, it is time to get up. Starting today, you will begin your study and cultivation within the Angelic Legion."
"From now on, I will notify you of your schedule regularly."
Nun Lilith's voice remained gentle, her demeanor impeccable.
Summer nodded obediently. "I understand, Nun Lilith. Thank you for informing me."
Nun Lilith smiled and instructed Summer that he had half an hour to attend to personal matters, after which she would come to guide him in his upcoming studies and life.
Just like a tutorial NPC in a game.
Then, Nun Lilith showed no intention of continuing the conversation with Summer; she moved on to other rooms to wake up the remaining reserve members.
Summer closed the door with a calm expression.
The single room came with an ensuite bathroom, designed with separate wet and dry areas. The water pipes provided hot water twenty-four hours a day.
In half an hour, Summer could not only brush his teeth and wash his face but even take a shower and use the toilet.
After showering, Summer stood naked in front of the mirror, sizing up his physique.
In just half a year, he was no longer the frail boy from the orphanage; his entire body had become robust.
Although he couldn't compare to the physique of a Beast Spirit Master, he was significantly more built than a Support-type Spirit Master, and the angular definition of muscles was beginning to show.
This was due not only to nutritional supplements but also to the rapid physical development effect brought on by awakening a Martial Spirit, allowing Summer to quickly convert his nutritional intake into gains.
Therefore, Summer didn't have to worry about excessive exercise stunting his growth.
If people in the bodybuilding circle heard this, they would drool with envy.
Looking at the handsome young boy in the mirror, Summer nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected of me. Truly handsome."
Summer then put on his clothes, his mind drifting to Nun Lilith.
Today, Nun Lilith seemed completely normal. She possessed only the calm, peaceful aura characteristic of a believer in the Angel God.
It was similar to the aura of the Grand Priest.
It was as if everything Summer had felt last night was an illusion.
"Did she hide it?"
A touch of peculiar enthusiasm emerged in Summer's eyes.
As everyone knows, people who love research also have exceptionally vigorous curiosity.
However, this peculiar emotion was fleeting.
Summer raised his hand and gave himself a slap.
"What are you doing? You are now the Angel God's most faithful believer! A good child who advocates justice, loves peace, treats others kindly, and seeks knowledge!"
"The Holy Light guides my path! Justice belongs to the Angel God!"
By the end of his muttering, Summer's expression and temperament had gradually changed.
His brow became gentle, his eyes held only innocence, and his aura became peaceful.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door sounded again.
Nun Lilith had come to collect him.
...
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
There were only six members in the Reserve Squad.
Five boys and one girl.
The oldest was no more than fifteen, and the youngest was Summer, who was less than seven.
So, Summer was Number Six.
And the first, undoubtedly, was June.
Not because June was the oldest, but because she was the strongest. She wanted to be the boss, so the others had no choice but to yield the position.
The six children followed behind Nun Lilith.
When June saw Summer, she gave him a playful look, as if saying—
You can't escape. The more you run, the more excited I get!
However, due to Nun Lilith's presence, June didn't do anything more.
Summer just scratched his head in distress, looking as if he didn't know what to do.
The other four naturally noticed the interaction between June and Summer. Or rather, they had been staring at the two of them from the start.
Regarding Summer's situation, the four felt only schadenfreude.
"Don't worry, just have a fight with the Boss and it'll be over. We all went through it," the boy ranked fifth whispered to Summer. "Think of it as an initiation ceremony."
Summer: "..."
Do you think this is the Sorting Ceremony at Hogwarts?
In the wizarding world, before school starts, adults use fabricated lies to trick children, saying they have to fight a troll.
But you guys actually want to fight?
Is June a female troll?
Nun Lilith led the six children to the training ground and then prepared to leave.
" The Instructor will arrive shortly. Please wait patiently."
"At noon, I will come over again."
"Please cultivate diligently."
"May the Angel God protect you all."
Nun Lilith bowed slightly to the six children.
The six children hurriedly bowed in return.
Summer looked at Nun Lilith's retreating back with confusion.
"What are you looking at?" Number Five asked curiously.
"Nun Lilith... seems to be following us around all the time?" Summer asked curiously.
Summer also confirmed one thing: in daily interactions, Nun Lilith's role for herself was surprisingly that of a House-elf... cough, I mean, a maid.
Number Five smiled. "Oh, that. Besides being the dorm manager, Nun Lilith is responsible for every aspect of our lives."
"She is also a physician. When we are cultivating, unless the Instructor is present, she will always be by our side, taking care of us."
"By the way, a reminder: Nun Lilith values etiquette very much, especially etiquette regarding faith in the Angel God. You mustn't make a mistake."
"Anyway, we all like her very much."
"She is an elegant and beautiful lady, isn't she?"
Summer looked at Number Five beside him with a strange gaze.
He heard some different emotions in Number Five's tone.
Number Five was about ten years old, with quite a bit of muscle. When he spoke of Nun Lilith, he couldn't help but talk more, and his eyes even sparkled.
This kid isn't right!
While the Instructor hadn't arrived yet, June walked over, putting on the airs of a boss.
"Ahem, before the Instructor gets here, let me say a few words."
"Today, our Reserve Squad welcomes a new member."
"Although I only briefly exchanged blows with him yesterday, he managed to escape from my hands while I was not using my Martial Spirit."
Summer: ...You weren't using your Martial Spirit? You clearly just couldn't react in time, okay!
This little girl sure knew how to talk.
She wasn't as rash as she appeared.
June continued, "Most importantly, he is a talent favored by the Grand Priest."
The other four boys immediately exclaimed in surprise, casting sideways glances at Summer.
"Anyway, I have decided to accept him into the Reserve Squad for now. Do you have any objections?" June scanned the others.
The other children shook their heads.
Summer also smiled shyly.
June nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright, let's do self-introductions and get to know each other."
"First is me. I am the Captain of the Reserve Squad. My name is June, 11 years old. Martial Spirit: Golden Crocodile. Assault-type Battle Spirit Master, Rank 31. Innate Soul Power: Level 9. My grandfather is the Second Priest of the Priest Temple, Lord Golden Crocodile."
The other four boys followed this format.
"I am the Vice-Captain. My name is Shane, 14 years old. Martial Spirit: Snake Lance. Assault-type Battle Spirit Master, Rank 35. Innate Soul Power: Level 8.5. My grandfather is an Elder of the Elder Hall, Lord Snake Lance."
Shane was a tall, thin boy who gave off a feeling of intensity, his eyes piercing and bright.
"I am Number Three. My name is Quentin, 12 years old. Martial Spirit: Coiling Dragon Stick. Assault-type Battle Spirit Master, Rank 31. Innate Soul Power: Level 9. My Great-Uncle and Second Great-Uncle are both Priests of the Priest Temple, ranked sixth and seventh respectively—Lord Thousand Strikes and Lord Demon Subduer."
Quentin was a boy with a crew cut, a steady temperament, and powerful arms.
"I am Number Four. My name is Toby, 10 years old. Martial Spirit: Storm Giant Sword. Assault-type Battle Spirit Master, Rank 27. Innate Soul Power: Level 8.5. My grandfather is the Judgment Elder of the Elder Hall, Lord Storm."
Toby looked very arrogant and uninhibited, though he had the most well-proportioned figure.
"I am Number Five. My name is Paul, you can also call me Big Brother Paul. I'm 9 years old this year. Martial Spirit: Power Angel. Assault-type Battle Spirit Master, Rank 23. Innate Soul Power: Level 9. My dad is the Captain of the Angel Legion's First Squad, Lord Heavenly Power."
Paul was the tallest and most robust; at eight years old, he was no shorter than a ten-year-old.
Finally, it was Summer.
"I am Number Six!"
"My name is Summer, six and a half years old. Martial Spirit: Autumn Cicada. I currently haven't determined a cultivation direction yet. Rank 11. Innate Soul Power: Level 0.5. I come from the Spirit City Orphanage, and I have no one behind me!"
June: "Innate Soul Power... 0.5?"
Shane: "From an orphanage?"
Quentin: "Six and a half years old?"
Toby: "Autumn Cicada Martial Spirit?"
Paul: "Does this add up?"
Clearly, the five of them each focused on a different point.